Contract Finalized: “Done deal” Castleford Tigers’ NRL signing on likely position, goals and teammate he’s looking forward to playing with, Parramatta Eels man tells all after signing in Super League…
Castleford Tigers have officially secured the services of Daejarn Asi, a versatile 24-year-old back from the NRL’s Parramatta Eels, on a two-year contract commencing in 2025.
Preferred Position and Role
Asi, who has demonstrated his versatility by playing in various positions including fullback, wing, centre, and five-eighth, has expressed a desire to solidify his role in the halves at Castleford.
He stated, “I’ve played a lot of positions over the last few years but I’m looking to settle in at a spot in the halves so that’s what I’ll be looking forward to in 2025.”
Goals for the 2025 Season
Asi is focused on personal development and contributing to the team’s success. He aims to enhance his leadership on the field, saying, “To improve my game personally – being able to lead around the boys around the park and keep building on that.
Hopefully, that leads to more wins and more good performances for the team so that’s what I am most looking forward to.”
Anticipated Teammate Collaborations
Having previously played alongside Zac Cini at Parramatta, Asi is eager to reunite with him at Castleford. He also looks forward to forming strong partnerships with back-rower Alex Mellor and fellow half-back Rowan Milnes.
Asi commented, “I played alongside Zac the last couple of years and he’s going to be a good player for us but I’m most looking forward to playing with Mells (Alex Mellor) – my back-rower. He had an outstanding year last year and I’m looking forward to building a combination with him, as well as Rowan (Milnes) – the other half.”
Background and Experience
Born in Christchurch, New Zealand, Asi has accumulated 42 NRL appearances across stints with the North Queensland Cowboys, New Zealand Warriors, and Parramatta Eels.
In the 2024 season, he made 14 appearances for the Eels, stepping up during Mitchell Moses’ injury absence. Internationally, Asi has represented Samoa, earning two caps in the Pacific Championships.
Castleford’s Recruitment Strategy
Asi’s signing aligns with Castleford’s strategic recruitment efforts to strengthen their squad for the upcoming season.
Director of Rugby Danny Wilson remarked, “Daejarn is a very exciting young player who has plenty of NRL experience already. He will certainly add quality to our team. We are very excited to welcome him and we look forward to seeing him in action.”
Asi, Castleford has secured other notable signings, including Ireland international twins Innes and Louis Senior, and Australian centre Zac Cini, all aimed at bolstering the team’s performance in the Super League.
Daejarn Asi’s move to Castleford Tigers represents a significant addition to the club’s roster, bringing versatility, experience, and a strong commitment to team success.
His anticipated partnerships with key players and dedication to securing a pivotal role in the halves position him as a central figure in Castleford’s aspirations for the 2025 Super League season.
