Rugby: Anscombe's Wales move will have to wait a while

Gareth Anscombe. Photo / Getty Images

Gareth Anscombe, the Chiefs' Super Rugby utility, is targeting his international rugby dreams with Wales, a chance he gets through the combined forces of his rugby talents and his mother's birthplace.

That goal may have to wait longer than he or coach Warren Gatland imagined because Anscombe is contracted to Auckland until the end of the season when it is believed he can trigger an exit clause.

Auckland have national under-20s captain Simon Hickey as their only other goal-kicker and are reluctant to release Anscombe as they seek to challenge Canterbury's six-year title run.

New coach Paul Feeney will probably lose seven players to the All Blacks squad and if fullback Charles Piutau joins that crew, Feeney will need to use either Loalgi Visinia or Anscombe as his replacement.

Anscombe's utility value, expert goal-kicking and desire to leave on a strong note are all viewed by Feeney and the Auckland Rugby Union as strong reasons to retain and encourage him throughout the ITM Cup interprovincial competition.

They might have been more flexible, but Feeney took over the job only last month and has not had time to recruit adequate replacements.

Hickey and Anscombe are likely to get equal opportunities to impress at five-eighths in the early rounds of the competition while Lolani Visinia is equally adept at fullback or wing and Hadleigh Parkes can help at fullback.

The ITM Cup starts on August 14 and the final is on October 24.

Meanwhile, Gatland will head back to Wales in late August where he will pick through the squad he took to South Africa last month and others who make their mark before the November run of four internationals.

Those start on November 8 against the Wallabies followed by Fiji, the All Blacks and Springboks.

Even if Auckland do not qualify for the playoffs, their last round-robin match is on October 9, which leaves no prudent window for Anscombe to fly out, play for his new club and turn out for Wales.

Since Anscombe confirmed his departure from the New Zealand rugby scene, Auckland have not heard from any Welsh rugby officials seeking his early release.

Recently Gatland told the Herald: "I said if he wanted to have a crack at making the World Cup squad it would be better if he came over this year."

That suggests Wales will use Rhys Priestland, Dan Biggar or James Hook as their five-eighths for the November internationals.

That will give Anscombe time to get used to rugby at his new club - with new coach Mark Hammett - and a more measured aim of Six Nations selection in February.