Rugby: Anscombe's class kicks in at Chiefs

When Gareth Anscombe was released by the Blues, some supporters asked why the Chiefs would take him on.

But since arriving in Hamilton, the blonde playmaker has been a revelation, slotting into the unfamiliar position of fullback as if he had played there all his life.

Anscombe has proved the Blues wrong and won over the Chiefs faithful with a string of superb performances while Robbie Robinson was out injured.

"It was a change for me from first-five and I was approached by the coaches pre-season that it could be a good idea," Anscombe said. "I was a little bit taken back at the start but then realised there was a pretty good opportunity and a chance to start.

"I have been working pretty hard to understand the role and the lines, and I have spent nine weeks at the back and am familiar with the role."

The move for the North Shore boy had gone better than he expected and he was comfortable with his new lifestyle.

"I suppose it was a little bit different but it has been nice, actually. There is a slower pace here and Auckland can be quite full-on at times ... It is nice to come to Hamilton where it is nowhere near as intense and I have really enjoyed it."

Anscombe is arguably the best goalkicker in Super Rugby this season and says his focus is more on mental visualisation and his routine than kicking goals at practice.

"I only kick five or six goals on a Thursday and go through my routine and preparation. I have done enough goalkicking now not to worry about banging a thousand balls out a week. I tended to do a lot of that during my school days but now I am feeling pretty comfortable with my routine and I know what I am trying to do."

Anscombe says the Chiefs will be confident of doing well against the Melbourne Rebels in Melbourne tomorrow night but they are wary of how well they are playing.

"We haven't spoken about (James O'Connor) too much but he is a real handful and he showed that in the weekend against the Crusaders. They really should have won that game I think and they [the Rebels] might also have Kurtly Beale back, as well, which would give them another game-breaker.

"They have threats right across the park with O'Connor, (Scott) Higginbotham and Beale, so we really need to be on our toes and have the right attitude.

"We really need to get stuck in from the start and take the learnings we had from last week and apply them to the Rebels."