John Asiata

No jab, no play for NRL player John Asiata

Asiata signed with the Bulldogs for the 2022 season after a stint with the Brisbane Broncos, but was handed a termination notice last month with the club requiring all players to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

The NRL does not have a mandate in place for players to be fully vaccinated unlike the AFL, but Canterbury have been firm on their stance as an organisation.

"The Bulldogs and John Asiata have agreed to part ways by mutual consent," the club said in a statement.

"Asiata, signed with the club this season, but had yet to train with the squad.

Off-contract Asiata feeling the heat

After moving to Townsville as a teenager to launch his NRL career, the utility finds himself without a club in 2021 and hopes a strong start to this year's Telstra Premiership season will help his cause.

"I would be lying if I said I was not fazed at all because it is a tough period," Asiata said.

"I have a wife and two kids and all you want to do is make sure there is security behind your career."

Before Christmas, Asiata met the Gold Coast and toured their facility after Titans coach Justin Holbrook expressed an interest in the 26-year-old.

Former Samoa Toa player to represent Tonga

 The North Queensland Cowboys utility has played twice for Toa Samoa but has an opportunity to represent Tonga next weekend.

The Australian-born 26 year old told Cowboys media he is looking forward to playing alongside his club team-mate Jason Taumalolo in the international arena.

"I ended up living with Jase [Taumalolo] and his parents and they were like family for me so to be able to play test football with him, it's gonna be an honour too."

Green: Asiata the right man for the job

Asiata emerged as an NRL superstar - and made Green look like a genius - after filling in for the injured Thurston in North Quensland’s 28-22 loss to St George Illawarra.

Green’s injury-ravaged club trailed 28-4 at the break before Asiata put the Cowboys on his broad shoulders and set Twitter alight.

The big fella set up two tries and pulled out a kicking game any top half-back would be proud of to almost orchestrate an unlikely win over the in-form Dragons.

“He did a really good job there in the halves,” Green said of his big back-rower.