One of the players that stood out most to me in the Super Rugby third round was Gareth Anscombe.
I know, this is an Australian site and we don’t often discuss New Zealand rugby in detail. I thought we might try and change that today – his performance deserves it.
Initially you’ve got to note that Anscombe has kicked 15 from 16 attempts at goal this season. Before you smirk that kicking for the Chiefs isn’t going to be hard when they trample in 10 tries in two matches, that means he has nailed seven from seven penalties as well.
No mean feat.
On top of that the eye test proves that most of the kicks are going gun barrel straight and climbing evenly all the way along their trajectory. That’s a sign of a kicker lining them up with confidence in his action.
But you need to consider that Anscombe has come across after playing for the Blues franchise last season. That is somewhat of a shock for a promising player that is only 21 years old. However, his play wasn’t fantastic last year either.
At the Blues he was a solid kicker but seemed to lack confidence and often bailed out and kicked away possession early.
Watching him play games for Auckland in the ITM Cup whenever I happened across them, Anscombe always seemed poised and in control but for whatever reason it never seemed to stick for the Blues.
Anscombe played 30 games for Auckland and 10 for the Blues but that lack of confidence and general execution led to the Blues having a good enough excuse to de-list him from their squad.
Enter the Chiefs.
Anscombe has always been a good kicker and kicking 93 percent for the season isn’t his only contribution.
Since coming back to the Chiefs and being installed at full-back, his game has completely transformed.
It’s hard to know from the outside what exactly to attribute the change to.
It’s obvious that the Blues weren’t a confident team last year and that sort of smouldering environment wouldn’t be good for a youngster compared to the up-beat environment around a Super Rugby championship team.
Playing at the back Anscombe has shown a willingness to bring the strong support of Leila Masaga and Asaeli Tikoirotuma into play or run it back himself. When he does chose to kick – less regularly – he is specific about going to places where a chase can be specific.
I’ve also spied Anscombe giving great little passes to supporting flankers and second rowers during the Cheetahs game. With Anscombe available to act as a second five-eighth, the Chiefs can ensure that the blind side of the field needs to be defended well at all times, while Cruden wreaks havoc on the other side.
The highlight of Anscombe’s new-found confidence has to be the good backline move that resulted in him scoring against the Cheetahs on the weekend.
The Chiefs ran a play that involved Cruden running two loops and Anscombe came inside the second one and absolutely hammered with speed through a gap. He then lifted his knees and hit top speed quickly to score un-touched.
As he ran onto the ball and exploded through a gap on that play it was the first time viewing Anscombe I thought, ‘That’s a real athlete.’ He ran with purpose and even looked a bit formidable doing so.
That isn’t how I ever would have described Anscombe during his time in blue up the other end of State Highway 1.
In Australia the form full-back is probably Jesse Mogg who has crossed the line three times and generally showed great pace and positioning.
I’d argue that no South African full-back has shown much form yet; I’d direct you towards SP Marias as a willing worker though.
In the New Zealand conference Charles Piutau has been a force to be reckoned with but I’d argue Gareth Anscombe is the best performed all round full-back in this still young season.
Keep an eye on the young man at the back of the Chiefs for the rest of the year. He was only born in 1991 and we may just be witnessing the coming out party of a very talented star.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Robbie Robinson was outstanding at the end of last season. In saying that, the coaches have not been shy to bench or drop him altogether in the past. The good thing about this team, one bad game could see you replaced. The fact that there is huge competition for positions all over the paddock means the Chiefs are in a great position. I really can't see Anscombe being dropped if this form on the paddock and with the boot continues. You really have to admire the coaching staff for what they have been able to squeeze out of players who have struggled for consistency in the past.
moaman
Roar Guru
Nice piece Elisha and a fresh touch to compliment the Roar's other,perhaps more gnarly contributors ;-) Since you have deliberately tackled a NZ player and a less parochial viewpoint may I gently highlight something in this line " ...With Anscombe available to act as a second five-eighth, the Chiefs ...." ; I did a double-take for a moment,thinking the Chiefs might be moving Anscombe to 12 (my old possie) until I translated it to " a 2nd 1st receiver/or another '1st 5'. Anyway,liked the piece and keep up the good work!
mania
Guest
lack of game plan usually means canes scoring tries
Short-Blind
Guest
an OZy's viewpoint - of the young guns R Robinson shows more potential for me than Anscombe. Ans has been solid but not spectacular (hit a hole created by Cruden) & kicks the goals but not the sheer attacking force that Robinson can be. Both of them starred in the Junior World Cup teams but Robbie reminds me of a young JK (not to put the mocha on him). Ans is benefitting from Rennie & Smith + the opportunities that the chiefs back line present. Of all the young NZ baclkline talent on show in the last 2 weeks the Blues 12 and new 11/14 have really caught my eye. Blues 12 the standout so far......poly talent factory rolling on in Auckland!
Colvin
Guest
Yes, it was a surprise to me that Anscombe was moved on last year and I thought at the time that it might have been due to personality issues. There was talk last year of Anscombe not following game plans etc. But who knows. Certainly, he's landed on his feet with the Chiefs coaching team. Most players in NZ would want to be coached by that lot. Concerning NZ fullbacks, Ben Smith had a pretty good game against the Chiefs so he has to be in the loop when form fullbacks are discussed. The thing about Ben is that he always has a pretty good game.
DCNZ
Guest
Anscombe was surrounded by a rabble at the Blues last year. His form in the Junior RWC a few years ago was awesome. The kid has talent, but how does he get into the ABs unless Izzy has a major long reversal of form. He might hold Robbie or Horrell out....I would actually like to see Horrell at 13.. Cruden will be the AB 10 come the next world cup shoot-out.
chuck
Guest
loosehead. well put .hope both players kick on
Elisha Pearce
Expert
I agree that the amount of kicking from the Canes isn't a good sign. Is it gameplan, or lack of gameplan?
winston
Roar Rookie
aah makes sense.
atlas
Guest
Cruden has an ongoing groin-strain problem, didn't kick in pre-season match either, last weekend's game commentator said he tried one shot pre-match that caused more pain. Anscombe's goal-kicking will keep him in the XV meantime.
mania
Guest
elisha - imo the problem is the game plan. kicking it away too much for territory isnt going to get taylor much ball. your comment about not shining very long, do u think this is because of hammett or the players?
Elisha Pearce
Expert
I was going to talk about Taylor but this got long just on Anscombe. The Hurricanes are like the Wallabies under Deans. Talented but dont shine for long.
Elisha Pearce
Expert
Thanks winston. If hes going to be dropped after this start, maybe Anscombe should move to a NZ team with less competition for places... oh wait.
Allanthus
Guest
Yes, Taylor very disappointing so far, although it would be interesting to know how much of this is down to the team, and if he and Anscombe had swapped sides for the first 2 rounds we'd be saying the same thing.
Loosehead
Guest
Anscombe's form greatly improved in the ITM cup where he played with a lot more confidence and controlled Auckland well. That made it more of a surprise when he was de-listed than his occasional good games/moments in the Blues. It is worth noting that it was not just his form that led to him being de-listed by Kirwan. Kirwan needed more experience in that position to start first up (And hasn't Noakes been such a better signing than we all thought!), after meeting with him didn't feel like he fit in with his vision of the Blues and had another young gun in Baden Kerr who probably complemented Noakes better. These comments are nothing against Anscombe as I think he has great potential and thought that It was an confounding move at the time, especially with Noakes having never really made much impact in previous teams. However it appears to have worked out best for both players.
winston
Roar Rookie
I would say Anscombe will be getting dropped to the bench when Robinson returns. Cruden to take on kicking duties. I'm guessing Horrell will play in the Centres. As good as Dagg is Robinson made him look second rate in the Semi last year. Good article. As this is an Aussie site but it is also the best rugby site I've found for interacting so the more NZ based articles the better IMO
Sam Taulelei
Guest
Also worth mentioning that this is the first time Anscombe has played fullback and only due to injuries to Robbie Robinson and Andrew Horrell. He's playing with confidence and in a champion team, there will be sterner tests to come for him but he looks the goods.
Darwin Stubbie
Guest
What's happened to Robinson - is he still in the squad ? I thought Cruden had a good game also .... teams can't afford to give him space - which is going to be difficult against the chiefs
El gamba
Guest
Agree Elisha. He's looked good. It probably shows something around the right environment being a crucial factor in player development.
z1000
Guest
Anscombe scored all of the Blues 29 points against the Bulls last season however as the teams season fell away so did his. Good luck to him and let's hope Andre Taylor gets going as well.