He has just played three games in 10 days.
At one time he played three games in two years.
Anderson-Heather (24) is a burly hooker, who has shown plenty of ticker for the Otago side this season.
But getting on the field is one goal he has been trying to do for a good while.
A badly broken leg, followed by complications, had him spending a lot more time watching than playing.
He arrived at the University of Otago fresh from making an impression at Hastings Boys' High School, where he played age group sides, and was accepted into the Otago rugby academy.
In 2009 he was ready to make an impact on the provincial scene but it all went wrong in a club game for Dunedin.
"I was getting tackled and fell awkwardly. I knew it was bad and knew something was up. I had a look down at my leg and it was all out to one side. That's not great," he said.
He had badly broken his left leg and also badly dislocated his ankle.
He missed all of the 2009 season and got back to play in at the end of Otago's 2010 season.
But the leg was still nagging him and after a disrupted season last year, he took off to Germany.
It was not the most logical place to play rugby but he joined a club in the southwest of the country, on the border with France, as he wanted to get some game time under his belt.
He teamed up there with former Otago club players Kaine Elisara and Jeremy Te Huia.
"The standard wasn't too bad, surprisingly. There were about four teams in the competition who were full of foreigners and they weren't bad. The German guys were just big but not that good."
After a season of German club rugby - and more importantly injury-free rugby - he came back to try and crack the Otago side again this season.
He has done that successfully and has impressed with his mobility and strength around the field.
Anderson-Heather gives the impression he just likes being part of the side on the paddock.
"I have been involved in the environment for three years but I have never played. It's nice to be among it and playing. Winning makes a huge difference.
"I did feel like a spare part. It is hard to relate to when you are not playing with the lads. You do all the training but you always feel you are not quite there."
Anderson-Heather, who graduated with a marketing degree at the University of Otago and was now working for the Ministry of Justice, said he was enjoying the compressed season, although his lungs were burning on Sunday, when the side played its third game in 10 days.
He was subbed early in the match against Tasman last Sunday.
The next match for Otago is a homecoming of sorts for Anderson-Heather, as the side travels to Napier to take on Hawkes Bay on Saturday.
It is a key game for Otago and Hawkes Bay is desperate for a win as it gets into a relegation dogfight to stay in the premiership.
Anderson-Heather will have his parents in the stand and will be hoping for a win to keep up Otago's momentum.
As for the future, the injury if anything has taught him to not set his goals too big.
"I've decided now to not look too far ahead. You've got to make the most of the opportunities you have at the moment. Make the most of the here and now."
