The much heralded signing of the Waikato Chiefs’ utility back Gareth Anscombe by the Cardiff Blues has not gone down well in the “Land of the long white cloud”. Yet, Gregor Paul writing in the NZ Herald on Sunday is premature in declaring that Anscombe is already the first choice for Wales at outside-half.
For Wales, the number 10 shirt is iconic, reserved for the team’s most influential player. The pantheon of Welsh outside halves is legendary; Cliff Morgan, Phil Bennett, Barry John and Neil Jenkins are some of the great players that have graced the shirt. It says a great deal, therefore, that several astute commentators feel that Anscombe has the ability to join such a celebrated group of players.
On announcing the signing, Cardiff Blues chief executive Richard Holland speaking to BBC Sport gave a realistic assessment of the region’s expectations, “It’s probably a question posed for the Welsh Rugby Union, but we’d be keen to see him progress to international honours and play for Wales. Gareth is a hugely talented player and he’s got a huge future ahead of him, certainly with Cardiff Blues and who knows maybe he will go on and represent Wales as well. But he’s a young man, he’s still got some bits and pieces to learn and I’ll leave that to the rugby guys to nurture and develop.”
Anscombe is certainly a gifted player, “One of the Top 5 number 10’s in New Zealand”, according to Gregor Paul and he is of no doubt that New Zealand has carelessly lost a very good player indeed. Mishandled by the Auckland Blues, given limited opportunities by the Chiefs, an ambitious player like Anscombe would have no option other than to leave and find a team that would support him.
With a growing reputation, earned in the hard hitting cauldron of Super Rugby, Anscombe has developed an excellent skill set. He can play in the heavy traffic, attacks the gainline, distributes with precision and has soft hands, good feet and plays with his head up constantly scanning the field for options. All that, could have meant that he would have been able to secure a contract at one of the wealthy Top14 clubs in France but, to his credit, he has chosen to ignore that route. He is well aware of his Welsh heritage and with his mother from Cardiff he has a palpable connection with the city and the principality. It is too strong to say that he is coming home as he told TVNZ, “However, in consultation with my family, I came to the conclusion that the opportunity in Wales was one that I simply couldn’t turn down. I am really excited to be joining a region like Cardiff Blues. I was lucky enough to be able to visit last year so have a degree of familiarity with the club and people that will hopefully help me hit the ground running and start contributing to what I hope will be a successful season for the Blues. Much has been made about my Welsh eligibility, and there is no doubt that my mother’s side of the family have always reinforced my Welshness. I am under no illusions and my focus is very much on the Blues, and if the opportunity to represent Wales comes as a result of my performances on the pitch then of course I will take it.”
He is pretty much a like-for-like replacement for the Toulon bound Leigh Halfpenny and at 23 years of age has time on his side. On the other hand, the likelihood of him going straight into Wales’s international side are not so straightforward. Dan Biggar of the Ospreys is the man in possession of the shirt and in his last appearance against South Africa he was a “tour de force”. Then, there is the mercurial Rhys Priestland at Scarlets who led Wales to the RWC semi-final in 2011. At the Ospreys there is also the promising Sam Davies, a former U20 international player of the year. Even at Cardiff things are not so open with the prodigious Rhys Patchell in their squad. If he had not suffered a significant injury last season he would have undoubtedly added to his two international caps. Last, but not least, there is Owen Williams at Leicester who stunned the ultra-competitive Aviva Premiership with his displays last season. The 22 year old displacing England fly-half Toby Flood as first choice for the Tigers. In short, Anscombe might not be in the top five number 10’s available for Wales after all.
Warren Gatland and his squad will though no doubt be very pleased with Anscombe’s arrival, although it may be too late for the November international series. Anscombe has strengthened Gatland’s options, increased competition for places and shown his players that there are no guarantees. It is also a considerable boost for the game in Wales, at a time when so many players are choosing to leave; a player of Anscombe’s pedigree has chosen to ply his trade there. If Anscombe settles, then he has the undoubted talent and potential to reach the top and if he gets the chance to wear the red of Wales then both he, and the country will be grateful that both had made the right decision at the right time.
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