Samoan international reveals why he swapped NRL for Super League

A Samoan international who has made the switch to Super League from the NRL ahead of the 2025 season has revealed why he made the decision.

Daejarn Asi has signed a two-year deal with Castleford Tigers, becoming one of the f0ur overseas signings that the club have made prior to the upcoming campaign.

Asi, who represented Samoa twice in 2023, arrives at the Jungle with 42 games of NRL experience under his belt, however, he has recently starred in the New South Wales Cup.

His 2024 campaign was split between both the NRL and the NSW Cup with the Parramatta Eels man playing 11 times in reserve grade compared to 14 times in the NRL.

Of those 14 games, seven came in the final seven rounds of the NRL season – a season that saw the Eels finish 15th with just seven wins – four of which Asi played in.

Despite becoming the starter late in the season, the 24-year-old opted to make the move to Super League and he’s now explained why.

Daejarn Asi explains why he made Super League move

Having undergone the first part of the pre-season at Castleford Tigers, Asi has spoken with the club’s media to explain how the off-season has gone but also why he made the move to Wheldon Road.

“I’m enjoying it so far,” the playmaker confirmed in a video posted on X.

“It’s been a tough few weeks of pre-season with the boys putting in the hard yards but I’m looking forward to what is to come for 2025.”

Asked what motivated his Super League move, Asi revealed: “I had to take a step back and look at my options over in the NRL but I felt that the best option in me progressing as a player and as a person would be to make the move and I’ve enjoyed my time so far.”

He joins fellow Parramatta NSW Cup star Zac Cini with Castleford’s other overseas signings being Papua New Guinea pair Judah Rimbu and Jeremiah Simbiken.

Alongside the confirmation of Innes and Louis Senior’s loan deals becoming permanent deals, they are the only recruits made but there has still been plenty of change at the Jungle with Danny McGuire taking over as head coach.

After finishing 10th in 2024, there are high hopes at the club and that could create an incredible atmosphere at Wheldon Road – a stadium where its reputation precedes it.

Asi said: “I’ve heard a lot about the Cas fans and how rowdy it gets at the Jungle so I’m looking forward to playing there.

“My message for the Cas fans would be that the boys have been putting in the hard work. I can’t wait to see you at the first game and I’m looking forward to a good 2025.”