Cardiff Blues v Ospreys thread

[mrzimmerman]

On the eve of the latest welsh derby thought i'd start this thread so people can share their views and predictions on the big game tomorrow. I say big game because it is, it would be an excellent win for the away side as it would give them an excellent chance at a home play off semi. For the home side they need a win like they have never before. Troubles on and off the pitch would surely be forgotten(even if only for a few hours) if they beat the old enemy. I think the Blues fans would love to be able to talk about their beloved team in a postive light for the first time in a while.

The teams will be posted here as and when announced so you need look nowhere else for the pre, during and post derby match chat. Below is a link to the pro12 page for an interesting look at form guides and pre match review.

http://www.rabodirectpro12.com/matchcentre/13746.php

Please keep talk on this thread about this match as there are already active threads on the troubles at the respective regions.

Cardiff Blues Team announced.

15 Leigh Halfpenny 14 Alex Cuthbert 13 Gavin Evans 12 Dafydd Hewitt 11 Harry Robinson 10 Ceri Sweeney 9 Lloyd Williams

8 Luke Hamilton 7 Martyn Williams 6 Michael Paterson 5 James Down 4 Bradley Davies (c) 3 Sam Hobbs 2 Marc Breeze 1 John Yapp

Replacements
16 Kristian Dacey 17 Nathan Trevett 18 Ryan Harford 19 Josh Navidi 20 Maama Molitika 21 Richie Rees 22 Dan Parks 23 Casey Laulala

Ospreys Team;

15 Richard Fussell
14 Hanno Dirksen
13 Tom Isaacs
12 Andrew Bishop
11 Shane Williams
10 Dan Biggar
9 Kahn Fotuali'i
1 Paul James
2 Richard Hibbard
3 Adam Jones
4 Alun Wyn Jones (Capt)
5 Ian Evans
6 Ryan Jones
7 Justin Tipuric
8 Joe Bearman

Replacements:

16 Scott Baldwin
17 Ryan Bevington
18 Aaron Jarvis
19 James King
20 Tom Smith
21 Rhys Webb
22 Matthew Morgan
23 Sonny Parker

The Ospreys pack looks stronger but there are a few threats in the Blues backline. My personal prediction is an away win but it'll be close.

[ScarletSpiderman]

To be honest I would hazard a guess at the Ospreys winning (and possibly getting the bonus point) based on two things. The difference in results (ok, different competitions) both sides had in Dublin, and also the CCS seems to be easy to turn into somewhat of a nutral ground atmosphere wise for travelling support (if not turning the home advantage back to front atmosphere/noise wise).

Personally I would love to see the Blues turn their recent forma around and beat the Ospreys (and not let them get a lbp) but ralistically I can only really see one outcome.

[TBJ9625]

For me more than anything I just want to see a consistant 80 minute performance from the Ospreys!!!! They haven't done it yet all season. For every bit of flair and brilliance there seems to have been twice as much dire rubbish. We need to win and would love a BP, but can't honestly see that happening as we've only got 1 all season. Really want us to win the league this year, otherwise our only success of note will be getting rid of Johnson and Holley!!

[thebluesmancometh]

For me this is less about the players, result or even game itself, but more of a view to where the Blues fans are after such a poor run of form, rumours of all sorts and uncertainty of the Blues future.

I had a season ticket until this season, and will certainly not be going!

A freind still has his though and was offered a stunning 2 tickets for £30 when showing his season ticket, now that is a promotion that really says everything about the Blues!

[wales606]

1. Paul James
3. Adam Jones

1. John Yapp
3. Sam Hobbs (a LHP)

Ummm, can we not have any scrums please?

In fact, can we just have a game of kicking goals from behind halfway, and how high can your 6 jump. Blues might win then...

[thebluesmancometh]

Sounds sad, and I feel a little bad for saying it but I just hope the Blues take a tonking in front of noone!

[wales606]

Sounds sad, and I feel a little bad for saying it but I just hope the Blues take a tonking in front of noone!

Ive given up for this season.

Hope the Ospreys do well actually, so they can build to the playoffs and there will be more pressure to get rid of B&B.

[Liam]

Sounds sad, and I feel a little bad for saying it but I just hope the Blues take a tonking in front of noone!

Ive given up for this season.

Hope the Ospreys do well actually, so they can build to the playoffs and there will be more pressure to get rid of B&B.

Same mode as you, seasons over and I'd rather see Osprey's get the home semi-final. Scrums are going to be hard to watch, i'll turn away when the 'engage' signal is given, could get messy. I heart want Blues but head says Osprey's for the good of Welsh rugby. Okay, Blues to win try count, Osprey's to win the game, final offer

[maestegmafia]

Teams look good.

Still not sure Khan is rightfully selected ahead of Webb. Glad to Sweeney ahead of the lamentable Parks

[thebluesmancometh]

I dont think the blues will offer anything up front to match the O's, not just in the scrums!

[gowales]

I'm predicting a bonus point win to the Ospreys here and at least one penalty scrum try to the O's. That's an incredibly weak Blues forward pack, we have to take advantage and boss the contact area.

[maestegmafia]

Be interesting to see how Scott Baldwin goes.

Anyone know if he is leaving this season?

[Cardiff Dave]

1. Paul James
3. Adam Jones

1. John Yapp
3. Sam Hobbs (a LHP)

Ummm, can we not have any scrums please?

In fact, can we just have a game of kicking goals from behind halfway, and how high can your 6 jump. Blues might win then...

Accidental knock ons might be a good tactic for the Os to employ.

[ScarletSpiderman]

1. Paul James
3. Adam Jones

1. John Yapp
3. Sam Hobbs (a LHP)

Ummm, can we not have any scrums please?

In fact, can we just have a game of kicking goals from behind halfway, and how high can your 6 jump. Blues might win then...

Accidental knock ons might be a good tactic for the Os to employ.

You mean when there is ruck after ruck near the Blues 5m line just drop the ball and get the pen try? If that happens even once during the game I will be very disappointed.

[thebluesmancometh]

I wouldnt, its a tactic!

[Cardiff Dave]

Accidental knock ons might be a good tactic for the Os to employ.

You mean when there is ruck after ruck near the Blues 5m line just drop the ball and get the pen try? If that happens even once during the game I will be very disappointed.

Only mentioned it as a couple of years ago when the Os destroyed the Cardiff Blues scrum, they failed to convert their advantage into points. Kept going for tries, but couldn't breakthrough. If they had taken penalty kicks instead of trying to cross the whitewash they would have won easily.
It was the 21 all, tryless borefest.

[ScarletSpiderman]

I would be disappointed, even if I would not be too suprised.

[thebluesmancometh]

Tireless borefest?

Your going to have to be far more specific in relation to Cardiff Blues mate!

[LordDowlais]

I can only see this going one way if I am honest. I really do hope the Blues put up a bit of a fight though as I am going down for this game and do not want to watch a miss match. It's a shame realy how far the Cardiff Blues have fallen, it just looks like they have all given up playing for their region.

[Cari]

Well I've got my ticket and am really looking forward to it. It'll be the last time I see Shane play live, so I'm hoping the O's can get a decent win out of this. A few milestones tomorrow:

Dan Biggar's 100th O's cap
Richard Fussell's 50th O's cap
Shane Williams' last O's away game (depending on the semi's? Not sure...).

Up the O's! Here's the message from the O's...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=xmczkkw6OZI

[Cardiff Dave]

Tireless borefest?

Your going to have to be far more specific in relation to Cardiff Blues mate!

I thought a tryless borefest was a perfect descrption of THAT game. It was utter pants. 5pens and 2 DGs each.
The O's didn't win because they were really crap and Cardiff were the crappier of the two.
Or is this word play?

[Cardiff Dave]

[quote="Cari"]Well I've got my ticket and am really looking forward to it. /quote]

Good for you. Hope you enjoy it and there is no crowd trouble.

[Cari]

Good for you. Hope you enjoy it and there is no crowd trouble.

Well I can't guarantee that there won't be a stampede for the bogs at half time....

[dogtooth]

we will be lucky to not get royally stuffed

Os by 15-20

[Guest]

Looking forward to this one,
The O's look good for a comfortable win

[Cari]

Dogtooth - I'm hoping and backing an O's win, but I'm not expecting a drubbing for the losing side.

[Breadvan]

If the jawnse and holley were still in charge, I'd of gone for a tryless borefest and a blues win but Tandy seems to had a big effect on the side so I'm predicting an O's win with a couple of Dirksen trys..

[Guest]

Ashley beck not playing? Big loss for the ospreys

[dogtooth]

Dogtooth - I'm hoping and backing an O's win, but I'm not expecting a drubbing for the losing side.

youve backed the winner for sure but you give us bloos too much credit.

i am off to watch the cheesemen now. playing at home against bottom of the league side who havent won a game all year. the pressure will get to us and we will loose.

then im going to watch the bloos get a stuffing. a day for drinking i think (however i am looking forward to the shane vrs cuffbutt show.)

[Cari]

...and there's the National. Anyone put a bet on the geegees? I picked "Junior" in the work sweepstake.

[Cari]

Ashley beck not playing? Big loss for the ospreys

Nope he's got a hip injury. We'll do OK, we've got the experience of Bishop and Williams in the centre, Dirksen's getting better out on the wing. Isaacs still has some improvement to do, but alongside Shane and Andrew, he's got good support.

[gowales]

I'm glad they haven't selected Eli Walker again, we look so much better with Shane

[thebluesmancometh]

I am secretly hoping for a 50 pointer, lets really rub the Blues problem home and force a change!!!

[dogtooth]

I am secretly hoping for a 50 pointer, lets really rub the Blues problem home and force a change!!!

the problems are clear for all to see

i hope we can win, and have the good sense to appoint a proper coach for next season.

(probably going to get a tumping though)

[thebluesmancometh]

If we win the coach will take the plaudits, then with all the 'superstar' signings everyone will go into next season feeling good, except the fans!

[Shifty]

I'm glad they haven't selected Eli Walker again, we look so much better with Shane

Shane has been hopeless since the World Cup, he stands on the wing looking really disinterested.

[thebluesmancometh]

Really Alyn? REALLY?!

[Shifty]

Really Alyn? REALLY?!

Yup I sit 5 rows from the front with the Ospreys on the half way line and when he's on the field I normally watch what he's up to. I'm not saying he doesn't try when he recieves the ball, but to be honest the ability just isn't there any more. I think Shane knows it as well to be honest that's why he has decided to retire a season before his contract expires.

I also think he has become annoyed with the lack of speed and skill the Ospreys game plan implements, the Ospreys are forward orientated this season with no plan for creating fast ball that the likes of Shane can enjoy. His Enthusiasm has gone.

It's time that's all, sad as it is for one of Wales greatest ever players.

[gowales]

Stil better than Walker though

[wales606]

I'm glad they haven't selected Eli Walker again, we look so much better with Shane

Shane has been hopeless since the World Cup, he stands on the wing looking really disinterested.

Not what I saw from his last game for the O's where he created 2 of the tries from what I remember.

[wales606]

Stil better than Walker though

Shane with 1 leg would be better than Walker.

[Shifty]

Oh god Clancy is the ref, I was annoyed I didn't go, but now I'm glad I didn't this will be a penalty to a random side at every point of contact.

[Shifty]

http://www.s4c.co.uk/clic/e_live.shtml

link to the game if anyone is interested.

[PenfroPete]

Oh god Clancy is the ref, I was annoyed I didn't go, but now I'm glad I didn't this will be a penalty to a random side at every point of contact.

+1000

[thebluesmancometh]

Alyn

Random penalties - Check!

Nothing yellow card - Check!

No hope of any scrummaging - Check!

Free for all at the breakdown - Check!

Clancy's on form!

[mrzimmerman]

Clancy strangling the life from this game. Such an ego.

[Coleman]

Scrums have been bloody awful. I honestly think that the Blues have the tactic of "Engage first, if he doesn’t blow we might get the nudge. If he does blow, it’s 50/50 that we get the free kick/ pen. . . And it’s working.

[wales606]

Scrums have been bloody awful. I honestly think that the Blues have the tactic of "Engage first, if he doesn’t blow we might get the nudge. If he does blow, it’s 50/50 that we get the free kick/ pen. . . And it’s working.

Without Beck the Ospreys only have the scrum

[Cardiff Dave]

Attendance around 2500 I reckon.

[maestegmafia]

Harry Robinson looks good...!

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