Anesi fractured his neck in the second round Super 14 match against the Wellington Hurricanes at Waikato Stadium on 9 February 2007. A strong tackle from Hurricanes winger Ma'a Nonu resulted in the injury which rules Anesi out for season 2007. Immediate surgery was not required, but he needed to go through a rehabilitation period. Anesi returned in the second season of the Air New Zealand Cup.
