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BRAITH Anasta has confirmed he will pull on a Roosters jersey at the Auckland Nines and revealed he will be mic’d up so Fox Sports can hear him throughout the process.
Set to put on the boots for the first time since he retired from the NRL at the end of 2014, the 34-year-old was excited when coach Trent Robinson first floated the idea by him.
First he needed to be cleared by Fox Sports who are using Anasta as part of their game day coverage and that’s when the two parties came up with a genius idea.
“Robbo asked me about six weeks ago,” Anasta told foxsports.com.au of his Nines return.
“It’s going to be good because I’m going to work for Fox Sports there too and get mic’d up and hopefully they’ll come live to me on the field. I’m looking forward to that experience as well as playing.”
Similar to the Big Bash where the commentators will communicate with the athletes during the game, Anasta will be fitted with a microphone so he can provide viewers a unique insight into the game.
Braith Anasta celebrates a try with Mitchell Pearce.Source: News Limited “It’s not set in stone yet but the idea is they’ll come to me while we’re playing,” he revealed.
“It’s something we haven’t done in rugby league yet.
“I don’t know how I’ll go — I’ll probably be puffing a bit and sore and sorry but it’s exciting — giving the viewers a different angle they’ve never seen before.”
Working as an assistant coach to the Roosters’ Holden Cup side, the former playmaker said he’s excited to line up alongside some of his players.
With the Roosters expected to take a relatively young side to the competition, Anasta will provide plenty of experience.
Although he said he’s been training hard by himself, the former Test star is set to resume training with the club next week with the competition kicking off on February 6.
“I’ve been training hard myself,” he said.
“The big thing for me is sprinting and acceleration. I haven’t accelerated for two years.
Braith Anasta passes on some advice at training.Source: News Limited “I’m going to go into the Roosters next week and do some physical contact — I haven’t made a tackle for two years either, some would say longer (laughs), I’m taking it seriously but it’s a bit of fun.
“For me it’s about trying to teach the younger guys and bring a bit of leadership.
“I have a relationship with a lot of the young blokes there.”
This is not the first time the Roosters have featured a club legend in their team for the pre-season competition.
In 2014 Brad Fittler came out of retirement at the age of 42 to showcase his skills in the tournament.
The premiership winning former captain also managed to score a try at Eden Park although he tore his hamstring in the process, something Anasta remembers.
“That’s why I’m working on my sprinting as much as I can,” he said.
“Freddy did well but he was floored after it. Apparently he was iced up in the room all night in a lot of pain.”
Kewl Can't wait.. Love Robbo's contempt for the 9's concept but look forward to seeing Latrell and Manu in action.
Set to put on the boots for the first time since he retired from the NRL at the end of 2014, the 34-year-old was excited when coach Trent Robinson first floated the idea by him.
First he needed to be cleared by Fox Sports who are using Anasta as part of their game day coverage and that’s when the two parties came up with a genius idea.
“Robbo asked me about six weeks ago,” Anasta told foxsports.com.au of his Nines return.
“It’s going to be good because I’m going to work for Fox Sports there too and get mic’d up and hopefully they’ll come live to me on the field. I’m looking forward to that experience as well as playing.”
Similar to the Big Bash where the commentators will communicate with the athletes during the game, Anasta will be fitted with a microphone so he can provide viewers a unique insight into the game.
Braith Anasta celebrates a try with Mitchell Pearce.Source: News Limited “It’s not set in stone yet but the idea is they’ll come to me while we’re playing,” he revealed.“It’s something we haven’t done in rugby league yet.
“I don’t know how I’ll go — I’ll probably be puffing a bit and sore and sorry but it’s exciting — giving the viewers a different angle they’ve never seen before.”
Working as an assistant coach to the Roosters’ Holden Cup side, the former playmaker said he’s excited to line up alongside some of his players.
With the Roosters expected to take a relatively young side to the competition, Anasta will provide plenty of experience.
Although he said he’s been training hard by himself, the former Test star is set to resume training with the club next week with the competition kicking off on February 6.
“I’ve been training hard myself,” he said.
“The big thing for me is sprinting and acceleration. I haven’t accelerated for two years.
Braith Anasta passes on some advice at training.Source: News Limited “I’m going to go into the Roosters next week and do some physical contact — I haven’t made a tackle for two years either, some would say longer (laughs), I’m taking it seriously but it’s a bit of fun.“For me it’s about trying to teach the younger guys and bring a bit of leadership.
“I have a relationship with a lot of the young blokes there.”
This is not the first time the Roosters have featured a club legend in their team for the pre-season competition.
In 2014 Brad Fittler came out of retirement at the age of 42 to showcase his skills in the tournament.
The premiership winning former captain also managed to score a try at Eden Park although he tore his hamstring in the process, something Anasta remembers.
“That’s why I’m working on my sprinting as much as I can,” he said.
“Freddy did well but he was floored after it. Apparently he was iced up in the room all night in a lot of pain.”
Kewl Can't wait.. Love Robbo's contempt for the 9's concept but look forward to seeing Latrell and Manu in action.