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By Dean Ritchie | October 26, 2009 11:00pm
SYDNEY Roosters captain Braith Anasta last night sent an emotional message to new coach Brian Smith: Don't sack Willie Mason.
Anasta's plea comes amid suggestions that Mason will be axed by the Roosters despite having a signed contract for the 2010 season.
The Sunday Telegraph reported Mason's demise could be just a fortnight away and that the Roosters' high-profile board had issued approval for the decision.
Read how we broke the story here
But Anasta said Mason would be there next Monday when the Roosters return to training and the former Australia forward must remain at Bondi under new coach Smith.
"As players we all respect and like Willie,'' Anasta told The Daily Telegraph last night.
"He still has a year left on his contract and Willie is an integral part of our team.
"For us to succeed, we need Willie to be there. We need him to be a leader in our team. It's up to him to get back to his best but I am sure he can.
"I don't know what's going on behind the scenes but he will be there on Monday when we return to training with the rest of the team. We need guys like Willie there to help get us off to a flyer next season.
"I rang Willie straight away [after The Sunday Telegraph report] and then went and saw him.
"I told him I had a lot of respect for him.''
Mason's manager Greg Keenan has, it is understood, been inquiring about a move for his client to Japanese or European rugby union.
Roosters officials privately agree Mason is a bad influence at the club but Anasta has denied he wanted the big forward to leave.
"Willie is one of my mates,'' Anasta said. "I am pretty much in the same position as him. I don't know what is going on. I have heard the rumours like you have.''
There was speculation yesterday that Mason would be axed as early as today but this was denied by Roosters chief executive Steve Noyce, who said: "I keep saying the same thing - Willie has a contract to run for the next 12 months. Plenty is being written by others outside of the Roosters.''
Asked about Anasta's comments, Noyce said: "I'm sure the players do support Willie.''
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Willie back to his best in 2010!
By Dean Ritchie | October 26, 2009 11:00pm
SYDNEY Roosters captain Braith Anasta last night sent an emotional message to new coach Brian Smith: Don't sack Willie Mason.
Anasta's plea comes amid suggestions that Mason will be axed by the Roosters despite having a signed contract for the 2010 season.
The Sunday Telegraph reported Mason's demise could be just a fortnight away and that the Roosters' high-profile board had issued approval for the decision.
Read how we broke the story here
But Anasta said Mason would be there next Monday when the Roosters return to training and the former Australia forward must remain at Bondi under new coach Smith.
"As players we all respect and like Willie,'' Anasta told The Daily Telegraph last night.
"He still has a year left on his contract and Willie is an integral part of our team.
"For us to succeed, we need Willie to be there. We need him to be a leader in our team. It's up to him to get back to his best but I am sure he can.
"I don't know what's going on behind the scenes but he will be there on Monday when we return to training with the rest of the team. We need guys like Willie there to help get us off to a flyer next season.
"I rang Willie straight away [after The Sunday Telegraph report] and then went and saw him.
"I told him I had a lot of respect for him.''
Mason's manager Greg Keenan has, it is understood, been inquiring about a move for his client to Japanese or European rugby union.
Roosters officials privately agree Mason is a bad influence at the club but Anasta has denied he wanted the big forward to leave.
"Willie is one of my mates,'' Anasta said. "I am pretty much in the same position as him. I don't know what is going on. I have heard the rumours like you have.''
There was speculation yesterday that Mason would be axed as early as today but this was denied by Roosters chief executive Steve Noyce, who said: "I keep saying the same thing - Willie has a contract to run for the next 12 months. Plenty is being written by others outside of the Roosters.''
Asked about Anasta's comments, Noyce said: "I'm sure the players do support Willie.''
____________
Willie back to his best in 2010!
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