Western Force flanker Tim Anstee takes unusual road to Super Rugby career
Western Force flanker Tim Anstee takes unusual road to Super Rugby career
Nick Taylor
The West Australian
Sat, 23 January 2021 3:46PM
Western Force flanker Tim Anstee’s journey to Super Rugby has been an unusual one — with fate playing a hand along the way.
The move from the Australian Sevens program will see him miss out on the rebooted Tokyo Olympics.
But he has no regrets.
Anstee, pictured, spent four years on the international circuit, making the jump from the 15s game after playing for Sydney side Eastwood.
When COVID-19 forced the cancellation of the Olympics he went back to Eastwood and Force coach Tim Sampson invited him to train with the side as they prepared for their Australian Super Rugby return.
Soon after he took up a two-year deal with the Force.
“I knew I would potentially be giving up that Olympic spot but it was a decision I had to make,” the 23-year-old said.
“There might be a small chance of playing if it works out timing wise, but ultimately I’m committed to the Force and 15s is my focus.
“There was a bit too much uncertainty as to whether the Games will go ahead and they are not playing any tournaments at the moment.
“It was the right time and I’m excited about what is happening at the Force.”
Anstee, 194cms and 103kg, made a spectacular international debut in the 2017 Sydney Sevens tournament, scoring three tries in three minutes, and will need to adapt different skills to the 15s game.
“I haven’t found it too bad but it’s not as if I’m going to slot in seamlessly,” he said.
“There are different skills to integrate. There’s a lot of learning but the transition has been pretty smooth.
“The biggest thing is there is more strategy involved in the 15s game, line-outs, set piece and so forth that you have to get your head around.
“There’s a lot more contact involved. I probably need to put on a few more kilos and get used to that element.
“In Sevens contact is more one-on-one, the work rate is different, you have to be able to pass 15 metres but it’s still rugby union. There’s a few more people on the field, same sort of principles.”
Sampson will adapt the swift, wide style of Global Rapid games into the more controlled Super Rugby with Anstee pushing for the No.6 jumper.
“What attracted me is that Tim likes to play that attacking game and to spread the ball wide if it’s on,” Anstee said.
