An ankle injury to prized pivot Braith Anasta further soured the Bulldogs' 18-10 NRL loss to high-flying Manly at Telstra Stadium - the Sea Eagles' first win over Canterbury since 1996.

Former Test player Anasta was under the spotlight before the game after sounding out a code switch with Wallabies coach Eddie Jones this week.

While Anasta is expected to make a decision on his future in a fortnight, the Bulldogs five-eighth didn't look distracted as he stood tall before succumbing to an ankle injury in the 67th minute.

Anasta appeared to slip and injure his left ankle when he was about to be tackled and was soon taken off by coach Steve Folkes.

An injury would seriously hamper Anasta's chances of making the NSW Origin team to be named on Monday.

NSW selector Laurie Daley said of Anasta on Fox Sports tonight: "I think people might have thought he might be distracted (by rugby talks)...but he has proved everyone wrong tonight".

But Anasta faces an anxious wait to see if he will be added to the Bulldogs' already lengthy injury list.

Their horror run continued this week with prop Nate Myles (knee) ruled out for eight to 12 weeks, barely a week after losing NSW City utility Reni Maitua (ankle, 12 weeks) and Queensland centre Willie Tonga (knee, eight weeks).

They were added to a list that already included star backrower Sonny Bill Williams (ankle, two weeks) and Test props Mark O'Meley (leg, 10 weeks) and Willie Mason (foot, 10 weeks).

In contrast, Manly (7-2 record) sealed its second straight victory and fourth in five games after outlasting the depleted Bulldogs in a scoreless second half.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP