Wanted: Rugby players who can tackle fly half, centre, wing, full back and more. Must want to win the World Cup. Ability to speak Welsh a bonus. Odd bruise accepted.
James Hook and Gareth Anscombe were briefed to prepare for utility roles when they were rushed into the Wales squad Monday as Scott Williams and Hallam Amos joined a growing casualty list.
Such was the depleted state of available bodies after the giant-killing victory over England on Saturday, attack coach Rob Howley said players had to be ready to fill multiple roles.
Wales have two wins out of two and are in a strong positon to qualify from Pool A. But they still have to play Fiji and Australia, while the unbeaten Australians also have England on their list.
Hook and Anscombe, both primarily fly-halves were in Wales wider training squad. Hook was cut when the final 31 were selected and Anscombe was not considered because of an ankle injury.
But Howley declared they were both right to join the team with Hook earmarked to cover centre, wing and fullback as well as fly-half. Anscombe could also wear the 10 or 15 jersey.
In addition to losing centre Scott Williams (knee) and wing Amos (shoulder) from the tournament, fullback Liam Williams has been ruled out of their next match against Fiji in Cardiff on Thursday after being concussed by a boot to the head in the England clash.
– Mounting losses –
Before the tournament started Wales lost fullback Leigh Halfpenny and scrum-half Rhys Webb to injury. Jonathan Davies was ruled out earlier in the year.
Centre Cory Allen was sidelined after their opening 54-9 win over Uruguay. The others followed against England.
As Wales juggle backline positions, Howley said he had no doubt Hook and New Zealand-born Anscombe would step up.
“Both of them were part of the wider squad, both have played in our friendlies prior to the World Cup starting,” he said.
“In terms of James, vastly experienced with 78 caps, can play many positions, and obviously Gareth, his experience in Super rugby, gives us the ability to play him at 15 as well.”
Other options under consideration were moving George North from wing to centre, and possibly match-winning fly-half Dan Biggar to fullback, Howley added.
Biggar, who has taken over Wales’ kicking duties from Halfpenny, slotted 23 points in in the epic 28-25 win over England and spent sometime at fullback in the match as casualties mounted.
Howley said in additon to the points, Biggar’s overall contribution to the victory was outstanding.
“The way he rallied the team in the last 15 minutes, his leadership quality on Saturday was probably one of the best performances by an outside half in the red jersey for many years,” he said.
“In big games you ask you big players to stand up and it was an evening where our number 10 stood up.”
Although Wales have only a five-day gap between playing England and Fiji, Howley said they could not afford to rest key players so they can be fresh for the final pool game against Australia a week later.
“We’ll pick our best side available,” he said acknowledging that could mean playing people out of position.
“For us it’s about the here and now. We won’t look for excuses. We’ve got players who can wear the Welsh jersey with passion and pride.
“They’re comfortable in some of the roles they’re playing in training, in attack, defence, they’re learning playing the game in other positions.”