Daejarn Asi
{{Short description|Samoa international rugby league footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2015}}
{{Use Australian English|date=March 2015}}
{{Infobox rugby league biography
| name = Daejarn Asi
| fullname =
| image =
| imagesize =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|2000|08|15}}
| birth_place = Christchurch, New Zealand
| height = {{convert|186|cm|ftin|abbr=on}}
| weight = {{convert|97|kg|stlb|abbr=on}}
| position = {{rlp|HB|FE|CE}}
| club1 = North Qld Cowboys
| year1start = 2020
| year1end = 21
| appearances1 = 10
| tries1 = 1
| goals1 = 0
| fieldgoals1 = 0
| points1 = 4
| club2 = {{nowrap|New Zealand Warriors}}
| year2start = 2022
| year2end =
| appearances2 = 8
| tries2 = 2
| goals2 = 0
| fieldgoals2 = 0
| points2 = 8
| club3 = Parramatta Eels
| year3start = 2023
| year3end = 24
| appearances3 = 24
| tries3 = 3
| goals3 = 17
| fieldgoals3 = 1
| points3 = 47
| club4 = {{nowrap|Castleford Tigers}}
| year4start = 2025
| year4end = present
| appearances4 = 15
| tries4 = 2
| goals4 = 0
| fieldgoals4 = 0
| points4 = 8
| teamA = Māori All Stars
| yearAstart = 2021
| yearAend = 23
| appearancesA = 2
| triesA = 0
| goalsA = 0
| fieldgoalsA = 0
| pointsA = 0
| teamB = Samoa
| yearBstart = 2023
| yearBend = present
| appearancesB = 2
| triesB = 0
| goalsB = 0
| fieldgoalsB = 0
| pointsB = 0
| retired = no
| source = {{Cite web |url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/daejarn-asi/summary.html |title=Daejarn Asi - Playing Career |access-date=30 October 2024 |website=Rugby League Project}}{{Rugby league records |id=20766 |title=Daejarn Asi}}
| updated = 13 June 2025
}}
Daejarn Asi (born 15 August 2000) is a Samoa international rugby league footballer who plays as a {{rlp|hb}} or {{rlp|fe}} for Castleford Tigers in the Super League.
He has previously played for North Queensland Cowboys, New Zealand Warriors and Parramatta Eels in the NRL. He has also played for New Zealand Māori at representative level.
Background
Born in Christchurch, New Zealand, Asi is of Samoan (Solosolo and Afega), Māori (Ngāi Tahu and Tuhoe) and English descent. He played his junior rugby league for the Aranui Eagles before moving to Australia.{{Cite web|url=https://canterburyrugbyleague.co.nz/2019/03/red-and-black-report-2019-edition-no-1/|title=Red and Black Report 2019: Edition No. 1|date=18 March 2019|website=Canterbury Rugby League}}
In Australia, he played his junior rugby league for the Nerang Roosters and Ormeau Shearers. Asi attended Keebra Park State High School and later Brisbane Grammar School before being signed by the North Queensland Cowboys.{{Cite web|url=http://www.keebraparkrugbyleague.com.au/2016-season/round-4-senior-wrap/|title=Round 4 Senior Wrap|date=11 June 2016|website=Keebra Park Rugby League}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/rugby/gps-rugby/gps-rugby-2019-brisbane-grammar-school-season-preview/news-story/5e5f0a509d277a96b3080cd16b15786e|title=Brisbane Grammar School season preview|date=13 July 2019|website=The Courier Mail}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/nrl/cowboys/he-has-skill-by-the-bucket-load-but-its-another-trait-of-daejarn-asi-that-makes-him-future-proof/news-story/8cb9acb1b80c7983ad448bb315f1490b|title=Cowboys young gun Daejarn Asi gets his chance|date=22 February 2020|website=The Townsville Bulletin}}
Playing career
= Early career =
In 2016, Asi played for Gold Coast Green in the Cyril Connell Cup.{{Cite web|url=https://thetigers.com.au/articles/briantorpy/weekend-results-4/|title=Weekend Results|date=11 April 2016|website=Easts Tigers}} In 2018, he played for the Norths Devils in the Mal Meninga Cup.{{Cite web|url=https://www.qrl.com.au/news/20182/05/01/mal-meninga-cup-state-final-teams/|title=Mal Meninga Cup state final teams|date=1 May 2018|website=QRL}}
In 2019, Asi moved to Townsville, where he played for the Townsville Blackhawks in the Hastings Deering Colts. Later that season, he made his debut for the Blackhawks' Queensland Cup side.{{Cite web|url=https://blackhawkstsv.com.au/2019/08/20/blackhawks-fall-short-against-high-flying-falcons-in-q-cup-showdown/|title=Blackhawks fall short against high-flying Falcons|date=20 August 2019|website=Townsville Blackhawks}}
=2020=
In January, Asi was a member of the Queensland under-20 Emerging Origin squad.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cowboys.com.au/news/2019/12/22/cowboys-named-in-2020-qld-u20s-emerging-origin-squad/|title=Cowboys named in 2020 Qld U20s Emerging Origin squad|date=22 December 2019|website=NQ Cowboys}} In February, he re-signed with the Cowboys on a three-year deal.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cowboys.com.au/news/2020/02/19/team-list-trial-v-broncos1/|title=Team list:Trial v Broncos|date=19 February 2020|website=NQ Cowboys}}
In Round 10 of the 2020 NRL season, Asi made his NRL debut, starting at {{rlp|fe}} and scoring a try against the Penrith Panthers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cowboys.com.au/news/2020/07/14/nrl-team-list-round-10-v-penrith//|title=NRL team list: Round 10 v Penrith|date=14 July 2020|website=NQ Cowboys}} Asi played five games in his rookie season, missing time due to minor knee injuries.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cowboys.com.au/news/2020/09/23/updated-team-list-round-20-v-brisbane/|title=Updated team list: Round 20 v Brisbane|date=23 September 2020|website=NQ Cowboys}}
=2021=
On 20 February, Asi represented the Māori All Stars, coming off the bench in their 10-all draw with the Indigenous All Stars.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cowboys.com.au/news/2021/02/20/greig-gets-late-call-up-for-maori-all-stars/|title=Greig gets late call-up for Maori All-Stars|date=20 February 2021|website=NQ Cowboys}}
Asi began the 2021 season playing for the Blackhawks before making a mid-season switch to the Mackay Cutters.{{Cite web|url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/mackay/sport/mackay-cutters-star-daejarn-asi-to-return-to-nrl-against-rabbitohs/news-story/a548995c6ea7536d1b76e1f15caf64ba|title=Mackay Cutters star Daejarn Asi to return to NRL against Rabbitohs|date=8 July 2021|website=The Courier Mail}} He returned to first grade in Round 17, starting at fullback in a loss to the 46–18 loss to the South Sydney Rabbitohs.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-teams-round-17-2021-origin-players-unavailable-half-the-competition-on-bye/news-story/afc3ee2b307ca300e72772b4731d169c|title=Origin players unavailable, half the competition on bye|date=6 July 2021|website=The Daily Telegraph}}
He played five games for the Cowboys in 2021, starting three at centre.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cowboys.com.au/news/2021/09/03/updated-cowboys-team-list-roundd-25a-v-mwse2/|title=Cowboys updated team list: Round 25 v Sea Eagles|date=3 September 2021|website=NQ Cowboys}}
=2022=
In 2022, Asi joined the New Zealand Warriors. He played his first game for the Warriors in round 8 of the 2022 NRL season. Asi made a total of eight appearances for the New Zealand club as they finished 15th on the table. On 6 September, he was released by the New Zealand Warriors.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/teams/warriors/warriors-farewell-15-players-after-return-to-new-zealand/news-story/10c5db674841c74a716fce5ece20e047/|title=Warriors farewell 15 players after return to New Zealand|website=www.foxsports.com.au|date=6 September 2022 }}
In November, Asi signed a contract to join Parramatta for the 2023 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2022-transfer-news-signings-daejarn-asi-parramatta-eels-nathaniel-roache-manly-sea-eagles-every-clubs-top-30/news-story/da3085ae7da609bdfb0be4646c284af2/|title=Cowboys hand PNG young gun NRL audition; luckless hooker's Manly lifeline: Transfer Centre|website=www.foxsports.com.au|date=21 November 2022 }}
=2023=
In round 15 of the 2023 NRL season, Asi made his club debut for Parramatta in their 32-12 victory over arch-rivals Canterbury.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-news-2023-canterburybankstown-bulldogs-vs-parramatta-eels-live-stream-updates-supercoach-score-teams-mitchell-moses/news-story/235ba43944515dce6e06f371f15082ef/|title=Moses nails Origin audition with 'absolute clinic' as 'King' Gutho bags hat-trick in Eels stunner|website=www.foxsports.com.au|date=12 June 2023 }} He played a total of ten matches for Parramatta in the 2023 NRL season as the club finished 10th on the table.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/rugby-league/news/nrl-2023-parramatta-eels-season-review/87bc005ef8afccb71c8cd224#:~:text=Following%20a%201%2D4%20start,to%20the%20Eels'%20poor%20season./|title=NRL 2023: Parramatta Eels season review|website=www.sportingnews.com|date=7 September 2023 }}
=2024=
In round 6 of the 2024 NRL season, Asi was called into the Parramatta team for their match against North Queensland. He scored his first try for the Eels and kicked a field goal in the clubs 27–20 victory.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/inform-cowboys-hoping-to-heap-pain-on-parramatta-nrl-live/news-story/546bc3b6fc57ba41e123aff01288c697/|title=New halves a 'perfect fit' as energetic Eels seal much-needed win: What we learned|website=www.foxsports.com.au|date=13 April 2024 }} Asi made a total of 14 appearances for the club filling in for the injured Mitchell Moses as they finished 15th on the table.{{cite web|url=https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/news-2024-the-mole-exclusive-parramatta-eels-season-review-reagan-campbell-gillard-future-20240907-p5k8qj.html/|title=The Mole's end of season review: What went wrong at the Parramatta Eels?|website=www.nine.com.au|date=7 September 2024 }} On 11 September, it was announced that Asi would be departing the Parramatta club after not being offered a new contract.{{cite web|url=https://www.parraeels.com.au/news/2024/09/11/eels-farewell-departing-players/|title=Eels farewell departing players|website=www.parraeels.com.au|date=11 September 2024 }}
In September, Asi was linked with a move to the Castleford Tigers in the Super League,{{Cite web |last=Shaw |first=Matthew |date=11 September 2024 |title=Castleford Tigers chase Parramatta Eels halfback in significant recruitment move |url=https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/castleford-tigers-parramatta-eels-halfback-29914678 |access-date=25 September 2024 |website=Yorkshire Live}}{{Cite web |last=Bower |first=Aaron |date=11 September 2024 |title=Castleford Tigers target Parramatta Eels half-back as part of 2025 squad plans |url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/castleford-tigers-target-parramatta-eels-half-back-as-part-of-2025-squad-plans |access-date=30 October 2024 |website=Love Rugby League}} who were looking to replace departing halfback Jacob Miller.{{Cite web |last=Harber |first=Tony |date=1 October 2024 |title=Castleford Tigers closing in on half-back signing with Jacob Miller making way for overseas recruit |url=https://www.wakefieldexpress.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/castleford-tigers-closing-in-on-half-back-signing-with-jacob-miller-making-way-for-overseas-recruit-4804018 |access-date=30 October 2024 |website=Wakefield Express}} On 30 October, Castleford announced Asi would join from 2025 on a two-year contract.{{Cite web |date=30 October 2024 |title=Castleford sign Parramatta Eels back Asi |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/articles/c3de5rkx9vxo |access-date=30 October 2024 |website=BBC Sport}}{{Cite web |last=Walker |first=Callum |date=30 October 2024 |title=Castleford Tigers make their second signing for the 2025 Super League season with capture of Parramatta Eels halfback Daejarn Asi |url=https://www.totalrl.com/castleford-tigers-make-their-second-signing-for-the-2025-super-league-season-with-capture-of-parramatta-eels-halfback-daejarn-asi/ |access-date=30 October 2024 |website=TotalRL}}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{Table alignment}}
| class="wikitable defaultcenter"
|+ Appearances and points in all competitions by year | ||||
| Club | Season | Tier
!style="width:2em;" |{{Tooltip|App|Appearances}} !style="width:2em;" |{{Tooltip|T|Tries}} !style="width:2em;" |{{Tooltip|G|Goals}} !style="width:2em;" |{{Tooltip|DG|Drop goals}} !style="width:2em;" |{{Tooltip|Pts|Points}} | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="3" style="text-align:left;"| {{leagueicon|North Queensland|16}} North Queensland Cowboys
| 2020 | NRL | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 2021
| NRL | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| colspan="2"| Total
! 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| style="text-align:left;"| {{leagueicon|New Zealand Warriors|16}} New Zealand Warriors
| 2022 | NRL | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| rowspan="3" style="text-align:left;"| {{leagueicon|Parramatta|16}} Parramatta Eels
| 2023 | NRL | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024
| NRL | 14 | 3 | 17 | 1 | 47 |
| colspan="2"| Total
! 24 | 3 | 17 | 1 | 47 |
| style="text-align:left;"| {{leagueicon|Castleford|16}} Castleford Tigers
| 2025 | 15 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| colspan="3"| Career total
! 57 | 8 | 17 | 1 | 67 |
References
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
External links
- [https://www.cowboys.com.au/teams/telstra-premiership/north-queensland-cowboys/daejarn-asi/ North Queensland Cowboys profile]
- [https://www.nrl.com/players/nrl-premiership/cowboys/daejarn-asi NRL profile]
{{Castleford Tigers squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Asi, Daejarn}}
Category:21st-century New Zealand sportsmen
Category:Castleford Tigers players
Category:Mackay Cutters players
Category:New Zealand emigrants to Australia
Category:New Zealand Māori rugby league players
Category:New Zealand people of English descent
Category:New Zealand sportspeople of Samoan descent
Category:New Zealand rugby league players
Category:North Queensland Cowboys players
Category:New Zealand Warriors players
Category:Parramatta Eels players
Category:People educated at Brisbane Grammar School
Category:Rugby league five-eighths
Category:Rugby league players from Christchurch