North Queensland Cowboys Coach Paul Green has given John Asiata the green light to play his own game after moving the talented utility into the front row after a stint in the halves.

Asiata has recently filled in for Johnathan Thurston but will play prop as the 2015 Premiers face 2016 Premiers Cronulla on Thursday night.

“He’s always telling me he is actually a five-eighth and not a front-rower,” Green said.

“But what he learned by playing those couple of weeks starting (in the halves) he needs to take with him.

“Now he’s got those skills and the nous, even though he’s wearing number 8 how he plays his game is really up to him.”