RugbyRebels

Posted: **Thu Feb 18, 2016 12:46 am**

NIce to see brothers looking out for each other, innit?

Gareth Anscombe is robbing caps from Welsh players: team-mate's brother
DAVID LONG
Last updated 13:01, February 16 2016

New Zealander Gareth Anscombe has been accused by his team-mate's brother of stealing caps in the Welsh side.

Tom Morgan, who plays rugby league for South Wales Scorpions, is the brother of Welsh international Matthew and took to social media to blast Anscombe for being a waste of money and blocking the path of true Welshmen from playing for Wales.

Tom tweeted: "Anscombe has got nothing on matthew morgan. The kiwi boy plays like is he wearing a pair of rigger boots. Stuck in the mud #WhatAWasteOfMoney.

This was followed up by another tweet, where he accused the Auckland-born fullback of only being in Wales for the money.

"@Gareth_Anscombe kiwi boy over here on a pension scheme. Robbing caps from proper Welsh players."

The 24-year-old former Blues and Chiefs star moved to Wales to play for the Cardiff Blues in 2014 and is eligible to play for Wales through his Welsh-born mother.

Anscombe made his debut for Wales against Ireland in 2015 and played against Scotland last weekend in their 27-23 win, where he was selected on the bench ahead of Matthew.

During the game, Anscombe missed a tackle on Duncan Taylor, which resulted in a Scotland try.

Anscombe used emoticons to respond to the criticism, tweeting three laughing with tears faces and three money bags.

Tom later blamed his Twitter rant on being drunk, but his outburst is sure to cause some friction inside the Welsh camp.

He was recently on a UK TV show, called The Undateables to raise awareness of Tourette's, Asperger Syndrome, dyspraxia and ADHD – all conditions which he has struggled with.

Posted: **Thu Feb 18, 2016 2:31 am**

Its a step in the right direction though. It was is mum having a go (at the O's iirc) about something not so long ago. He really should have a word

Posted: **Thu Feb 18, 2016 2:51 am**

It's becoming a bit of a thing, isn't it? Locals having a crack at imported players and perceived financial motivations.

http://www.news.com.au/sport/sports-lif ... 07acab3026

I guess the answer is for local players to better than the washed-up retirees and struggling journeymen we keep sending over...

Posted: **Thu Feb 18, 2016 2:55 am**

Pensioner at 24....

Posted: **Thu Feb 18, 2016 2:59 am**

Is Gareth known to be on particularly good coin? I had the impression that he was chasing test caps rather than moolah which why he went to Wales (being pre-qualified and all) rather than Japan or France.

Posted: **Thu Feb 18, 2016 7:03 am**

The thing is, Anscombe hasn't done particularly well and that attempt at a tackle in the Scottish game was a little bit girly.

Posted: **Thu Feb 18, 2016 9:38 am**

I don't think Anscombe is full back he is more of a ten. It will be interesting to see if he develops in that position up to international level. He's not yet there.

Posted: **Thu Feb 18, 2016 10:25 am**

Anscombe used emoticons to respond to the criticism

I'd say damned by his own words had they not proved beyond him. Not sure about whether Morgan should have had chances over Anscombe, but from the outside (and hardly watching every match) the shunting to one side of Patchell for Anscombe has been risible.

Posted: **Thu Feb 18, 2016 11:10 am**

Lizard wrote:It's becoming a bit of a thing, isn't it? Locals having a crack at imported players and perceived financial motivations.

http://www.news.com.au/sport/sports-lif ... 07acab3026

I guess the answer is for local players to better than the washed-up retirees and struggling journeymen we keep sending over...

If he was Dan Carter - or even Dan Biggar for that matter - we wouldn't be complaining. But in this case the local players are better than the journeyman you sent over.

Agreed though, it's stupid to have a go at Anscombe for financial motivations. And yeah, a drunken rant like this isn't going to help Nipper's cause.

Posted: **Thu Feb 18, 2016 11:19 am**

Digby wrote:
Anscombe used emoticons to respond to the criticism
I'd say damned by his own words had they not proved beyond him. Not sure about whether Morgan should have had chances over Anscombe, but from the outside (and hardly watching every match) the shunting to one side of Patchell for Anscombe has been risible.

Chicken and egg. Did Patchell decide to leave Cardiff before Anscombe came, or because he came? Gingerballs has had a bit of an injury problem and Cardiff would have been foolish not fill the gap with someone who can do a job. He's also not matured into quite the player his early promise showed either. His talent, pace and kicking ability put him well into potential Wales OH territory, but he hasn't kicked on from where he was pre-injury.

Posted: **Thu Feb 18, 2016 1:32 pm**

UKHamlet wrote:
Digby wrote:
Anscombe used emoticons to respond to the criticism
I'd say damned by his own words had they not proved beyond him. Not sure about whether Morgan should have had chances over Anscombe, but from the outside (and hardly watching every match) the shunting to one side of Patchell for Anscombe has been risible.

Chicken and egg. Did Patchell decide to leave Cardiff before Anscombe came, or because he came? Gingerballs has had a bit of an injury problem and Cardiff would have been foolish not fill the gap with someone who can do a job. He's also not matured into quite the player his early promise showed either. His talent, pace and kicking ability put him well into potential Wales OH territory, but he hasn't kicked on from where he was pre-injury.

I tend to agree with you about Patchell, though I don't see much of Cardiff. When I do see Cardiff it seems to me that there's a touch of the Hook about Patchell:brilliant moments without ever really stringing together a brilliant game.

Posted: **Thu Feb 18, 2016 2:31 pm**

We won't really know about Patchell until he gets a proper run at 10, presumably at LLanelli next season.

There's no question though, that he hasn't fulfilled his earlier promise, for whatever reason.

Posted: **Thu Feb 18, 2016 3:14 pm**

Patchell had quite a serious injury at some point, since then he hasn't played 10 for any period games as I recall (I may be wrong but can't remember), Anscombe is an average fullback at best, his distrubution is good from 10 but he doesn't set the world alight really does he.

Posted: **Thu Feb 18, 2016 7:43 pm**

Digby wrote:
Anscombe used emoticons to respond to the criticism
I'd say damned by his own words had they not proved beyond him. Not sure about whether Morgan should have had chances over Anscombe, but from the outside (and hardly watching every match) the shunting to one side of Patchell for Anscombe has been risible.

I much prefer Anscombe at fly half, but why is Patchell being forced to full back when Anscombe is picked at full back for Wales? I think Gatland is looking for a creativity extra in our back line and given our centre, is trying to show horn another fly half in somewhere.

Posted: **Thu Feb 18, 2016 8:02 pm**

Anscombe looked very good at 10 for the champion 2011 NZ U20s and was touted (including by me) as a potential All Black. He also looked handy at Provincial level in that position. Unfortunately he was signed by the Auckland Blues when they were coached by John Kirwan who has a real knack for failing to make the most of talented players. I'm sure exactly when he became more than occasional fullback cover but it hasn't helped him.

Given the depth at 10 in NZ, it's hard to blame him for looking elsewhere, especially when he was pre-qualified for Wales and had the eye of the coach.

Posted: **Thu Feb 18, 2016 9:59 pm**

Lizard wrote: Tourette's, Asperger Syndrome, dyspraxia and ADHD – all conditions which he has struggled with.

As excuses for an internet meltdown go...I'm convinced.
Actually, it seems decent of him to blame it on the drink.

Posted: **Sat Feb 20, 2016 1:18 am**

Sandydragon wrote:
Digby wrote:
Anscombe used emoticons to respond to the criticism
I'd say damned by his own words had they not proved beyond him. Not sure about whether Morgan should have had chances over Anscombe, but from the outside (and hardly watching every match) the shunting to one side of Patchell for Anscombe has been risible.
I much prefer Anscombe at fly half, but why is Patchell being forced to full back when Anscombe is picked at full back for Wales? I think Gatland is looking for a creativity extra in our back line and given our centre, is trying to show horn another fly half in somewhere.

Patchell has great natural talent and is big and fast, with a massive boot. He probably still has too many brain farts, blows a bit hot and cold and at the minute does not look like an international 10. I've wondered a few tmes how he might make out as a playmaking 12, a fairly rare commodity in Wales these days, and something the Wales backline is crying out for. I'm not suggesting he be chucked into the national squad in that slot, but wonder if any coach has ever thought of the experiment at club level.

Posted: **Sat Feb 20, 2016 7:12 am**

Spiffy wrote:
Sandydragon wrote:
Digby wrote:
I'd say damned by his own words had they not proved beyond him. Not sure about whether Morgan should have had chances over Anscombe, but from the outside (and hardly watching every match) the shunting to one side of Patchell for Anscombe has been risible.
I much prefer Anscombe at fly half, but why is Patchell being forced to full back when Anscombe is picked at full back for Wales? I think Gatland is looking for a creativity extra in our back line and given our centre, is trying to show horn another fly half in somewhere.
Patchell has great natural talent and is big and fast, with a massive boot. He probably still has too many brain farts, blows a bit hot and cold and at the minute does not look like an international 10. I've wondered a few tmes how he might make out as a playmaking 12, a fairly rare commodity in Wales these days, and something the Wales backline is crying out for. I'm not suggesting he be chucked into the national squad in that slot, but wonder if any coach has ever thought of the experiment at club level.

I'm amazed he hasn't been played at 12 And I agree completely that he has all the attributes. I'd worry about his defence as he is a pussy on occasion.

Posted: **Sun Feb 21, 2016 8:15 am**

Tre wrote:
Spiffy wrote:
Sandydragon wrote: I much prefer Anscombe at fly half, but why is Patchell being forced to full back when Anscombe is picked at full back for Wales? I think Gatland is looking for a creativity extra in our back line and given our centre, is trying to show horn another fly half in somewhere.
Patchell has great natural talent and is big and fast, with a massive boot. He probably still has too many brain farts, blows a bit hot and cold and at the minute does not look like an international 10. I've wondered a few tmes how he might make out as a playmaking 12, a fairly rare commodity in Wales these days, and something the Wales backline is crying out for. I'm not suggesting he be chucked into the national squad in that slot, but wonder if any coach has ever thought of the experiment at club level.
I'm amazed he hasn't been played at 12 And I agree completely that he has all the attributes. I'd worry about his defence as he is a pussy on occasion.

I wrote the same on the old board. Carter played at IC for the All Blacks early on and if Patch moved over or stayed at IC I think he has the right attributes for it. IIRC, he played OC for Wales in the Japan game but that was probably a last man standing selection.

Patch himself seems keen to play fly half, but perhaps someone needs a word in his ear.

Posted: **Sun Feb 21, 2016 4:56 pm**

Tre wrote: I'd worry about his defence as he is a pussy on occasion.

Balls.

Posted: **Mon Feb 22, 2016 1:48 pm**

kk67 wrote:
Tre wrote: I'd worry about his defence as he is a pussy on occasion.
Balls.

the more I see him play the more I think he's another Hook.

Posted: **Mon Feb 22, 2016 4:37 pm**

Tre wrote:
kk67 wrote:
Tre wrote: I'd worry about his defence as he is a pussy on occasion.
Balls.

the more I see him play the more I think he's another Hook.

There's something to live up to, the Curse of Hook!

I can see the similarities though, particularly of he keeps moving positions.

Posted: **Mon Feb 22, 2016 4:47 pm**

Tre wrote:
kk67 wrote:
Tre wrote: I'd worry about his defence as he is a pussy on occasion.
Balls.

the more I see him play the more I think he's another Hook.

Another Hook. With about half the talent.

Posted: **Mon Feb 22, 2016 4:58 pm**

Son of Mathonwy wrote:
Tre wrote:
kk67 wrote: Balls.

the more I see him play the more I think he's another Hook.
Another Hook. With about half the talent.

A little harsh if you ask me (KK will hunt you down!) but I don't disagree entirely... time will tell.

Either way, Cardiff are going to miss him big time next year.

Posted: **Mon Feb 22, 2016 7:04 pm**

Tre wrote:
Son of Mathonwy wrote:
Tre wrote:

the more I see him play the more I think he's another Hook.
Another Hook. With about half the talent.
A little harsh if you ask me (KK will hunt you down!) but I don't disagree entirely... time will tell.

Either way, Cardiff are going to miss him big time next year.

Yep, half the talent is too harsh. But definitely less of a telent.

Anyway I'm not here to slag him off, I hope he turns a corner playing for the Scarlets. He could be very good.

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