Mathew Rees Signs for the Blues

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2013/01/25/wales-and-lions-hooker-matthew-rees-signs-for-cardiff-blues-91466-32672839/

Wales and Lions hooker Matthew Rees has given the Blues a massive boost in their bold plan to re-establish themselves as a major force in European rugby.

He will join director of rugby Phil Davies’ Cardiff Arms Park revolution from their Welsh rivals Scarlets at the end of the campaign after signing a two-year deal.

“I feel that moving to the Blues will provide me with a fresh, new challenge that I am ready to tackle,” said the 32-year-old.

The former Wales skipper, who relinquished the captaincy to Sam Warburton when he was forced to pull out of the 2011 World Cup because of a neck injury, started for his country in last autumn’s big matches – against New Zealand and Australia.


And he is in caretaker coach Rob Howley’s squad for the huge Six Nations opener with Ireland at the Millennium Stadium.

Rees, who will battle for the Wales Number two jersey with Scarlets club-mate Ken Owens and in-form Ospreys ace Richard Hibbard, is glad to have his future ironed out before Wales begin the defence of the European title.


He wants to concentrate on hitting top form and putting forward his case to be selected for next summer’s Lions tour of Australia.

The 57-times capped Wales forward played in all three Test matches – starting alongside Gethin Jenkins and Adam Jones in an all-Welsh front-row in the second – during the 2009 Lions tour of South Africa.

And there’s a possibility Jenkins could join him at the Arms Park with the Blues not having given up complete hope on the loosehead prop rejoining them from French club Toulon.

Pontypridd product Rees, who is from Tonyrefail in the Blues region, acknowledged: “Leaving the Scarlets has been a tough decision to make after being there for so many years. It’s where I established myself as a player.

“However, I feel that this is the right decision at this point in my career.

“Joining the Blues at this stage will, I hope, freshen things up for me as I’ve still got ambitions to play for Wales.”

The rumours of smiler joining the blues have been around a while. guess it's good business for the scarlets as it free a fair bit of wages, which we can use for an openside & 8. Also it allows the likes of ken ownes, kirby Myhill, Emyr Phillips gametime to develop. However concerned it's another old head that's leaving the Scarlets. We already look rudderless without much leadership or experience.

Think he'll be a decent signing for the Blues, as they look to resolve their front five issues.

This was the worst kept secret in Wales, still at least it brings him closer to home, and perhaps he can bring the young Welsh forwards at the Blues on a bit. All in all a very good signing for the Blues.

To be honest it is a real shame to see him leave, but I think it is similar to when we saw Stephen Jones leave, whilst it sucks, it makes sense financially for both the player and the region.

I think he will be a massive boost for the Blues, providing that he doesn't get injured etc on international/lions duty.

I think this close season is going to be interesting, especially when you look at some of the players who are out of contract inside and outside of wales.

If I'm brutally honest, I couldn't care less. His heart hasnt been in it for the Scarlets since he was made Wales captain.

bit harsh glas, he's stood by us through some difficult times in the past. he's nearly 33, so an offer of a 2 year contract for him (also closer to his home) i can't blame him for taking it.

I don't blame him. I won't say that I'm glad he's gone for the same reasons as you, but you can't deny that he's gone stale in Parc Y Scarlets. You can hardly blame him. Look at the pack we had when he joined compared to the one that's there now. Shocking.

Yeah agree he has gone stale this year, and is probably leaving at the right time. But he's left us in a healthy position with the likes of Ken, Emyr and the Myhill brothers coming through.

Just hoping the money saved from his contract will help us recruit a bit more experience. Another David Lyons type at 8 would be ideal. Really lost any go forward ball carrying seen him and Morgan have left us. Think Murphy is a bit too small at present and Gog just isn't an 8. Risk is the wages saved from smiler will be used to renew Kens, Scotts and Turnbulls contracts (sure they'll be asking for an increase)

Still cant believe they left Gilbert go.

Don't shoot me for heresy, but either Scott or Foxy need to go to France. We cant afford to pay both, they are too similar anyway, and Wales would benefit.

gilbert going was madness, we didn't exactly cover ourselves in glory dealing with that situation.

tend to agree on the centre partnership, just doesn't work. also it's one position we are well stocked in. warren, maule, reynolds, owen, shingler etc all being able to play 12.

I hope the Scarlets re-invest the money released in developing welsh talent, and not go overseas buying foreign players.

I also agree that Scott and Foxy are too similar and I'd imagine that they're expensive to keep.

However, I do think the Scarlets should keep one of the two for the time being.

Yes.

I agree with the general view on here that it's not a bad thing that he's going. He has been a good servant to the club but we are well stocked with hookers (I hear there are more in Swansea, but that's another story!). Emyr Phillips has just signed a 3 year contract, and this will free up some money.

I mentioned on another thread that Williams and JD2 are too similar, and as (I think) ScarletSpiderman said, we really miss King, or at least a playmaker in the same mold. Glad that Shingler has come back as well.

think during this six week 6ns window. it will give us the opportunity to look at our centre options. adam warren has been selected at 12 for our LV game against Sale - so it will be interesting to see how he goes.

Interesting to see gareth owen is selected at 15 for this match....wonder if that's where we see his long term future (really needs to stick to one position now for his own sake)

on the topic of recruiting from overseens. Easterby has already gone on record they are looking at the super 15 and europe.

Scarlets would have been better off allowing jon davies leave for northampton last year and developing george north as a center.

With two very promising props in the squad in samson lee and Rhodri Jones they needed mathew rees to give them that experience and know how in the front row.

The scarlets would appear to be able to unearth quality backs at will and therefore they should be focusing the majority of their financial respurces on the forwards. They appear to be doing the exact opposite. First class welsh backs, second rate south african forwards.

Scrumdown wrote:Scarlets would have been better off allowing jon davies leave for northampton last year and developing george north as a center.

With two very promising props in the squad in samson lee and Rhodri Jones they needed mathew rees to give them that experience and know how in the front row.

The scarlets would appear to be able to unearth quality backs at will and therefore they should be focusing the majority of their financial respurces on the forwards. They appear to be doing the exact opposite. First class welsh backs, second rate south african forwards.

Does anyone else remember how dire Kahn Fotuali'i was when he first arrived at the Ospreys? At the time there were some people saying, well he has just joinned off a busy SH season, and is needing a rest. I am hoping the same can be said for our Saffer lads.

What we need is a Chris Wyatt sort of bloke involved in the pack, whether as a coach or a player, someone who knew how to be a nasty git as well as a skillful player. Because IMO the likes of Shingler Snr, Turnbull, McGog, and Kelly could all gain a heap from someone like that.

another potential boost, as i posted in the blues transfer thread, is that reports in france is that gethin jenkins is on his way back at the end of the season.

Toulon agreed to release him at the end of the season before but jenkins wouldn't take what the blues offered. I hope we've played hard ball with him and he's seen sense that it's not always about the money but about playing consistant rugby.

Scarletspiderman,

But kahn fotuali had pedigree. He had played super 15 rugby for the crusaders for a number of years and had also impressed for samoa in the world cup.

Earles, snyman and adriaanse were currie cup level players not deemed worthy of super 15 contracts in south africa let alone international caps. The argentinian second row was released by harlequins.

There is no comparison.

This could be good for everyone involved. I'd imagine many Scarlets are understandably disappointed at a long-time servant going to a rival but it'll allow them to focus on bringing through Owens and Myhill and it gives the Blues an established and experienced option in a position where they'd been lacking.

Hopefully Mark Breeze can learn off of Rees as well and give him competition for the starting 2 jersey

does this mean Andy Kyriacou will be released?

fair play a blues pack is already looking stronger:

Melon Smiler Andrews

Bradley Paulo

Paterson Copeland Warburton


Navidi, Lou Reed, Pretorius etc....back up.


Agree with SS there is an element of too many shrinking violets in our team.

Can't agree that all our saffers have been failures. Think Earle will get supporters player of the year, and possible captaincy next year. his attitude and commitment has been impressive from day one. start of the season he played with broken thumb and has helped us out at 6 also....always managed to top the stats charts with his tackles and workrate. snyman came over undercooked, after a delay in his visa. he's no bakkies botha but he's shown enough to proof he'll be a decent squad player for us. Adriaanse the TH I have concerns about, especially he's physically small. but he's had a long season without a break, so I'll hold judgment on him until next year.