It was 12 years ago this week that Gareth Anscombe first arrived Wales amid the flames of publicity.
He came from New Zealand to join Cardiff after being targeted by Warren Gatland after sharing the Chiefs’ 2013 Super Rugby triumph, starting at full-back in the final.
Auckland-born Anscombe represented the country of his birth at U20 level, starring at fly-half as the Kiwis won the 2011 Junior World Cup.
But Gatland was aware he was eligible for Wales through his Cardiff-born mother and was not New Zealand-bound.
So he set out to secure his services with a view to getting him into the Welsh squad quickly and got his man, with the crucial help of the Arms Park.
Anscombe made his Test debut in the famous red shirt within a year and won 42 caps, playing in two World Cups and playing a key role in the 2019 Grand Slam, man of the match in the win over Ireland.
He spent five years at Cardiff, culminating in a dramatic late penalty to secure victory at Euro 2018. Challenge Cup final vs Gloucester in Bilbao.
Then came spells with the Ospreys, Japanese club Suntory Sungoliath, Gloucester and Bayonne.
Now, aged 35, he is back in Wales with Llanelli Scarlets for what could prove to be the final chapter of his playing career.
He made his second league appearance for them in last weekend’s 14-try thriller against DHL Stormers in Cape Town and now his attention turns to Saturday’s meeting with Vodacom Bulls at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.
He seems to have settled in well and is enjoying his role as an experienced figure in the team.
So how did the move to West Wales from the South West come about France come?
“I got to the back end Top 14 season with Bayonne and I was deciding what I wanted to do,” he explains.
“I felt like I had another year in me. I wanted to keep playing and I felt I could still contribute, but I didn’t want to have another contract.
“I didn’t really want to move the family too much. I’m at a stage in my career where I have to think about my family and my children going to school. I wanted to go back to Wales if I wasn’t in France.”
Then came the Scarlets approach.
“It was quite late in the season. Dwayne Peel really reached out to him,” he reveals.
“I wanted to go somewhere where I could be fit and the Scarlets felt that way.
“The team blew me away and you can see the history around the place.
“Even from New Zealand, I think everyone knew who Llanelli was and the team they had. They were legends who kind of forged Welsh rugby. So it’s a real honor to be able to pull on the shirt.”
Anscombe will battle for the No.10 spot with Wales’ Sam Costelow, talented teenager Carwyn Leggatt-Jones and all-rounder Joe Hawkins.
“I guess maturity and aging sets in and I realize I’m 35,” he says.
“It’s a young man’s game and I’m aware of that these days.
“But I definitely want to play when I can and play well, giving some experience, managing moments and momentum.
“I want to enjoy the competition on the field. I still think I need to add a little bit in that area.
“My competitive nature will come to the fore and I hope to continue to make the coaches have tough decisions.
“But I will help and support the group in any way I can moving forward.
“I want to compete for the shirt and play a bit, support the guys and hopefully pass on the knowledge and experience I’ve gained over the last 15 years or so.
“I really enjoy the role. I guess I see it as a support role. I get a real enthusiasm and energy from helping to share what I’ve learned.”
“I’ve probably always thought about the game pretty deeply and I’d probably like to look into coaching in the future.
“So I feel like it’s a nice little transition for me to be able to play, but also potentially work on those little connections that are so important as a coach.”
Regarding the group of players he joined, he says:
“They’re all good guys and I feel like we have a pretty sharp line when we’re all fit and healthy.
“If we can play with speed and keep an eye on the ball, then I think we will create a lot of chances.”
The Scarlets certainly did that against the Stormers, scoring six tries as they fought back to tie the game at 40-40 before eventually going down to a 52-40 defeat.
Now it’s up to Pretoria as they look to take the Bulls by the horns.
