Gatland’s heroes plead for pay rise
GARETH ANSCOMBE says Wales’ Grand Slam heroes deserve better deals at regional level and will be forced to consider moves to the Premiership if their salaries do not improve.
Warren Gatland’s side sealed a first Six Nations clean sweep since 2012 and their third under their New Zealand head coach after brushing Ireland aside in Cardiff on Saturday.
Anscombe’s 20-point haul earned him the man-of-thematch award.
The job was done despite the Welsh Rugby Union and the country’s four regions being in protracted talks over Project Reset, the future format for Welsh rugby, and a proposed merger between the Ospreys and Scarlets being dramatically abandoned.
Anscombe’s contract with Cardiff Blues runs out at the end of the season and he believes the players deserve better, especially given Wales are now 14 matches unbeaten, Grand Slam and Triple Crown winners, and No 2 in the world.
“It’s been tough with what is going on in Welsh rugby,” said Anscombe, above. “We want to play for Wales, there is no doubt about that, but players need to be treated well.We are doing a hell of a lot for
the team and the country, so we should be looked after. That needs to get sorted and as players we deserve to get the best deals possible. “It’s not what you want to be dealing with, but I’ve just been trying to focus on playing well for Wales. I’ve got a decision to make shortly and hopefully we’ll have some news soon.” The WRU plan to introduce a new banding
system for player payments. It is understood the move is unpopular with Gatland’s leading lights because it is felt it limits their earning potential.
Anscombe, for instance, could receive far more than the £350,000-a-year basic salary he earns with the Blues and Wales should he switch to England.
Cardiff want Anscombe to stay but Bath and Harlequins have expressed an interest in the 27-year-old playmaker, while Ospreys are also keen as he has a close relationship with backs coach Matt Sherratt. There was some good news for the regions yesterday when Jonathan Davies, Ken Owens and Rob Evans all signed new deals with Scarlets, while Josh Adams has agreed to join Cardiff from Worcester next season.
But hooker Scott Baldwin is leaving Ospreys for Harlequins, and asked if he had thought about moving to England amid the uncertainty Anscombe said: “It has made all the boys think about that.
“We’ve only got a 10-year window to really look after ourselves and the important thing is you don’t want to look back with any regrets.
“At times when [the WRU] try to pigeonhole you into something it’s a little bit frustrating. We’re a world-class team and we deserve to be where we are.
“We’re not far off beating anyone and we’re No2 in the world now, so hopefully that gets reciprocated both ways.
“We’ve given the union something to be pretty proud of. Hopefully we can put this mess behind us and the regions can come together and sort out the
best deals for the players because that’s important.”
If Anscombe did leave Wales he would be forced to give up his Test career because he does not have the 60 caps required under current WRU rules to represent Gatland’s side while playing his club rugby abroad.
The New Zealand-born back has struggled to convince Wales fans of his worth, with Dan Biggar their hero at fly-half, and has been the target for social media abuse from some supporters. That seemed to change after the Ireland game when he was cheered loudly at the final whistle and Anscombe said: “I’ve had a love-hate relationship with the supporters for some reason.
“I’ll probably never be the darling boy of Welsh rugby and that’s fine by me, but hopefully they can see I do my best and that might turn a few people around. I’ve seen other guys get it. I’m not the first and I won’t be the last.
“The boys know how fickle Welsh rugby is. We have all been through it. I have a good couple of mates who have gone through it and left. This is the life we live now.
“I’m sure I’m going to have days when people will criticise again – that is just the way it is. On Twitter people have opinions that are usually negative.
“That’s why they want to voice them. It is what it is. I won’t be able to change everyone. I’ll keep my head down and let my rugby do the talking for me.”