Cardiff Blues Season Thread (Toulon fall in Cardiff)

[wales606]

First topic message reminder :

Keeping organised the ins and outs at the Blues leading into next season.

New Signing
Paetru Tamba (during the season)
Filo Paulo - North Harbour (confirmed)
Matthew Rees (confirmed)
Liam Davies (confirmed - until end of season)
Gethin Jenkins (confirmed)
Miles Normandale (confirmed)
Rhys Gill - Saracens (rumoured) Unlikely
Craig Mitchell - Exeter (rumoured) Unlikely
Adam Warren - Scarlets (rumoured)
Dan Lydiate - Dragons (mentioned) (rumoured)
Scott Williams - Scarlets (rumoured)
James Hook (rumoured - again)
Rodney So’oialo - Honda Heat (rumoured)
Aled Summerhill - Blues Academy
Ben Roach - Blues Academy
Ellis Jenkins - Blues Academy
Tom Pascoe - Blues Academy
Will Thomas - Blues Academy

Departures (all confirmed)
Jamie Roberts - Racing Metro
Ceri Sweeney - Exeter Chiefs
Tom James - Exeter Chiefs
Michael Paterson - Sale Sharks
Jason Tovey - Newport Gwent Dragons
Campese Ma'afu - Nottingham
Ryan Harford - Cardiff RFC
Nathan Trevett - London Welsh
Matthew Screech - Newport Gwent Dragons
Darren Harries - Scarlets
Jake Cooper Wooley - London Wasps
Cory Hill - Cornish Pirates
Petru Tamba - Unattached
Andi Kyriacou - Retired
Xavier Rush


Re-Signings
Alex Cuthbert (3 years)
Scott Andrews (2 years)
Josh Navidi (3 year)
James Down (unknown)
Andreus Pretorious (can't find the article...)
Marc Breeze (unknown)
Lewis Jones (unknown)
Lloyd Williams (3 years)
Tom Williams (3 years)
Rhys Patchell (3 years)
Sam Hobbs (?3 years?)
Rhys Williams (?3 years?)
Tom Davies (?3 years?)
Richard Smith (2 years)

[ScarletSpiderman]

Justin Burnell has been names coach of London Welsh

Hopefully he will want Baber as his backs coach!

I had a similar thought when I heard the news, that would work out nicely.

[Cardiff Dave]

Justin Burnell has been names coach of London Welsh

Hopefully he will want Baber as his backs coach!

From wiki;

He was appointed Forwards Coach of Cardiff Blues in 2008, assisting Dai Young in leading them to a Heineken Cup Semi-Final in 2009, winning the EDF in 2009 and winning the Amlin Challenge Cup in 2010.

[wales606]

Justin Burnell has been names coach of London Welsh

Hopefully he will want Baber as his backs coach!

From wiki;

He was appointed Forwards Coach of Cardiff Blues in 2008, assisting Dai Young in leading them to a Heineken Cup Semi-Final in 2009, winning the EDF in 2009 and winning the Amlin Challenge Cup in 2010.

Never had a huge problem with Burnell, although I don't think he is head coach material, or a very good scrum coach

It's Baber I have the big issue with - ever since he took over as backs coach we have been unable to score tries - pretty sure Zebra got more than us this season (it was close I know), he is completely incompetent and I haven't seen a single structured backs move in about 3 years.

Completely ruined the exciting rugby we played in '08 when the Blues scored some of the best tries I have ever seen in the EDF final and Heineken cup

[wales606]

Xavier Rush's departure as defence coach has been confirmed

He had a steep learning curve as a coach but has been a awesome servant of the Cardiff Blues and I hope he does well out of rugby.

[Coleman]

Wonder where he will go now, he seemed really settled in Cardiff.

[Guest]

Rush has never been the same since that on/off move to Ulster. 'Returned' a worse player, heart didn't seem in it, which led to retirement, and I don't think he was then ready for coaching. Some complete guesses in there from me, but I reckon that's about the size of it.

[wales606]

Wonder where he will go now, he seemed really settled in Cardiff.

He is "pursuing interests outside of rugby" so I imagine he will stay in Cardiff

[wales606]

Rush has never been the same since that on/off move to Ulster. 'Returned' a worse player, heart didn't seem in it, which led to retirement, and I don't think he was then ready for coaching. Some complete guesses in there from me, but I reckon that's about the size of it.

He still put in some massive performances - they just weren't as regular as previously

I will always remember him dragging the whole team through the Amlin semifinal away to Wasps in the pouring rain - he was a man possessed and was so determined to reach that final, think the final score was 9 - 6 and if we had any other 8 in the world I think we would have lost, he really put his heart into rugby at the Blues.

[XR]

Rushy is the first 'legend' of the blues time as a team, as 606 said and not just limited to the wasps game. He was a talisman for the blues and dragged us through so many games with his relentless carrying and tackling.

All the best to Xavier, legend.

[Coleman]

Looks like its 100% happening then. The WRU have gave their consent for the artificial pitch to be implemented. Do we not still need IRB consent though? I'm sure Sarries did.



http://www.cardiffblues.com/news/6415.php

[wales606]

IRB have given their consent, they are now going ahead

The interesting part is this...

WRU Group Chief Executive, Roger Lewis said:

"The WRU has received a grant application from the Blues for financial assistance, which I support.

[Coleman]

I thought that the new investor was bringing the capital to get the project started, not sure why we've gone to the WRU cap in hand.

[wales606]

I thought that the new investor was bringing the capital to get the project started, not sure why we've gone to the WRU cap in hand.

The £500,000 from the new investor was NOT for the pitch, that has been made clear previously

[XR]

Spoiler:

New blues kit, hasn't been revealed officially but it's in the new rugby challenge game. If it's anything like that, i'll definitely be getting the home jersey!!

[Coleman]

That would keep the RFC lot happy, won't do much to bring the Ponty lot on board though. But it does look good.

[XR]

We could always change the light blue stripes on the shirt to the black from their kit to appease them? Then it would be our blue and their black hoops on the jersey

[Cardiff Dave]

We could always change the light blue stripes on the shirt to the black from their kit to appease them? Then it would be our blue and their black hoops on the jersey

Careful now.

[XR]

[Cardiff Dave]

What's going on with these new fangled text boxes?

[XR]

No idea, i tried quoting a post earlier ad it came up in yellow and nowhere to write my text!

[XR]

From the BBC's sportsday feed:


[*]Andi Kyriacou is to join the Cardiff Blues coaching staff after being forced to retire due to injury. The 30-year-old former Ulster and Saracens hooker joined the Blues last summer, but suffered a prolapsed disc after making just five appearances. He underwent surgery before Christmas but has been unable to make a full recovery and will now become part of rugby director Phil Davies' coaching staff, working with the forwards.

[Scrumdown]

From the BBC's sportsday feed:


[*]Andi Kyriacou is to join the Cardiff Blues coaching staff after being forced to retire due to injury. The 30-year-old former Ulster and Saracens hooker joined the Blues last summer, but suffered a prolapsed disc after making just five appearances. He underwent surgery before Christmas but has been unable to make a full recovery and will now become part of rugby director Phil Davies' coaching staff, working with the forwards.

Jobs for the boys.

No experience of coaching whatsoever and a pretty average player yet will be paid to give Gethin Jenkins and Mathew Rees advice on their scrummaging!

The blues playing squad has enough talent to do well but unfortunately from coaching level up to board level the region is being led by a people who are simply not qualified for their roles.

[XR]

i wouldn't say jobs for the boys per-se as he's been with us only this season, it's not like a long serving player retired and was given a job.

I would reckon there's another reason and it's not beyond the realms of possibility that the blues have made him coach for a year until his 2 year deal runs out so they don't have to pay out compensation that they would if they terminated his contract now.

This is Peter Thomas you're talking about.

[Scrumdown]

i wouldn't say jobs for the boys per-se as he's been with us only this season, it's not like a long serving player retired and was given a job.

I would reckon there's another reason and it's not beyond the realms of possibility that the blues have made him coach for a year until his 2 year deal runs out so they don't have to pay out compensation that they would if they terminated his contract now.

This is Peter Thomas you're talking about.

But surely, insurance would cover any such costs.

Also the job has not even been advertised. Was Dale McIntosh able to apply?

The regions are not being run professionaly and this is the reason ( more than lack of funding) that they are failing.

[ScarletSpiderman]

i wouldn't say jobs for the boys per-se as he's been with us only this season, it's not like a long serving player retired and was given a job.

I would reckon there's another reason and it's not beyond the realms of possibility that the blues have made him coach for a year until his 2 year deal runs out so they don't have to pay out compensation that they would if they terminated his contract now.

This is Peter Thomas you're talking about.

But surely, insurance would cover any such costs.

Also the job has not even been advertised. Was Dale McIntosh able to apply?

The regions are not being run professionaly and this is the reason ( more than lack of funding) that they are failing.

I guess he has a home (and family? settled) that he was planning on staying in for 2yrs, and it is just easier to give him the job of passing out balls in training, or standing in the opposition scrum half possition for scrum/lineout practice, than it is to send him packing. After all 'now become part of rugby director Phil Davies' coaching staff, working with the forwards' doesn't necessarily mean that he will be too heavily involved.

[Jhamer25]

Andy Kyqrinsbdoe (whatever his name his) really!
I mean is seems like who ever retires from the blues gets an automatic coaching role their no matter what their experience is.
If our regions are going to excel and develop better players we need BETTER COACHES.

STUPID STUPID STUPID, might as well have Matthew Rees and Gethin Jenkins be players/coaches.
Scarlet Spiderman is right, imagine Andy trying to coach two of the most formidable front row players of our era on how to scrimmage. It's a joke.

[wales606]

Cory Hill is going to Moseley

[wales606]

Looks like a few signings will be announced over the next few weeks

Good signings too apparently (perhaps the budget has been boosted with the extra board member)

[Scrumdown]

Rhodri Manning, head of performance analysis at blues is son of Peter Manning (Peter Thomas side kick).  Did he have to apply for this job or was it just handed to him due to family connections?

[Coleman]

606, Where did you hear this? Have you heard any names?

[international197]

STUPID STUPID STUPID, might as well have Matthew Rees and Gethin Jenkins be players/coaches.
Scarlet Spiderman is right, imagine Andy trying to coach two of the most formidable front row players of our era on how to scrimmage. It's a joke.

I agree with you. I think Gethin Jenkins and Matthew Rees are experienced enough to not need 'coaching' anymore.

[theskippingpig]

Now I'm not a Blues fan, in fact far from it. I did however want to comment on the posts about Kyrkjghkfgjckgkucou taking up a coaching post. There are lots of players in lower leagues rugby who have coaches younger than them who didn't play at such a high level as those they are coaching, but its all about having a bit of respect. I'm sure Jenkins and Rees will be professional enough to train hard, listen and provide an example to younger players. Your never to experienced or old to learn, and I'm sure Graham Henry wasn't a great player, but he's not done too bad as a coach.

[Jhamer25]

Now I'm not a Blues fan, in fact far from it. I did however want to comment on the posts about Kyrkjghkfgjckgkucou taking up a coaching post. There are lots of players in lower leagues rugby who have coaches younger than them who didn't play at such a high level as those they are coaching, but its all about having a bit of respect. I'm sure Jenkins and Rees will be professional enough to train hard, listen and provide an example to younger players. Your never to experienced or old to learn, and I'm sure Graham Henry wasn't a great player, but he's not done too bad as a coach.

Your missing the point though, he has not coaching experience at all, nothing. He is just being drafted in because rush is leaving, they haven't obviously even looked at other potential coaches. They must have just though Oh Andy is retiring, he will do.

[theskippingpig]

Now I'm not a Blues fan, in fact far from it. I did however want to comment on the posts about Kyrkjghkfgjckgkucou taking up a coaching post. There are lots of players in lower leagues rugby who have coaches younger than them who didn't play at such a high level as those they are coaching, but its all about having a bit of respect. I'm sure Jenkins and Rees will be professional enough to train hard, listen and provide an example to younger players. Your never to experienced or old to learn, and I'm sure Graham Henry wasn't a great player, but he's not done too bad as a coach.

Your missing the point though, he has not coaching experience at all, nothing. He is just being drafted in because rush is leaving, they haven't obviously even looked at other potential coaches. They must have just though Oh Andy is retiring, he will do.

No one has coaching experience until they start???

[Jhamer25]

Now I'm not a Blues fan, in fact far from it. I did however want to comment on the posts about Kyrkjghkfgjckgkucou taking up a coaching post. There are lots of players in lower leagues rugby who have coaches younger than them who didn't play at such a high level as those they are coaching, but its all about having a bit of respect. I'm sure Jenkins and Rees will be professional enough to train hard, listen and provide an example to younger players. Your never to experienced or old to learn, and I'm sure Graham Henry wasn't a great player, but he's not done too bad as a coach.

Your missing the point though, he has not coaching experience at all, nothing. He is just being drafted in because rush is leaving, they haven't obviously even looked at other potential coaches. They must have just though Oh Andy is retiring, he will do.

No one has coaching experience until they start???


Yes but you don't start at a professional age grade do you, you start of with a junior group really and make your way up form their, he is going straight into a professional team with no experience. No team in the southern hemisphere would ever do that and they have some of the best coaches in the world. 

[wales606]

The pitch is coming up

[ScarletSpiderman]

606 are they flogging off lumps of turf? I would assume they would make a few bob selling it to fans, £10 a square half foot or something, more for tries line etc.

[international197]

606 are they flogging off lumps of turf? I would assume they would make a few bob selling it to fans, £10 a square half foot or something, more for tries line etc.

I think the Scarlets sold parts of the Stradey Park turf to fans. I believe selling the turf to fans would be a good way for the Blues to generate more revenue.

[Cardiff Dave]

606 are they flogging off lumps of turf? I would assume they would make a few bob selling it to fans, £10 a square half foot or something, more for tries line etc.

Keep up mun;
https://www.606v2.com/t45216-cardiff-blues-install-artificial-pitch#2125261

[Cardiff Dave]

Rhodri Manning, head of performance analysis at blues is son of Peter Manning (Peter Thomas side kick).  Did he have to apply for this job or was it just handed to him due to family connections?

Don't know.

[Cardiff Dave]

606, Where did you hear this? Have you heard any names?

The usual place.

[Cardiff Dave]

i wouldn't say jobs for the boys per-se as he's been with us only this season, it's not like a long serving player retired and was given a job.

I would reckon there's another reason and it's not beyond the realms of possibility that the blues have made him coach for a year until his 2 year deal runs out so they don't have to pay out compensation that they would if they terminated his contract now.

This is Peter Thomas you're talking about.

But surely, insurance would cover any such costs.

Also the job has not even been advertised. Was Dale McIntosh able to apply?

The regions are not being run professionaly and this is the reason ( more than lack of funding) that they are failing.

Again I don't know and would the Chief be interested anyway? Best ask him yourself I guess.
Maybe Cardiff Blues see Andi Kyriacou as a long term investment opportunity. Who knows and he'll only being assisting whatever that means.
As for your accusation about the "regions not being run professionally", what would you suggest Cardiff Blues do different?

[Notch]

Sorry to hear about Andi Kyriacou retiring. A great servant for Ulster in his time here, we probably got his best years. It didn't happen for him in Cardiff obviously but he was a good hooker with an excellent throw, good scrummager and good hands. Maybe just lacked the dynamism and workrate top hookers have. Impeccable at the set piece but not a lot else. Still, he never, ever let us down. Until he got wasted and pished in a taxi in Italy and Humphreys shipped him off to Cardiff, of course. This tribute is going a bit wonky. Anyway, good player sorry he's had to retire.

I don't know about him as a coach but I wish him the best of luck. Like I said he was as proficient at the set piece as anyone. He could do well, serving an apprenticeship under someone else.

[pioden gorllewin]

heard a kiwi centre was on his way in, but didn't think the announcement was going to be soon? maybe a pre-contract has been signed sooner than expected.

[wales606]

heard a kiwi centre was on his way in, but didn't think the announcement was going to be soon? maybe a pre-contract has been signed sooner than expected.

I have heard Kiwi centre

Not sure when signings will be announced

[international197]

I think the Blues are well covered in the centre for next season with the likes of Cory Allen, Gavin Evans, Dafydd Hewitt, Rhys Patchell (came on as a centre today v Japan) and Owen Williams all competing for berths there. I don't see the need to sign another centre.

[Jhamer25]

I think the Blues are well covered in the centre for next season with the likes of Cory Allen, Gavin Evans, Dafydd Hewitt, Rhys Patchell (came on as a centre today v Japan) and Owen Williams all competing for berths there. I don't see the need to sign another centre

Really though, if the blues want to be more competitive they have to do better than Gavin and Hewitt, they are both ok at defending I guess but offer nothing in attack.
glad Cory Allen and Owen Williams are coming of age, wales need more strength at centre than bluddy Jonathan Spratt. Also when you all say kiwi centre, is it an ITM cup level or a super XV level.  A cheap ITM player would be a waist of money and NWQ, they need a player with experience at a higher level. Not necessarily international level, but has a good bit of experience behind them and can do a good job.

[wales606]

I think the Blues are well covered in the centre for next season with the likes of Cory Allen, Gavin Evans, Dafydd Hewitt, Rhys Patchell (came on as a centre today v Japan) and Owen Williams all competing for berths there. I don't see the need to sign another centre.

Evans and Hewitt are pretty awful

Allen and Owen are very green

Patchell is a no10 and will only play no10

[pioden gorllewin]

corry allen is out for a while with shoulder injury, owen williams can't be expected to play a whole season. gavin evans and daf hewitt are solid enough, but not good enough to make the blues top 4 league contenders. that's why blues are looking at another centre.

[Cardiff Dave]

heard a kiwi centre was on his way in, but didn't think the announcement was going to be soon? maybe a pre-contract has been signed sooner than expected.

I have heard Kiwi centre

Not sure when signings will be announced

Tidy darts.

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