Wales want Anscombe to get his kicks at No.10

WARREN Gatland wants Gareth Anscombe to again prove his big-game temperament after handing the Cardiff Blues pivot the goal-kicking duties for tomorrow’s autumn series finale against South Africa, writes ROB LLOYD.

With arguably the world’s best marksman Leigh Halfpenny ruled out of the match because of concussion, the responsibility off the tee now falls to Anscombe – a big call by Wales’ head coach considering Dan Biggar’s impressive record with the boot for his country.

In his 20 appearances for Wales, Anscombe has been Wales’ kicker four times, with February’s Six Nations clash with England at Twickenham the biggest occasion of the lot.

The former Super Rugby star can point to the fact he was five from five during the 2018 Championship, was the PRO14’s Golden Boot winner in 2016 and memorably held his nerve, after recovering from a penalty miss, to land a late conversion to seal the Blues’ Challenge Cup triumph in Bilbao in May.

But it is clear, Gatland wants to see how his kicking holds up in the cauldron of a huge match at the Principality Stadium.

“Throughout the campaign we have been talking to the players about the next 12 months and their point of difference. It is a massively-important aspect of the game,” said Gatland.

“There is no doubt that last weekend, Dan Biggar’s goal-kicking was a point of difference.

“We spoke as coaches when we selected the side that this is a big game and there will be pressure on Gareth in terms of the goal-kicking.

“He has been kicking well this year, his percentages have been good, but we all know it is more difficult under pressure in a big game.

“But that is part of the reason for picking him as well.

“We know our two quality goal-kickers are absolutely world-class. Gareth’s game management has been good, but we want to find out pretty early about him when it really matters as regards goals he should kick in a big match, that is important.

“That is part of the reason for that selection.”

Gatland added: “Gareth is starting to show some real maturity and we have been really pleased with him. We have decided to give him a run of games but we could easily have given Dan a run of games and we have been really happy with Rhys Patchell’s contribution.

“We have got three 10s who we think are on top of their games and we could easily pick any one of the three of them.

“Sometimes you want to make a change, sometimes you want to give them a run of games.

“If I look back on my experience with wales especially at nine and 10 players in the past have done better and made more of an impact coming off the bench.

“So, it is important that we have our starting nine and 10 giving us some real direction and momentum and we keep building on that.”

Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus this week claimed Wales were the silent assassins of the international game, going about their business with little fuss.

“That’s what they used to say about the Irish, wasn’t it?” smiled Gatland when asked about Erasmus’ comments.

“We are in a good place at the moment, we’re just trying to keep out heads down, trying not to say too much, just getting on with our business.

“We know what we’re doing in the next 12 months. If we keep going under the radar that will be good.”

So do Wales deserve more credit for their winning run?

“I don’t really care,” was Gatland’s swift response to that question.

“We’re not worried at all what anyone else is saying about us or thinking.

“We have a group of players that are working incredibly hard and a group of older players who have been around for a bit of time who know that this is probably their last opportunity in the next 12 months. They are really motivated and want to do well.