Cardiff Blues Season Thread 2 - Rey Lee-Lo signs long term at centre

by wales606 Mon 21 Oct 2013, 4:33 pm

Prop
Gethin Jenkins, Adam Jones, Taufa'ao Filise, Craig Mitchell, Sam Hobbs, Scott Andrews, Thomas Davies, Dillon Lewis

Hooker
Matthew Rees, Kristian Dacey, Marc Breeze, Rhys Williams, Ethan Lewis

2nd Row
Jarrad Hoeata, Filo Paulo, Lou Reed, Chris Dicomidis, Miles Normadale

Flanker
Sam Warburton, Josh Turnbull, Macauley Cook, Ellis Jenkins, Josh Navidi, Rory Watts-Jones, Jevon Groves, Ben Roach

Eight
Manoa Vosawai, Ieaun Jones

Scrum half
Tavis Knoyle, Lloyd Williams, Lewis Jones, Tomos Williams

Fly half
Rhys Patchell, Gareth Anscombe, Gareth Davies, Simon Humberstone, Jarrod Evans, Will Thomas

Centre
Cory Allen, Dafydd Hewitt, Gavin Evans, Richard Smith, Tom Pascoe, Adam Thomas, Garyn Smith (Ray Lee-Lo)

Wing
Alex Cuthbert, ~~George Watkins~~, Lucas Amorisino, Harry Davies, Owen Jenkins, Chris Knight, Tom Williams (Tom James)

Full back
Joaquin Tuculet, Dan Fish, Geraint Walsh, Aled Summerhill

by wales606 Mon 21 Oct 2013, 4:34 pm

New thread because the old one was reaching 1000 comments

by Artful_Dodger Mon 21 Oct 2013, 4:52 pm

Big match for both teams. Ulster are looking in very good form with 5 consecutive wins including two against tough competition in the HC. Blues will be looking to show that the win against Toulon wasn't a one off performance under their new coaching setup.

Not making a prediction until the teams are announced.

by **Notch** Mon 21 Oct 2013, 6:54 pm

Ulster have to be looking at those two Heineken Cup games and looking for the guys who are defending as individuals rather than as part of a structure, and trying to target them.

by Jhamer25 Mon 21 Oct 2013, 6:56 pm

Well both teams will loose there stars now so the strength in depth will tell. Sadly that depth is with Ulster

by The Saint Mon 21 Oct 2013, 7:38 pm

Bad news bears if Bradley is off. You need to keep guys like him and improve the coaching hierarchy. Only then we may see the Cardiff Blues from the good old days.

by Guest Mon 21 Oct 2013, 9:55 pm

Hopefully we can continue from our result on Saturday and build momentum but I think Ulster are going to be very strong at home.

Also, this new thread, do we need the season transfer stuff in the OP?

by ScarletSpiderman Tue 22 Oct 2013, 10:27 am

Jhamer25 wrote:Well both teams will loose there stars now so the strength in depth will tell. Sadly that depth is with Ulster

Neither side should lose any players, this should be the last weekend that the internationals will be available. This could actually be a boost for the Blues, as their internationals will be really pushing to put in their best in order to impress the national coaches.

by XR Tue 22 Oct 2013, 11:26 am

I'm sure Wazza will have a word with big Phil and we may see halfpenny and sam 'pick up knocks' in training. Hope not but can't help but be pessimistic

by Jhamer25 Tue 22 Oct 2013, 2:22 pm

ScarletSpiderman wrote:
Jhamer25 wrote:Well both teams will loose there stars now so the strength in depth will tell. Sadly that depth is with Ulster
Neither side should lose any players, this should be the last weekend that the internationals will be available. This could actually be a boost for the Blues, as their internationals will be really pushing to put in their best in order to impress the national coaches.

Oh good then, i know Zebra aren't a European power but i would like all our stars out and get a bonus point if were lucky. We are mid able and need to target gammes like this. We can't take them easily, we dont want a repaeat of what happened with the Blues.

by Cardiff Dave Tue 22 Oct 2013, 4:05 pm

Sat 30 November - Wales v Australia
Fri 06 December - Cardiff Blues v Glasgow HEC round 3

So a whole 6 days between these matches.
Marvelous.

by wales606 Tue 22 Oct 2013, 6:13 pm

Matthew Rees is taking time away from rugby due to illness

by wales606 Sat 26 Oct 2013, 12:14 pm

Apparently Tito and Holland are out in New Zealand signing players at the moment.

by The Saint Sat 26 Oct 2013, 3:50 pm

You make them sound pretty desperate...

by wales606 Sat 26 Oct 2013, 5:09 pm

The Saint wrote:You make them sound pretty desperate...

???

Why, because they are looking to build depth in the squad now that money has become available?

by Coleman Sat 26 Oct 2013, 5:19 pm

I'd guess that they are looking to pick up players following the NPC. See who has been left without a contract after the cream has been placed in to Super Rugby Franchises. We really need to be looking in more than just NZ for talented players. If money has become available then we could well do with looking in SA and even some Eastern Europeans countries for some forwards.

by XR Mon 28 Oct 2013, 8:17 am

Eh, eastern europeans tend to be rare finds and all the best ones go to france.

by XR Mon 28 Oct 2013, 8:28 am

Also, just looked up Paul tito and found this article from last year:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/sport/7237756/Titos-looking-for-work

Interesting that he mentioned maybe going in to player recruitment.

by Guest Mon 28 Oct 2013, 11:45 am

He'd have a good career in frightening children

by wales606 Mon 28 Oct 2013, 4:12 pm

gcBlues wrote:Also, just looked up Paul tito and found this article from last year:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/sport/7237756/Titos-looking-for-work

Interesting that he mentioned maybe going in to player recruitment.

He is Blues head of recruitment for NZ and Aus

by Swperb Mon 28 Oct 2013, 4:29 pm

http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/sport/9094517/Paul-Tito-feels-vindicated-after-appeal-ruling

Looks like Tito has a new job as a players' referee assessor for the New Zealand Rugby Union.

by XR Tue 29 Oct 2013, 8:22 am

Also, in case no ones has seen this offer yet. The blues are doing a deal where if you buy a ticket to the blues/treviso game you get the cardiff rfc/carmarthen quins game afterwards as well. That should be a belter of a game

by The Saint Tue 29 Oct 2013, 3:36 pm

wales606 wrote:
The Saint wrote:You make them sound pretty desperate...
???

Why, because they are looking to build depth in the squad now that money has become available?

More to do with the manner you wrote, and it seemed to come out of nowhere. Any news on signing these players? If they're average then they're no good for you IMO. You need some high quality cover. A team like Leinster can get away with signing the Gopperth's and Goodman's of the rugby world because they are already a quality set-up. I don't beleive Cardiff can do that now, they used to be able to, but not now.

by wales606 Tue 29 Oct 2013, 6:51 pm

The Saint wrote:
wales606 wrote:
The Saint wrote:You make them sound pretty desperate...
???

Why, because they are looking to build depth in the squad now that money has become available?
More to do with the manner you wrote, and it seemed to come out of nowhere. Any news on signing these players? If they're average then they're no good for you IMO. You need some high quality cover. A team like Leinster can get away with signing the Gopperth's and Goodman's of the rugby world because they are already a quality set-up. I don't beleive Cardiff can do that now, they used to be able to, but not now.

They have been suggesting they were looking at other players for months - I was assumed they were going to be ITM players because of the timing.

The Blues signed Robin Copeland from Rotherham last year - hardly a big name signing, but he has been our best forward by some distance

The season before that we signed a nobody called Alex Cuthbert

by Bluedragon Wed 30 Oct 2013, 12:06 am

I think coaching is the biggest issue for the Blues - although we do look a little thin on the ground in midfield, especially come the international windows.

when are the coaching interviews to replace Baber ? Who do you want - iestyn harris, Ringo, or the 2 unnamed southern hemisphere coaches. My heart says ring but my head says Harris.

by The Saint Wed 30 Oct 2013, 12:14 am

wales606 wrote:
The Saint wrote:
wales606 wrote:
The Saint wrote:You make them sound pretty desperate...
???

Why, because they are looking to build depth in the squad now that money has become available?
More to do with the manner you wrote, and it seemed to come out of nowhere. Any news on signing these players? If they're average then they're no good for you IMO. You need some high quality cover. A team like Leinster can get away with signing the Gopperth's and Goodman's of the rugby world because they are already a quality set-up. I don't beleive Cardiff can do that now, they used to be able to, but not now.
They have been suggesting they were looking at other players for months - I was assumed they were going to be ITM players because of the timing.

The Blues signed Robin Copeland from Rotherham last year - hardly a big name signing, but he has been our best forward by some distance

The season before that we signed a nobody called Alex Cuthbert

True. You also had guys like Rush, Tito and Blair. Bloody brilliant players they were. You also had Sam Norton-Knight... Hope the signings pay off. You need a blind-side, LH, hooker and 10 the most I reckon.

by Coleman Wed 30 Oct 2013, 7:41 am

We need an experienced 10, not just any 10. We need a tighthead as much as we need the coaches to realise that Borrust is out best scrummaging tight head and he should be starting ahead of Filse and Andrews. I'm not convinced about hooker, as we have Breeze and a few other options. Not sure about blind side either. I think we really need another second row to cover for when Brad or Filo are banned (they both pick up cards and sanctions). Bit more depth on the wing wouldnt hurt either.

by Cardiff Dave Wed 30 Oct 2013, 10:32 am

Coleman wrote:We need an experienced 10, not just any 10. We need a tighthead as much as we need the coaches to realise that Borrust is out best scrummaging tight head and he should be starting ahead of Filse and Andrews. I'm not convinced about hooker, as we have Breeze and a few other options. Not sure about blind side either. I think we really need another second row to cover for when Brad or Filo are banned (they both pick up cards and sanctions). Bit more depth on the wing wouldnt hurt either.

Ah yes, a decent TH - that elusive creature other teams seem to have, but we don't. One of these is a must plus a proper 6 and a 10, minimum, possibly a winger too.
Ben White, Sweeney and Tom James would fit the bill.

by Cardiff Dave Wed 30 Oct 2013, 10:41 am

The Saint wrote:
wales606 wrote:
The Saint wrote:
wales606 wrote:
The Saint wrote:You make them sound pretty desperate...
???

Why, because they are looking to build depth in the squad now that money has become available?
More to do with the manner you wrote, and it seemed to come out of nowhere. Any news on signing these players? If they're average then they're no good for you IMO. You need some high quality cover. A team like Leinster can get away with signing the Gopperth's and Goodman's of the rugby world because they are already a quality set-up. I don't beleive Cardiff can do that now, they used to be able to, but not now.
They have been suggesting they were looking at other players for months - I was assumed they were going to be ITM players because of the timing.

The Blues signed Robin Copeland from Rotherham last year - hardly a big name signing, but he has been our best forward by some distance

The season before that we signed a nobody called Alex Cuthbert
True. You also had guys like Rush, Tito and Blair. Bloody brilliant players they were. You also had Sam Norton-Knight... Hope the signings pay off. You need a blind-side, LH, hooker and 10 the most I reckon.

Actually a decent 15 who was to be back up to NR at 10, recommended by one of PT's mates and DY had nowt to do with his signing, so I understand.
Crazyness.

by Jhamer25 Wed 30 Oct 2013, 2:37 pm

A tighthead should be your main priority really.
Do you have a young tighthead coming through your ranks by any chance. I mean we were in the same boat as you 2 season ago, panicking and desperate for a tighthead; it's like god was looking down on us when Samson came through. Then we signed a tighthead who nobody had ever heard of and has turned out to be a very good scrummaging prop.
You lot were messing about with some Romanians and Campese Ma'fu. No doubt you signed on of the best props in the world this season but Gethin can't do nothing with tighthead who can't stand his ground.
I don't thin the ITM cup is the right place to look for good props but the curry cup has same good props around. Pat Cilliers and Lourens Adriannse to name just two, i know players have to be out of contract but you can't just limit your recruitment searches to the ITM Cup. If I wanted good center of fullback i would look at the ITM but positions like tigthead need further looking into. There like gold, hard to find but do exist.
A center and a outside half for cover is needed as well.

by wales606 Wed 30 Oct 2013, 2:58 pm

Apparently Rayer and Edwards both refused coaching offer.

Really pity, would love to see those 2 involved at the Blues - surprised Rayer isn't interesting tbh, but apparently he has too many family ties to Bedford

by wales606 Fri 01 Nov 2013, 3:32 pm

Team

D Fish, T Williams, R Smith, D Hewitt, C Czekaj; G Davies, L Jones: S Hobbs, K Dacey, T Filise; L Reed, F Paulo; A Pretorius, J Navidi (C), R Copeland.

Replacements: M Breeze, T Davies, B Bourrust, J Down, R Watts-Jones; A Walker, A Summerhill, H Robinson.

........

Evans not involved again, he must be injured - I hope that's all it is with the rumour on here a few weeks ago

by XR Fri 01 Nov 2013, 3:35 pm

Wouldn't want Rayer in charge tbh. He's been at Bedford 10 years...what's happened in that time?

by wales606 Fri 01 Nov 2013, 3:53 pm

gcBlues wrote:Wouldn't want Rayer in charge tbh. He's been at Bedford 10 years...what's happened in that time?

They have consistently challenged for the title despite half the budget of most of the championship clubs - and a fraction of Bristol, Pirates and Leeds budget.

by Cardiff Dave Fri 01 Nov 2013, 6:25 pm

wales606 wrote:Team

D Fish, T Williams, R Smith, D Hewitt, C Czekaj; G Davies, L Jones: S Hobbs, K Dacey, T Filise; L Reed, F Paulo; A Pretorius, J Navidi (C), R Copeland.

Replacements: M Breeze, T Davies, B Bourrust, J Down, R Watts-Jones; A Walker, A Summerhill, H Robinson.

I honestly thought Gats would release Patchell and Allen for this game. Clearly not. Who's going to cover at FH if GD gets crocked?

Both team line ups here. Treviso not messing about; http://www.espn.co.uk/rabodirect-pro12-2013-14/rugby/match/191383.html

by Jhamer25 Fri 01 Nov 2013, 9:39 pm

Treviso are near to full team. Good luck with that team guys Erm

by Cardiff Dave Fri 01 Nov 2013, 10:30 pm

Jhamer25 wrote:Treviso are near to full team. Good luck with that team guys

Cardiff's back row looks ok there again so does Treviso's. The front 5 is the best we have available, but the backline looks like a patch up job ie they've never really played together. Some academy boys too I think on the bench who'll be making their debuts.

by doctor_grey Sat 02 Nov 2013, 8:20 am

As an aside to all regular Rugby talk, what is the news about allowing Millenium Stadium to finish adding seats? I hear negotiations are moving forward again and the WRU want to have the extra seating in time for the RWC. This really going to happen?

by wales606 Sat 02 Nov 2013, 2:46 pm

doctor_grey wrote:As an aside to all regular Rugby talk, what is the news about allowing Millenium Stadium to finish adding seats? I hear negotiations are moving forward again and the WRU want to have the extra seating in time for the RWC. This really going to happen?

From what I have heard, it is never going to happen and is not worth the cost

That was a few months ago though

by wales606 Sat 02 Nov 2013, 2:46 pm

Cardiff Dave wrote:
I honestly thought Gats would release Patchell and Allen for this game. Clearly not. Who's going to cover at FH if GD gets crocked?

Dan Fish?

by wales606 Sat 02 Nov 2013, 4:19 pm

FT

Cardiff Blues 17 - 13 Treviso

Good win, sounds like the Blues were on top throughout too. Another win in horrible conditions

by Jhamer25 Sun 03 Nov 2013, 12:44 am

Well done Cardiff obviously didmt c the gake or highlights to busy jumping about after our win.
anyway couldn't have been easy against a stong treviso team. Well done hope u keep up the form

by The Saint Sun 03 Nov 2013, 12:55 am

Well done boyo's.

by Cardiff Dave Sun 03 Nov 2013, 9:34 pm

wales606 wrote:
Cardiff Dave wrote:
I honestly thought Gats would release Patchell and Allen for this game. Clearly not. Who's going to cover at FH if GD gets crocked?

Dan Fish?

Good call.
A full back at 10. Done that before though haven't we, fnarr fnarr?
Great win anyway and valuable Pro 12 experience for our younger players.
Luton Van trophy next up. I would wish this to be an under 23 type competition say coz we've been well and truly battered in the past fielding our most inexperienced line ups against top notch English oppo looking for an alternative route into Europe.

by wales606 Mon 04 Nov 2013, 7:30 am

Cardiff Dave wrote:
wales606 wrote:
Cardiff Dave wrote:
I honestly thought Gats would release Patchell and Allen for this game. Clearly not. Who's going to cover at FH if GD gets crocked?

Dan Fish?
Good call.
A full back at 10. Done that before though haven't we, fnarr fnarr?

Yep, Ben Blair was a decent enough 10.

That's the only one I remember... boxing

by ScarletSpiderman Mon 04 Nov 2013, 9:11 am

I guess it could be worth pulling Ceiron Thomas up from the RFC side at fly half in the LV=, although he is getting on now (that said he always looked 65).

by ScarletSpiderman Mon 04 Nov 2013, 9:12 am

Oh or Dai Flannigan. I forgot him.

by XR Mon 04 Nov 2013, 9:47 am

Dan Fish only started playing 10 when he joined the blues, he played fly half as a youngster

by wales606 Mon 04 Nov 2013, 11:35 am

Will Thomas is the 3rd flyhalf - no doubt he will play a fair bit in the LV

by Cardiff Dave Mon 04 Nov 2013, 2:03 pm

wales606 wrote:Will Thomas is the 3rd flyhalf - no doubt he will play a fair bit in the LV

Well good luck to him. He'll need it.
Played only twice this season for Cardiff, at FB according to this.....
http://www.cardiffrfc.com/Teams/Player?PersonId=162603#

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