IN-FORM Hamilton breakaway Tiueti Asi is booked to fly to Spain on Wednesday and, barring a delay in obtaining a visa, the grand-final specialist will miss the Hawks' shot at Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union history.
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Asi is taking up a professional contract with a second division club in Spain. The club had wanted the 27-year-old on deck at the start of September, but he negotiated a later departure to ensure he was available for the grand final.
Those plans were scuppered when the decider was put back a week after the opening weekend of the final was washed out.
However, Asi is still awaiting paperwork from the Spanish club, which he has to take to the Spanish Consulate in Sydney to be processed for approval of a visa.
If the documentation doesn't arrive before Thursday, Asi will play against Wanderers at No.2 Sportsground on Saturday.
"We are preparing as though we won't have him," Hamilton coach Scott Coleman said. "If he is available it's an added bonus. At this point Tiueti still thinks he is gone because that is what the Spanish club is telling him.They wanted him there three weeks ago. As soon as the paper work is processed, they expect him on a plane. He is obviously nervous about it. We will know more Tuesday night. We will give him up until the team run on Thursday when we like to know who is starting."
Asi returned to the Hawks this year after two seasons in Sydney at Warringah and West Harbour.
Before that he spent five years at Passmore Oval and won premierships in 2012, 2015 and 2016. In the 2016 decider, he scored a first-half hat-trick to pave the way for 37-28 win over Saturday's opponents.
Asi's game improved in Sydney and he was one of the leading contenders for the Anderson Medal best and fairest award until he received two yellow cards for foul play in one game and became ineligible.
"He is definitely one of the senior players and a proven big-game performer," Coleman said."He is really good on the ball, is tough, aggressive and very fit."
Liam Bowden will come in at open-side breakaway if Asi departs.
"Liam is similar type of player," Coleman said.
The uncertainty over Asi is the only concern for the Hawks, who beat Wanderers 35-19 in the major semi-final to book a place in a record fifth straight grand final.
"That is one benefit playing one game in five weeks has given us - a full roster right through the club," Coleman said. "The only issue is a red card to Bryce Madden in second grade for striking. We are waiting on the referee's report and plan to contest that at the judiciary."
Wanderers have lost Argentine lock Ignacio Battilana to a calf injury he suffered in the Two Blues' 43-28 win over Maitland in the preliminary final last Saturday.
"He had scans and has blown his calf," Wanderers coach Dan Beckett said. "I'm devastated for him. He has been a major part of what we have done."
Piers Morrell moves from No.8 to the second-row and captain Ben Ham returns from suspension. Prop Blair Rush was replaced at half-time against the Blacks with a knee issue but is expected to play.
