If you could sign 3 players...

First topic message reminder :

OK, so you are in charge of acquisitions for your club. You are allowed to sign 3 new players to strengthen them. But only 1 can be a non-whatever your nationality is- qualified player, and one must be a "below the radar" player (a non-regular starter at other clubs or a player in a lower league). Who do you pick and why?

loosehead mate, why do you think Os is the man?


I am a bit past my sell by date though.

biltongbek wrote:loosehead mate, why do you think Os is the man?


I am a bit past my sell by date though.

Holy crap! Biltongbek is Stefan Terblanche!

biltongbek wrote:loosehead mate, why do you think Os is the man?


I am a bit past my sell by date though.

Ah fair enough Biltong... maybe Munster would be a better club for you then....

Bath fan ere...my picks would be

Marquee signing....Frans Steyn huge, quick, great hands, tackles and carries like a beast, kicks the goals and on his day can be the best in the world.

England qualified...Dan cole, turning into one of the best tightheads out there and a tighthead is a cornerstone of the team (boy do bath need a good scrummaging tighthead)

Under the radar (ish)....Mako Vunipola the future of england loosehead play and a southwest lad...a partnership of cole/webber/mako would give bath the platform needed for heathcote/steyn to rip it up.

biltongbek wrote:

roddersm wrote:

UlstermaninGlasgow wrote:For Ulster

Marquee Signing - Heinrich Brussow - Just to keep the Saffer theme going and also to bring a much needed groundhog to the club

IQ - Devin Toner - Would be fantastic alongside Dan or Johan and would really give our lineout a threat

Under the Radar - JJ Hanrahan - Need a new 10 and as much as we would all love to think that Madigan is under the radar, he's not. But this young lad could be the next big thing!

nice signings. Toner's a good one but I'd be inclined to go for Ryan as he can cover 6 as well. Both are ideal foils for Tuohy or Muller I think.

It seems 7, 10 and second row are the areas we need to strengthen.

Don't you guys have enough Saffers already?

Pretty soon it won't be just Ireland with a 'token' Ulsterman!

NEQ- o'connor, north, nonu, carter, parisse, pocock and bismarck.
These guys would improve any team, just depends which position needs strengthening.

EQ- foden, tuilagi, croft, lawes and cole, are england best (and most consistent) performers currently.

Under the radar- a tricky one as players like ford, wade and may have gained significant experience already this season. Anthony watson is the the player to watch in english rugby and i am sure there must be a few players in exeter that are worthy of this tag, i'll leave it for exeter fans to help us with this one.

HQ matt wrote:NEQ- o'connor, north, nonu, carter, parisse, pocock and bismarck.
These guys would improve any team, just depends which position needs strengthening.

EQ- foden, tuilagi, croft, lawes and cole, are england best (and most consistent) performers currently.

Under the radar- a tricky one as players like ford, wade and may have gained significant experience already this season. Anthony watson is the the player to watch in english rugby and i am sure there must be a few players in exeter that are worthy of this tag, i'll leave it for exeter fans to help us with this one.

I'm keepting schtoom on that one, Matt - don't want to be highlighting our future starts to you lot!

roddersm wrote:

biltongbek wrote:loosehead mate, why do you think Os is the man?


I am a bit past my sell by date though.

Ah fair enough Biltong... maybe Munster would be a better club for you then....

I know stuff, but it is Ok, I'll go coaching the front row at Munster, and then take Ruan, Muller, Stefan etc with me.

sirtidychris wrote:Bath fan ere...my picks would be

Marquee signing....Frans Steyn huge, quick, great hands, tackles and carries like a beast, kicks the goals and on his day can be the best in the world.

Is that term not reserved for someone else?

Cardiff Blues need more than 3!

Can we get a 4th and 5th option with a little sympathy?

1. Marquee - Has to be a TH. If general custer had our scrum he'd have survived, the speed at which it retreats! mmmmm....

You know what, we need so much more than 3 players, I want to move home first and foremost!!!

Then I want a coach who knows his ars.e from his elbow!

Then I want an academy structure that believes in itself.

Then someone who refuses to sign SH OAP's.

Finally someone with a bit of money and some actual foresight!

Then we'll move on to 3 players....

sounds almost like a pipe dream Bluesman.

ChequeredJersey wrote:OK, so you are in charge of acquisitions for your club. You are allowed to sign 3 new players to strengthen them. But only 1 can be a non-whatever your nationality is- qualified player, and one must be a "below the radar" player (a non-regular starter at other clubs or a player in a lower league). Who do you pick and why?

But my team are the Blues - we cant afford to buy things...

But ok...

Ken Owens - Scarlets
Adam Jones - Ospreys
Conrad Smith - NZ

bluestonevedder wrote:

Bathite wrote:For Bath I'd say

Owen Franks - Beast of a TH to shore up the scrum and like a second flanker in the loose
Matt Mullan - Again, another quality prop and EQ
James Fitzpatrick - Young, promising 12 to replace Barkley

Really good choices. Geordie will be over the moon you've selected Fitzpatrick!

Cheers, struggled to think of an 'under the radar' that we really needed. Had Luke Whitelock, Michael Hooper, that young Stormers lock, can't remember his name, but is a big lad and Johan Goosen on there, but centre is more problematic, with Carraro leaving as well. Thought about having Fruean in there, but don't think he is low profile enough to qualify

It may just be a pipe dream. But there are a number of people trying to rectify problems at the blues. Sadly none of them are involved with the club.

I will not attend the city stadium again as long as I live. I did go to CAP for both games recently and it was excellent! Atmosphere, fun, youth and the int players wandering around the stands chatting to people. It brings the game back to the fans!

The sooner the Valleys rugby initiative gets up and running properly the better it will be for all of us, less bitterness toward the Blues, less miles for young players who refuse to travel to play for them, and more passion for the game.

I wish we could change the format either back to prem rugby or a collative club/region super style format. Half of the Blues players aren't interested most of the time, they have little to play for and very little interest or knowledge of the club, history or area!

When the Blues were succesfull the likes of the Robinsons, James, Roberts, R Thomas, Gareth Williams, Davies, D Jones, 1/2p etc were all playing for each other. They werent world class players but they were Cardiff players.

Check out the way Mart and Jenkins play for Wales, then for the Blues. They are great players who aren't fully commited to the cause, Welsh rugby yes, but cardiff no!

Blues need valleys rugby to be in a good state, focus on the city of Cardiff and use the academy to produce Cardiff players.

A few NWQ players can help but to many journey man lack pride in the club, or passion for the area.

thebluesmancometh wrote:
I will not attend the city stadium again as long as I live.

Why?

Cause he moved to Antarctica.

Almost Billtong...

When it first happened I was optimistic, despite a lot of freinds denying regional rugby totally, then refusing the move when it happened, and decided to take regular support to Ponty!

I went a few times first season, and was flying back from Ireland to do so, then I was driving from Southampton regularly. Went to most away games, and lots of home games. I was a season ticket holder since regional rugby began for years until this season.

I made the mistake of comparing the CCS to other stadiums, the shed, stoop, park de princes, Parc y scarlets etc.. which made it look bad. Then I went to the CCS for concerts and football matches. And I had convinced myself it was the politics of regional rugby that have hindered it's progress but it would get there.

In the last few years I have nothing but bad experiences and poor performances to show for it. Total disrespect of the fans, the 'region' and the young players aspiring to play for the Blues.

Then bad experiences with certain players, coaches and board members who seem to have no idea whats going on, and no care for anyone but there own pockets.

Cardiff RFC was never a dreamland full of rainbows and trophies, but compared to the garbage I have witnessed in the last few years it is starting to look that way!

The CCS was a move for the boardmembers, and investors. It was not a move for the fans or club.

It has turned me into a bitter old man at the age of 30, and I secretly hope the region goes under to teach all involved a lesson.

I am still a season ticket holder, but at the Dragons, Newport rfc and Ponty RFC. I don't get to go too much but at least I'm helping. I am also hoping the valleys rugby initiative gets up and running, so they don't keep suffering the same frustrations as me, and then some! I'm Cardiff born and bred, and initially I couldn't see why the bitterness was there toward the Blues, but now... AAAARRRRGGGGHHHHHH!!!!

For the Ospreys I would have:

WQ - Toby Faletau - A Ball carrying 8 that doesn't recieve a yellow card every other match like we're used to at the O's. Would work well with Tip's and Jones.

Non WQ - Rob Kearney - We need a good FB, would be a huge counter attacking threat with Dirksen and L. Morgan.

Up and coming - Owen Williams (Blues) starting to gain fame in the 7's circuit, could be very good in time. plus Bishop needs more competition.

(Wish i could cheat and have Timo Siwel as my marquee and youngster from south africa, he's going to be outstanding.)

Then bad experiences with certain players, coaches and board members who seem to have no idea whats going on, and no care for anyone but there own pockets

Bluesmans, you said a few days ago that you do coaching if I remember correctly, are you involved with the club itself or do you have dealings with them?

The Falcons need some beef in the front five, some depth in the backrow and some creativity in the backline, so these are the things I'd try to sort out.

So for the front five... Our starting props (Golding & Murray) are as good as most in the league, so it would be either hooker or second row and I was thinking Ross Ford or William Sevat, Schalk (sp?) Britz or Matt Garvey. In the end I went for Richie Gray. He would be the marquee.

For the EQP I went for Henry Trider. I feel big Fitzy would be a good foil for him (although we would need some wingers who were capable of supporting him.

Matt Kvesic would be the youth I would love to have play for us. I think the lad is going to have a long England career ahead of him.[b]

Billtong

I have been involved in the past, but not at the minute. I am involved with the Dragons at present, but not to any great extent.

Bluesman, you're involved in fitness/physical ability with the acadmeies from what i rmember of a conversation we had previously? I seem to remember you being tight-lipped about a few young prospects at the dragons.... no fun are you

Theres so much going wrong with the blues its impossible to solve with 3 dream players, but at least that'd be a start compared to some of the sh*t we've been served up over the last 2 seasons.

Hell, I'd even just take the following steps:

1. Back to CAP.
2. Get in some experienced coaches a la Kingsley Jones/Lyn Jones to work with Burnell.
3. Get rid of the NWQ brigade that are there for a paycheck and bring through the youth that want to be there.
4. Try to coax both Duncan and Adam Jones to play for the blues by being paid in pies.

Blue, I thought your problem was merely with the stadium itself.

I can understand your thoughts if its with whole club.

Ozzy3213 wrote:For London Irish, we need a tighthead, a genuine 7 and a 10 or 12.

I would go for Adam Jones (NEQ), Luke Wallace and England U20 centre Sam Hill (I think this kid could be the long term solution at 12 for England).

I think Treviranus can become the 7 that we need, and Gibson can do a very good job there when needed as well. Therefore, I would go 3, 10 and 12 (assuming the Hape rumour is true).

Marquee NEQ - Ma'a Nonu - the only guy who can really do what Mapusua did for us. It would be an extraordinary signing.

EQ - Dan Cole - the tighthead that we need, and would be a reuniting of the England props.

Under the radar - Realise he isn't under the radar per se, but George Ford would be wonderful. He only signed a one year extension at the Tigers so who knows....the other two signings are incredibly unlikely I admit.

Comforts.

I am a jack of all trade Involved in numerous aspects within the region (master of none )

Ye, can't name players as they are U16 and are technically volunteer players, or somne ethics of that note.

I was talking about Dixon and Amos last year though

Of your 4 steps though I would be content with the first, at least that would be a start. Give some credit to the fans!

Stag

The stadium is just one of the issues I have!

the first step is alwasys admitting it Bluesman

Dixon has looked pretty cheeky, he sure will have a great future ahead of him if he keeps his head down and works on his game.

1 and 4 are probably the most realistic of those steps, which says it all about the management of the club and its assets.

I chuckled at 4, but realistically odds of that happening are probably even to the other 3 which is quite depressing!!!

I'm doing my all to just block out the Blues all together, but keep coming back to it...

itll be alright mate, one day we'll have a ronald mcdonald in charge instead of a peter pie, a man that encompasses no knowledge for limits of success.

until then I fear our pack may aswell start practising their moonwalking whilst scrumming down on the football pitch in a giant empty lego bowl in front of disinterested backs and coaches who are there for the equivalent of a day-out for those who ride the sunshine bus.

sad-times at the moment, but the only thing that cheers me up is looking at whats happened at the scarlets, they went way down before they worked their way back up correctly. Im still hopeful that the Blues can get it sorted in the next few years.

But only 1 can be a non-whatever your nationality is- qualified player, and one must be a "below the radar" player (a non-regular starter at other clubs or a player in a lower league)

OK, for quins - we need a monster 2nd row, a good reserve 10 and another good prop (or utility prop).

NEQ - Brad Thorn/Bakkies Botha
EQ - Matt Mullan
Under Radar - Steenson (not really under the radar, but he's not starting for Chiefs either)

Not with the people in charge that are already there.

With no offence they remind me of the RFU under Johnson!

Putting fires out all over the place and refusing to acknowledge they are depressingly poor. Signing the wrong players to short term cover big holes, and basically in denyal!

What we need is a new set up, drop everyone who costs but doesn't act for the best of Blues as a club. The playing staff can be trimmed to it's bare bones, then restructured around the likes of Warbs, Davies, Roberts and 1/2p. Use youth, and although it will be a few seasons of dulldrum it will pay off. I don't totally hate Burnell and Baber yet, they have done little to prove their worth but have done little wrong either. I disagree with Lyn Jones or other top welsh coaches, I think we start at the top. Lets coach youth with youth, fresh faces, fresh perspective of a game continually changing. Utilise Gatland and co at the top to teach the coaches in job.

Then we get back to the CAP, with the playing and backroom staff at a minimum a little amount of money will be available, restructure the CAP, doesn't have to be bigger, but more modern, embrace the good old terraces but bring them into 2012 and beyond.

Brand better, brand younger and brand more fashionable, get rid of that stupid ball and bring in something that signifies cardiff. While we're at it embrace Cardiff, home of the 6N champions, and the best rugby stadium on the planet. If we embrace Cardiff we give the valleys back their identity, and hopefully a proffessional rugby club.

I know it seems like a lot, and the fans would have to be patient, but it would get me back on the terraces, and despite poor initial performances a lot of older and younger fans alike. The CAP could be one of the best placed and most intimidating stadiums in club rugby, instead of the near ruin it is now!

If only I won the euro millions, I could sort the club out!

Under the radar - Realise he isn't under the radar per se, but George Ford would be wonderful. He only signed a one year extension at the Tigers so who knows....the other two signings are incredibly unlikely I admit.

IRB Young Player of the Year who started this years LV Cup Final, under the radar? Cheeky. Rumours around Leicester (confirmed by Ben Kay on ESPN) were that both Irish and Sale had him down to their training facilities with promises that he would be in the first team squad. He allegedly signed for neither because they failed to promise more match time than Tigers were offering. The one year deal is presumably down to the assumption of his role being evaluated after a year but I think and hope he'll be staying for a while yet.

For Edinburgh (specifically targeting postions where the current squad is weak):

SQ: Richie Gray (Scotland's best player, and Edinburgh are short at lock)

NSQ: Quade Cooper (best attacking 10 in the world, would fit perfectly into Edinburgh's style of play, and Laidlaw would take the kicks)

Under-the-radar: Adam Thompstone (London Irish wing) - not a regular first choice there (Edinburgh have Visser and Jones but nothing behind that, plus Jones needs to work on his defence. Thompstone would give Edinburgh another physical option on the wing).

funnyExiledScot wrote:For Edinburgh (specifically targeting postions where the current squad is weak):

SQ: Richie Gray (Scotland's best player, and Edinburgh are short at lock)

NSQ: Quade Cooper (best attacking 10 in the world, would fit perfectly into Edinburgh's style of play, and Laidlaw would take the kicks)

Under-the-radar: Adam Thompstone (London Irish wing) - not a regular first choice there (Edinburgh have Visser and Jones but nothing behind that, plus Jones needs to work on his defence. Thompstone would give Edinburgh another physical option on the wing).

Bit of a maverick ain't he?

funnyExiledScot wrote:For Edinburgh (specifically targeting postions where the current squad is weak):

SQ: Richie Gray (Scotland's best player, and Edinburgh are short at lock)

NSQ: Quade Cooper (best attacking 10 in the world, would fit perfectly into Edinburgh's style of play, and Laidlaw would take the kicks)

Under-the-radar: Adam Thompstone (London Irish wing) - not a regular first choice there (Edinburgh have Visser and Jones but nothing behind that, plus Jones needs to work on his defence. Thompstone would give Edinburgh another physical option on the wing).

Is he Scots qualified? You're only allowed one NSQ

Thompstone is a Surrey boy and an England under 20 international. Unless he has a Scottish parent or rogue grandmother you're out of luck.

biltongbek wrote:Frans steyn is available and better than Jean de Villiers.

Agreed that overall Steyn has more to his game than de Villiers but I think that JDV would be a better fit at Saints, who need a leader in the backs, someone to help defend the 10/12 channel and a top crash ball option, all the things I feel JDV does well. Plus I've never been convinced of Steyn's commitment to the cause. In fact at times when I've seen him play in France he's looked pretty uninterested. Not seen the same thing when he's played for SA but still get the impression that he is not really a team man. My overall view of him is great player but maybe rates himself a little too highly?

In fact at times when I've seen him play in France he's looked pretty uninterested

Racing Metro's players fell out with the coach and there was lots of behind the scenes things going on. I don't how a club in such massive backroom disarray haven't fallen apart but they do seem to be still performing to a half decent standard.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Racing Metro's players fell out with the coach and there was lots of behind the scenes things going on. I don't how a club in such massive backroom disarray haven't fallen apart but they do seem to be still performing to a half decent standard.

I'd be surprised if it was anywhere other than France that a team could implode and yet still do okay on the pitch. Sometimes I think that the volatile Frenchies actually play better when they are angry with the world!

I still get the feeling though that F.Steyn is not really a team player.

IQ Cian Healy, shore up that scrum

High Profile Guy - Dan Carter- he would only start when Rog retired Good 12 as well

Under the Radar - Paddy McAllistair- good prop from Ulster

Cian Healy shoring up a scrum, are you sure?

Bathite wrote:Cian Healy shoring up a scrum, are you sure?

Healy always seems more secure for Ireland when POC is pushing on his side of the scrum so it could work.

B91212 wrote:

Bathite wrote:Cian Healy shoring up a scrum, are you sure?

Healy always seems more secure for Ireland when POC is pushing on his side of the scrum so it could work.

Im not sure O'Connell ever pushes on his side of the scrum?

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Under the radar - Realise he isn't under the radar per se, but George Ford would be wonderful. He only signed a one year extension at the Tigers so who knows....the other two signings are incredibly unlikely I admit.

IRB Young Player of the Year who started this years LV Cup Final, under the radar? Cheeky. Rumours around Leicester (confirmed by Ben Kay on ESPN) were that both Irish and Sale had him down to their training facilities with promises that he would be in the first team squad. He allegedly signed for neither because they failed to promise more match time than Tigers were offering. The one year deal is presumably down to the assumption of his role being evaluated after a year but I think and hope he'll be staying for a while yet.

I did say that he wasn't exactly under the radar! But other people are choosing the likes of Ian Madigan and I didn't know who else to go for! I heard that rumour about him looking around Irish as well, and was very excited for a short while. I really think he will be England's fly half for a very long time - you guys are lucky to have him, Flood and Bowden...we currently have 0 fly halves signed up for next season .

For Leinster

NIQ Nonu
IQ Paul O'Connell
Under the radar JJ Hanrahan as a long term option for 12

For Ulster:

NIQ - Tom Croft. Might be able to persuade him to give one of his knee caps to Ferris.
IQ - Tomas O'Leary to replace Pienaar, we need a more expansive attacking game.
IQ - Keith Earls, so that he can get useful firsthand experience from Cave as he shows him how to play centre.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:For Ulster:

NIQ - Tom Croft. Might be able to persuade him to give one of his knee caps to Ferris.
IQ - Tomas O'Leary to replace Pienaar, we need a more expansive attacking game.
IQ - Keith Earls, so that he can get useful firsthand experience from Cave as he shows him how to play centre.

Yeah you're right rodders.. we would need ROG too, for that lightning pace and to add some flair to the back-line.

red_stag wrote:

B91212 wrote:

Bathite wrote:Cian Healy shoring up a scrum, are you sure?

Healy always seems more secure for Ireland when POC is pushing on his side of the scrum so it could work.

Im not sure O'Connell ever pushes on his side of the scrum?

Not sure why I noticed it stag but in at least one game in this years 6N DOC was pushing behind Ross and POC behind Healy. I just assumed it was either to help Healy out or perhaps one of the second rows was carrying an injury of some kind that made it easier to pack down on one particular side.

I thought the justification given by Kidney and Smal for picking O'Callaghan ahead of Ryan was that POC normally binds on the LH side and would have to switch to the TH side to accommodate Ryan because Ryan is more lightweight than DOC and Ross needs that extra bulk behind him.

Apparantly this is what happens at Munster too? POC switches when Ryan plays but otherwise binds on the LH side?

Schmidt spoke recently about the importance of a powerful lock on the TH side to secure the scrum. Apparantly Toner doesn't have the power there which is why Thorn was signed.

did say that he wasn't exactly under the radar! But other people are choosing the likes of Ian Madigan and I didn't know who else to go for! I heard that rumour about him looking around Irish as well, and was very excited for a short while. I really think he will be England's fly half for a very long time - you guys are lucky to have him, Flood and Bowden...we currently have 0 fly halves signed up for next season

I was letting the Irish off on the basis it takes a while for their young players to make waves and get noticed where in the England players often get chances earlier in their careers because of the LV and Championship loans (plus more clubs for the players to be spread across). Odd to think that Ford is 19 and made his debut 3 years ago as a 16 year old. I think Bowden will mainly be playing 12 next season as a direct replacement for Twelvetrees.

LI have Shingler he can play 10, isn't Jarvis still there? Then there has also been talk of moving Homer to 10 long term which would work well as the young lad Watson is looking a pretty special full back.