Canterbury Bulldogs hand forward a letter of termination following COVID-19 vaccine refusal

The Canterbury Bulldogs have issued John Asiata a letter of termination following the forward’s refusal to be given the COVID-19 vaccine.

In the wake of a lack of a competition mandate, clubs are taking their own action with the Bulldogs taking no prisoners in their attempts to gain a fully-vaccinated squad.

Asiata has not yet played a game for the Bulldogs after signing a one-year deal, but the Sydney Morning Herald has reported that the 28-year-old was handed the latter as the week drew to a close.

The former Brisbane Broncos and North Queensland Cowboys prop is one of the few – alongside Melbourne Storm’s Nelson Asofa-Solomona – to speak out against the vaccine, with him revealing he would prefer heading into the construction industry rather than taking the vaccine and continuing his NRL career.

Bulldogs chief executive officer Aaron Warburton said last week that no unvaccinated players will play for the club.