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NRL: Canterbury secures premiership-winning forward John Asiata

Matt Logue NCA NewsWire
Canterbury has signed premiership-winning utility John Asiata on a one-year deal. Jorja Brinums/QRL
Camera IconCanterbury has signed premiership-winning utility John Asiata on a one-year deal. Jorja Brinums/QRL Credit: Supplied

Canterbury’s return to the “Dogs of War” era is slowly gaining momentum after the Bulldogs added another piece to their forward pack for next season, with the signing of premiership-winning utility John Asiata on a one-year deal.

Asiata’s addition perfectly complements the club’s forward signings like Tevita Pangai Junior, Paul Vaughan, and Josh Cook.

Throw in big-name backs like Josh Addo-Carr, Matt Burton and Matt Dufty, and the Bulldogs won’t be finishing last in 2022.

Broncos
Camera IconFormer Broncos and Cowboys utility John Asiata is an experienced signing for the rebuilding Bulldogs. John Gass Credit: News Corp Australia

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Having made his debut for North Queensland in 2014, Asiata was part of the Cowboys’ title-winning side in 2015, going on to play 128 matches for the club before joining the Brisbane Broncos last season.

The 28-year-old has represented both Tonga and Samoa at international level and is versatile enough to cover a number of positions.

He is also renowned for the charity work he does off the field, having twice been the recipient of the Cowboys‘ Clubman of the Year Award.

Bulldogs chief executive Aaron Warburton believes that Asiata will be a tremendous addition to the club‘s forward pack for next season.

“By signing someone of John‘s experience and versatility for next season, we believe that we have found a player who will be a great addition to our club,” Warburton said.

“With forwards such as Pangai Junior, Vaughan and Cook joining us, plus retaining a strong nucleus from our current squad, we think that John will bring a level of skill and leadership that will greatly complement that group.“John, is also extremely active in regards to his work in the community, and that is something that was extremely important to us.

“We are really excited about the squad that we have assembled and can’t wait to see them together for pre-season.”

Originally published as NRL: Canterbury secures premiership-winning forward John Asiata

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