Daejarn Asi (born 15 August 2000) is a Samoa international rugby league footballer who plays as a five-eighth and centre for the Parramatta Eels in the NRL.

Daejarn Asi
Personal information
Born (2000-08-15) 15 August 2000 (age 23)
Christchurch, New Zealand
Height186 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Weight97 kg (15 st 4 lb)
Playing information
PositionFive-eighth, Centre, Halfback
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2020–21 North Qld Cowboys 10 1 0 0 4
2022 New Zealand Warriors 8 2 0 0 8
2023– Parramatta Eels 12 1 0 1 5
Total 30 4 0 1 17
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2021–23 Māori All Stars 2 0 0 0 0
2023– Samoa 2 0 0 0 0
Source: [1]
As of 19 April 2024

He previously played for the North Queensland Cowboys, New Zealand Warriors in the NRL and the New Zealand Māori at representative level.

Background edit

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.[2]

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.[3][4][5]

Playing career edit

In 2016, Asi played for Gold Coast Green in the Cyril Connell Cup.[6] In 2018, he played for the Norths Devils in the Mal Meninga Cup.[7]

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.[8]

2020 edit

In January, Asi was a member of the Queensland under-20 Emerging Origin squad.[9] In February, he re-signed with the Cowboys on a three-year deal.[10]

In Round 10 of the 2020 NRL season, Asi made his NRL debut, starting at five-eighth and scoring a try against the Penrith Panthers.[11] Asi played five games in his rookie season, missing time due to minor knee injuries.[12]

2021 edit

On 20 February, Asi represented the Māori All Stars, coming off the bench in their 10-all draw with the Indigenous All Stars.[13]

Asi began the 2021 season playing for the Blackhawks before making a mid-season switch to the Mackay Cutters.[14] He returned to first grade in Round 17, starting at fullback in a loss to the 46–18 loss to the South Sydney Rabbitohs.[15]

He played five games for the Cowboys in 2021, starting three at centre.[16]

2022 edit

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.[17] In November, Asi signed a contract to join Parramatta for the 2023 season.[18]

2023 edit

In round 15 of the 2023 NRL season, Asi made his club debut for Parramatta in their 32-12 victory over arch-rivals Canterbury.[19] Asi played a total of ten matches for Parramatta in the 2023 NRL season as the club finished 10th on the table.[20]

2024 edit

In round 6 of the 2024 NRL season, Asi was called into the Parramatta team for their match against North Queensland. Asi scored his first try for the Eels and kicked a field goal in the clubs 27–20 victory.[21]

Career statistics edit

Club edit

As of 9 June 2023[22]
Season Team Matches T G GK % F/G Pts
2020   North Queensland Cowboys 5 1 0 0 4
2021   North Queensland Cowboys 5 0 0 0 0
2022   New Zealand Warriors 8 2 0 0 0
2023   Parramatta Eels 10 0 0 0 0
Career total 28 3 0 0 12

References edit

  1. ^ RLP
  2. ^ "Red and Black Report 2019: Edition No. 1". Canterbury Rugby League. 18 March 2019.
  3. ^ "Round 4 Senior Wrap". Keebra Park Rugby League. 11 June 2016.
  4. ^ "Brisbane Grammar School season preview". The Courier Mail. 13 July 2019.
  5. ^ "Cowboys young gun Daejarn Asi gets his chance". The Townsville Bulletin. 22 February 2020.
  6. ^ "Weekend Results". Easts Tigers. 11 April 2016.
  7. ^ "Mal Meninga Cup state final teams". QRL. 1 May 2018.
  8. ^ "Blackhawks fall short against high-flying Falcons". Townsville Blackhawks. 20 August 2019.
  9. ^ "Cowboys named in 2020 Qld U20s Emerging Origin squad". NQ Cowboys. 22 December 2019.
  10. ^ "Team list:Trial v Broncos". NQ Cowboys. 19 February 2020.
  11. ^ "NRL team list: Round 10 v Penrith". NQ Cowboys. 14 July 2020.
  12. ^ "Updated team list: Round 20 v Brisbane". NQ Cowboys. 23 September 2020.
  13. ^ "Greig gets late call-up for Maori All-Stars". NQ Cowboys. 20 February 2021.
  14. ^ "Mackay Cutters star Daejarn Asi to return to NRL against Rabbitohs". The Courier Mail. 8 July 2021.
  15. ^ "Origin players unavailable, half the competition on bye". The Daily Telegraph. 6 July 2021.
  16. ^ "Cowboys updated team list: Round 25 v Sea Eagles". NQ Cowboys. 3 September 2021.
  17. ^ "Warriors farewell 15 players after return to New Zealand". www.foxsports.com.au.
  18. ^ "Cowboys hand PNG young gun NRL audition; luckless hooker's Manly lifeline: Transfer Centre". www.foxsports.com.au.
  19. ^ "Moses nails Origin audition with 'absolute clinic' as 'King' Gutho bags hat-trick in Eels stunner". www.foxsports.com.au.
  20. ^ "NRL 2023: Parramatta Eels season review". www.sportingnews.com.
  21. ^ "New halves a 'perfect fit' as energetic Eels seal much-needed win: What we learned". www.foxsports.com.au.
  22. ^ "Daejarn Asi - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project". Rugby League Project.

External links edit