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

[wales606]

First topic message reminder :

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

[wales606]

Whatever happens, this is an improvement - but I hope we bring in a decent DOR to oversee Chief and John, not just a cheap local lad.

I'm worried we will end up with Holley or Darren Edwards - I think we need an DOR from outside the Welsh bubble of rugby politics who can get on with his day job.

[Guest]

I thought before this happened that Darren Edwards was on his way to Blues, funnily enough. Most others seem to think Bristol though.

[wales606]

I thought before this happened that Darren Edwards was on his way to Blues, funnily enough. Most others seem to think Bristol though.

I think the plan was to ship Davies off at the end of the season - so I don't think that would be the reason for Edwards departing

With the awful performances though, I guess Holland decided he had to act to show the fans that things will be changing and told Davies to walk.

Bristol seem to be buying everyone at the moment - ambitious since they don't know if they will be a Premiership or Championship club next year.

[Guest]

Banking on Robbie Deans!

[wales606]

Apparently they are asking Gatland to get involved in selecting a new DOR, a positive sign.

Howley was involved in selection last time and we ended up with a Welsh DOR - so with Gatland involved.....

Just really hoping this isn't PR BS and we actually get someone decent (though somebody will have to do one hell of a persuasion job with no money and no Europe)

[RDSguru]

Apparently they are asking Gatland to get involved in selecting a new DOR, a positive sign.

Howley was involved in selection last time and we ended up with a Welsh DOR - so with Gatland involved.....

Just really hoping this isn't PR BS and we actually get someone decent (though somebody will have to do one hell of a persuasion job with no money and no Europe)

Thats the type of challenge that will attract.... unless you mean money to pay the DoR

[XR]

I didn't need to take the car to work this morning, i cartwheeled all the way there.

Arms are knackered now though.

[Cardiff Dave]

Apparently they are asking Gatland to get involved in selecting a new DOR, a positive sign.

Howley was involved in selection last time and we ended up with a Welsh DOR - so with Gatland involved.....

Just really hoping this isn't PR BS and we actually get someone decent (though somebody will have to do one hell of a persuasion job with no money and no Europe)

If they mention scouring the world for a new coach i'll crush my grapes.
And here's hoping the new bloke (or woman) will be given the funds necessary to build a decent squad of his (or her) choosing.

[Cardiff Dave]

Breaking News!

"Warren Gatland to advise Cardiff Blues next season on who they should pick at openside."

[Jhamer25]

Interesting article
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/who-next-cardiff-blues-coach-6770087

From this list I would be tempted to go for Malinder, Holley or Deans. Mike Ruddock could also be a good option. I thought Henry retired from coaching as well so isn't really an option.
The more likely though is an ex Cardiff blues player who wants a go at coaching. Personally I think Robbie Dean would be the best option. Showed he can coach a good club team.

However, i'm a Scarlet's fan, so keep your hands of Danny Wilson  

[XR]

We couldn't afford Deans
Wouldn't want Rayer, he was a tremendous full back for Cardiff but lacks the experience at the top table we need.

I'd actually think Kidney would be a good fit for the blues, he did very well at Munster and i think we need that kind of spirit at the blues.

I just fear we'll go cheap and get someone who has failed elsewhere, i hope with Gatland involved that maybe he could use his influence and standing to sway a top class coach to join.

[Seagultaf]

With the team's that the Blues have been fielding of late, it would take a magician not a coach to turn them into winners.

I feed sorry for Tulip, with: Smiler, Gethin, Brad Davies, Lou Reed, Patchell, Cory Allen and Owen Williams all injured, Cardiff were denied fielding what could have been a really strong side!

The cash starved Welsh regions don't have the squad depth to cover significant injury lists, I just don't think that a change of coach is going to change that fact.

[Coleman]

We've resigned Gavin Evans.

http://www.cardiffblues.com/news/6890.php#.UynZDvl_sl0

The reaction on facebook says it all. Dreadful decision.

[Westisbest2]

seen another forum that you boys are close to signing manoa vosawai from treviso. big ball carrying no8.

[XR]

Evans was re-signed because he's cheap and will be available all year round. It stinks but that is the model we have to operate under when we have 2 centres in Allen and Williams who will no doubt be called up by Wales, get injured and sent back to us.

Harry Robinson linked with the turks apparently too, i think he probably should move on as he doesn't really get a lot of ball out wide for us (because of our centres) and may suit a different style of play. Plus we have that lad coming in from Bristol with some ridiculous try scoring stats so he's probably seen that and gone 'tara'.

[Guest]

seen another forum that you boys are close to signing manoa vosawai from treviso. big ball carrying no8.

Poor Ieuan Jones isn't going to play much there either then.

[The Saint]

To be fair, they do need more 8s to compliment that 6s and 7s. I would guess those two would be fighting it out for the starting berth.

[wales606]

- Gavin Evans has signed a 2 year contract   

- Harry Robinson has signed for the Scarlets   

- We've been linked with Manoa Vosawai from Treviso   

- Gareth Davies is off the London Welsh   

We need a flyhalf / flyhalves for next season - Aled Thomas has just been let go by the Scarlets - would make a solid backup for Patchell (better than Humberstone at least)

[The Saint]

Just a guess, a wild guess, but Aled Thomas is probably off to Bristol with Danny Wilson? What is Wilson thinking going there? He's the most promising coach in Wales and I don't really see what a move to Bristol does for him.

[wales606]

Just a guess, a wild guess, but Aled Thomas is probably off to Bristol with Danny Wilson? What is Wilson thinking going there? He's the most promising coach in Wales and I don't really see what a move to Bristol does for him.

Everyone's going to Bristol, it's the new thing.

Doubt Aled Thomas will be going though, they already have Matthew Morgan and Nicky Robinson

[BuzzScarlet]

Just a guess, a wild guess, but Aled Thomas is probably off to Bristol with Danny Wilson? What is Wilson thinking going there? He's the most promising coach in Wales and I don't really see what a move to Bristol does for him.

I beleive Aled Thomas is on his way to Gloucester next season and I beleive Danny Wilson and/or his family are from the Bristol area so that may be the reason why he's gone up there, that and a better wage maybe, going by all the money that Bristol seem to be spending at the minute.

[wales606]

Cardiff Blues look set to pull off a notable coup by recruiting All Blacks forward Jarrad Hoeata.

The Highlanders lock, who can also play in the back row, is on course to join the Arms Park outfit for next season, having agreed terms.

He would serve as a replacement for Wales second row Bradley Davies who is moving on this summer to rejoin former Blues boss Dai Young at Wasps.

The 6ft 5ins, 17st 6lbs Hoeata, who turned 30 in December, won three caps for New Zealand in 2011 and is a seasoned campaigner in Super Rugby.

A physical, yet agile tight forward, he would add steel to the Blues pack, while also offering a mobility that has enabled him to slot in on the blindside flank when required.

[Jhamer25]

Not a bad signing at all, would be a timely boost as well. But more depth is still needed at the moment with the blues to replace these journey men (two 10's especially). But i do feel a good coach can do a good job with the current set of player and the likes of Mitchell, Vosawai, Jones, Turnball and Knoyle coming in. Jarred would be a worth while signing because unlike brad he will be available all season. You just require an experienced well drilled coach.

[Notch]

Very good player. Hope he helps turn things around at the Blues   

[The Saint]

Jenkins, Rees/Dacey, Mitchell
Paulo, Chris the Cypriat,
Hoeata, Vosawai, Navidi....

Just the pack they need for those backs. Personally, I'd still be a bit worried about 9, 10 and 15. Especially 9 as you have the two worst Welsh scrum-halves available.

[XR]

I think we may be ok at 15 in terms of 1/2p replacement being Fish and if he kicks on from what he's shown this season then we'll be fine. It's behind him, who is the back up?

As for a 10, i agree with a few people on the the armspark forum, we should look to get Dan Bowden as he's leaving Tigers end of the year.

[The Saint]

He is a bit flakey from what I've read, is Owen Williams not leaving?  That would be a good signing. Though it would probably be more sensible to bring in an experienced player to rotate with Patchell.

[Bluedragon]

Tana Umaga rumoured as next coach. Not sure about him he wasn't great at Toulon.

[XR]

While i agree with you re; Toulon, Blue, back then Toulon were only just beginning to throw money around so while he didn't do great that Toulon team he had then were far less powerful than they are now.

He's done alright in the ITM, he's taken Counties Manawatu to the top league and they are (or were) Ranfurly Shield holders this year so he is progressing as a coach. Whether or not he's the right choice, who knows? But i suppose there are similarities to Counties & the Blues right now. Plus, if he was our coach i guess there's a real 'legend' status to him which may rub off on the players and also increase our power in signing elite international players...if we get more successful.

[The Saint]

Umaga is better than anything they've had in 3 seasons... Hoeata will be starting for the Highlanders along side Brad Thorn tomorrow, might be worth a watch. Any more news on any signings? Blues are building quite a formidable outfit.

[Bluedragon]

Western Mail reckons Jamie Joseph is on his way to coach the Blues. Maybe my dad got his NZ coaches mixed up !

Hope he brings Ben Smith with him !

[wales606]

Joseph and Umaga are the front runner - I would be happy with either, both are 100000x better than Davies, i'd prefer Josephs though.

Perhaps the money from the BT Sport Arms Park will be invested wisely....

[The Saint]

Who's Jamie Joseph guys? Doesn't he play for London Irish....

[PenfroPete]

Who's Jamie Joseph guys? Doesn't he play for London Irish....

Blindside flanker (20 caps for New Zealand, 9 for Japan, back when you could do that). Currently coaches the Highlanders in Super Rugby. Has been assistant coach (when they won the Churchill Cup) and then head coach of the NZ Maori in the past

[The Saint]

Was he coach during the season that Highlanders won like 2 games with a number of All Blacks and ex ones like Brad Thorn in their team?

[Scrumpy]

Who's Jamie Joseph guys? Doesn't he play for London Irish....

   Oh dear.

[Guest]

Highlanders are playing a bit better this season at least

[PenfroPete]

Was he coach during the season that Highlanders won like 2 games with a number of All Blacks and ex ones like Brad Thorn in their team?

Couldn't tell you off hand and my lunch hour finishes in a few minutes. His record in charge -

2011 8th Won 8 Lost 8
2012 9th Won 9 Lost 7
2013 14th Won 3 Lost 13
2014 11th Won 2 Lost 3

[Scrumpy]

Was he coach during the season that Highlanders won like 2 games with a number of All Blacks and ex ones like Brad Thorn in their team?

Couldn't tell you off hand and my lunch hour finishes in a few minutes. His record in charge -

2011 8th Won 8 Lost 8  
2012 9th Won 9 Lost 7  
2013 14th Won 3 Lost 13
2014 11th Won 2 Lost 3

On recent form he seems over qualified!   

[The Saint]

Who's Jamie Joseph guys? Doesn't he play for London Irish....

   Oh dear.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=&bih=&q=lee+byrne&btnG=Search+by+image#hl=en&q=jamie+joseph+london+irish&tbm=isch&facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=lvSwljaieFJpkM%253A%3BRjPeo5KaQR1KFM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fstatic.guim.co.uk%252Fsys-images%252FSport%252FPix%252Fpictures%252F2012%252F9%252F22%252F1348331434840%252FLondon-Irish-v-Bath---Avi-008.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.theguardian.com%252Fsport%252F2012%252Fsep%252F22%252Flondon-irish-bath-premiership%3B460%3B276



Knew it was a J Joseph. He certainly looked better in green.

[Scrumpy]

Pictures of Lee Byrne?

[The Saint]

Weird. I'm clicking the same link and it gives us JJ in LI colours.

[Scrumpy]

I just get Lee Byrne, ugly sly looking bloke he is too!

That reminds me I've got some Gold to sell.  

[The Saint]

He's a good looking bugga.

[Bluedragon]

He was a big maori mean and nasty blindside flanker, played alongside Zinzan Brooke. I would prefer him to Tana Umaga, at least Jamie Joseph - the kiwi one not the London irish one - has coaching experience.

[XR]

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/business/business-news/rugby-region-cardiff-blues-move-6925340

Professional rugby region the Cardiff Blues has moved into the black.
 
For the financial year to the end of May 2013, the region generated a small operating profit before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation of £80,000, compared to a loss of £1.95m in 2011-12.
 
Revenues were down marginally from £7.76m to £7.49m. However, the previous year’s figure was boosted by £500,000 as a result of the Blues progressing to the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup.
 
On the pre-tax profit measure the club made a loss of £259,450 compared to a loss of £3.7m in 2011-12.Following the reporting period the club secured a £500,000 equity investment from entrepreneur Martyn Ryan, who has joined its board of directors.
Existing director Paul Bailey also provided a six-figure loan to help cover the cost of the club’s new artificial pitch installed for the start of the current season at a cost of £500,000.
 
There is also positive news for the four regions in Wales with a new deal for the European competitions, which will provide each with an additional £700,000 a season.
The WRU is also working on a new funding agreement that promises to provide an additional £2m shared between the regions per season over the next five years.
The Blues has also struck a lucrative deal with BT Sport for the naming rights to the Arms Park for the next three seasons.
 
Chief executive of the Blues, Richard Holland, said: “The PwC report [commissioned by the WRU to assess the financial state of the regions] showed that clubs had to change. However, there is no moving away from the fact that as a club we have done that and the fact that we are now a profitable business is one hell of an achievement.”
 
Mr Holland, who received a remuneration of £97,583 for the year, said the new artificial pitch was being used as a community resources for clubs across the region.
 
He said: “The revolutionary pitch gives us the perfect surface to play a fast, attractive and successful style of rugby.... that will see more fans wanting to come through the turnstiles.
 
“This huge and brave investment is already paying dividends as one of the major advantages it that it’s accessible to a wider audience – which is a massive boost to our region.
 
The renting out of the pitch is forecast to generate an income of around £75,000 this year. The Blues are expecting to achieve a return on investment on the pitch after four years.
 
The audited accounts show that the club has a net debt of £10.4m, of which £6.38m is a non interest-bearing loan from chairman Peter Thomas.
 
There is also an interest-bearing loan of £1.8m to Mr Thomas’ property development firm Atlantic Properties.
 
Employment costs relating to player and administrative staff of 102 was £5.2m, down nearly £1.7m on the previous year.
 
Mr Holland said: “Our decision to return to our spiritual home at Cardiff Arms Park was more than vindicated during the 2012-13 season.
 
“We are committed to growing in a sustainable and responsible way with financial responsibility at the heart of our strategy. As a region we want to run a balanced budget, but also produce a winning team.”

With the naming rights to CAP bringing in extra revenue as well as the pitch beginning to pay for itself and losses coming down, seems we're starting to turn a corner.

[Guest]

Tavis Knoyle on the Scarlets http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/26932400

What happened here? Was he just dropped?

[Jhamer25]

Well done Cardiff, good turn around. Hopefully thing are starting to look up a bit, financially for the regions. The BT deal was a great coup as well, i take my hat at the the Blues board.

[stub]

Yep this all seems very positive and is good to see.

[Bluedragon]

I always thought tavis ' tackle bag ' knoyle was just let go because they had 2 better and younger and cheaper scrum halves come through who wouldn't spend half the season unavailable to the scarlets holding tackle bags in Wales squad sessions.

Mind you, did you ever see this ? Made me laugh at the time.

Nurse Knoyle

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