The challenges that Braith Anasta faces in separating his two major roles in the NRL has been outlined by a former Fox Sports colleague as the blowback from St George Illawarra’s confrontational press conference earlier this week continues. In announcing Shane Flanagan’s exit from the club on Monday, Dragons chairman Andrew Lancaster criticised sections of the media and accused them of running personal agendas over their coverage of the dramas at the Red V.
Most assumed the pot shot was aimed at NRL360 host Braith Anasta, who doubles as a player agent and has been critical of the club’s handling of its young playmakers. One of Anasta’s clients – halfback Lachlan Ilias – was forced to move clubs as he felt his path back to the NRL was blocked by the presence of first-choice No.7 Kyle Flanagan.
Matty Johns (R) has responded to Paul Kent’s comments about Braith Anasta (L). Image: Getty/Fox
Anasta labelled Lancaster’s presser “weak as piss” and lacking backbone, accusing the Dragons boss of blaming everyone but himself. Former NRL360 co-host Paul Kent, speaking on his ‘Kenty Blitz’ podcast, spoke of the challenges juggling two high-profile positions in the game.
“Was Braith speaking as the player manager of Lachlan Ilias or was he speaking as the host of a television show?” he asked. “I’m not having a crack at Braith over that (but) Braith is copping an earn from both sides and now that’s up to Braith to handle.
“He handled it very strongly (on Monday) night. Braith squared up and he didn’t miss him (Lancaster). But that’s the road you travel when you are taking a clip from this side, a clip from that side.”
Fox Sports host Matty Johns was both surprised and amused when he heard Kent’s summation. He told SEN radio: “Kenty and Braith getting into it…it’s a strange world at the moment.
“There would be a couple of people watching on with a wry smile, those two going at it. Former colleagues turning on each other… but they’ll settle it, no doubt at all.”
Braith Anasta and Paul Kent are former colleagues on NRL 360.
Kent also questioned the media’s reaction to Lancaster’s comments, saying they should have been written off as part of the rough and tumble of rugby league. He said: “The shit that journos – and I include myself in this – sling at clubs and players, to sit there and be so highly offended about a very vague comment…who cares?
“Just get over it. I think it just makes journos more embarrassingly weak responding the way (we did). It just showed everyone to be very delicate. Seriously, we need to toughen up as a group.”