Gareth Anscombe Opts Out of Wales’ Summer Tour to Australia
Experienced Wales fly-half Gareth Anscombe has announced his unavailability for the national team’s upcoming summer tour to Australia. The 33-year-old, who has signed a deal with Gloucester for the 2024-25 season, has been sidelined since October 2023 due to a significant groin injury sustained during the Rugby World Cup.
Wales head coach Warren Gatland has already seen several other key players, including Ospreys lock Adam Beard, Cardiff number eight Taulupe Faletau, and Scarlets centre Joe Roberts, ruled out of the tour due to injury concerns.
In a candid interview with the Scrum V podcast, Anscombe, who was born in New Zealand, expressed his disappointment at having to miss the tour of Australia, the only country he has not yet represented Wales in. “It is not easy to say no. I have always wanted to tour Australia. It’s the only one I have never done and I have family that live there,” the fly-half acknowledged.
However, Anscombe emphasized that he had a constructive discussion with Gatland and the coaching staff during the Six Nations, collectively agreeing that this decision is in the best interest of his recovery and future performance for the national team. “Speaking to Warren and the coaching staff, I feel as if it’s the best decision,” the experienced playmaker stated.
Wales to Face South Africa and Australia
Wales will face South Africa at Twickenham on June 22 before embarking on a two-Test tour of Australia in July. Anscombe is determined to regain full fitness and make a meaningful contribution when he returns to the international stage. “I want to play well when I am playing for Wales and add something to the team,” he said. “If I had gone I would have gone almost the whole season without playing and then be playing at the highest level after not much preparation.”
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