1 week Ago By [email protected] (Daniel Tomlinson)
England take on Samoa in the first of two Test matches this Saturday afternoon, with the series having a genuine interest for Hull FC fans in the shape of John Asiata. The new Black and Whites recruit was named in Ben Gardiner's squad last week and is set to represent his heritage once again. Asiata, who last played for the Pacific Island nation back in 2017, was born in Penrith, Australia, to a Samoan father and a Tongan mother.
That has seen the 31-year-old represent both nations during his career, with the loose-forward now ready to step onto the international stage once again and do his family proud. For Samoa, that's what it's all about. Their passion runs deep with a young and hungry squad bidding to do their nation proud, with the Samoans coming to U.
K. shores for the first time since beating England in the World Cup semi-final two years ago. That game, a thrilling clash at Arsenal FC's Emirates Stadium, was decided by a Stephen Crichton drop-goal, with Asiata now expecting a full-blooded Test series against an opponent looking to set the record straight.
"It will be a really good experience," he told Hull Live. "You've got the best of the Super League competition in that England squad, and there's some players coming back from the NRL as well. I think England will have a bit of payback on their mind from what happened in the World Cup, so these two games are going to be really good contests.
"But for me, to be able to represent my country again, my nation, where my parents are from, and my culture, it's always an honour and a privilege to be able to do that. I'm very excited to head into camp this Saturday (19th) and get among the boys. I just want to enjoy the occasion and the challenge ahead.
" First playing for Samoa in 2016, Asiata has two caps to his name, the second of which came against England in Australia back in 2017. He then played twice for Tonga in 2019, with the player, whose own passions are laid bare to see, now hoping for a fifth international appearance. "When people pull on the jersey and represent their culture, it's always a big occasion," Asiata continued.
"It doesn't matter what it is, but for Samoa, it's another chance to represent where they are from and their family. England might have a different motive; obviously they're representing where they are from too, but again, that revenge will be at the back of their heads with what happened in the World Cup. "For Samoa, it's for us, the fans, and the people.
It's for our nation, and it's something that I'm very proud of, and to be able to do that in my career, I'm very blessed to be given the opportunity to put that jersey back on. "Looking at it, I'm 31 now. Did I think I was going to be able to put that jersey back on? I wasn't too sure.
But all I knew was that I had to make sure I was preparing myself for what could be, and I've done that. It should be a great series, and it's one I'm really looking forward to." Click here - Get the latest news on our Rugby League Live WhatsApp channel.
