North Queensland to re-sign skilful forward John Asiata on a three-year deal

NORTH Queensland are expected to stave off interest from five rival clubs and re-sign skilful prop John Asiata on a three-year deal.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — MAY 11: John Asiata of the Cowboys is tackled by Josh Jackson of the Bulldogs during the round 10 NRL match between the Canterbury Bulldogs and the North Queensland Cowboys at ANZ Stadium on May 11, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

THE Cowboys have staved off five NRL rivals, including Queensland foes the Titans, to secure clever utility John Asiata until the end of 2020.

North Queensland’s 30-14 rout of the Bulldogs had an emphatic postscript when Asiata agreed to terms on a three-year upgrade to remain in Townsville.

The Samoan international had interest from Souths, Cronulla, Newcastle, Manly and the Gold Coast, but the 24-year-old opted to stay loyal to the Cowboys.

Asiata’s agent Chris Orr, of PSM management, confirmed his client will ink a new deal with North Queensland.

“It was a difficult decision for John, but ultimately staying at the Cowboys made sense,” he said.

It means the Cowboys have retained Matt Scott, Jason Taumalolo and Asiata in the past six weeks and will now ramp-up plans to secure champion playmaker Johnathan Thurston and Maroons veteran Gavin Cooper.

Asiata has emerged as one of the Bulldogs secret weapons in recent weeks.

Asiata’s remarkable versatility piqued the interest of several NRL clubs. The Penrith junior played at prop against the Bulldogs on Thursday night, just three weeks after slotting into the halves to cover for the injured Thurston.

At 106kg, Asiata is the most skilful big man in the code and is determined to establish himself as a starting player at the Cowboys after his 60th NRL game on Thursday night.

“It’s just something I have always wanted to do — to work my way into the starting line-up and ‘Greeny’ (Cowboys coach Paul Green) is giving me the opportunity to do that,” he said.

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“Right now, I like it in the middle (the front-row). As much as I love playing in the halves, I still get to do a fair bit of that ball-playing in the middle.

“I enjoy being back in the forwards.”

The Cowboys will announce Asiata’s retention in the coming weeks after the NRL’s 10-day cooling-off period.

With partner Shailah pregnant with their first child, Asiata said the thought of having to provide for his family convinced him to explore all options.

“It’s a good club and it’s pretty much where I started my NRL career,” said Asiata, who played lower grades at the Sydney Roosters.

The skilful big man offers a unique attacking threat.

“The club has been awesome to me and I’m grateful for everything I have done here.

“I am starting my own little family so I’ve had to weigh up my options.

“But if there was a place to start a family it is here in Townsville. It’s a more relaxed place and everything is pretty close by. That’s a plus to stay in Townsville.”

Cowboys and Maroons centre Justin O’Neill said Asiata had become a key member of the North Queensland squad.

“It’s really good to have a player of his ability to fill a spot almost anywhere in the side,” he said. “The good thing with John is his versatility. To have a forward with his level of skill is a real asset for the team.”