Later that year he went to the United Kingdom where he had two seasons with the Tonbridge Juddians in England's national third division competition before having a season with Dendermonde in Belgium's first division where he tasted a semifinal finish.
The Flaxmere College Kowhai Unit teacher aide watched Hastings lose 25-22 to Havelock six weeks ago.
"We didn't start well that day. If we make a good start we'll have a good chance this weekend," he added.
While Makris has been able to recover from injury a fifth bout of concussion has forced regular Havelock North first five-eighth J'ndre Liebenberg out of the match.
"It's likely to be career ending for J'ndre," Havelock manager Conrad Waitoa said.
Fullback Adam Bradey, centre Levi Armstrong and substitute Ethan Bradey will have the goalkicking responsibilities for the villagers. Waitoa said his team is expecting a tough encounter particularly from the Hastings engine room.
"We've shown the Hastings forwards respect by naming five forwards and two backs on our bench."
Top qualifiers Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports will host Carters Frame and Truss Taradale in the other semifinal at Tamatea Park. Pirate manager Charles Reid said his troops are aware of how well the Taradale forward pack went in last week's win against Havelock and have prepared accordingly.
Promising prop Sean Morrison and workaholic loosie Tom Nicol have been named on the bench and their impact will guarantee parity at least from the host pack for 80 minutes. Centre Hayden Hann and winger Matt Garland's returns from injury will be a boost to the backline.
As expected, Taradale have made few changes to last week's starting XV. Winger Josh Mahoni is unavailable with an injury and has been replaced by Leafi Tupuola and Angelo Mufana and Sisa Vosaki switch flanker roles which will see Vosaki on the openside.
"If we play like we did last week we'll have a good chance of beating Pirates. We beat them at Tamatea Park in the first round so their home ground advantage isn't an issue for us," Taradale manager Paul Atkins said, adding there is still a bit of hurt in the squad after last year's 37-12 loss to Havelock North in the Maddison Trophy final and Taradale want redemption.
Both semis should be close. Expect the villagers to win by seven and Pirate by six.
SEMIFINAL TEAMS
NAPIER PIRATE RUGBY AND SPORTS: Ted Symes, Matt Garland, Hayden Hann, Jackson Neilson, Matt Murtha, David Neilson, Jonathan Ruru, Hamish Willis, Sam Green, Lloyd Foote, Jordan Meehan, Matt Brown, Conrad Rieter, Gerome Naera, Kelsey Miller.
Substitutes: forwards: Sean Morrison, Stephen Morrison, Mike Albert, Tom Nicol. Backs: Karl Mapp, Matt Hill, Tione Hubbard.
TARADALE: Uta Tupuola, Leafi Tupuola, Jason Shoemark, Kieran Murphy, Dan McIntyre, Manihera Eden, Thomas Eden, Kaleb Sweet, Sisa Vosaki, Angelo Mufana, Elijah Martin, Andrew Gardner (captain), James Wedd, Mike Sosene-Feagai, Ezra Amituanai.
Substitutes, forwards: Tu Smallman, Joe Simeon, Reon Watts, Paul Robinson. Backs: Karl Hewitt, Wade Woolley, Andrew Wilson.
HAVELOCK NORTH: Adam Bradey, Johnny Robin, Levi Armstrong, Kalin Paewai, Mikey Vuicakau, Dan Snee, Isaac Paewai, Harlan Solomon, Zane Rangi, Luke Ottley, Veteange Latu, Phil McRoberts, Emmanuel Maui, Matt Phillips, Matt Middleton.
Substitutes, forwards: Ben Antonio, Sam Matson, Bronson Primmer, Sam Lamborn, Liam Murphy. Backs: Teihana Brown, Ethan Bradey.
HASTINGS RUGBY AND SPORTS: Star Timu, Timo Vaiusu, Mike Ward, Ausage Fomai, Ioane Ioane, Luke Makris, Jayden Rihia, Tivaini Fomai, Ben Hamelink, George Crichton, Mark Ioane, Ben Parsons, Paulo Nu'u, Aaron McGrail, Dennis Tapusoa.
Substitutes, forwards: Laurent Simutoga, Jono Makris, Angus McGuire, Jack Crasborn. Backs: Enoka Chung Ching jnr, Mika Mika, Tolu Laga'aia.
