Leinster v Cardiff teams

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LEINSTER:

15: Isa Nacewa
14: David Kearney
13: Eoin O'Malley
12: Fergus McFadden
11: Fionn Carr
10: Ian Madigan
9: Isaac Boss

1: Cian Healy
2: Richardt Strauss
3: Nathan White
4: Leo Cullen CAPTAIN
5: Steven Sykes
6: Rhys Ruddock
7: Shane Jennings
8: Sean O'Brien

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Sean Cronin
17: Heinke van der Merwe
18: Mike Ross
19: Damian Browne
20: Leo Auva'a
21: Eoin Reddan
22: Jonathan Sexton
23: Rob Kearney

CARDIFF BLUES:

15: Chris Czekaj
14: Richard Mustoe
13: Casey Laulala
12: Gavin Evans
11: Tom James
10: Ceri Sweeney
9: Richie Rees

1: John Yapp
2: Ryan Tyrrell
3: Taufaao Filise
4: Cory Hill
5: Paul Tito CAPTAIN
6: Maama Molitika
7: Josh Navidi
8: Xavier Rush

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Marc Breeze
17: Nathan Trevett
18: Sam Hobbs
19: Macauley Cook
20: Michael Paterson
21: Lewis Jones
22: Gareth Davies
23: Dafydd Hewitt

BP Try for Leinster

38 - 9

Abysmal performance by the Blues - the worse thing is, I saw it coming.

The coaches or players (or both) need to change if we are ever going to compete with the good European teams.

OH MY GOD - Whats worse than Abysmal?

45 - 9

Lovely try there. Well done sexton and cronin

Feel bad for the Blues now they've completely capitulated. Hope a 40 or 50 point loss doesnt damage them psychologically for next week in the HC.

Hopefully theyll rack up a bigger score then edinburgh

Biggest win for Leinster over the Blues...by some margin.

The Blues simply have to get rid of their old ex-international players in the summer - they've been playing poorly for 2 seasons and their youngsters need to be given a chance.

Even when they've won they've looked poor when I've seen them this season...

Smirnoffpriest wrote:The Blues simply have to get rid of their old ex-international players in the summer - they've been playing poorly for 2 seasons and their youngsters need to be given a chance.

Even when they've won they've looked poor when I've seen them this season...

Agree

50 - 9

Completely dreadful display

Unbelievable. Simply the blues have imploded

What an absolute shambles, agree with the fact the Blues need a major clear out but who do we replace them with?? The team should be good enough to be at least competitive but havent really looked interested for two seasons now...dare I say they havent been a 'team' since the move to ccfc

FT 52 - 9


Its really bad when I have to keep watching this on repeat - http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/7996656.stm

at 45-9, with 75mins on the clock i thought we might not make the lbp.

a bit gutted but leinster took their home win, and a good one, with style.

My word, that second half was one sided.

my wife replayed the leinster TH's try. leinster were great. i almost wished i was a turk because at least they didnt get a total smashing

Full credit to Leinster but what an implosion by the Blues. Lost the 2nd half 39-0. That is just shocking from them. Not at all what i expected to see from them.

dogtooth wrote:my wife replayed the leinster TH's try. leinster were great. i almost wished i was a turk because at least they didnt get a total smashing

Yup - I prefer watching the Scarlets games to the Blues at the moment.

How did McFadden/EOM go in midfield?

Well McFadden got MOM and kicked 100%. Defensively they were grand. Dont really remember them making any breaks though. But then again they did score 6 tries so cant complain really on that front.

Only watched the second half, and McFadden bar his kicks seemed anonymous to me? Will have to watch the game again tomorrow. The backline ended up having O'Malley at 12 and Rob Kearney at 13 I believe? Also, Dave Kearney played very well! He and Carr are very dangerous wingers to have at your disposal.

At 13-9 HT there's no excuse for shipping nearly 40 unanswered points, weakened side or no. Shambolic display by the Blues, at this rate they may as well make unauthorised reschedulings and get docked points, at least then those few who turn up to watch em wouldn't have to pay to sit through that

Dai Tryin wrote:What an absolute shambles, agree with the fact the Blues need a major clear out but who do we replace them with?? The team should be good enough to be at least competitive but havent really looked interested for two seasons now...dare I say they havent been a 'team' since the move to ccfc

I would start at the top. The very top if you get my drift.

Cardiff Dave wrote:

Dai Tryin wrote:What an absolute shambles, agree with the fact the Blues need a major clear out but who do we replace them with?? The team should be good enough to be at least competitive but havent really looked interested for two seasons now...dare I say they havent been a 'team' since the move to ccfc

I would start at the top. The very top if you get my drift.

Yep

Our backs are good, but have NO organisation or set-moves and havent for 2/3 year - So what do we do with this abysmal backs coach - Promote him to joint head coach. GET RID OF BABER

Our forwards are slow, ponderous and rarely get up for a match. The scrum has been a shambles for a decade and the breakdown is regularly awful and we cannot adapt our forward game - So, what do we do with this abysmal forwards coach - Promote him to joint head coach. GET RID OF BURNELL

Who on earth decided that Molitka should have his contract extend untill he was 37! Tito, Rush, Filise and Martyn have all stayed for 2 seasons too many - whoever is in charge of contract negotiations needs to be fired.

The SNK experiment was a disaster, and im sure we could have got a FH who can tackle and offload for what we paid for Parks

Players to get rid of -

Martyn Williams
Paul Tito
Deniol Jones
Mamma Molitika
Xavier Rush - (replace with Gareth Delve)
Ritchie Rees
Dan Parks
Ceri Sweeney
and if we want to save money, Casey Laulaula (he is way to inconsistent and Henson/Hewitt/Evans are just as good)



Oh, also, Peter Thomas needs to get kicked out and the Blues need to find a new stadium (or move back to the Arms Park) because the move to CCS has bankrupted us.

I think all they need is a good thp and a 10 (unless henson shows hes a great flyhalf) and some strength in depth.they can then give youngsters like fish,downes,cook,robinson&cuthbert. They could also do with a creative centre - shouldnt cost too much if they get rid of fiilse,d jones,tito,molitika,blair&parks

Forgot about rush as well

wales606 wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

Dai Tryin wrote:What an absolute shambles, agree with the fact the Blues need a major clear out but who do we replace them with?? The team should be good enough to be at least competitive but havent really looked interested for two seasons now...dare I say they havent been a 'team' since the move to ccfc

I would start at the top. The very top if you get my drift.

Yep

Oh, also, Peter Thomas needs to get kicked out and the Blues need to find a new stadium (or move back to the Arms Park) because the move to CCS has bankrupted us.

Bingo!!! You win a prize.
So you did get my drift.

wales606, you can add John Yapp and Dan Fish to that "to get rid of" list. Navidi was a shining light tonight as he seemed to be the only one playing for his jersey, as was Rush, so not sure why you want to get rid of him. He's still as magnificent as ever. As is Blair, you need to keep these two Kiwi's for as long as you can.

This situation is hole that has been dug by Peter Thomas and I agree that only somebody else coming in will have the ball to do something about it, by that I mean dropping players and handing out P45s. Blues academies do produce the players but they're being held back by this muppet.

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wales606 wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

Dai Tryin wrote:What an absolute shambles, agree with the fact the Blues need a major clear out but who do we replace them with?? The team should be good enough to be at least competitive but havent really looked interested for two seasons now...dare I say they havent been a 'team' since the move to ccfc

I would start at the top. The very top if you get my drift.

Yep

Oh, also, Peter Thomas needs to get kicked out and the Blues need to find a new stadium (or move back to the Arms Park) because the move to CCS has bankrupted us.

Bingo!!! You win a prize.
So you did get my drift.

Yup, surely he cant last long when we are forced to pay players in pies because we have no money.

Morgannwg wrote:wales606, you can add John Yapp and Dan Fish to that "to get rid of" list. Navidi was a shining light tonight as he seemed to be the only one playing for his jersey, as was Rush, so not sure why you want to get rid of him. He's still as magnificent as ever. As is Blair, you need to keep these two Kiwi's for as long as you can.

This situation is hole that has been dug by Peter Thomas and I agree that only somebody else coming in will have the ball to do something about it, by that I mean dropping players and handing out P45s. Blues academies do produce the players but they're being held back by this muppet.

Ummm, not sure you can say Blair is playing for the jersey since he hasnt played for 2 years and is basically retired through injury, but is still on the books while he considers legal action against the Blues!

As for Rush - He is NOWHERE near his best - he barely even makes ground anymore, and thats all he can do. He cant clear rucks or compete for the ball. He is a talisman, because when he plays well, the team plays well - but he never plays well anymore. Gareth Delve is a younger, faster and better all-rounder no8 with the same inspirational leadership.

Bit harsh on Fish - He is talented, but has had limited gametime - Perhaps his time to shine has gone (though he could still develop), but he is still a decent backup to Halfpenny and Czeckaj.

Smirnoffpriest wrote:I think all they need is a good thp and a 10 (unless henson shows hes a great flyhalf) and some strength in depth.they can then give youngsters like fish,downes,cook,robinson&cuthbert. They could also do with a creative centre - shouldnt cost too much if they get rid of fiilse,d jones,tito,molitika,blair&parks

If i'm not mistaken Harry Robinson who looks a good prospect, is on the urine in Dubai along with around 4 or 5 other Cardiff youngsters on team Wales duty would you believe.

Not surprisingly Ireland are not involved in this 7's competition.

Not only has it (CCS) bankrupted us it has nearly and I say nearly because theres a smidgen left of the pride and history that Cardiff had, I cant remember a good time ever being had at the stadium as a fan, god knows I've tried but shoot not even visiting fans look forward to coming to the CCS.
This lack of passion and general good feeling is evident imo and feel this has been passed on to the team.
This experiment to generate extra funds through higher possible capacity crowds has failed, the motive behind such was greed, without a thought or care to the fans... we dont belong in canton thats football territory its just hasnt worked.

I think Fish has always been shoite so do not believe it is through lack of gametime. Yeah I did wonder about the situation with Blair and if it was on-going? Harsh treatment on a guy who put a lot into playing for the Blues.

I disagree, Rush is still good. Just needs some fitter forwards around to help him out. Great player and role model in my honest opinion.

I think back-row and 2nd is covered, it just seems to be front row and midfield being the areas for concern. Oh and coaching staff!

Sorry Morgannwg I agree with Wales 606 all the way - I'd also worry about the 2nd row if I was you - Deiniol needs to be gotten rid of, Tito is on the slide and is nowhere near the player he was - Paterson needs to play 6 instead of Molitika and that leaves you with Bradley who'll be away with Wales a lot and Cook and Downes (or is it Down?) who are very inexperienced but look promising

Smirnoffpriest wrote:Sorry Morgannwg I agree with Wales 606 all the way - I'd also worry about the 2nd row if I was you - Deiniol needs to be gotten rid of, Tito is on the slide and is nowhere near the player he was - Paterson needs to play 6 instead of Molitika and that leaves you with Bradley who'll be away with Wales a lot and Cook and Downes (or is it Down?) who are very inexperienced but look promising

Well, we have Cook, Hill, Down and Davies + Paterson can play lock.

1. Gethin Jenkins
2. T Rhys Thomas
3.
4. Bradley Davies
5. James Down
6. Michael Paterson
7. Sam Warburton
8. Andreus Pretorious (or Gareth Delve next season)
9. Lloyd Williams
10. (Gavin Henson)
11. Tom James
12. Jamie Roberts (Gavin Henson if Laulaula leaves)
13. Casey Laulaula (Jamie Roberts if Laulaula leaves)
14. Alex Cuthbert
15. Leigh Halfpenny

Dai Tryin wrote:Not only has it (CCS) bankrupted us it has nearly and I say nearly because theres a smidgen left of the pride and history that Cardiff had, I cant remember a good time ever being had at the stadium as a fan, god knows I've tried but shoot not even visiting fans look forward to coming to the CCS.
This lack of passion and general good feeling is evident imo and feel this has been passed on to the team.
This experiment to generate extra funds through higher possible capacity crowds has failed, the motive behind such was greed, without a thought or care to the fans... we dont belong in canton thats football territory its just hasnt worked.

Very true sadly and if we were still at the Arms Park we'd have a lot more money to invest in the squad, wouldn't have to rely on RFC boys making up the numbers and wouldn't be signing/promoting players on the cheap who shouldn't be anywhere near the jersey let alone wearing it even if the colours aren't quite correct.
As I see it the message being sent out from the top to players and supporters alike is "we will do what we want and you can like it or lump it".
What Cardiff needs is leadership from someone who will put the club first and foremost and instill fight and belief and pride. Once we've got our house in order we can then tell the WRU to take a running jump and shove the extra AI together with Gatland's law where the sun don't shine.

But for anything to improve we need to return to the Arms Park asap. The players like it there. Most supporters i've met prefer it even opposition fans. Jamie Roberts loves it and even Laulala said he would love to play there. It's a no brainer.

Smirnoffpriest wrote:Sorry Morgannwg I agree with Wales 606 all the way - I'd also worry about the 2nd row if I was you - Deiniol needs to be gotten rid of, Tito is on the slide and is nowhere near the player he was - Paterson needs to play 6 instead of Molitika and that leaves you with Bradley who'll be away with Wales a lot and Cook and Downes (or is it Down?) who are very inexperienced but look promising

Deiniol and Molitika are retiring at the end of the season I believe.

Standulstermen wrote:How did McFadden/EOM go in midfield?

Good without any standout moments. McFadden was very reliable with the boot as usual, which is handy for us. The standout young players for me were Madigan and D Kearney. Both excellent. And when these guys appeared on the scene first I didn't think either would amount to anything special. But they've both improved a lot in the last year and proved me wrong.

What are peoples thoughts on Ruddock's performance? I always find it harder to tell if an individual forward is having a good or bad game. He hasn't had a great season so far.

Cardiff Dave wrote:

Smirnoffpriest wrote:Sorry Morgannwg I agree with Wales 606 all the way - I'd also worry about the 2nd row if I was you - Deiniol needs to be gotten rid of, Tito is on the slide and is nowhere near the player he was - Paterson needs to play 6 instead of Molitika and that leaves you with Bradley who'll be away with Wales a lot and Cook and Downes (or is it Down?) who are very inexperienced but look promising

Deiniol and Molitika are retiring at the end of the season I believe.

So is most of the squad I think

wales606 wrote:

Well, we have Cook, Hill, Down and Davies + Paterson can play lock.

1. Gethin Jenkins
2. T Rhys Thomas
3.
4. Bradley Davies
5. James Down
6. Michael Paterson
7. Sam Warburton
8. Andreus Pretorious (or Gareth Delve next season)
9. Lloyd Williams
10. (Gavin Henson)
11. Tom James
12. Jamie Roberts (Gavin Henson if Laulaula leaves)
13. Casey Laulaula (Jamie Roberts if Laulaula leaves)
14. Alex Cuthbert
15. Leigh Halfpenny

Good work 606 and keep it going, but can you come up with a first choice 22 or 23 plus additional replacements for the international boys when they're away? Should have a clearer picture then. NB: do we know if Gethin is staying or not?

wales606 wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

Smirnoffpriest wrote:Sorry Morgannwg I agree with Wales 606 all the way - I'd also worry about the 2nd row if I was you - Deiniol needs to be gotten rid of, Tito is on the slide and is nowhere near the player he was - Paterson needs to play 6 instead of Molitika and that leaves you with Bradley who'll be away with Wales a lot and Cook and Downes (or is it Down?) who are very inexperienced but look promising

Deiniol and Molitika are retiring at the end of the season I believe.

So is most of the squad I think

You are evil.

Agree completely Cardiff Dave.
They think they will make one marquee signing, now Henson, the crowds will flock in we will start winning some silver the tills start ringing and the owners laugh all the way to the bank.
Yes I would love the scenario of bumper crowds I look at the Irish crowds with envy at the atmosphere generated but sadly I agree we are as fans only seen as there for what money they can extract from us.
The only motive for the move was the foaming at the mouth of the prospect of 20,000 ticket payers plus refreshments plus merchandise.

I didn't mention Deniol but he is the dead wood that needs to go. With Downes, Cook and Hill the 2nd row has cover. The only way they'll get gametime is when Tito and Jones wave bye-bye. Other teams have used players from their academies to great effect and I believe it is time for Blues to do more of that.

Dai Tryin wrote:Agree completely Cardiff Dave.
They think they will make one marquee signing, now Henson, the crowds will flock in we will start winning some silver the tills start ringing and the owners laugh all the way to the bank.
Yes I would love the scenario of bumper crowds I look at the Irish crowds with envy at the atmosphere generated but sadly I agree we are as fans only seen as there for what money they can extract from us.
The only motive for the move was the foaming at the mouth of the prospect of 20,000 ticket payers plus refreshments plus merchandise.

I think the main motive of the move was to enable a certain somebody to get his money paid back and a few others could profit from the development of the Arms Park by building apartments etc. I understand there have been a few bids so far to purchase the Arms Park including one from our very own WRU. Read into that what you will. Achieving 20k crowds at CCS would have been nothing more than a pipe dream and the vast majority of profits from refreshments was always going to go to the catering company based at CCS, as it still does now.
To say it winds me up big time would be an understatement.

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wales606 wrote:

Well, we have Cook, Hill, Down and Davies + Paterson can play lock.

1. Gethin Jenkins
2. T Rhys Thomas
3.
4. Bradley Davies
5. James Down
6. Michael Paterson
7. Sam Warburton
8. Andreus Pretorious (or Gareth Delve next season)
9. Lloyd Williams
10. (Gavin Henson)
11. Tom James
12. Jamie Roberts (Gavin Henson if Laulaula leaves)
13. Casey Laulaula (Jamie Roberts if Laulaula leaves)
14. Alex Cuthbert
15. Leigh Halfpenny

Good work 606 and keep it going, but can you come up with a first choice 22 or 23 plus additional replacements for the international boys when they're away? Should have a clearer picture then. NB: do we know if Gethin is staying or not?

Hmm

Challenge Accepted

Based on the current squad with no new signings

No international callups

1. Gethin Jenkins
2. T Rhys Thomas
3. Scott Andrews (hopefully a new signing)
4. Bradley Davies
5. James Down
6. Michael Paterson
7. Sam Warburton
8. Andreus Pretorious (hopefully Gareth Delve)
9. Lloyd Williams
10. Gavin Henson (hopefully a new signing)
11. Tom James
12. Jamie Roberts
13. Casey Laulaula
14. Alex Cuthbert
15. Leigh Halfpenny

16. Rhys Williams
17. John Yapp
18. Nathan Trevett (again, hopefully a new THP is available)
19. Cory Hill
20. Josh Navidi (hopefully Paterson/Pretorious with Delve starting)
21. Rhys Downes/Lewis Jones (assuming R.Rees leaves)
22. ??? (hopefully a new FH or one of Sweeney/Parks/Davies remain)
23. Gavin Evans


24. Sam Hobbs
25. Ryan Hartford
26. James Corsi
27. Kristian Dacey
28. Marc Breeze
29. Ryan Tyrell
30. McCauley Cook
31. Ellis Jenkins
32. Thomas Young
33. Daffydd Hewitt
34. Owen Williams
35. Harry Robinson
36. Dan Fish


International callups for - Gethin Jenkins, Bradley Davies, Sam Warburton, Lloyd Williams, Jamie Roberts, Alex Cuthbert, Leigh Halfpenny and Scott Andrews

1. John Yapp
2. T Rhys Thomas
3. Nathan Trevett (the new signing)
4. Cory Hill
5. James Down
6. Michael Paterson
7. Josh Navidi
8. Andreus Pretorious (hopefully Gareth Delve with Paterson moving into the 2nd row instead of Hill)
9. Rhys Downes (my choice) / Lewis Jones (coaches choice)
10. Gavin Henson (new signing)
11. Tom James
12. Daffydd Hewitt
13. Casey Laulaula
14. Richard Mustoe/Harry Robinson
15. Chris Czeckaj

16. Rhys Williams
17. Sam Hobbs
18. ??? (Nathan Trevett with new signing)
19. McCauley Cook (Hill with Delve)
20. Thomas Young (lots of 7s, not many 6/8s :/)
21. Rhys Downes / Lewis Jones
22. ??? (hopefully a new FH or one of Sweeney/Parks/Davies remain)
23. Gavin Evans




...................................................


Obviously I hope there will be a few signings in the summer to give us some depth with players retiring, in the backrow in particular.

Wow, that was a bit if a mullering. I may not be the Blues biggest fan but always support the Welsh regions against non- Welsh sides. I have to say I found it difficult last night, I watched it after the Scarlets game and thought there'd be a bit of a fight put up after the first half but the second half was appalling.

Well done leinster of course, we all know they're a class act but I didn't see them shipping 40 or so unanswered points in 40 minutes.

Can I ask a genuine question without anyone thinking I'm trying to turn this into "another one of those" articles?

Is Henson injured?

MrsP wrote:Can I ask a genuine question without anyone thinking I'm trying to turn this into "another one of those" articles?

Is Henson injured?

I think it was mentioned last week that he's injured but will be ready in a couple of weeks. That was a week or so ago so should be fit next week.
If memory serves me (and that's nothing to count on) he injured his hand.

Anyone else see Cian Healy's punches on Tito. He surely has to be cited and banned

im happy to blame all our failings on the move to the schitty schtadium, that souless shed of a football ground in the middle of a retail park.

the season before the move was a good one. we havent done nearly as well since.

back to the arms park, please. i would start going regularly again if they do that

I just remembered watching this and the final score being 52-9. I weren't dreaming either. Totally unacceptable 2nd half capitulation from Blues.

But a kind word for Leinster who were fantastic. They definitely stand a chance of retaining their European title playing like that.

gowales wrote:Anyone else see Cian Healy's punches on Tito. He surely has to be cited and banned

That was my initial thought. Two attempted strikes at the face, one making contact as far as I could see. Definite offence. If the IRB want consistentcy then a ban should be inevitable. I doubt it though, if he had tip tackled Tito then yes. Too much empthasis on that area now I feel and other offences like this slipping under the radar.