Five-eighth Asi shines in shop window

FRIDAY night’s 42-18 win for the Warriors over the Bulldogs was a reminder of how good things can be for the team when it’s playing well, but it was also a handy performance for the career of Daejarn Asi.

The 21-year-old from Christchurch, pictured, who joined the club in April after Ash Taylor was forced into retirement, doesn’t have a contract anywhere for next year and is unlikely to be offered one by the Warriors.

This weekend’s win at Mt Smart Stadium was not only a great performance from the Warriors, but also Asi, with both bouncing back in style.

‘‘Our focal point this week was our attitude,’’ Asi said.

‘‘The past few weeks hadn’t been our best results, but it was an attitude mindset in this game, making our tackles, putting them on the ground and improving our defence.’’

Asi was overlooked for selection the previous two weeks and against the Rabbitohs last weekend head coach Stacey Jones chose to go with the club’s hooker at five-eighth.

Jones had been concerned about Asi’s defence in recent run outs, which is why he was demoted to play for the Redcliffe

Dolphins in the Queensland Cup and Asi knew it was something he had to work on.

‘‘That was my mindset going into this game, focusing on my defence, getting into my tackle cycle,’’ he said.

‘‘Working hard and making it easier for my outside and inside players.

‘‘After my last game [Raiders] I had a lot of areas that I knew I needed to work on and the coaches let me know too.’’

However, Chanel Harris-Tavita could be back from his MCL injury next week, which could mean this was Asi’s last experience in the first grade at the Warriors.

Asi says he’s not concerned about not having a deal yet for anywhere for next season and is confident something will come up.

For the past few weeks, there has been a big difference in players’ energy and attitude home and away.

Given that their next two games are on the road against the Cowboys and Panthers, that’s concerning. ‘‘We got to channel that energy from the crowd [against the Bulldogs], but next week it’s got to come from ourselves,’’ Asi said.