Anscombe can 'spark' Wales

Gareth Anscombe may be the missing spark in an erratic Welsh team, which won just five of their 11 matches this past year.

This high praise directed at the New Zealander, who joined the Cardiff Blues in November, came after he produced a man of the match performance in his side's 11-9 New Year's Day Pro12 win against Newport Gwent Dragons.

Anscombe, who helped New Zealand Under-20 win the Junior World Championship in 2011 but qualifies for Wales through his mother, set up the only try of the match. It was a long pass to his centre Corey Allen just on 15 minutes.

"Gareth can spark a backline, whether running or passing, and he controlled the game well," Cardiff Blues Director of Rugby Mark Hammett said.

"It was only his fourth match and he is still learning about his teammates, the calibre we have and how he can direct things.

"He would add certain things to Wales, but that is the call of [Wales coach] Warren [Gatland] to wrestle with."

Anscombe, 23, insists he still has a lot to learn before he thinks about Wales honours.

"I am starting to find my feet here [in Cardiff]," he said.

"It is a bit colder at training than I am used to, but I am enjoying it.

I have no idea what will happen with Wales. They have two good flyhalves [Dan Biggar and Rhys Priestland] and the competition is good for Wales.

"I just have to keep working hard and see where I end up."

Former Wales flank Martyn Williams is another who believes there is more to come from Anscombe.

"He's only going to get better and better," said Williams.

Former Cardiff Blues forward Williams said Anscombe "brought that extra bit of class", which helped tip the result in favour of the Blues.

"He just makes the right decisions at the right time," said Williams.

"He takes the ball to the line, he's a threat, he's quick and he's got great distribution."

* Meanwhile the Cardiff Director of Rugby, Hammett, admitted it wasn't all pretty, but it was job done as the Blues secured a dramatic 11-9 win over the Dragons.

Cory Allen scored the game's only try in Newport and Gareth Anscombe slotted a penalty and drop-goal on the way to a man-of-the-match award.

However, it was a nerve-shredding finale in the Welsh derby as Blues held out in the dying seconds as they secured a dramatic late penalty at scrum time in the shadow of their own posts to claim the crucial win.

"The last couple of minutes means the heart is not too good – but we got what we needed so we are ecstatic about that," said Hammer.

"I thought it was an incredible atmosphere. Over the last two weeks I have got a real understanding what these derby matches mean to the players. The sacrifices they make around this time of year is outstanding.

"It wasn't all pretty, but there was no lack of intensity. It was a good display and people should be happy with what they saw.

"I thought our kicking game and chase was much better this week. I thought the Dragons played the dark arts of the contact area very well and out did us last week. But I felt we generally controlled that area."