Anscombe happy for Wales to carry on being the underdog 

Many had written off Wales’ hopes pre-tournament in Pool C after being placed in a group with Southern-Hemisphere heavyweights Australia and the physical proposition of the Pacific Islanders of Fiji. 

Even more had doubted whether they could dispatch of a ‘wounded but confident’ Wallabies outfit. ‘I have no doubt we will win’ crowed Australia head-coach Eddie Jones in jovial pre-match press conference. 

The Aussies smarting from a 22-15 reverse against a spirited Fijian side a week earlier though would be dismantled by a roaring Welsh display in Lyon. An eye-popping 40-6 scoreline Jones’ side’s fate as Wales’ victory would be by the highest margin ever against an Australian XV. 

Wales will now progress to the last eight of the competition with a likely tie with Argentina on the cards as pool winners in Marseille on Saturday 14^th October. There is, however, one more test against a physical Georgia outfit to overcome first to both secure a perceived easier route in the draw and to build on growing momentum. 

With his feet firmly on the ground, 32-year-old Scarlets veteran Anscombe is pleased with his own personal performance in their ground-breaking victory. For now, though he is fully focused on improving and getting the job done for Wales against Georgia in ten day’s time. 

“I think the draw suits us now, we have got a few days to relax and recover a bit and then we switch on for Georgia. We need to make sure we turn up in the right frame of mind,” said Anscombe. 

“All we are talking about is each week getting better. We know a lot of people don’t rate us or recommend us. That’s fine with us, we’ll just quietly go about our business. 

“I was hopeful I could bring something off the bench in the last 10-15. Clearly, when Bigs [Dan Biggar] went down I knew I had to come on and take some control in my role. He is such an important part of this team. 

“The boys made me pretty comfortable very quickly and we got off to a great start which was nice. I missed the first one off the tee but slowly grew into it. 

“We know when we get things right, we’re a tough team to beat and breakdown. We need to sharpen up in elements of our attack, particularly in their twenty-two in finishing things off. 

“Our pack though really stood up. We learned a bit from last week when we weren’t quite where we needed to be.  

“We know we need to improve, there are elements that we need to get right, but there is also a lot of good in there as well.” 

[Lead image: Planet Rugby]