Gareth Anscombe called into Wales Rugby World Cup squad after injuries

Gareth Anscombe has been called up to play for Wales.

Former Auckland, Blues and Chiefs utility Gareth Anscombe has been whisked into the Welsh Rugby World Cup squad.

Anscombe and fellow utility James Hook, who will feature in his third World Cup, were called up on Tuesday (NZT) after Wales lost midfielder Scott Williams (leg) and outside back Hallam Amos (shoulder) in the aftermath of their 28-25 triumph over England at Twickenham.

Anscombe, the top point scorer at the IRB Junior World Championship in 2011, moved from the Chiefs to the Cardiff Blues last year and was immediately available for eligibility through his Welsh-born mother.

Gareth Anscombe will wear red at the Rugby World Cup.

The 24-year-old has scored 114 points in 17 appearances for the Cardiff Blues. He has the ability to play first five-eighth, fullback and wing and should add value to the Welsh team ahead of their clash with Fiji in Cardiff on Friday.

Anscombe made his test debut in a World Cup warm-up game against Ireland in August but was cut from the wider squad after suffering an ankle injury.

“Gareth’s experience of Super Rugby gives him the ability to play at 15 as well [as first-five],” Wales backs coach Rob Howley said.

“He’s quality, we saw a glimpse of it when he came on against Ireland in the home game. He has the ability to get the ball through the hands very quickly, is organised and a good communicator, whether it’s at 10 or 15.

“He’ up to the speed of international rugby having played Super Rugby many times. I think we will see Gareth is in good shape and I’m looking forward to linking up with him.

“Gareth was due to play this week for Cardiff Blues. Looking at his GPS data over the last couple weeks we are happy with his fitness.”

Earlier in the day, Anscombe’s former Chiefs team-mate, All Blacks flanker Sam Cane, hoped the man they call “chicken” due to his skinny legs received a phone call from Welsh coach Warren Gatland.

“It would be nice for him,” Cane said. “He came over here with that goal and cruelly got injured a week before the team got named. He’s worked hard and good on him for pursuing it over here. It would be nice to see him get the call.”

The changes are subject to permission from World Rugby. Welsh fullback Liam Williams will also sit out the Fiji match after suffering concussion.

Crusaders and Fijian wing Nemani Nadolo will, meanwhile, miss the showdown with Wales after being suspended for one week for a “dangerous tip tackle” in the loss to Australia. Nadolo’s presence will be a major loss for the Fijians, with the powerful finisher beating 12 defenders in two games at the World Cup thus far.

In other injury related news England No 8 Billy Vunipola has been ruled out of the tournament with a six-week knee injury. Nick Easter has been called in as a replacement, and the 37-year-old will become England’s third-oldest World Cup player in history.

– Stuff