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)

[Coleman]

Suprised my name wasnt in there. ^_^

[Cardiff Dave]

Suprised my name wasnt in there. ^_^

Good point. I'm the same dap as Dai Flan so who knows eh?

[Luckless Pedestrian]

The reason they're changing their kit I assume is to receive more money from selling a new kit.

What perception!

[wales606]

Blues press release at 7.30am Friday regarding new players

Rumours - 2-3 new players - 1 very good one

Rumours - Possible resigning of Sam and 1/2p

Lets see...

[wales606]

WRU top ups for Sam and Halfpenny?...

[wales606]

Coaching arrivals
Andi Kyriacou
Dale McIntosh
Mark Ring

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Don't know about Kyriacou, but the other two could turn out to be great appointments.

[Coleman]

This is the best day. Do we know in what capacity that they will both be coaching? Chief is already with the U-18's so he must have stepped up to a new role. Xav left his role as defensive coach so that's open.

[glamorganalun]

What role has PHil Davies ? Chief for forwards , Ring backs/attack but not sure of others? Will this improve relations within the region?

[Guest]

I expect this will be seen by the Ponty lot as stealing.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

They'll be burning effigies of McIntosh outside Sardis Road.

[Cardiff Dave]

Ponty Chief speaks;

http://www.ponty.net/chief-a-clarification

"Speculation over Dale McIntosh's future at Pontypridd RFC has been rife since the news broke this morning of his coaching at Cardiff Blues.

Pontypridd wish to stress that Chief is still Head Coach of Pontypridd, and his duties at the Blues will not impact upon his tenure at Sardis Road.
Speaking earlier, Dale said:

"It's very simple really, the Blues have asked me to come in to do some collision work with them. Two hours a week - and that's it. It won't cross over into anything I do with Pontypridd. Two hours a week - during the daytime - no big deal for Pontypridd."

As the heart of Pontypridd Rugby Football Club continues to beat, it surely beats the strongest in the breast of this man."

[Luckless Pedestrian]

"As the heart of Pontypridd Rugby Football Club continues to beat, it surely beats the strongest in the breast of this man."

What a self-aggrandising thing to say.

[Coleman]

Two hours a week, ohhh well. Baby steps.

[Cardiff Dave]

Looks like we're getting an Aussie centre.

[Cardiff Dave]

Coaching arrivals
Andi Kyriacou
Dale McIntosh
Mark Ring

Hardly arrivals as they're already here;

1) a trainee
2) 2 hours per week of bashing into things
3) The Cardiff legend has been here since November last year. I wonder if he'll teach Patchwell how to drop a goal backwards like?

Quarters. Nice.

[Cardiff Dave]

What role has PHil Davies ? Chief for forwards , Ring backs/attack but not sure of others? Will this improve relations within the region?

You've lost me.
If you are referring to The Chief, cut him and he will bleed Ponty. If you are referring to a Ponty/Cardiff type thing then that relationship will remain as is, so therefore no change.

[Guest]

It think it's a straightforward question Dave. At the time it sounded like Dale was a full time appointment. As such, it could have gone two ways in terms of regional relationships - either it would worsen them as Ponty fans may claim 'poaching' and they would be annoyed at losing such a good coach, or (less likely) they may see it as a positive in that a Ponty man was moving up, following a development pathway to pro rugby, a friend in the regional camp.

Now we know it's just two hours a week then this may be seen as a positive too - again, a friend in the camp, someone to potentially smooth out any problems, arguments, etc. May act as a regional peacemaker and go between of some sort. Perhaps demonstrates that Ponty are not being ignored, although the fans may not see it that way.

[Cardiff Dave]

It think it's a straightforward question Dave. At the time it sounded like Dale was a full time appointment. As such, it could have gone two ways in terms of regional relationships - either it would worsen them as Ponty fans may claim 'poaching' and they would be annoyed at losing such a good coach, or (less likely) they may see it as a positive in that a Ponty man was moving up, following a development pathway to pro rugby, a friend in the regional camp.

Now we know it's just two hours a week then this may be seen as a positive too - again, a friend in the camp, someone to potentially smooth out any problems, arguments, etc. May act as a regional peacemaker and go between of some sort. Perhaps demonstrates that Ponty are not being ignored, although the fans may not see it that way.

Where's Jimmy Moz when you need him? Take it away Jimmy!

[pioden gorllewin]

might be a bit confusing down the blues next season. sam warburton's twin brother ben has joined the physio team.

[Cardiff Dave]

might be a bit confusing down the blues next season. sam warburton's twin brother ben has joined the physio team.

A dead ringer as they say. Only seen him briefly on the telly and I couldn't tell the difference.

[wales606]

So the Lions player of the series has been a Cardiff Blue twice in a row.....so why can't we win anything?

[Cardiff Dave]

So the Lions player of the series has been a Cardiff Blue twice in a row.....so why can't we win anything?

[XR]

might be a bit confusing down the blues next season. sam warburton's twin brother ben has joined the physio team.

A dead ringer as they say. Only seen him briefly on the telly and I couldn't tell the difference.

Try playing in the same team as them, had to check the shirt numbers to get it right  

[wales606]

Vultures are circling around Halfpenny

http://www.espn.co.uk/wales/rugby/story/190823.html

[Cardiff Dave]

Vultures are circling around Halfpenny

http://www.espn.co.uk/wales/rugby/story/190823.html

Thought the French had finished their summer shopping. Obviously not.
If there are 3 clubs haggling over Shove then he must surely be a gonna.

[Cardiff Dave]

So the Lions player of the series has been a Cardiff Blue twice in a row.....so why can't we win anything?

Not blue and black enough most probably.

[wales606]

Were Blue and Black now it appears

http://www.cardiffblues.com/news/6459.php

[wales606]

Announcement of new player due fairly soon apparently

[GLove39]

Were Blue and Black now it appears

http://www.cardiffblues.com/news/6459.php

you seen the launch video?

- 'highlight' of the video comes at around the 2:30 mark.

Imagine Copeland will be getting a lot of stick from his team mates at the next training session..!

[Coleman]

Was down there for it, at the start when there was only like 5/6 of them i thought "typical Blues" but in the end it was good and Copeland is a hero! Good on him for that! Tidy new kit, would have been nice to have a player announcement or two down there.

[Jhamer25]

Was down there for it, at the start when there was only like 5/6 of them i thought "typical Blues" but in the end it was good and Copeland is a hero! Good on him for that! Tidy new kit, would have been nice to have a player announcement or two down there.

Thought it was Copeland.

How soon is soon though because it's not far from the start of the season now and pre season. I hope you Blues do get the players you require. A 10, center and tight head. Mainly a Center
Have any of you thought that Gonzalo Tiesi as an option for you. He would be a good signing

[XR]

omg we need to sign copeland on a 10 year contract just for that dancing alone! But see, someone like him who will do something like that is needed around our region. The reason Andy Powell went on a lions tour was that he's a character, he gets the boys laughing and copeland seems to do the same - also helps that he's a tidy player

Seriously...10 year contract, pieman ¬_¬

[Coleman]

I'm dreading when his contract runs out at the end of this season (i think). He's captain material, we need to tie him down, people like him turn a squad in to a team.

[XR]

I wouldn't say we'd make him captain but i know what you mean. We need to get him down for an additional 2 years on top of this contract.

[Coleman]

He's always seemed to be vocal when playing, he carries from the front and plays most of our games. We could do worse, if Pretorius can find some form again this season Robin, Pretorius and Josh is a good back row. Excited for this season!

[Comfort]

Pretorious looked very bulked up considering his shape before his injury. Hopefully this pre-season will see him shed some of that and get back to the dynamic player we saw a couple of seasons ago.

Agree with whats been said about Copeland.

Any news on the new signing guys? Havent found anything anywhere!

[wales606]

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/former-blacks-forward-rodney-sooialo-5321099

I saw that Rodney So’oialo was linked to the Scarlets, but apparently the Blues have been interested too.

Could this be the big signing that has been hinted at?

[Jhamer25]

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/former-blacks-forward-rodney-sooialo-5321099

I saw that Rodney So’oialo was linked to the Scarlets, but apparently the Blues have been interested too.

Could this be the big signing that has been hinted at?

If you lot sign him i will be tamping, fuming, raging.
You have 2 descent 8's in Copeland and Pretorius. We have nothing (literally nothing), Mccusker at best  
You guys need a center concentrate that rather than an 8. In other words, forget about Rodney and let us have him  

[Scrumdown]

why sign a 34 year old on a 6 figure salary whose legs have gone and then moan when you are £100k short of funds when halfpenny and jon davies come asking new contracts?

the scarlets 6 nwq players are absolute rubbish but must cost in the region of £500k!

[ScarletSpiderman]

why sign a 34 year old on a 6 figure salary whose legs have gone and then moan when you are £100k short of funds when halfpenny and jon davies come asking new contracts?

the scarlets 6 nwq players are absolute rubbish but must cost in the region of £500k!  

Players player of the season and fans player of the season. Yep that sums up absolute rubbish pretty well.

Personally I would rather see the Blues get Rodney, as I personally think he is a bit too much of a gamble of a signing, however I am not too sure why the Blues would want him. His main strenght now is that he is a leader, however the Blues have signed Smiler and Geth who have both been Wales captains, along side Bradley who captianed over the summer, and obviously Warbs. So not too sure what is to gain by getting an older, possible shot, number eight will be.

[pioden gorllewin]

Unless I have my wires mixed up. Dan lydiate retweeted about a 15 year old south Africa who has signed for the blues. Dan watts?

[XR]

He hasn't signed, he's just got in to the academy

[dragon999]

Unless I have my wires mixed up. Dan lydiate retweeted about a 15 year old south Africa who has signed for the blues. Dan watts?

Didn't he mean the Blue Bulls the South African team?

[George Carlin]

why sign a 34 year old on a 6 figure salary whose legs have gone and then moan when you are £100k short of funds when halfpenny and jon davies come asking new contracts?

the scarlets 6 nwq players are absolute rubbish but must cost in the region of £500k!  

Players player of the season and fans player of the season.  Yep that sums up absolute rubbish pretty well.

John Barclay would start at 7 in almost every team in the Rabo and most in the Premiership. WTF are you talking about?

[Coleman]

I think it's worth ignoring the comment about the Scarlet’s NWQ players. Other than the Argie Second Row, I’ve always thought that the Scarlet’s have signed well with their NWQ players. With that we could say the same. Still waiting on this "Big Summer Signing" I really hope that is isn’t Rodney. As much as I would like him, he's a recent target and we have supposedly had a big player lined up all summer. . . Until now it seems.

[pioden gorllewin]

coleman according to Walesonlie Rodney's wage demands were a bit too rich for us and the blues:

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/cardiff-blues-scarlets-set-end-5401216

Plus think there are a few issues with his knee.

So what's the story with this South African Dan Watts? Long way to travel just to join Blues academy. Any Welsh blood i him somewhere?

[XR]

Matthew Rees will captain the blues this season, good choice imo. Captained wales and will be available to us throughout the year which is an instant plus, it also means we can start copeland over pretorius as he's no longer captain.

[ScarletSpiderman]

Wasn't looking forward to seeing him in Blues colours this season, but as a captain too aaaaggggh. That said he is a good captain, and I think Phil gave him the captaincy at PYS too.

[Coleman]

Yeah Phil knows what he brings to a team in terms of drive and leadership, so I’ll go with it. I don't like the thought of someone coming in and being the captain but his reputation precedes him and i assume that most professional players in Wales know each other on some level so he's not a complete "new face". Still would have preferred Copes or Josh. Still no signing of our big summer sign and we're playing Wuz this weekend!

[Sponsored content]