Glasgow Warriors v Cardiff Blues, 6 September

by **George Carlin** Sun 01 Sep 2013, 7:23 pm

First topic message reminder :

Welcome to the new season. A cracking opening game presents itself.

Friday 6th September 2013
Kick off:19:35
Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow
Live on TG4 and BBC Teuchter

Referee: Dudley Phillips (IRFU, 35th competition game)
Assistant Referees: David Changleng, Graeme Marshall (both SRU)
Citing Commissioner: Iain Goodall (SRU)
TMO: Jim Yuille (SRU)

A. Form - Head to head:

Glasgow v Blues

20 Played 20
10 Wins 10
10 Losses 10
0 Draws 0
38 Tries 42
26 Conversions 28
47 Penalties 34
2 Drop Goals 1
389 Points 371
25 Avg. Age 25

B. Last season:

Saturday 6 October 18:30, Cardiff Arms Park
Cardiff Blues 3 - 18 Glasgow Warriors

Friday 1 March 19:35, Scotstoun
Glasgow Warriors 29 - 13 Cardiff Blues

C. Teams:

1. Glasgow monkey

15. Peter Murchie
14. Sean Lamont
13. Mark Bennett
12. Alex Dunbar
11. Byron McGuigan
10. Scott Wight
9. Henry Pyrgos

1. Jerry Yanuyanutawa
2. Pat MacArthur
3. Ed Kalman
4. Tim Swinson
5. Al Kellock (Captain)
6. Rob Harley
7. Chris Fusaro
8. Richie Vernon

Substitutes:
16. Fraser Brown
17. Gordon Reid
18. Moray Low
19. Tyrone Holmes
20. Jonny Gray
21. Chris Cusiter
22. Ruaridh Jackson
23. Tommy Seymour

2. Cardiff Wales

15.Tom Williams
14.Harry Robinson
13.Owen Williams
12.Gavin Evans
11.Chris Czekaj
10.Rhys Patchell
9.Lloyd Williams

8.Robin Copeland
7.Josh Navidi
6.Macauley Cook
5.Filo Paulo
4.Bradley Davies
3.Scott Andrews
2.Matthew Rees (C)
1.Taufa’ao Filise

Substitutes:
16.Marc Breeze
17.Sam Hobbs
18.Benoit Bourrust
19.James Down
20.Luke Hamilton
21.Lewis Jones
22.Gareth Davies
23.Dafydd Hewitt

D. Glasgow fans lexicon:

Time on these boards has demonstrated that Glasgow fans use an uncommonly broad selection of nicknames and slang to describe the various members of their team.

For those unfamiliar with this gibberish, the following may assist:

Alphabetty Spaghetti - D.T.H. van der Merwe, wing
Angel - Gabriel Ascarate, centre
Angela - Jon Welsh, prop
Barry - Byron McGuigan, wing
Big Boab - (see Ginger Tackle Monster, the)
Big Mike - (see Coo, the)
Big Naka - Leone Nakarawa, lock/loosie
Bluto - Josh Strauss, loosie/no.8
Centre, the - (see Lesser Messiah, the)
Coo, the - Michael Cusack, prop
Cooseetah - (see Cus)
Cus - Chris Cusiter, scrum half
DTH - (see Alphabetty Spaghetti)
Flippy - (see Toonie)
Fozzy - Christopher Fusaro, loosie
Furra Lineeeee - Peter Horne, centre
Ginger Tackle Monster, the - Rob Harley, loosie
Guns - Tim Swinson, lock
Henners - Henry Pyrgos, scrum half
Hoggy - Stuart Hogg, full back/wing/centre
Ickle Jon - Jonny Gray, lock
Jedi - James Eddie, loosie
Lesser Messiah, the - Richie Vernon, loosie/no.8
Mark of Nazareth - (see Messiah, the)
Meatball, the - Duncan Weir, fly half
Messiah, the/ angel

- Mark Bennett, centre
Niko - Nikola Matawalu, scrum half
Niko's Mate - Jerry Yanuyanutawa, prop
No Maits - Sean Maitland, wing
Rhubarb - Ruaridh Jackson, fly half
Ruck Inspector, the - Alastair Kellock, lock
Schlong - Sean Lamont, centre/wing
Sherlock - Tyrone Holmes, loosie
Shrek - Gordon Reid, prop
Toonie - Gregor Peter John Townsend MBE, head coach
Wee P - Pat MacArthur, hooker
Weegie from Fiji, the - (see Niko)

by Comfort Wed 04 Sep 2013, 11:25 am

Copeland's the man to give us real go-forward in the back row, pretty quick and strong in contact, was our best carrier last season and certainly outshone Pretorious (the less said the better really) and is someone Blues fan's are hoping can sign a new contract to keep him here for a while, hes a good player.

Gavin Evans is a regional level player when he's on form, worse when he's not Shocked

Owen Williams is from last years u20's, a very very quick 13, looks to break on the outside and has an eye for the try line. Played for the blues on the wing a number of times last season and I would hope this is his real breakthrough year for the region in his preferred position of 13. Look out for another youngster in a similar mould (but a larger frame and perhaps not as quick but stronger in contact) in Corey Allen. 12. Allen/13. Williams is probably most blues fans preferred pairing in the centre, more looking at their potential and to the future, it'd be a very pacey combo in midfield.

by wales606 Wed 04 Sep 2013, 11:32 am

George Carlin wrote:
wales606 wrote:Based on the preseason, the likely Blues team will be

1.Sam Hobbs
2. Matthew Rees (c)
3. Scott Andrews
4. Bradley Davies
5. Filo Paulo
6. Andrieus Pretorious
7. Josh Navidi
8. Robin Copeland
9. Lloyd Williams
10. Rhys Patchell
11. Harry Robinson
12. Gavin Evans
13. Owen Williams
14. Tom Williams
15. Dan Fish/Chris Czekaj

16. Marc Breeze
17. Tau Filise
18. Benoit Bourrust
19. James Down
20. McCauley Cook
21. Lewis Jones
22. Gareth Davies
23. Daffydd Hewitt
Forwards look strong Wales606. What can you tell the uninitiated (i.e. me) about your No 8 and your centres?

by wales606 Wed 04 Sep 2013, 11:38 am

Why didn't that send :/

Copeland is our best signing from last season. He was championship player of the season at Rotherham and came to the Blues as a 4/5/6/8 player. He was by far our best attacking forward last season. He is our best ball carrier, has a good eye for an offload and is very quick

Gavin Evans a solid club man. Good defender, but uncreative in attack. His combination with Hewitt last season was the reason the Blues scored less tries than Zebre. Phil Davies loves him though, and he is vice-captain again this season, although he will likely find himself at 12 more often than his usual 13.

Owen Williams is a quick young centre who has come through the U20s and 7s. He played a lot at 14 last season, but will hopefully find himself at his better 13 this year. He has a good eye for a gap and made more midfield breaks from the wing last season than both our centres combined - he made another in the preseason game against Sale picking a clever angle from a Copeland run and crossing unopposed. Hopefully, he is the new Tom Shanklin.

by **George Carlin** Wed 04 Sep 2013, 11:48 am

wales606 wrote:Why didn't that send :/

Copeland is our best signing from last season. He was championship player of the season at Rotherham and came to the Blues as a 4/5/6/8 player. He was by far our best attacking forward last season. He is our best ball carrier, has a good eye for an offload and is very quick

Gavin Evans a solid club man. Good defender, but uncreative in attack. His combination with Hewitt last season was the reason the Blues scored less tries than Zebre. Phil Davies loves him though, and he is vice-captain again this season, although he will likely find himself at 12 more often than his usual 13.

Owen Williams is a quick young centre who has come through the U20s and 7s. He played a lot at 14 last season, but will hopefully find himself at his better 13 this year. He has a good eye for a gap and made more midfield breaks from the wing last season than both our centres combined - he made another in the preseason game against Sale picking a clever angle from a Copeland run and crossing unopposed. Hopefully, he is the new Tom Shanklin.

by ScarletSpiderman Wed 04 Sep 2013, 11:53 am

606 - In fairness to Gavin he works well with a creative centre alongside him, maybe with Williams at 13 or even Allen at 12 instead, I think he could find some form. That said I think Phil Davies used to play the more creative centre at 12 so not too sure how that will pan out for the Blues.

by wales606 Wed 04 Sep 2013, 4:03 pm

Pretorious is apparently out injured for another week, on the plus side, Cory Allen should be fit next week

Don't know who will play 6. McCauley Cook, Rory Watts-Jones or Lewis Young (at 7, Navidi to 6) could all play.

by **George Carlin** Thu 05 Sep 2013, 11:48 am

Pretorious being out is huge for us, bad news for Cardiff.

Glasgow team will be out in the next half an hour apparently.

Only 200 seats and 300 standing places are left from Glasgow's allocation for this game, apparently. That's pretty good for a stadium with 9,700 capacity. Does anyone know how tickets are carved up between home and away fans?

by ScarletSpiderman Thu 05 Sep 2013, 11:54 am

wales606 wrote:Pretorious is apparently out injured for another week, on the plus side, Cory Allen should be fit next week

Don't know who will play 6. McCauley Cook, Rory Watts-Jones or Lewis Young (at 7, Navidi to 6) could all play.

Whats happened to Luke Hamilton?

by wales606 Thu 05 Sep 2013, 11:57 am

ScarletSpiderman wrote:
wales606 wrote:Pretorious is apparently out injured for another week, on the plus side, Cory Allen should be fit next week

Don't know who will play 6. McCauley Cook, Rory Watts-Jones or Lewis Young (at 7, Navidi to 6) could all play.
Whats happened to Luke Hamilton?

Hamilton could play too, but Cook and Watts-Jones are most likely imo

by IanBru Thu 05 Sep 2013, 12:06 pm

Glasgow Warriors team to play Cardiff Blues, RaboDirect PRO12, Scotstoun Stadium, Friday 6 September (kick-off 7.35pm):

15. Peter Murchie

14. Sean Lamont

13. Mark Bennett

12. Alex Dunbar

11. Byron McGuigan

10. Scott Wight

9. Henry Pyrgos

1. Jerry Yanuyanutawa

2. Pat MacArthur

3. Ed Kalman

4. Tim Swinson

5. Al Kellock (Captain)

6. Rob Harley

7. Chris Fusaro

8. Richie Vernon

16. Fraser Brown

17. Gordon Reid

18. Moray Low

19. Tyrone Holmes

20. Jonny Gray

21. Chris Cusiter

22. Ruaridh Jackson

23. Tommy Seymour

Not available due to injury: Gabriel Ascarate (chest), Mike Cusack (shoulder), Pete Horne (knee), Niko Matawalu (foot), Duncan Weir (ankle), Ryan Wilson (shoulder).

by wales606 Thu 05 Sep 2013, 12:08 pm

15.Tom Williams 14.Harry Robinson 13.Owen Williams 12.Gavin Evans 11.Chris Czekaj 10.Rhys Patchell 9.Lloyd Williams
8.Robin Copeland 7.Josh Navidi 6.Macauley Cook 5.Filo Paulo 4.Bradley Davies 3.Scott Andrews 2.Matthew Rees (C) 1.Taufa’ao Filise

16.Marc Breeze 17.Sam Hobbs 18.Benoit Bourrust 19.James Down 20.Luke Hamilton 21.Lewis Jones 22.Gareth Davies 23.Dafydd Hewitt

Interesting choice at fullback, the rest as expected

by Captain_Sensible Thu 05 Sep 2013, 12:10 pm

Strong Glasgow bench, nice to see Jackson back but it’s a shame for Finn Russell who played well in pre-season. Slightly concerned that Josh Strauss hasn’t recovered from his ‘slight knock’ just before the Exeter game last weekend. Also surprised to see Yanuyanutawa starting.

by **George Carlin** Thu 05 Sep 2013, 12:12 pm

[Blues team already posted]

by Coleman Thu 05 Sep 2013, 12:16 pm

Might want to update the original post. The game is going to be live on BBC Alba. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b039bdk4

by wales606 Thu 05 Sep 2013, 12:18 pm

Any Glasgow fan want to enlighten me about Scott Wight? I assumed Weir or Jackson would start?

Could be a good area for Patchell and williams to target

by Captain_Sensible Thu 05 Sep 2013, 12:27 pm

wales606 wrote:Any Glasgow fan want to enlighten me about Scott Wight? I assumed Weir or Jackson would start?

Could be a good area for Patchell and williams to target

Weir is injured and Jackson is just coming back from a wee knock.

Wight is solid, basically. Decent defence, not much of a runner but he organises and distributes effectively enough. Goal-kicking is a weakness, but hopefully the Weedge will score enough tries to make that less of a problem!

by **George Carlin** Thu 05 Sep 2013, 12:41 pm

Captain_Sensible wrote:
wales606 wrote:Any Glasgow fan want to enlighten me about Scott Wight? I assumed Weir or Jackson would start?

Could be a good area for Patchell and williams to target
Weir is injured and Jackson is just coming back from a wee knock.

Wight is solid, basically. Decent defence, not much of a runner but he organises and distributes effectively enough. Goal-kicking is a weakness, but hopefully the Weedge will score enough tries to make that less of a problem!

Agree with this. The Glasgow selection is a clear decision by Toonie to reward form shown in the pre-season games (McGuigan, Vernon, Wight, which I have no problem with.

606 - Wight is solid enough, doesn't have the razzle dazzle of Patchell but with Dunbar and Bennett outside him, he doesn't really need to. Wight did well in pre-season games and his kicking against Exeter was particularly good. If he struggles, Jackson will be on sharpish.

Very well balanced back row - slightly strange to see no Strauss - could be injury, could just be a reason to rest him. No DTH either, indicating that with Lions and recent internationalists there is a Glasgow policy to ease them in gently.

Exceptionally strong Glasgow bench - all internationalists apart from Jonny Gray (who's too young) and Holmes (who's an ex-Stormer and who will be just fine).

by Captain_Sensible Thu 05 Sep 2013, 12:50 pm

George Carlin wrote:
Captain_Sensible wrote:
wales606 wrote:Any Glasgow fan want to enlighten me about Scott Wight? I assumed Weir or Jackson would start?

Could be a good area for Patchell and williams to target
Weir is injured and Jackson is just coming back from a wee knock.

Wight is solid, basically. Decent defence, not much of a runner but he organises and distributes effectively enough. Goal-kicking is a weakness, but hopefully the Weedge will score enough tries to make that less of a problem!
Agree with this. The Glasgow selection is a clear decision by Toonie to reward form shown in the pre-season games (McGuigan, Vernon, Wight, which I have no problem with.

606 - Wight is solid enough, doesn't have the razzle dazzle of Patchell but with Dunbar and Bennett outside him, he doesn't really need to. Wight did well in pre-season games and his kicking against Exeter was particularly good. If he struggles, Jackson will be on sharpish.

Very well balanced back row - slightly strange to see no Strauss - could be injury, could just be a reason to rest him. No DTH either, indicating that with Lions and recent internationalists there is a Glasgow policy to ease them in gently.

Exceptionally strong Glasgow bench - all internationalists apart from Jonny Gray (who's too young) and Holmes (who's an ex-Stormer and who will be just fine).

I've been very impressed with Jonny Gray's performances in the pre-season games. Won't be long until he gets a cap, me thinks.

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Thu 05 Sep 2013, 12:53 pm

That's a good looking Glasgow team, and pre-season performances have been rewarded. From the back, Lamont pips Seymour for 'effort', and I'm glad that McGuigan has been retained ahead of DTH (altho the latter will come in soon). That's the ideal centre pairing for me, and Scott Wight deserves his chance at 10. No word on injuries to Strauss and Welsh, but am assuming both are still recovering from knocks - it'll be a long season and we'll see plenty of them. Jerry Y is a ball-carrying unit, so happy for him to get the nod, plus we need at least one Weegie from Fiji (Tonga) on the pitch!

by Dorothy_Mantooth Thu 05 Sep 2013, 12:53 pm

wales606 wrote:Any Glasgow fan want to enlighten me about Scott Wight? I assumed Weir or Jackson would start?

Could be a good area for Patchell and williams to target

Very much doubt he would have got a new contract had Weir not got injured at the end of last season.

I think Cardiff have a real chance in this one.

by **George Carlin** Thu 05 Sep 2013, 1:07 pm

Dorothy_Mantooth wrote:
wales606 wrote:Any Glasgow fan want to enlighten me about Scott Wight? I assumed Weir or Jackson would start?

Could be a good area for Patchell and williams to target
Very much doubt he would have got a new contract had Weir not got injured at the end of last season.

I think Cardiff have a real chance in this one.

Let's hear no more of that sort of talk, Dot.
Glasgow Warriors v Cardiff Blues, 6 September - Page 2 Dads-a10

by Captain_Sensible Thu 05 Sep 2013, 1:11 pm

Dorothy_Mantooth wrote:
wales606 wrote:Any Glasgow fan want to enlighten me about Scott Wight? I assumed Weir or Jackson would start?

Could be a good area for Patchell and williams to target
Very much doubt he would have got a new contract had Weir not got injured at the end of last season.

I think Cardiff have a real chance in this one.

The Cardiff team selected isn't great. They have the edge at flyhalf and hooker, but that's about it. If the Glasgow forwards can get into their groove, it could be a long night for the Blues.

by The Saint Thu 05 Sep 2013, 1:16 pm

606 - is the lad at full back Brynmor's other son? Your forward pack looks pretty strong, I guess they have a good chance for a change.

by Dorothy_Mantooth Thu 05 Sep 2013, 1:30 pm

George Carlin wrote:
Dorothy_Mantooth wrote:
wales606 wrote:Any Glasgow fan want to enlighten me about Scott Wight? I assumed Weir or Jackson would start?

Could be a good area for Patchell and williams to target
Very much doubt he would have got a new contract had Weir not got injured at the end of last season.

I think Cardiff have a real chance in this one.
Let's hear no more of that sort of talk, Dot.

Ha Ha. Still backing us for the win.

by Dorothy_Mantooth Thu 05 Sep 2013, 1:31 pm

Low on the bench as TH cover is an interesting selection. No Welsh and he is not listed as injured.

by funnyExiledScot Thu 05 Sep 2013, 1:35 pm

Good team. Slightly surprised that Seymour is on the bench rather than Lamont or McGuigan but I have no difficulty in backing Toonie for rewarding form. McGuigan had a strong pre-season and form/confidence is extremely important for a winger. Still, Seymour is a better player in my view.

Good team. Glasgow should win this with something to spare.

by wales606 Thu 05 Sep 2013, 2:04 pm

The Saint wrote:606 - is the lad at full back Brynmor's other son? Your forward pack looks pretty strong, I guess they have a good chance for a change.

Yep, he played a bit at the start of last season, but was a bit cr*p - didn't live up to his hat-trick in preseason last year.

I can't wait for this game. The Blues finally have a good atmosphere off the pitch and there seems to be a good vibe running through the players. If we can take a point from this game then we will be in good stead, with a series of easy home games and difficult away trip - if we take points in the away trips and win our home games we should be in a good position come Christmas.

If the Blues pull off a shock win, it will be a huge boost to the sides confidence following the 2 wins in pre-season and going into a home game against Connacht. Think we will need some Patchell magic...

by butterfingers Thu 05 Sep 2013, 2:55 pm

I quite like the balance of the Blues back row, Cook was never going to look good at lock, but at 6 with Navidi open they could compliment each other. Very lightweight with Copeland as a unit though.

Blus lock partnership could be promising too, destructive in the loose, and plenty of size, if lacking some brains.

I would much prefer to see Hobbs instead of Filise (how is this guy still playing?)

Worried about our defence out wide, Phil couldn't organise a pish up let alone a defencive line, and you know he thinks is his thing so gets way too involved with it, so the likes of both Williams, Robinson and Cjekai are going to have to be error free...

by **George Carlin** Thu 05 Sep 2013, 3:02 pm

Can I also add on a completely random note that I genuinely think Cardiff has managed to simultaneously produce both the best and the worst new season strips this year:

1. Oil painting:
Glasgow Warriors v Cardiff Blues, 6 September - Page 2 Beauty11

Glasgow Warriors v Cardiff Blues, 6 September - Page 2 Beauty11

2. Oil slick:
Glasgow Warriors v Cardiff Blues, 6 September - Page 2 Beast12

by Knowsit17 Thu 05 Sep 2013, 3:57 pm

Surely the Blues could be doing more with their academy rather than fielding the same deadwood as numerous seasons passed (Czekaj, Filise out of position) and playing without a specialist 8. Must say I've never rated Gavin Evans a great deal either. Little wonder they've shot backwards and downwards (in the table) in recent seasons.

by wales606 Thu 05 Sep 2013, 4:02 pm

Knowsit17 wrote:Surely the Blues could be doing more with their academy rather than fielding the same deadwood as numerous seasons passed (Czekaj, Filise out of position) and playing without a specialist 8. Must say I've never rated Gavin Evans a great deal either. Little wonder they've shot backwards and downwards (in the table) in recent seasons.

What "specialist" no8 would you play then?

Who do you think should replace the 10 times capped Czekaj?

Who will provide experience in midfield without Evans? Can the other options match him defensively while Allen is injured?

by wales606 Thu 05 Sep 2013, 4:07 pm

As for academy players,

Scott Andrews (capped)
Bradley Davies (capped)
Mac Cauley Cook
Josh Navidi (capped)
Lloyd Williams (capped)
Rhys Patchell (capped)
Owen Williams (capped)
Chris Czekaj (capped)
Harry Robinson (capped)
Tom Williams

So that is 10 academy players in the 15, 8 of whom has represented Wales.

You can add the 5 academy player on the bench and the 2 former RFC players

Then add Warburton, Halfpenny, Roberts and Cuthbert to have come through in the last 4 years.

by Knowsit17 Thu 05 Sep 2013, 4:16 pm

wales606 wrote:
Knowsit17 wrote:Surely the Blues could be doing more with their academy rather than fielding the same deadwood as numerous seasons passed (Czekaj, Filise out of position) and playing without a specialist 8. Must say I've never rated Gavin Evans a great deal either. Little wonder they've shot backwards and downwards (in the table) in recent seasons.
What "specialist" no8 would you play then?

Who do you think should replace the 10 times capped Czekaj?

Who will provide experience in midfield without Evans? Can the other options match him defensively while Allen is injured?

That's exactly my point, it's appalling that the Blues have still found nobody to fill the void left by Rush. Pretorius is sub-standard.

Haven't rated Czekaj in a long time. Far down the pecking order for Wales even when he was younger and fitter and the wings were less competitive, hence why he didn't win more caps. What does he offer? I haven't seen him make an impact in big games or, for that matter, many less significant games for the Blues in years.

Same goes to Evans. Phil Davies is dumber than I thought making someone like that vice-captain. How frequently has he even been first-choice in the past?

I honestly can't see how Blues could hope to progress or be in with a chance of winning anything given how weak they are in certain positions.

by wales606 Thu 05 Sep 2013, 4:22 pm

Who would you replace Czekaj or Evans with then?

As for Copeland, you obviously haven't watched the Blues much, he far better used at 8 than 6. He is a huge ball carrier and very quick, the closest thing to Rush the Blues have, and a better no8 than anyone at the Scarlets or Ospreys.

by jimbopip Thu 05 Sep 2013, 4:32 pm

George, I think referring to Fraser Brown as an internationalist is, like my waistband, stretching things a little too far for comfort. he hardly has had enough appearances to qualify as a Glasgow player yet.
It's a capable looking side and if Niko's mate holds up in the scrum then the back row could do a lot of damage. The bench is interesting; who will Wee Jonny replace? Ruaridh to come on against a tiring defence? Schlong to come on at 13? I stand by my prediction that the Blues will be lucky to get a LBP.
p.s. Mrs Pip watching local weather forecast, "Oh no it's going to rain all Friday!"
"Yes I can wear my new boots. The ground will be nice and soft." And the changing rooms will reek of damp concrete, mud and Ralgex. Stuff yer Madeleines French boy.

by Knowsit17 Thu 05 Sep 2013, 4:33 pm

Re Czekaj and Evans: my point isn't that there's an obvious option to replace them. Have the Blues been making any effort to draft options into the squad to provide competition in those positions? They can't be, at least not as much as they could be doing, if they're still starting players like this for season openers. And as a result I predict they'll struggle as badly or worse this season than the last couple.

by The Saint Thu 05 Sep 2013, 5:00 pm

Knowsit17 wrote:Re Czekaj and Evans: my point isn't that there's an obvious option to replace them. Have the Blues been making any effort to draft options into the squad to provide competition in those positions? They can't be, at least not as much as they could be doing, if they're still starting players like this for season openers. And as a result I predict they'll struggle as badly or worse this season than the last couple.

They're favourites of Phil Davies. And I think the problem lies with whomever runs the Blues, they're the ones who hire players and coaches. The squad depth is weak and Phil is probably the worst coach to come out of Wales, up there with Gareth Jenkins.

by **George Carlin** Thu 05 Sep 2013, 5:04 pm

Jimbo - perhaps I did get ahead of myself. I know that Big Fras was called into the Scotland squad for the rest of the Quadrangular and I actually thought got some game time. Did I overreach?

If at any stage in the game it transpires that it's jubblies up/asbestos underpants time, Toonie always has the option of emptying his bench and if he does, I agree that Glasgow really should have too much, especially with a big home crowd behind them. That said, I honestly believe Blues will have improved a lot since last year.

by wales606 Thu 05 Sep 2013, 5:07 pm

Knowsit17 wrote:Re Czekaj and Evans: my point isn't that there's an obvious option to replace them. Have the Blues been making any effort to draft options into the squad to provide competition in those positions? They can't be, at least not as much as they could be doing, if they're still starting players like this for season openers. And as a result I predict they'll struggle as badly or worse this season than the last couple.

Evans has competition from Owen Williams (which is why he is playing 12), Daffydd Hewitt, Richard Smith, Cory Allen and Tom Pascoe

Czekaj has competition from Dan Fish, Tom Williams and Aled Summerhall

The coaches have decided that none of those ACADEMY players are good enough to replace them at the moment

Would you rather we had brough in a NWQ wing and centre - although wouldn't that be wasting our academy???

Not every academy has a new exciting player in every position that can immediately come through and knock out all the experienced average players, and not every club can afford to buy Bryan Habana and Ma Nonu to fill in their teamsheets.

Gavin Evans may be unspectacular, but he is one of the few who really gives 100% all the time and that is why Phil Davies likes him and why he is vice-captain - to encourage the young players to do the same.

Czekaj (while a better FB than winger) is pretty much our only option in the back 3 at the moment, and he is pretty solid one - losing Tom James is a big blow for the Blues, but Czekaj is not a bad deputy for Halfpenny/Cuthbert. Especially considering the only back 3 option in our entire squad at the moment are Fish, Williams, Robinson and Czekaj. Czekaj is probably the most reliable player on that list. (and no, there aren't 4 magical back 3 players to pull out of a drawer)

by wales606 Thu 05 Sep 2013, 5:13 pm

The Saint wrote:
Knowsit17 wrote:Re Czekaj and Evans: my point isn't that there's an obvious option to replace them. Have the Blues been making any effort to draft options into the squad to provide competition in those positions? They can't be, at least not as much as they could be doing, if they're still starting players like this for season openers. And as a result I predict they'll struggle as badly or worse this season than the last couple.
They're favourites of Phil Davies. And I think the problem lies with whomever runs the Blues, they're the ones who hire players and coaches. The squad depth is weak and Phil is probably the worst coach to come out of Wales, up there with Gareth Jenkins.

I agree that Davies is a furious

coach, however, Czekaj certainly isn't amongst his list of favourites. Czekaj barely got a game last year, even though Robinson and Tom Williams were playing like urine and Fish was injured. Czekaj is the only option for this game, short of moving our best centre out of position, im glad Davies is using Czekaj rather than having another season of Hewitt-Evans in midfield.

Gavin Evans is a dedicated player who is there to provide experience and work his ass off in defence. I was impressed with his work-rate in pre-season and he clearly gives everything for the cause. Once again, he is pretty much the only option, Richard Smith is the only other fit centre, and although he is decent enough, he doesn't offer much more than Evan in attack and lacks in defence and experience. Until Cory Allen gets fit, Evans is a pretty decent replacement in midfield.

by wales606 Thu 05 Sep 2013, 5:15 pm

For reference.

Chris Czekaj, minutes played

2010-11 (before Davies took charge) : 1421 minutes
2011-12 (after Davies took charge) : 246 minutes

by Newsilure Thu 05 Sep 2013, 5:48 pm

I agree 606, CC is the most reliable back 3 selection that we have at the moment and I don't see him as a weak link, he is still only 27 and at his best has been and can still be a real attacking threat. I don't have such warm feelings about Gavin Evans but agree that our accademy system is functioning well to bring on replacements. In Cory Allen and Owen Williams we have two very promising players and if only we had another 10 Patchell could also be considered for that 12 spot ... although that would probably be a waste of his talent.

Isn't it great to have rugby bacthis is the best time of year when we are all optimistic before the first game!

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Thu 05 Sep 2013, 5:51 pm

I have to say that I'm impressed by (and not at all immune to) the optimism shown by our friends from Cardiff - perhaps the 4-point win that I imagined would be Glasgow's going on form from the tail end of last season will not be anywhere near as forthcoming as I'd thought. You've certainly made me a little nervous, and it does sound impressive the way that youngsters are being brought on rather than going down the foreign journeyman route - full credit clap

by funnyExiledScot Thu 05 Sep 2013, 6:18 pm

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:I have to say that I'm impressed by (and not at all immune to) the optimism shown by our friends from Cardiff - perhaps the 4-point win that I imagined would be Glasgow's going on form from the tail end of last season will not be anywhere near as forthcoming as I'd thought. You've certainly made me a little nervous, and it does sound impressive the way that youngsters are being brought on rather than going down the ~~foreign journeyman~~ Edinburgh route - full credit

Just a small tweak.

by wales606 Thu 05 Sep 2013, 9:35 pm

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:I have to say that I'm impressed by (and not at all immune to) the optimism shown by our friends from Cardiff - perhaps the 4-point win that I imagined would be Glasgow's going on form from the tail end of last season will not be anywhere near as forthcoming as I'd thought. You've certainly made me a little nervous, and it does sound impressive the way that youngsters are being brought on rather than going down the foreign journeyman route - full credit

Still probably a season off pushing for the playoff at the moment.

However, last season we lost all our pre-season games, our team had just been decimated by retirements, we were miles in the red and our best midfield was Sweeney-Hewitt-Evans.

At least this season we have started with wins. Our young forwards and back seem to be coming through and we should have a better platform with Gethin and Rees in the front (along with the new scrum laws)

Glasgow are still the favourites, but hopefully we should actually be able to give you guys a game this year.

I would be ecstatic with a win
I would be pretty happy with a LBP
I would be ok with losing by less than 2 scores

Of course my new season optimism will probably be ruined when we lose by 50+

by reallybored Fri 06 Sep 2013, 12:50 am

Really excited to see how Glasgow start the season.

Been very impressed with Townsend, obviously he inherited a great foundation and has good assistants but he deserves a lot of credit for the way they played last season. At full throttle they were very difficult to live with, racked up bonus points for fun after Christmas.

Shame that Grant, Strauss, Matawalu, Weir, DTH, Maitland and Hogg are absent but looking forward to seeing the back-row and centre partnership.

Glasgow by 10.

by Blueschief Fri 06 Sep 2013, 1:34 am

I'll be happy with a LBP being away from home, tho I haven't felt this optimistic about Cardiff for a good few years, can't see us getting a play off spot tho. Glasgow should have too much for us tho.

by **George Carlin** Fri 06 Sep 2013, 7:19 am

Can I ask Blues fans whether current WRU/province signing spolicy is likely to prevent another Rush-esque talisman from signing for the team? What is the current edict for non-WQs?

Rush lifted the entire team when he was here, or so it seemed to me.

by **RDW** Fri 06 Sep 2013, 7:44 am

Just read that Josh Strauss is going to be playing for Aberdeen grammar tomorrow - ooft!

by wales606 Fri 06 Sep 2013, 8:15 am

George Carlin wrote:Can I ask Blues fans whether current WRU/province signing spolicy is likely to prevent another Rush-esque talisman from signing for the team? What is the current edict for non-WQs?

Rush lifted the entire team when he was here, or so it seemed to me.

Blues are allowed 6 NWQ players and 2 project players

At the moment, the Blues have

Filise
Bourrust
Paulo
Copeland (project)

So we are well under the limit at the moment, the problem is, that there aren't many Xavier Rush's around - and most of them are high profile and therefore, playing in Toulon.

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