Braith Anasta responds to critics after controversial NRL 360 move
Braith Anasta hasn’t even uttered a word on NRL 360 yet, but already they're coming for him ahead of the upcoming season.
What are Fox Sports thinking, the Twitterati is demanding to know.
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How could they choose Anasta over (insert host name of choice) to replace Yvonne Sampson while she's on maternity leave?
One punter compared it to swapping Cooper Cronk for Brodie Croft.
It seems Anasta has always had to win people over.
He's known no different, either as a player or TV personality despite forging successful careers in both.
There's one Twitter account - @ShitBraithSays – dedicated to catching him out on any mistake or statement deemed inane.
Imagine having your every word on live television constantly monitored.
If you didn’t laugh about it, you'd cry.
"I've been around long enough to know I cop my fair share," Anasta told Yahoo Sport Australia at this week's Fox League launch.
"Everyone's got an opinion but it doesn’t faze me anymore. That comes with the territory.
"I know I'm in the firing line and in the hot seat. Everyone will have their opinion – and that's fine.
"I'm pretty thick skinned. You can’t please everyone but I'm confident I’ll do well."
Braith Anasta confident in his hosting ability ahead of NRL season
Just as he did as a player, Anasta has worked at his television career for the past 15 years, doing the 'extras' that few get to see.
"I've worked my arse off to get in the position I'm in," he pointed out.
And he's also done a lot of listening, seeking out the likes of Matty Johns – the most successful player-turned-presenter since Fatty Vautin – to help chart his course.
"Matty's been hosting a long time and had his ups and downs and his advice is invaluable," Anasta said.
"He said not to over think it, don’t over analyse it. And you can’t worry about the outside noise."
Anasta isn’t as loose as Johns, who eschews autocues and scripts, but won’t be scared to go free range and let NRL 360 tilt sideways at times.
"We will stir the pot and have fun," he promised.
"I will work hard, I will have some fun, I will make the show as entertaining as possible."
And maybe, just maybe, win over a few critics.
"Yeah, we'll see about that," he laughed.
"It'll take a lot to win some people over but I genuinely enjoy the game and think I've got a lot to offer.
"People will get to know me more, which is a good thing. That's what I want. Hopefully they like what they see."
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