Cardiff Blues squad and off-field updates.

First topic message reminder :

It appears that the following players will be leaving the Blues at the end of the season


DEPARTURE

Gavin Henson - Sacked

TRThomas - Despite being given the captaincy a few times this season, Thomas is due to leave - He is one of the players who has been excellent for us, is available all year round and we should be building a team around him. But he is off to Wasps.

Gethin Jenkins - 1 of our 4 world class players is off to Toulon

Casey Laulaula - The second centre to go, he is off to Munster, despite being available all year round.

Dan Parks is off to Connacht

Ritchie Rees is going to Edinburgh

Deniol Jones is retired

Martyn Williams is retiring

Mamma Molitika is retiring

John Yapp is leaving to go to Edinburgh

Ben Blair has apparently been offered a contract in France, at Lyon and is leaving

Jamie Roberts will miss a large part of next season through injury

Paul Tito is retiring

Ryan Tyrell is returning to Australia

Xavier Rush has retired as a player due to injury

Justin Burnell has left with immediate effect

Richard Mustoe rumoured retirement



ARRIVING AND STAYING

Xavier Rush has become the next defence coach

Jason Tovey is the only new signing of any significance announced so far, from the Dragons

Robin Copeland is confirmed from Rotherham RFC - some good reports, a replacement for Molitika

Lou Reed is signing though from the Scarlets

And Gavin Evans has signed a new 2 year contract extension...woop

Benoit Bourrust a THP from Perpignan is arriving

Fijian LHP prop Campese Ma'afu has signed from Australian side West Harbour Pirates

Hooker Andi Kyriacou is being targeted from Ulster - confirmed

Ceri Sweeney is staying with the Blues with a contract extension

Fau Filise has signed a contract extension (Probably 1 year)

A new Director of Rugby Phil Davies has joined.

Alex Cuthbert has signed a 1 year extension

Rob Lewis confirmed coming at SH from London Welsh

Deniol Jones is now team manager

Lee Jarvis has been appointed skills coach


Squad for next season


Props
Sam Hobbs
Ma'afu Campese
Benoit Bourrust
Scott Andrews
Fau Filise
Ryan Hartford
Nathan Trevett
Thomas Davies

Hookers
Andy Kyricau
Kristian Dacey
Mark Breeze
Rhys Williams

Locks
Bradley Davies
Lou Reed
James Down
Cory Hill
McCauley Cook
Matthew Screech

Backrow
Michael Paterson
Robin Copeland
Sam Warburton
Josh Navidi
Andreus Pretorious
Ellis Jenkins
Thomas Young
Luke Hamilton


Scrum Halfs
Lloyd Williams
Rob Lewis
Lewis Jones

Fly Halfs
Jason Tovey
Ceri Sweeney
Rhys Patchell

Centres
Jamie Roberts
Daffydd Hewitt
Gavin Evans
Cory Allen
Owen Williams

Back 3
Alex Cuthbert
Tom James
Leigh Halfpenny
Dan Fish
Chris Czekaj
Harry Robinson

wales606 wrote:Cardiff Blues are searching for a new DOR to work above the current coaches

Blues don't have a strong enough pack and I don't see what Burnell can do about that.

Can Baber actually do anything? If so, can he even get an awful Blues midfield to play better? They will be better with Tovey and Roberts playing, but they won't be around for long I bet with injuries and international call-ups.

Not when the huge rent of the CCS needs paying, they locked themselves into a 20 year contract before realising they were being well and truly ****** by City!!!

How could they justify playing and paying for the CAp while paying for the CCS too.

As much as City whinge about the pitch, rugby players treatment of facilities etc they know they have the Blues over a barrell and won't let them out without a rather large settlement!

thebluesmancometh wrote:Dave

They have bent over backwards, but flogging a dead horse is still flogging a dead horse!

I've been to the stadium loads of times and it just gets worse and worse, you all know my sneeze story!!

The problem isn't just not getting bums on seats, it's getting bums on CCS seats, 8000 and 9000 flocked to the CAP for Connaught and a weakened Ulster side, no disrespect to those teams but they were nothing games with very few internationals between them.

When I got in the CAP both times people were left outside as the number was restricted, I'd say both gates wouldve been 10k plus!!

Indeed they are flogging a dead horse.
Hope there is a rethink very soon.

red_stag wrote:Is there a reason they can't just use the Cardiff Arms Park so in that case.

Bums on seats are the priority.

Other then the contract with Cardiff City FC, I don’t know of any other reason. Some problems are the facilities though. The toilets aren't really what you'd call toilets. The hospitality has been mothballed for a few years now too. But these problems could be sorted with two weeks of refurbishment.
It would make more sense as a business to play at the Arms Park as they still pay £98k a year to lease it. They would be making more money playing at the Arms Park whilst still playing the contract to CCFC, rather than vice versa.

Fat chance!

Any new DOR will start his job putting fires out left right and centre.

Thought it was quite funny reading on the Blues website that tickets for the Edinburgh match cost JUST £22. Ticket prices have somehow got to be negotiated for next season, I believe its the football club that set the prices someone has said. U16's go free but no parent in their right mind would pay £22 in this current financial climate to go watch the Blues. I did for the Osprey's match and its pretty obvious the game wasn't worth a single penny.

Anyone going down for this?. In CAP there'd be 9,000 no problem imo, especially with certain players leaving and would be a nice day all round and good chance to pay tribute to players like Tito, Martyn and Blair for their wonderful service to the Blues. Shame no one will go near the CCS, it will be embarrassing for the club and for them but they'll probably expect the obvious. They don't deserve it but that's the way it is unfortunately

Coleman

Using the CAP is just not feasable while tied in at CCS!!!

I would love to see the Blues wriggle out of the city contract, spend a bit on the CAP and roll forward. It wouldn't have to be a huge refurb, just modernise the terraces, and bring them into the 21st century. Leave the hospitality to last, that kind of thinking will pack the CAP week in week out!

thebluesmancometh wrote:Coleman

Using the CAP is just not feasable while tied in at CCS!!!

I would love to see the Blues wriggle out of the city contract, spend a bit on the CAP and roll forward. It wouldn't have to be a huge refurb, just modernise the terraces, and bring them into the 21st century. Leave the hospitality to last, that kind of thinking will pack the CAP week in week out!

But if they're paying for both any way. Wouldnt it make sense to play at the one where you sell more tickets. Or do they HAVE to play their games at the CCS. This is the point that i never understood.

thebluesmancometh wrote:Not when the huge rent of the CCS needs paying, they locked themselves into a 20 year contract before realising they were being well and truly ****** by City!!!

How could they justify playing and paying for the CAp while paying for the CCS too.

As much as City whinge about the pitch, rugby players treatment of facilities etc they know they have the Blues over a barrell and won't let them out without a rather large settlement!

As you say they are proper f***ed - their tied into a contract for a stadium they can't afford so they have to play there as it's the cheapest option - they have to pay the rent regardless - but the fans refuse to turn up there no matter what the Blues do - so they either play at an empty stadium and go bankrupt or spend money they haven't got doing up the CAP and pay for both stadiums and go bankrupt. Decisions Decisions

Smirnoffpriest wrote:

thebluesmancometh wrote:Not when the huge rent of the CCS needs paying, they locked themselves into a 20 year contract before realising they were being well and truly ****** by City!!!

How could they justify playing and paying for the CAp while paying for the CCS too.

As much as City whinge about the pitch, rugby players treatment of facilities etc they know they have the Blues over a barrell and won't let them out without a rather large settlement!

As you say they are proper f***ed - their tied into a contract for a stadium they can't afford so they have to play there as it's the cheapest option - they have to pay the rent regardless - but the fans refuse to turn up there no matter what the Blues do - so they either play at an empty stadium and go bankrupt or spend money they haven't got doing up the CAP and pay for both stadiums and go bankrupt. Decisions Decisions

Couldn't have put it better myself.

Coleman wrote:

thebluesmancometh wrote:Coleman

Using the CAP is just not feasable while tied in at CCS!!!

I would love to see the Blues wriggle out of the city contract, spend a bit on the CAP and roll forward. It wouldn't have to be a huge refurb, just modernise the terraces, and bring them into the 21st century. Leave the hospitality to last, that kind of thinking will pack the CAP week in week out!

But if they're paying for both any way. Wouldnt it make sense to play at the one where you sell more tickets. Or do they HAVE to play their games at the CCS. This is the point that i never understood.

From what I understand as they don't own the CAP they don't have to pay unless they use it - they have to pay the rent at the CCS regardless of if they play, but they can play games anywhere they want.
Cardiff Athletics Club (who are shareholders in the Blues) own the CAP but P Thomas (the Blues chairman) had an arguement with them (I think) about the move to the CCS and they now charge for the Blues playing at the CAP

martyr

I feel bad too, these players are going to run out to the wind blowing through the stands!

I had a lovely email the other day saying I could get a season ticket holders discount and a ticket for a mere £15!!!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! WTF????

Surely 9000 people at the CAP paying £10 a head is better than 2500 of which only half of them pay £22!!!

I don't understand...

Here's a marketing campaign

"Give us a few hundred quid and we'll go back to the Arms Park"

Ye CAP has to be paid for by the use too, and then staffed...

The CCS comes staffed as part of the contract doesn't it?

martyr_94 wrote:Thought it was quite funny reading on the Blues website that tickets for the Edinburgh match cost JUST £22. Ticket prices have somehow got to be negotiated for next season, I believe its the football club that set the prices someone has said. U16's go free but no parent in their right mind would pay £22 in this current financial climate to go watch the Blues. I did for the Osprey's match and its pretty obvious the game wasn't worth a single penny.

Anyone going down for this?. In CAP there'd be 9,000 no problem imo, especially with certain players leaving and would be a nice day all round and good chance to pay tribute to players like Tito, Martyn and Blair for their wonderful service to the Blues. Shame no one will go near the CCS, it will be embarrassing for the club and for them but they'll probably expect the obvious. They don't deserve it but that's the way it is unfortunately

I'm not sure if the football club/stadium set the prices but as far as I know their the same as any other club/region - certainly thats the cost of tickets at PyS or the Liberty (and as far as I can remember at the Dave for HEC games)

I thought that we were still paying rent on the Arms Park. But I still believe that the books would look better playing at the CAP and having higher gates even if we had to pay a bit more to the Ath club.

But then again, Peter Thomas is a business master! I can’t second guess him.

For me this is all the fans can do to force the change for the better!

Normally I'm all for progress in sport, I hate sports, governing bodies, clubs, teams that stagnate and fail to progress with the times, I can therefore say the move back to the CAP isn't a bunch of old Cardiff supporters disgruntled by change. It really is the way forward, the CCS is always there for big HC games/Derbies, but doesn't the CAP also hold a licence for expansion?

I'd like to see the CAP totally re modernised, and something really productive done with it... Sadly it's just too valuable for rugby union to hold on to!

Bluesman its ridiculous, it will be worse than the Harlequins game imo.

I mean £22, that's scandalous, you don't just whip that out of thin air do you. Your right, just charge £10 at CAP, get a good bumper crowd in and give them a fitting send off. The last thing I'd want them to see in their last game with the Blues is a region going down the pan and something that reminds them why they are leaving.

Give them a nice send off at a full CAP, good atmosphere thank you very much goodbye. Simples.

they can't play at CAP this weekend anyways because they are re-doing the whole of Westgate St and the road is closed, so it's a non thinker for this match. Next season it does seriously have to be considered, and they should use the summer to refurbish all the facilities there.


Also, there's nothing wrong with a ticket being £22. That's pretty standard, and in fact a lot cheaper then clubs in other countries charge.

Smirnoffpriest wrote:

From what I understand as they don't own the CAP they don't have to pay unless they use it - they have to pay the rent at the CCS regardless of if they play, but they can play games anywhere they want.
Cardiff Athletics Club (who are shareholders in the Blues) own the CAP but P Thomas (the Blues chairman) had an arguement with them (I think) about the move to the CCS and they now charge for the Blues playing at the CAP

They pay £98k pa to rent CAP and have done since Cardiff Blues moved to CCS.

thebluesmancometh wrote:Ye CAP has to be paid for by the use too, and then staffed...

The CCS comes staffed as part of the contract doesn't it?

As far as I know - I know that the same catering/staff that do the CCS do the Millennium as well.

Coleman wrote:I thought that we were still paying rent on the Arms Park. But I still believe that the books would look better playing at the CAP and having higher gates even if we had to pay a bit more to the Ath club.

But then again, Peter Thomas is a business master! I can’t second guess him.

Correct.

The Ulster and Connaght games at the CAP were £15 a go! And sold out with people in the queue being turned away.

Invest in people, invest in the future... INVEST IN CARDIFF!

Cardiff Dave wrote:

Smirnoffpriest wrote:

From what I understand as they don't own the CAP they don't have to pay unless they use it - they have to pay the rent at the CCS regardless of if they play, but they can play games anywhere they want.
Cardiff Athletics Club (who are shareholders in the Blues) own the CAP but P Thomas (the Blues chairman) had an arguement with them (I think) about the move to the CCS and they now charge for the Blues playing at the CAP

They pay £98k pa to rent CAP and have done since Cardiff Blues moved to CCS.

But isn't that just so that Cardiff RFC can play there? I know everythings owned by the same company but the costs would be associated with another part of the business to the Blues

Cost on cost on cost!!

If the Blues go under the pieman probably earns a fortune one way or another!

He loans money to himself then ammasses interest on it, and I bet is earning out of the CCS one way or another!

Smirnoffpriest wrote:

thebluesmancometh wrote:Ye CAP has to be paid for by the use too, and then staffed...

The CCS comes staffed as part of the contract doesn't it?

As far as I know - I know that the same catering/staff that do the CCS do the Millennium as well.

I'm sure I read somewhere that Compass the catering company at CCS used to be involved at the MS, but the WRU decided not to renew their contract and took over running that side of things. Also the catering contract at CCS is up for renewal at the end of the season apparently.

But isn't that covered in the rental agrrement Dave?

I thought I heard that the rental agreement of the CCS was a package that included such things.

The entire thing is a bloody mess. It’s such an awful situation, I can’t get people to go watch the Blues any more. To a man or woman they all say its rubbish and boring. I went the hockey the other week (which is £18) and it was amazing. I asked people if they're willing to pay that much to watch what is a minority sport, why wouldn’t they pay it to watch the Blues. All of them said atmosphere. The CCS is a morgue for rugby.

Smirnoffpriest wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

They pay £98k pa to rent CAP and have done since Cardiff Blues moved to CCS.

But isn't that just so that Cardiff RFC can play there? I know everythings owned by the same company but the costs would be associated with another part of the business to the Blues

No, because they also benefit from income from the car park, office space rented out, Wales internationals' hospitality, non matchday beer/food sales, etc.
CAP is a money spinner and any profits can be channelled in any direction the club decides which includes both Cardiff (Welsh prem) and Cardiff Blues.

thebluesmancometh wrote:But isn't that covered in the rental agrrement Dave?

I thought I heard that the rental agreement of the CCS was a package that included such things.

I believe it could be and Cardiff Blues receive 11% of the profits on catering, so the FD said a few years ago. What that equates to in real money, I have no idea. How much profit is there on a pint after deducting tax and costs etc? Can't be very much.

And when you consider staffing the venue to profit from beer/pies, of which isn't that a seperate revenue for a certain someone else?!

Cardiff Dave wrote:

Smirnoffpriest wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

They pay £98k pa to rent CAP and have done since Cardiff Blues moved to CCS.

But isn't that just so that Cardiff RFC can play there? I know everythings owned by the same company but the costs would be associated with another part of the business to the Blues

No, because they also benefit from income from the car park, office space rented out, Wales internationals' hospitality, non matchday beer/food sales, etc.
CAP is a money spinner and any profits can be channelled in any direction the club decides which includes both Cardiff (Welsh prem) and Cardiff Blues.

Yep, CAP cost 98K a year, but makes over 1 million in profits.

Off topic, but where does the profit that the CAC club is making go? They dont own Leckwith, and i dont think that maintaining the Bowls Green is breaking the bank.

wales606 wrote:

Yep, CAP cost 98K a year, but makes over 1 million in profits.

£1m profit is stretching it a bit.
Probably not even half that, but imagine if CAP had been developed years ago with a posh clubhouse, restaurant, etc. The mind boggles.

thebluesmancometh wrote:And when you consider staffing the venue to profit from beer/pies, of which isn't that a seperate revenue for a certain someone else?!

You've lost me.

Coleman wrote:Off topic, but where does the profit that the CAC club is making go? They dont own Leckwith, and i dont think that maintaining the Bowls Green is breaking the bank.

Not a clue what profits CAC make although they get £98k pa from CRFC for the hire of CAP.

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wales606 wrote:

Yep, CAP cost 98K a year, but makes over 1 million in profits.

£1m profit is stretching it a bit.
Probably not even half that, but imagine if CAP had been developed years ago with a posh clubhouse, restaurant, etc. The mind boggles.

Pretty sure it is over 1mil

wales606 wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wales606 wrote:

Yep, CAP cost 98K a year, but makes over 1 million in profits.

£1m profit is stretching it a bit.
Probably not even half that, but imagine if CAP had been developed years ago with a posh clubhouse, restaurant, etc. The mind boggles.

Pretty sure it is over 1mil

Turnover possibly?
Don't know what it is exactly, but whatever the figure is, it infuriates me that those in charge have never made the most of what is a potential gold mine. Unforgiveable in my opinion.

Can't see how the CAP makes 1 mill, let alone profit!!!

Dave the CAP is a potential goldmine... just not to a sports team!

Cardiff Dave wrote:

Smirnoffpriest wrote:

thebluesmancometh wrote:Ye CAP has to be paid for by the use too, and then staffed...

The CCS comes staffed as part of the contract doesn't it?

As far as I know - I know that the same catering/staff that do the CCS do the Millennium as well.

I'm sure I read somewhere that Compass the catering company at CCS used to be involved at the MS, but the WRU decided not to renew their contract and took over running that side of things. Also the catering contract at CCS is up for renewal at the end of the season apparently.

Cheers for that, didn't realise - I know they used to do both when I was a student as I worked for them (briefly) to fund my own beer/pie costs

Cardiff Dave wrote:
No, because they also benefit from income from the car park, office space rented out, Wales internationals' hospitality, non matchday beer/food sales, etc.
CAP is a money spinner and any profits can be channelled in any direction the club decides which includes both Cardiff (Welsh prem) and Cardiff Blues...

Ahh of course, I forget about how much the car park rakes in, it's in such a prime location and basically generates money for nothing Mon-Fri and I never think about the hopistality for Wales Ints even though it's only next door.

Coleman wrote:Off topic, but where does the profit that the CAC club is making go? They dont own Leckwith, and i dont think that maintaining the Bowls Green is breaking the bank.

don't the Glamorgan cricket team come under the athletics club as well ? Then you actually do have the athletics team. All this has to be paid for, I was once told though that the entire lot, is the biggest amount of members to any sports club in Britain. I think between them all there are about 150,000 members.

the way to deal with ccfc and the rent issue is to disband the cardiff blues. id go and watch Cwm Glas at sardisrd. the cardiff based rugby fans can carry on supporting their succesful welsh prem rugby team.

Bad news for you guys. I'm lead to believe they may actually be considering Phil Davies for DOR role. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/17776687

Look forward to the re-signing of Norton-Knight .

Morgannwg wrote:Bad news for you guys. I'm lead to believe they may actually be considering Phil Davies for DOR role. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/17776687

Look forward to the re-signing of Norton-Knight .

No one would be that stupid

Didn't you see Phil's signings at the Scarlets? Never say never...

Apparently Filise is getting a 1 year extension

Don't know what this means about the THP signing.

wales606 wrote:Apparently Filise is getting a 1 year extension

Don't know what this means about the THP signing.

I hope they sign him anyway, we need substantial back up, imagine if Filise were to get injured again?

Well i'm hoping Bourrust is a good THP and will be first choice.

Would be great to have 2 backups to him though.

Filise can get some parity against top Pro12 team, Andrews against bottom Pro12 team and hopefully Bourrust will be able to cope in the HC.

Having a stable scrum will be a huge boost for the Blues, they have never really had one, and the Ospreys and Northampton have often destroyed them in the scrum to win a game without needing the other 7 players.

Resigning Filise would be massive for you guys. Andrews would effectively be 3rd choice then, good hge should be loaned out next year to a english championship side.

If this is true, along with the Phil D rumour, then it indicative of where the Blues have been are going for the last 3 years, Fiilse has been poor for a while and been getting worse while on a big(ish) contract.
One of the reasons the Blues are poor (and going down the toilet) is their reliance on over the hill expensive NWQ players and now they are (apparently) re-signing Fiilse and (rumoured) to be giving Tito another year, instead of bringing through young players and developing them.