Rugby: Shades of Carlos about Gareth

Gareth Anscombe. Photo / Greg Bowker

In his first year out of school and with his first touch in senior club rugby, Gareth Anscombe underlined his promise in an emphatic way.

He made his premier debut for club powerhouse Ponsonby, coming on in the third quarter at first-five eighths against Pukekohe. His first touch was a pass from the halfback. He snatched a quick look up - and executed a perfectly placed cross-field kick to winger and Southland ITM Cup player Tony Koonwaiyou, who scored in the corner.

The tactic is a risky one for even an experienced player. If it comes off, it looks a play of vision and precision. If it doesn't, the kicker can look a right chook. Now take in fully the fact that he did that with his very first touch; never mind the safe options.

"Sometimes you've just got to go with your gut feeling," says 20-year-old Anscombe, one of the stars of the New Zealand under-20 World Cup-winning team in Italy recently - and who is tipped to become a star at Super Rugby level for the Blues. "I wasn't too afraid of it not coming off because it was only pre-season."

That single play won the hearts of his Ponsonby team-mates and was a sign of things to come. It was also a sign of a competitive talent who always plays to win.

Anscombe, like any 20-year-old, loves heading out with his mates for things like a round of golf or going fishing - but he's not interested in participating. Whatever it is, he's there to win.

That competitive attitude has helped Anscombe earn a two-year contract with the Blues, signed in February. With Stephen Brett and Luke McAlister heading abroad after the World Cup, the opportunity to nail down a spot on the field is looking promising.

He also signed on for three years with his adopted province Auckland in November last year, after moving from North Harbour.

"Auckland came to me with an opportunity - no promises - they just said there could be a spot there in a couple of years if I worked hard."

That spot came sooner than anyone predicted. He was called in to sit on the bench behind Matt Berquist, imported from Hawke's Bay. When he got his chance, he again underlined his promise - quickly becoming the starting first-five for Auckland.

In October last year, Herald on Sunday rugby writer Gregor Paul said of Anscombe, in a piece looking at the latest crop of first fives: "Gareth Anscombe, Beauden Barrett and Lima Sopoaga are the new breed of five-eighths being churned out by an improved schoolboy system - they are mentally tough and tactically aware in a way their predecessors never were.

"The likes of Willie Ripia, Daniel Kirkpatrick and Trent Renata have all reached senior rugby with big reputations but so far none have been able to deliver the consistent form required to win a foothold in the public consciousness. Even Robbie Robinson and Stephen Brett have not quite kicked on from early promise.

"Since breaking into the Auckland starting XV, Anscombe has shown a maturity and overall understanding of his role that hasn't been witnessed since Carlos Spencer left in 2005. Anscombe looks a different sort of player. He's not hurried on the ball, doesn't make rash decisions and appears to take note of how the contest is evolving. It's the last skill that sets him well apart - the essence of being an effective first five is moulding the game plan as events dictate.

"Auckland haven't had that kind of manipulator since Spencer and nor, until Anscombe emerged, have they had a playmaker with the mental toughness to deal with his mistakes and still want to be the central figure."

More often than not, Anscombe is among the youngest in his team but he has never been afraid of speaking up: "As a 10, you can't be quiet - you have to respect the older guys but you also can't be scared of them. I'm a bit of a loud mouth more than anything."

Anscombe moved to the UK at a young age to follow his father (Auckland and New Zealand under-20 coach Mark Anscombe) in his coaching career.

Spending two years each in England and Ireland, he almost committed himself to football, in accordance with the obsession of the game in that part of the world. In the end, his dad's personal involvement in rugby and his native instincts took precedence.

"I guess I'm like any Kiwi boy, we're born to love rugby," says Anscombe. However, unlike most other Kiwi boys, he may have the New Zealand rugby world at his feet.

Anscombe was the top scorer in the Junior Rugby World Championships in Italy, with 84 points. He was awarded Man of the Match in the final against England.

"It was like nothing I've ever experienced before," he says, pinpointing the game against Italy as the stand-out moment. "It was the most intense atmosphere I've ever played in. Their national anthem was crazy - 11,000 Italians screaming their heads off."

The other thing Anscombe remembers fondly is the friendships that, in such a short space of time, can only be established on tour - but he is also well aware of the sacrifice it takes to become a professional rugby player.

"You've got to be a little bit more mature and a little bit smarter than what your normal 20-year-old mates are doing."

His first year out of high school was the toughest - as all his mates were enjoying the freedoms of their youth.

"Obviously you have to give up the odd night of socialising to get an early night - I guess that's one of the toughest things about rugby."

Those sacrifices are starting to pay off, with Anscombe rated as one of New Zealand's brightest prospects in a position that lacks any true depth, once beyond Dan Carter.

"I'd rather be doing this than anything in the world - I'm lucky enough to be getting paid to play rugby."

Loving it is one thing; playing it is another story. Maybe his biggest obstacle is size in a game where defence is a must and where opponents deliberately run down the channel of first-fives perceived to be a profitable target.

Anscombe has never been a large lad and still isn't at just 84kg. Another under-20 and All Black hopeful, Aaron Cruden, has undoubted qualities but those who saw him picked up and dumped backwards by Crusaders fullback Tom Marshall in a try-saving tackle in a Super Rugby clash this season, may ponder that size can be a handy asset.

But, while he is constantly trying to gain weight, Anscombe says his slim nature is not an obstacle to success: "I'd rather keep speed over size."

Anscombe is an excellent goal kicker, notching 26 conversions and eight penalties in the Junior World Cup triumph - all about good technique and timing, he says: "You don't have to be the biggest guy to kick it the farthest."

Anscombe still goes down to his local park on the North Shore every Friday before a game with a few mates, often including ITM Cup North Harbour first-five Ben Botica, to practise kicking goals and have a laugh. "We've been doing it for years now - it's very relaxing."

Like any smart young player, Anscombe understands that one injury could end it all in an instant. As back-up he is currently completing a Bachelor of Business at Massey University on the North Shore. He wants to own his own business, although not even he knows what sort of business that will be yet.

In the meantime, many rugby followers are waiting to see if Anscombe is named player of the under-20 tournament.

He is an obvious favourite considering his performances.

"I'd be happy just to be nominated to be honest.

"I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a goal."