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European union bid by Anasta
Bret Harris and Brent Read | May 26, 2009
Article from: The Australian
SYDNEY Roosters captain Braith Anasta is being shopped around rich rugby union clubs in Europe, hinting at a possible switch of codes.
An informed source in Europe told The Australian that a player manager was trying to gauge if there was any interest in Anasta in England or France.
Anasta is managed by former NRL star Craig Gower's agent, Greg Willett although a different representative is believed to be spruiking the 27-year-old Rooster in Europe.
Gower, who is playing for French club Bayonne, will make his Test debut for Italy against the Wallabies in Canberra next month.
Another former high profile NRL player, Mark Gasnier, is playing for the Ewen McKenzie-coached Stade Francais in Paris.
It is understood Anasta, a former NSW State of Origin five-eighth, was unhappy about playing fullback in the Roosters' 48-6 loss to Penrith last weekend.
While it appears Anasta is interested in joining his former NRL mates in European rugby, the Roosters have indicated they would not release him from the last two years of his contract.
"I haven't heard any rumours to that effect," Roosters chief executive Steve Noyce said.
"He is the skipper here. He plays a really important role. He has another two years to run."
Noyce admitted everyone at the Roosters was struggling as the club battled a woeful start to the season.
The Roosters have only won three games and coach Brad Fittler moved Anasta to fullback in an attempt to spark the team, but it did not have the desired effect.
"Everyone is disappointed at the moment," Noyce said. "We're not winning football games."
Anasta was chased by NSW Waratahs at the end of 2004 when he was with the Bulldogs, but he decided to stay in league.
European union bid by Anasta
Bret Harris and Brent Read | May 26, 2009
Article from: The Australian
SYDNEY Roosters captain Braith Anasta is being shopped around rich rugby union clubs in Europe, hinting at a possible switch of codes.
An informed source in Europe told The Australian that a player manager was trying to gauge if there was any interest in Anasta in England or France.
Anasta is managed by former NRL star Craig Gower's agent, Greg Willett although a different representative is believed to be spruiking the 27-year-old Rooster in Europe.
Gower, who is playing for French club Bayonne, will make his Test debut for Italy against the Wallabies in Canberra next month.
Another former high profile NRL player, Mark Gasnier, is playing for the Ewen McKenzie-coached Stade Francais in Paris.
It is understood Anasta, a former NSW State of Origin five-eighth, was unhappy about playing fullback in the Roosters' 48-6 loss to Penrith last weekend.
While it appears Anasta is interested in joining his former NRL mates in European rugby, the Roosters have indicated they would not release him from the last two years of his contract.
"I haven't heard any rumours to that effect," Roosters chief executive Steve Noyce said.
"He is the skipper here. He plays a really important role. He has another two years to run."
Noyce admitted everyone at the Roosters was struggling as the club battled a woeful start to the season.
The Roosters have only won three games and coach Brad Fittler moved Anasta to fullback in an attempt to spark the team, but it did not have the desired effect.
"Everyone is disappointed at the moment," Noyce said. "We're not winning football games."
Anasta was chased by NSW Waratahs at the end of 2004 when he was with the Bulldogs, but he decided to stay in league.
....In a bad lot there have been plenty of times that Braith was the only person out there having a go......
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