This in today's SMH. It is cause for concern !
Anasta back on the agenda for Waratahs
May 2, 2005 - 7:54PM
The pursuit of Bulldogs five-eighth Braith Anasta appears squarely back on the Waratahs agenda after it was revealed the 23-year-old had formally approached the Australian Rugby Union about crossing codes.
Anasta's manager Greg Willett confirmed that he had contacted the ARU, via a letter, to express interest in his client playing rugby.
"He's always stated that he'd like to play rugby one day and I think if he's ever going to play rugby now is the time," Willett told Channel Nine.
Off contract at the end of the season, Anasta is well and truly in the Waratahs' crosshairs after regular NSW five-eighth Lachlan Mackay announced a fortnight ago he was joining new Super 14 club Perth.
The 23-year-old Anasta had previously been approached by the Waratahs but was under contract at the time.
"I haven't heard back from Canterbury for a while so at this stage it looks like I'm just going to hang out and see what happens," Anasta said.
"I don't know if they (the Waratahs) are interested or not but if they were I'd definitely consider that too.
"I've played quite a bit of rugby and still follow it and still watch the games."
Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie, who will look to secure two five-eighths for his squad next season, said he was definitely keen on pursuing Anasta if he demonstrated a genuine interest in playing the 15-man game.
"That (letter) would suggest that perhaps he is fair dinkum at having a crack at rugby so obviously we'll wait and see if that is the case but the suggestions that are out there would indicate that he is serious," McKenzie said.
"He's 23 or something like that so he is certainly young enough to make the transition and I think from memory he played eight, nine, or ten years in schoolboy rugby union so I don't think the game is too unfamiliar to him."
Anasta said he had sat down with Willett at the start of the year with the pair recognising there would be distractions to come.
He is also expected to field interest from other rugby league teams such as South Sydney and the Roosters.
"In the next few weeks it's definitely going to become a bit harder for me to just focus on my football because I have a lot of tough decisions, but hopefully I can still do it," he said.
"I'll always lean towards staying at Canterbury because I am very happy there and I've been there for a long time, six years or so now, and it's become my club and I am hoping to stay there.
"I'll just sit back and see what happens."
ARU chief executive Gary Flowers said he was unaware of any specific approach by Anasta at this point but admitted it may have gone through the body's high performance unit.
