Chiefs playmaker Gareth Anscombe is rumoured to join Cardiff Blues
Chiefs playmaker Gareth Anscombe is poised to leave New Zealand to take up a contract in Wales with the Cardiff Blues.
Rumours that the 23-year-old would move to Wales, for whom he qualifies through his Cardiff-born mother, have been circulating since April.
The move now looks certain following reports that he had thanked colleagues and supporters at a Chiefs dinner in Hamilton ahead of his departure. Anscombe, who can play both fly-half and full-back, is expected to join the Pro12 side – where he will link up with former Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett – as soon as he has completed his commitments with the Chiefs, who play the Brumbies in Saturday’s Super Rugby play-off in Canberra.
The son of ex-Ulster boss Mark Anscombe, the player has already met with Wales’ Kiwi coach Warren Gatland and reports in the Welsh press suggest he could be fast-tracked into the national setup in time for the November Tests. Although he has signed with Auckland for the NPC, Anscombe is understood to have an out-clause allowing him to go to Wales.
According to reports in the New Zealand press, the Chiefs are in talks with former All Black wingers Richard Kahui and Hosea Gear.
Both players are currently plying their trade in Japan with Kahui finishing a two-year stint with Toshiba Brave Lupus in February and Gear one a short-term deal at Honda Heat.
30-year-old Gear has made no secret of his desire to try win a place in the All Blacks squad for the 2015 World Cup having cut short his stint at Toulouse.
The Chiefs have at least five players heading to overseas clubs at the end of the season – Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues) Mils Muliaina and Bundee Aki ( both to Connacht), Asaeli Tikoirotuma (Harlequins) and Tanerau Latimer (Toshiba in Japan), while Mahonri Schwalger returning to Samoa to spend time with family.