Scarlets vs Blues

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Scarlets v Cardiff Blues

Saturday 5 May 7.30pm kick off at Parc y Scarlets


Blues Team

Cardiff Blues 15 Chris Czekaj 14 Alex Cuthbert 13 Casey Laulala 12 Dafydd Hewitt 11 Harry Robinson 10 Ceri Sweeney 9 Lloyd Williams

8 Andries Pretorius 7 Josh Navidi 6 Maama Molitika 5 James Down 4 Bradley Davies 3 Scott Andrews 2 Marc Breeze 1 Gethin Jenkins

16 Kristian Dacey 17 John Yapp 18 Ryan Harford 19 Macauley Cook 20 Luke Hamilton 21 Richie Rees 22 Dan Parks 23 Gavin Evans

Leigh Halfpenny- shoulder
Michael Paterson- shoulder
Xavier Rush- neck
Ryan Tyrrel - neck
Jamie Roberts- knee
Sam Warburton- shoulder
T Rhys Thomas- neck
Paul Tito- head
Richard Mustoe- hip
Fau Filise- shoulder
Deiniol Jones- retired
Ben Blair- knee
Martyn Williams- shoulder
Tom James- neck

Pretty much an entire first team injured at the moment.


Scarlets Side

Liam Williams
Sean Lamont
Nick Reynold
Stephen Jones
Andy Fenby
Rhys Priestland
Gareth Davies

Rhodri Jones
Ken Owens
Deacon Manu
Aaron Shingler
Dom Day
Keiran Murphy
Josh Turnbull
Ben Morgan

(Emyr Phillips, Phil John, Simon Gardener, Damien Welch, Jonathan Edwards, Tavis Knoyle, Adam Warren, Viliame Iongi)

Parks makes 6 WTF!

Make that 6 kicks straight out!

HOPELESS - That is a lot of groud given up

Well now we know why Stowers hasnt played much for the Ospreys, you will never see a better hospital pass given than that, they are trying to scrape Tom Issacs up off the pitch, nice work George mate...

S Jones off, I am sure he will rise again for Wasps. good luck to him ( and make as much money as possible out of them)

13047

Not bad!

Yapp on! Why?

to say goodbye

And backwards the blues go, yapp makes a big impact

John Yapp got injured in 10 seconds, so Gethin is back on.

Big impact from yapp last 10 seconds, a good loss for the blues

Poor decision by bias Nigel

Think we need to post an add in the job centre...

Front row wanted, no experience needed!!!!

Even more bias from the line judge

not another out on the full!!!

7 Blues kicks go straight out

That one was harsh though

Thats another decision the linesman has screwd the blues on!!

Nigel had a good 75 mins

Clear yellow, killing the quick ball

Fantastic pace by Bradley, what a great game

What a great 20 minutes you mean, that last 20 was poor, and the first half too!!!

Got to give credit to Hewitt he was good!

hewitt, robinson, navidi all played well and we really will miss casey next year hes always starting something every time he gets the ball!

I don't think he's that good, the reason we'll miss him is because Evans is behind him!!!

We are in desperate need of a TH, HK, and 12!!!

thebluesmancometh wrote:Think we need to post an add in the job centre...

Front row wanted, no experience needed!!!!

Interesting... I've recently been looking for work. No experience as a prop but promise to be beefed up sufficiently within the next three weeks.

Off to drop off my cv, then to McDonald's

thebluesmancometh wrote:I don't think he's that good, the reason we'll miss him is because Evans is behind him!!!

We are in desperate need of a TH, HK, and 12!!!

I think the Blues need a loose head also with Melon and Yapp leaving!

The Scarlets had a big advantage in the scrum all night, with a 20 year old prop and a flanker in the 2nd row!

Just want to remind all that Blues have signed an all-new front row for next season in Ma'afu, Kyriacou and Bourrust. How effective they'll be remains to be seen.

glamorganalun wrote:Poor decision by bias Nigel

He's over compensating!

Knowsit17 wrote:Just want to remind all that Blues have signed an all-new front row for next season in Ma'afu, Kyriacou and Bourrust. How effective they'll be remains to be seen.

Next season is probably going to be a horlicks, but the long term future of the club is far more important.
What is announced in the next few weeks/months will hopefully show we are finally moving in the right direction at last.

I've heard of Ma'afu,can't quite put that name to a face or team though. Is he a kiwi?

Morgannwg wrote:I've heard of Ma'afu,can't quite put that name to a face or team though. Is he a kiwi?

Campese Ma'afu, he's a Fijian. Has been capped at least a couple of times recently. His brother Salesi plays for Australia, funnily enough they've played against each other once for their respective national sides.

Oh yeah I remember now. Isn't he the one who got destroyed by his opponents at the world cup?

The 3 front rowers are nothing of note, journey men who will take a wage and do a job, and they must be taking a pretty poor wage in reality!!!

My priority for next season would be to get back to the CAP, and to fund that I would ditch the 3 front row signings, I'd go with...

Hobbs
Dacey
Andrews
Down
Cook
Hamilton
Navidi
Pretorious
Williams
Tovey
Robinson
Hewitt
Evans
James
Cjeckai

Ive ditched the Welsh int's, and journeymen, and I know the team looks distinctly average, but in reality some of these boys could be really talented, and need gametime, plus this really explains how badly I want the move back to the CAP

thebluesmancometh wrote:The 3 front rowers are nothing of note, journey men who will take a wage and do a job, and they must be taking a pretty poor wage in reality!!!

My priority for next season would be to get back to the CAP, and to fund that I would ditch the 3 front row signings, I'd go with...

Hobbs
Dacey
Andrews
Down
Cook
Hamilton
Navidi
Pretorious
Williams
Tovey
Robinson
Hewitt
Evans
James
Cjeckai

Ive ditched the Welsh int's, and journeymen, and I know the team looks distinctly average, but in reality some of these boys could be really talented, and need gametime, plus this really explains how badly I want the move back to the CAP

In your selection the overated Lloyd Williams wont be playing for Wales next season.
Wouldnt surprise me though, with Gareth Davies, Rhys Webb and Travis Knoyle all better players than him this season.
But that would never happen simply because Williams has been targeted by Howley and whom is father is, so he will always be picked above the 3 named.

Davies and Webb yeah... But Knoyle?

Knoyle has been injured most of the season. He played very well though when he came on in his comeback game against Munster.

Yeah and.... ?

Morgannwg wrote:Yeah and.... ?

I assume a sarcastic comment based on the fact you don't like Knoyle?

A really good turnout at just over 13k to say goodbye to all the players and inparticular Stephen Jones (though hats off to Iestyn and Schlong as well), really puts in to perspective the Blues pitiful 3k at their last home game against Edinburgh to send off Martyn Williams, Lualua, Tito and Fiilse (if they leave), Yapp, Ben Blair, Geth Jenkins and Richie Rees - seeing as the Ospreys had 14k to see off Shane Williams.

Good atmosphere at the game though Parks and Sweeney got a lot of stick for their kicking...

Gareth Davies absolutely outplayed the overated Williams.
Bet he wont get a look-in the Wales team before Brynmors boy!

Janecory wrote:Gareth Davies absolutely outplayed the overated Williams.
Bet he wont get a look-in the Wales team before Brynmors boy!

Yes he looked very sharp, should be a good competition between Davies and a fully fit Knoyle next season!

Liam williams looked very sharp also, he gives absolutely 100% also a mention for Shingler (playing out of position) and young Jones at prop who gave Andrews a really torrid time and picked up a few digs for his efforts.

For the Blues, Pretorius, Melon and Davies held their forward effort together (but not the scrum) but Navidi was, in my opinion their best forward, hands all over the ball, slowing down, in from the side, not releasing in the tackle. Exactly what you want from a 7, and he got away with it all afternoon. Clearly has learned his trade from the Ginger Master!

Behind the scrum, Laulala was the pick of the bunch, Robinson showed up well, but does not appear to have the pace for the top level. You don't see many top wings caught from behind by a second row!

Ive seen JOC get caught by melon, Jane was caught the other day by Mumm I think it was.

You have to take the situation into context too.

Ye I believe Williams is a good prospect but nowwhere near int standard yet. Davies has been excellent this season, as Webb has been on and off. Knoyle though, small, slow, physical but just doesn't have the attriubutes for int rugby... yet.

Seagultaf wrote:

Morgannwg wrote:Yeah and.... ?

I assume a sarcastic comment based on the fact you don't like Knoyle?

To be honest, I'm not sure why you mentioned he looked good when he came on in the Munster game. You are speaking as if he was a Wales regular when he was never in a position to get a cap IMO. He just isn't a good player. Nige must rate Gareth, he made him first choice when Tavis wasn't injured.

Morgannwg wrote:

Seagultaf wrote:

Morgannwg wrote:Yeah and.... ?

I assume a sarcastic comment based on the fact you don't like Knoyle?

To be honest, I'm not sure why you mentioned he looked good when he came on in the Munster game. You are speaking as if he was a Wales regular when he was never in a position to get a cap IMO. He just isn't a good player. Nige must rate Gareth, he made him first choice when Tavis wasn't injured.

Knoyle has been injured all season Gareth Davies has been 1st choice because of that - I agree he's really taken his chance, and it shows as Liam Davies hasn't had much of a look in. Next season it's going to be a really good battle between the two for the No 9 jersey.

And last season it was a two way battle between Phillips and Knoyle for Wales

It might have been in some peoples eyes but Phillips position was never in doubt. Now we have Webb, Williams and Davies I'd be shocked to see Knoyle get a look in, as the other 3 don't usually knock on around the fringes or kick it out on the full all the time.

THere were so many players putting in impressive performances on both sides. Knoyle looked sharp, Davies was superb as was Lloyd Williams.

Liam Williams was great for the Scarlets and Harry Robinson and Cuthbert were in great form for the Blues.

Great game, very sad to see some of those players now leave Wales and the Rabbo league, but there seems to be some fantastic youngster coming through.

The shape of Welsh club/regional rugby is changing, a new reality is dawning. But the future still looks great.

Pretorious made an excellent comeback, especially since he has hardly played this season and hasn't played at all since before Christmas.

If he can carry on like that at 8 in the form he was in last season, then with Paterson at 6 and Warbs at 7 we will at least have a superb backrow next season.

In fact, its only the front row where our forwards will struggle


Second Row

1st : Bradley Davies, Lou Reed
2nd : James Down, Michael Paterson
Academy : Cory Hill, McCauley Cook

Backrow

1st : Michael Paterson, Sam Warburton, Andreus Pretorious
2nd : Robin Copeland, Josh Navidi, Xavier Rush
Academy : Ellis Jenkins, Thomas Young, Luke Hamilton

Front Row

1st : Sam Hobbs Kristian Dacey/Andi Kyriacou Benoit Bourrust?
2nd : Campese Ma'afu Kristian Dacey/Andi Kyriacou Scott Andrew
Academy : ??? Rhys Williams Will Griff John

Im just hoping Bourrust ends up being an excellent scrummager and never gets injured, then we might stand a chance up front at least.

wales606 wrote:Pretorious made an excellent comeback, especially since he has hardly played this season and hasn't played at all since before Christmas.

If he can carry on like that at 8 in the form he was in last season, then with Paterson at 6 and Warbs at 7 we will at least have a superb backrow next season.

In fact, its only the front row where our forwards will struggle


Second Row

1st : Bradley Davies, Lou Reed
2nd : James Down, Michael Paterson
Academy : Cory Hill, McCauley Cook

Backrow

1st : Michael Paterson, Sam Warburton, Andreus Pretorious
2nd : Robin Copeland, Josh Navidi, Xavier Rush
Academy : Ellis Jenkins, Thomas Young, Luke Hamilton

Front Row

1st : Sam Hobbs Kristian Dacey/Andi Kyriacou Benoit Bourrust?
2nd : Campese Ma'afu Kristian Dacey/Andi Kyriacou Scott Andrew
Academy : ??? Rhys Williams Will Griff John

Im just hoping Bourrust ends up being an excellent scrummager and never gets injured, then we might stand a chance up front at least.

Still loads of foreign NWQ players involved for next season then?

maestegmafia wrote:

wales606 wrote:Pretorious made an excellent comeback, especially since he has hardly played this season and hasn't played at all since before Christmas.

If he can carry on like that at 8 in the form he was in last season, then with Paterson at 6 and Warbs at 7 we will at least have a superb backrow next season.

In fact, its only the front row where our forwards will struggle


Second Row

1st : Bradley Davies, Lou Reed
2nd : James Down, Michael Paterson
Academy : Cory Hill, McCauley Cook

Backrow

1st : Michael Paterson, Sam Warburton, Andreus Pretorious
2nd : Robin Copeland, Josh Navidi, Xavier Rush
Academy : Ellis Jenkins, Thomas Young, Luke Hamilton

Front Row

1st : Sam Hobbs Kristian Dacey/Andi Kyriacou Benoit Bourrust?
2nd : Campese Ma'afu Kristian Dacey/Andi Kyriacou Scott Andrew
Academy : ??? Rhys Williams Will Griff John

Im just hoping Bourrust ends up being an excellent scrummager and never gets injured, then we might stand a chance up front at least.

Still loads of foreign NWQ players involved for next season then?

2 in the first team - if Bourrust signs.

Do you know if the Blues are going to sign a back up Flyhalf or are they going to put up with Sweeney?

Smirnoffpriest wrote:Do you know if the Blues are going to sign a back up Flyhalf or are they going to put up with Sweeney?

At one point Sweeney was due to return to Ponty, but now he is staying - So I assume he will remain the backup, with Rhys Patchell being brought in a bit more.