Jones is an expert when it comes to the cherished Wales number 10 jersey having played 104 Tests at outside-half in a hugely successful international career.
For the first time since joining Wales’ back-room team in 2019, Jones will get the opportunity to work with Ospreys playmaker Anscombe who has missed the best part of two years with a serious knee injury.
Priestland, meanwhile, has earned a recall having returned to Welsh rugby after six years in England.
The pair will be joined by English based tens Dan Biggar and Callum Sheedy as of next week, but Jones is excited to see how both Anscombe and Priestland go against New Zealand this Saturday.
“He’s obviously a very knowledgeable player. He understands the game inside out and is very driven, which you have to be to have come back from an incredibly tough injury,” said Jones when asked about Anscombe.
“It’s a huge credit to his professionalism and his attitude. He’s been excellent in training, he sets high standards, and he has been a pleasure to work with.
“He sees space very well and he understands the structure. Gareth is a very smart rugby player.
“Rhys’ decision making has always been very good and he’s always been smart on the ball. Regarding his kicking game, we know that’s top drawer.
“But, for me, it’s his decision making on the ball and bringing others into play. Rhys has demonstrated that with Cardiff this year.
“Rhys has got a lot of resilience in him. He’s an incredibly smart player.
“He sets high standards for himself and he’ll be looking forward to going back to Principality Stadium. The Welsh public are very appreciative of his skillset.
“We’re blessed with outside halves and we have different styles within the four which is great for us. It enables us to be able to shape defences in different manners.
“Gareth brings a different skillset to the table and for us all as a group it’s exciting with how you use different players at different occasions. That’s what you want – different competition in the squad.”
Jones faced the All Blacks 12 times in his career for both Wales and the British & Irish Lions, but was never on the winning side.
The 43-year-old acknowledges the size of the task facing Wales at the Principality Stadium this weekend but has urged his side to relish the opportunity of facing one of the best teams in the world.
“I had some memorable games against New Zealand with Wales,” he said.
“We had some tight games against them in the stadium that went to the wire. I remember very physical affairs which is what you expect and enjoy.
“I really enjoyed playing against New Zealand on each occasion. You set your standards and you want to be the best. It’s what playing the game is all about.
“From my end, and I have played them a number of times, you respect them for what they are: a very efficient rugby side. From a coach’s perspective, you break it down analytically and build a game plan which you believe maximises what you have in your playing group.
“From our end we have to make sure we bring our ‘A’ game, a very accurate game, and we have to be smart in how we play. There is a huge amount of respect for them and rightly so because it’s been earned, but we have to make sure we do everything we can in our power to be as efficient as we can on Saturday.”
Wales’ attack has been steadily building under Jones’ watch. In this year’s Six Nations-winning campaign Wales scored a record breaking 20 tries.
Jones is excited at the attacking potential of his back-line.
“The Six Nations is the past and there was progression made,” he said. “The reality of it is we have to improve and develop again.
“There will be some opportunities for new players to play our style and it’s making sure we have more than one string to our bow. We have to have variety. We have to understand how defences will set up against us.
“We have to understand where the space is and that’s a collective responsibility. We have to challenge ourselves to improve in that manner so we can be as efficient as we can.”
