By Graham Thomas
It says much about Gareth Anscombe’s self-belief that he wants to play for Wales at the next World Cup.
After all, the last tournament was only 12 months ago and it ended in another bitter injury nightmare for the 33-year-old outside-half.
Anscombe, though, has never been short of mental resilience and although his body may have let him down at various times during his career, his willpower remains as strong as ever.
Ahead of #RestartRound this weekend, we asked @GloucesterRugby fly-half @Gareth_Anscombe to talk about who his support network is and what they have done for him.
Support us this #RestartRound https://t.co/YK8Fm2EauJ#ForOurPlayers pic.twitter.com/0PxxClFeHk
— Restart (@RestartRugby) October 25, 2024
That is why, after a year’s absence from Test rugby, the New Zealand-born No.10 is not only favourite to wear that number again for Wales in the autumn series, but also intends to be still in possession of it at the 2027 World Cup, by which time he will be 36.
“I’ve had conversations with Gats (Warren Gatland, Wales coach) about that at the last World Cup,” says Anscombe.
“I think, mentally, without a doubt, I don’t have the runs on the board. And that’s been part of my conversations I’ve had with other people in the past.
“Physically, I’ve always had my challenges, particularly after a couple of big injuries, but we’ve sort of figured out what that looks like to keep myself together.
“But I think if I can get a bit of help with looking after myself, then mentally, I’m determined to get there.
“I think you find with most guys when you get to my age, it’s usually your head that goes before your body does.
“Mentally, I’m driven to play for as long as possible and probably feel like I can have a good crack at this for the next couple of years and help assist us through this period we’ve had.
“I’ve learnt with all my injuries not to look too far ahead. I’ve been guilty of doing that in the past, but if I can keep myself together and I enjoy my rugby, then I’d look at that (the World Cup) as a target.”
It was 13 months ago that Anscombe was last seen on a rugby field for Wales, when he came on as an early replacement for Dan Biggar and orchestrated a record 40-6 victory in the pool clash against Australia.
It was a vintage display, as he not only dictated the pace, tempo and shape of Wales’ attacking game, but he also kicked six penalties, a conversion and a drop goal.
Yet no sooner had he savoured one of his career highs, he was brought crashing down to earth with a groin injury suffered in the warm-up for the next match against Georgia.
Anscombe has not played for Wales since and Gatland’s team have not won since, either. Could these two facts possibly be related?
Those who have watched the former Cardiff and Ospreys player at Gloucester this season – his latest destination after a planned move to Japan fell apart because of the severity of that groin injury – believe Wales have lacked his guiding hand, and boot, as much as they have missed Biggar.
“It was a frustrating time, particularly after being out for so long with some other injuries,” he says.
“Just to miss another season like this for a groin injury that we never felt was going to be that long, it was tough to take.
“When I got to Gloucester it did feel like I was meant to be there so it’s funny how it’s worked out, but going to Gloucester has been really refreshing for me.
“The most important thing is just trying to play consistently in the games and just spending some time back on the field and keeping myself together.
“I’ve been able to do that for the majority of the time so my goal is clearly to try and play for Wales again and help bring some experience to this young side.”
Gareth Anscombe Still A Top Dog In The North, Insist Gloucester
Anscombe has stared five of Gloucester’s six matches so far this season, forming a half-back partnership with Tomos Williams that is likely to be replicated against Fiji this Sunday.
In only one of those games has he lasted less than an hour, proving he is still durable enough, despite a catalogue of injuries since he arrived in Wales to play for Cardiff Blues a decade ago.
In all, he has missed 123 matches for club and country since 2019, but the desire to play at the top level is still evident.
“I’m a pretty competitive person. It’s something that’s driven me to come back because you’ve only got two options.
“You can sort of give up and move on and retire – or you can fight to get back and I’ve always chosen the latter.
“So, even during those times I’ve been out watching I’ve always felt like I could, if I got myself back to full fitness, add something at this level.
“That competitiveness has helped drive myself to be resilient enough to believe I can come back and make a difference here.
“Time will tell in the next few weeks.
“The biggest goal for me this year has just been about trying to play each week and I feel like if I can back up some performances then I can get a real consistent run of games and hopefully start to play more at high level consistently.”
One thing 12 months out of the Wales squad has given Anscombe is a perspective slightly removed from his previous view.
Wales may have suffered a humbling Six Nations whitewash and defeats in two summer Tests against Australia, but he insists there are some reasons for optimism.
“I think we haven’t been far away. If we can put in a couple of improved performances that bring wins, suddenly everyone starts relaxing a little bit. Winning is a habit, but so is losing.
“We’ve just got to try and breach that gap. I’m hopeful maybe just some of our experience has stepped back in recently.
“I love that Jac Morgan is coming back, Will Rowlands and Adam Beard. I’d like to think those guys along with myself can help influence the group and it’s not just about performance on Saturday.
“It takes all week to build up to that, so I’d like to think we individuals can help drive the group in that way and make sure that come Saturday we can really improve performance.”
