Despite only signing for the NZ Warriors on Tuesday, 21-year-old half Daejarn Asi will make his club debut against Canberra Raiders on Saturday, starting at five-eighth.
Earlier this week, Asi signed for the Warriors from North Queensland Cowboys through to the end of the current season, after an injury crisis in the club's halves.
Asi was originally named on an extended bench for the Warriors to face the Raiders, but will now partner Shaun Johnson in the halves.
In his short career, Asi has played 10 matches in the NRL with the Cowboys, as well as appearing for the Māori All Stars in their victory over Indigenous All Stars.
Asi has been rushed into the side amid a spate of injuries to the Warriors' halves.
Chanel Harris-Tavita has been ruled out for up to four weeks, having suffered a ruptured testicle in Monday's defeat to Melbourne Storm.
Ash Taylor has been out of action since round three with a hip injury, while utility playmaker Kodi Nikorima is also absent after testing positive for COVID-19 in the lead up to the loss to the Storm.
Asi has the backing of his teammates, though, with halves partner Johnson confident he'll hit the ground running on debut.
"Obviously he's just come in. He's obviously new to the squad, only arrived a day or two ago," Johnson said on Friday.
"I'm sure whatever way they go there, he'll do a job, he's ready to play. I know he's been there or thereabouts up in North Queensland for the start of the season.
"I'm sure whatever they decide there, he'll be good to go, and we'll be good to go."
NZ Warriors: 1-Reece Walsh, 2-Rocco Berry, 3-Jesse Arthars, 4-Adam Pompey, 5-Viliami Vailea, 21-Daejarn Asi, 7-Shaun Johnson, 8-Addin Fonua-Blake (c), 9-Wayde Egan, 10-Matt Lodge, 11-Euan Aitken, 12-Bayley Sironen, 13-Jazz Tevaga
Interchange: 14-Taniela Otukolo, 15-Bunty Afoa, 16-Eliesa Katoa, 17-Jack Murchie
Join Newshub for live updates of NZ Warriors v Canberra Raiders from 5pm Saturday
