Nothing sinister in Anasta being replaced
Christian NicolussiNews Corp Australia
August 7, 2011 10:00PM
NSW NewsQLD NewsVIC NewsSA NewsWA NewsSportRugby League
IT is not often Braith Anasta is hooked 10 minutes out before the full-time siren, but that is exactly what happened to the Roosters skipper yesterday.
Anasta was shaping to kick-off when a message went out for him to come to the sideline and take a breather. Anasta was clearly frustrated with the call and showed no signs of injury.
Coach Brian Smith later put to bed any conspiracy theories and said with the result already over, he wanted to give Anasta a rare early mark.
"Braith had back spasms during the week at training, maybe it was a bit like (Dragons playmaker) Jamie Soward, so I got him off when I knew the game was gone," Smith said.
"He's played nearly every minute of every game this year. Both him and Rylesy (Jason Ryles) have been nursing some bumps and bruises, so I thought I'd give a few of the younger blokes an opportunity."
Another veteran campaigner who cut short his afternoon was Queensland Origin forward Nate Myles, who suffered a foot injury and was unable to return for the second half.
Myles hobbled up and down the sideline after the break before he realised he was no chance to return. Club medico John Orchard said if the game was in the balance Myles could have returned, but there was no point. Orchard said Myles was likely to return against the Dragons.
One of the rare positives for the Roosters was another try to Aidan Guerra, who crossed for the third week in a row, but like his teammates would have preferred the competition points.