Gareth Anscombe returns from injury to star for Gloucester
GARETH Anscombe has been charged with pushing Gloucester up the Premiership table, a task he is relishing after nearly a year out with injury.
The outside-half was on a high after Wales beat Australia 40-6 in the World Cup last September to seal their place in the quarter-finals.
He came off the bench after 10 minutes to replace the injured Dan Biggar and bagged a haul of 23 points.
He then suffered a groin injury during the warm-up for the next match against Georgia.
Injury troubles
It proved more serious than first thought and required surgery, meaning he was unable to take up his contract with Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath.
The closest he got to the field after that last season was behind a microphone.
“It has been quite a while since I last played and I just want to get back out there,” said the 33-year old Anscombe, who has joined Gloucester along with his Wales half-back partner Tomos Williams.
“It was a really difficult time and a waste of a season after I had missed so much rugby.
“I just hope the time off I have had in recent years gives me some runs on the board at the back end of my career.
“Look at [38-year-old] Johnny Sexton who last year showed he was one of the best outside-halves in the world having been well managed.
“I do not have the miles in my legs as other guys of my age.”
Premiership challenge
Gloucester finished one off the bottom of the Premiership last season.
At one point they suffered a record nine successive defeats.
Part of the reason for bringing in Anscombe and Williams was to provide experience as well as pedigree in key positions.
“Playing in the Premiership was a box I have wanted to tick for a few years,” said Anscombe.
He started his career in his native New Zealand before joining Cardiff Blues 10 years ago.
“I had opportunities in the past but turned them down because I wanted to continue my international career.
“The competition really appeals to me.
“The support is amazing, and the standard of play has been really impressive in the last few seasons.
“There are some world class players in the competition. And I am looking forward to measuring myself against them and playing my part for Gloucester.
“The support at Kingsholm drew me to Gloucester. I did some media work here last season when I knew I was coming.
“The team was struggling but still getting 12,000 through the doors. From where I came from you would kill to get that sort of crowd.
“We have a bit of work to do after last season. But it is a fresh start and the team has got rid of the hangover.
“The boys have worked really hard and we will see where we stack up in a couple weeks.”
Small margins
Gloucester start the campaign with Saracens at home, a fixture they have won four times in the last seven meetings at Kingsholm.
“There will be a bit of pressure on us because we need to win our home games and right a few wrongs from last year,” said Anscombe.
“The Premiership is a brilliant competition because you have no let-up. It’s Saracens one week and the likes of Northampton, Leicester, Bristol and Bath to follow.
“There is not much between the teams and you need to be armed with attitude and effort.
“Northampton won the title last season and Gloucester were a kick away from beating them at Kingsholm. There is such a fine line and the challenge for us this season is to be consistent each week.
“You cannot expect to get a result in this league unless you are at your best. If you are just a bit off it you will be found out.
“Skivs [director of rugby George Skivington] has embraced a bit of old-school mentality in pre-season to help get us back to where we want to be.
“Winning is a habit and I hope my experience can get us moving forward.
“It was good to arrive here with Tomos, someone I know very well.
“There is a very good half-back group here and we have all got pretty tight and whoever is picked, the team will be in a good place.
“Half-back is a vital part of a team because you have to be able to run a game and control play, making hundreds of decisions and being judged on the outcome of them.”
Wales hopes
Anscombe wants to add to his 37 Wales caps, something he will be able to do now the cap threshold for a player based outside the country to be eligible for selection has dropped from 60 to 25.
“I have not spoken to [head coach] Warren Gatland since the Six Nations,” he said.
“He knows my determination to pull on the red jersey again and I like to think that I have something to offer.
“I just want to play consistently well for Gloucester, string some games together and put my hand up.
Anscombe addds: “I want to play international rugby again and think I have another World Cup in me. But I never look too far ahead because I have been kicked back before.
He continues, “I will take it one week at a time, look after myself and see where it takes me. Playing international rugby is not a right but an honour which you have to go out and get.
“There have been a lot of negatives about Welsh rugby but I do not think we are that far away.
“There have been some lessons in the last 12 months. That is always a difficult time because Test rugby is about winning rather than gaining experience.”
World Cup drama
Anscombe’s last appearance for Wales marked the high spot in Gatland’s second period in charge.
When Biggar left the field six minutes from the end of the quarter-final against Argentina, there was no Anscombe to replace him and the game was lost.
There has been no victory since.
“I trained a bit with Wales during the Six Nations and there is some really good young talent coming through,” he said.
“The game against Australia was a funny one because it was the scoreline rather than the game itself that was special.
“I have never played in a Test match that felt so easy.
“Our pack was amazing and Australia kept giving us free penalties.
“It was one of my proudest moments in a red jersey because my kids and family were there. You always cherish the times you celebrate with the people you love. And I had got there after overcoming a number of challenges.
“It was devastating to limp out of the tournament but it was a special time in my career.
“I have never been in a Welsh setup without Biggs. We had a good relationship based on abusing each other and having a good laugh.”
Gloucester squad
Some Gloucester fans may be minded to give Anscombe, and Williams, a cautious welcome.
They were in the Cardiff Blues team that defeated them in the 2021 Challenge Cup final in Bilbao.
The scrum-half scored a try and Anscombe landed the winning penalty in the final minute.
“I am delighted to be here,” he said.
“We moved to Cheltenham a couple of months ago because we wanted to immerse ourselves in the area. It just feels as if I am meant to be here at the moment.
“Japan was tough on the family and I was undecided about what to do next. There were a couple of conversations but when Gloucester got in touch I was keen to get involved.
“It is a proper rugby city and we want to make the supporters believe and put in performances for them.
“There is a lot of talent here.
“Zach Mercer is a unique No.8. He’s long-limbed and rangy and awkward in the way he carries which makes him difficult to haul down. There is pace and strength in the backline and I think it will be a big year for Max Llewellyn in the midfield.
“There are so many good athletes in the squad. My role is putting them in places that showcase their talent and if we get forward, we will hurt teams.
“It is about pulling the trigger at the right time and not getting carried away.”
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