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Love that word 'poached' again.
Anasta up against Maloney promises to be a fascinating storyline to Roosters v Warriors match
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/spo...-1226313936807
THE beginning of Braith Anasta's likely end at Bondi didn't arrive with this week's revelation that he was negotiating a two-year deal with Wests Tigers.
The writing has been on the wall since November, when the Roosters poached New Zealand pivot James Maloney from Souths' clutches.
And that's what makes tomorrow night's head-to-head battle between Anasta and Maloney mouthwatering.
After deciding to leave Auckland for family reasons, Maloney launched into deep negotiations with the Rabbitohs in the wake of last year's grand final loss to Manly.
Souths coach Michael Maguire rated the Central Coast product highly during their time together at Melbourne in 2009, and with the help of co-owner Russell Crowe, extended the 25-year-old an offer he was poised to accept.
The Daily Telegraph understands Maloney was en route to finalising the Souths deal with Maguire when the Roosters stepped in and blew their bitter rivals away.
The intensity of the tri-coloured overture spelled bad news for captain Anasta, who prefers to play in the same No.6 jersey as Maloney and has been waiting impatiently for an indication from the Roosters.
It's understood he has spoken with coach Brian Smith and chairman Nick Politis, who told him he had to prove himself in the long term.
Club insiders also claim Smith still rates Anasta as a match-winner, but believes the veteran's running game has become more effective from the second-row.Anasta sees things differently and wants to stay in the halves; which doesn't appear to be an option when Maloney arrives next year.
The fact that Maloney, who was stranded in reserve grade for years at Parramatta, is now favoured over one of the game's most decorated players is intriguing in itself.
"It was definitely a different thing for me," Maloney said of Politis and Crowe vying for his signature. "It was the first time I'd had that attention."
Anasta up against Maloney promises to be a fascinating storyline to Roosters v Warriors match
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/spo...-1226313936807
THE beginning of Braith Anasta's likely end at Bondi didn't arrive with this week's revelation that he was negotiating a two-year deal with Wests Tigers.
The writing has been on the wall since November, when the Roosters poached New Zealand pivot James Maloney from Souths' clutches.
And that's what makes tomorrow night's head-to-head battle between Anasta and Maloney mouthwatering.
After deciding to leave Auckland for family reasons, Maloney launched into deep negotiations with the Rabbitohs in the wake of last year's grand final loss to Manly.
Souths coach Michael Maguire rated the Central Coast product highly during their time together at Melbourne in 2009, and with the help of co-owner Russell Crowe, extended the 25-year-old an offer he was poised to accept.
The Daily Telegraph understands Maloney was en route to finalising the Souths deal with Maguire when the Roosters stepped in and blew their bitter rivals away.
The intensity of the tri-coloured overture spelled bad news for captain Anasta, who prefers to play in the same No.6 jersey as Maloney and has been waiting impatiently for an indication from the Roosters.
It's understood he has spoken with coach Brian Smith and chairman Nick Politis, who told him he had to prove himself in the long term.
Club insiders also claim Smith still rates Anasta as a match-winner, but believes the veteran's running game has become more effective from the second-row.Anasta sees things differently and wants to stay in the halves; which doesn't appear to be an option when Maloney arrives next year.
The fact that Maloney, who was stranded in reserve grade for years at Parramatta, is now favoured over one of the game's most decorated players is intriguing in itself.
"It was definitely a different thing for me," Maloney said of Politis and Crowe vying for his signature. "It was the first time I'd had that attention."
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