The former premiership-winning Cowboy inked a one-year deal with the Broncos last week and began his first day at his new club on a wet and windy Monday morning.Despite fielding interest from around seven rival clubs, the 27-year-old opted to join the Broncos in his quest to become a starting lock forward.
The versatile forward was unlucky in Townsville to be stuck behind one of the game’s best, Jason Taumalolo, who is likely to remain North Queensland’s No.13 until at least 2027.Asiata said his faith led to his desire to become a Bronco almost a year ago.“I truly based my decision through my faith,” Asiata said.“During the year, I sort of got given a feeling or a message from God that I belong somewhere else to chase the dream, and the dream is to play (in jersey) No.13 and I want to come here and try to do that.“Just before COVID, I had that message and it stuck with me for a long time.
“I’ve been with the Cowboys for seven years and I always wanted to give them the opportunity first.“No matter how hard I tried to stay in Townsville, I guess God sort of blocked all those options.“It’s been a long time coming.”The Broncos are likely to look to Asiata’s ball-playing ability through the middle next year as an added attacking option as new coach Kevin Walters looks to drag Brisbane out of the NRL doldrums. It comes after Asiata spent the past three months maintaining his fitness in Townsville, with stints training alongside good friend Taumalolo.
And the Tongan teammates are already preparing to go head-to-head with each other in the new year. “He’s pretty keen to go up against me one day,” he said“It’s tough (leaving Taumalolo) because I’ve had a pretty good relationship with Jase. “He took me in when I first got there and throughout the years I looked after him a bit, made sure he was on time to everything.“He’s like a brother to me so I met up with him (on Sunday) before I came here and he just wished me all the best.”The signing of Asiata comes amid a Broncos roster shake-up, with Dale Copley (Titans) returning to his former club for 2021, while Joe Ofahengaue (Tigers) was released earlier this month.
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