Pat Lam has revealed he held young first-five Gareth Anscombe back from making his starting debut until he could play between Piri Weepu and Ma'a Nonu and the move paid big dividends as the Blues got their season back on track yesterday.
Anscombe scored all of his side's points in the 29-23 victory over the Bulls at Pretoria, his side's first win for the 2012 season following losses to the Crusaders and Chiefs.
Anscombe, 20, was thrust into the spotlight after the Blues first-five for the past two matches, Michael Hobbs, returned to New Zealand to be with his ill father, Jock.
And the Auckland player looked thoroughly at ease in the intimidating environs of Loftus Versfeld, scoring two tries and kicking seven from nine.
"It was just one of those days," he said. "I got two fortunate tries, really, where the ball just popped into my hands. I just tried to do my job for the team."