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Gareth Anscombe is left facing huge decision following the outcome of his WRU pay system appeal
By Online Editors
Reports emerging from Wales claim that Gareth Anscombe has lost his appeal against the wage band he was placed in under the new pay system introduced by the Professional Rugby Board.
A walesonline.com report has stated that the Welsh Rugby Union appeals panel heard Anscombe’s appeal last Friday but agreed with the verdict of the PRB which restricted the Six Nations Grand Slam winner to an offer of no more than £350,000 a year.
Managed by former Wales lock Derwyn Jones, the 27-year-old was last month vocal in expresssing his unhappiness about the upheaval behind the scenes at the WRU over the new pay bands which have been introduced in an effort to curb wage inflation at the regions.
Having guided Wales to the 2019 Six Nations Grand Slam as Warren Gatland’s starting No10, the Super Rugby winner with the Hamilton-based Chiefs had appealed the WRU’s decision on the grounds that players who have represented the Lions were capable of earning more than him despite his status in the current pecking order.
The Welsh media website is reporting that the terms offered to Anscombe is highest wage he can earn in the pay band he was placed in by Cardiff, his current team, and Ospreys, the other Welsh region who are interested in him.
The New Zealand-born playmaker, who can double-up at out-half or full-back, has been linked with a number of clubs in England and France, prospective deals that would likely earn Anscombe way more than his current salary.
Anscombe is believed to want to play his club rugby as a regular No10, but the Blues have muddied the waters by often picking him at full-back due to the emergence of promising youngster Jarrod Evans.
Ospreys have offered him a Welsh-based way out of his current situation, without the extra cash he is seeking.
Anscombe’s national dual contract with the WRU and Cardiff expires in June and he would be ineligible for the World Cup in Japan if he signed a contract to leave Wales before the finals because he doesn’t have the 60 caps exiles require to be picked.
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Latest Comments
It certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
Go to commentsHis best years were 2018 and he wasn't good enough to win the World Cup in 2023! (Although he was voted as the best player in the world in 2023)
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