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

[Coleman]

Hmmm. Guess the writing really is on the wall for Rhys then in terms of the 10 shirt. I don't know him but you might think that he'll want to leave ASAP if he's not going to be playing at 10. I'm glad that we've added another option at center. Tuculet and Allen will be interesting.

[LordDowlais]

How many NWQ players are there at the Blues at the moment ? This will not be good for Welsh rugby the way it is going.

[Coleman]

I think it's six at the moment. Filise, Hoeata, Filo, Vos, Argie and now Bargie. Unless i'm missing anyone? Humberstone and Normandale are English but WQ. Also, i still have no idea about Dico.

[George Carlin]

Communal craic requested, please :
https://www.606v2.com/t56490-edinburgh-v-cardiff-blues-23-november

[The Saint]

How many NWQ players are there at the Blues at the moment ? This will not be good for Welsh rugby the way it is going.

The more central contracts they get, the more NWQs they need.

[ScarletSpiderman]

How many NWQ players are there at the Blues at the moment ? This will not be good for Welsh rugby the way it is going.

The more central contracts they get, the more NWQs they need.

To be fair, and I hate to say it, but the Blues NWQ players are exactly the sort that the regions should be looking at. They are experienced international players. There seem to be loads of them, but as someone pointed out only 6, purely because they are quality players.

[wales606]

Anscombe, Allen and Cuthbert have all been offered central contracts apparently

[Coleman]

In theory, does this free us up any more money? Just wondering if anyone else will be coming in.

[wales606]

Think they have known they will get some money so the recent signing are probably partly based on this

[Coleman]

I still think we're a second row short of a good league pack. Our backline has let us down a fair bit this season but hopefully the two Argies will help with that.

[ScarletSpiderman]

Hammet says Patch should move to fullback??? That seems a pretty odd decision to me, he seems pretty gifted as a fly half.

[wales606]

Hammet says Patch should move to fullback???  That seems a pretty odd decision to me, he seems pretty gifted as a fly half.

Where has he said that!?

[ScarletSpiderman]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/30117590

Seems that they are putting their eggs in the Anscombe basket

[Newsilure]

Fish played well in the B game on Friday if Cory doesn't start to improve his form then a backline like this looks attractive -

9. Lloyd Williams
10. Gareth Anscombe
11. Lucas Amorisino
12. Rhys Patchell
13. Joaquin Tuculet
14. Alex Cuthbert
15. Dan Fish

[wales606]

Fish played well in the B game on Friday if Cory doesn't start to improve his form then a backline like this looks attractive -

9. Lloyd Williams
10. Gareth Anscombe
11. Lucas Amorisino
12. Rhys Patchell
13. Joaquin Tuculet
14. Alex Cuthbert
15. Dan Fish

Dan Fish is very much the weak link in that line-up

Fish has moments of brilliance, but he makes a lot of mistakes and doesn't look to have improved. His decision making at the end against Munster was one of the reasons we lost.

[Newsilure]

Fish played well in the B game on Friday if Cory doesn't start to improve his form then a backline like this looks attractive -

9. Lloyd Williams
10. Gareth Anscombe
11. Lucas Amorisino
12. Rhys Patchell
13. Joaquin Tuculet
14. Alex Cuthbert
15. Dan Fish

Dan Fish is very much the weak link in that line-up

Fish has moments of brilliance, but he makes a lot of mistakes and doesn't look to have improved. His decision making at the end against Munster was one of the reasons we lost.

You are probably right there 606 but Cory has been disappointing this year and I Fish at least creates some opportunities ... all be it for both sides . Maybe there will be one more signing to complete the backs!

[wales606]

Fish played well in the B game on Friday if Cory doesn't start to improve his form then a backline like this looks attractive -

9. Lloyd Williams
10. Gareth Anscombe
11. Lucas Amorisino
12. Rhys Patchell
13. Joaquin Tuculet
14. Alex Cuthbert
15. Dan Fish

Dan Fish is very much the weak link in that line-up

Fish has moments of brilliance, but he makes a lot of mistakes and doesn't look to have improved. His decision making at the end against Munster was one of the reasons we lost.

You are probably right there 606 but Cory has been disappointing this year and I Fish at least creates some opportunities ... all be it for both sides . Maybe there will be one more signing to complete the backs!

Richard Smith at 11, Amorisino at FB if you don't want Allen.

Or Smith at 13 and Tuculet at FB...

[The Saint]

Smith has looked pretty good from what I've seen, is there anyone else from Ponty or Cardiff that could break into the squad?

As for Patchell, he really does look like he could become a class player who could cover 10, 12 and 15; very much like Henson. Why state his future is at full back though? At least give him more opportunities elsewhere. Blues are very blessed to have him and Anscombe, especially at times of injury to big name players.

[Coleman]

I honestly think he'll leave to play FH first choice like Morgan, Williams and Hook have. Which will be a massive shame as we've been crying out for a decent attacking Flyhalf for years. That's why we picked up Tovey. I still remember the dark days of SNK and Dan Parks. Patchell comes through and now we look likely to push him away from the region.

[ScarletSpiderman]

The worst thing is that Hammet has said about moving him, before we have even seen Anscombe play fly half for the Blues. He could end up another SNK, coming over with a pretty decent CV, but just not fitting in at all.

[wales606]

The worst thing is that Hammet has said about moving him, before we have even seen Anscombe play fly half for the Blues.  He could end up another SNK, coming over with a pretty decent CV, but just not fitting in at all.

In fairness, at least Anscombe has played a decent amount of rugby at 10, unlike SNK.

[ScarletSpiderman]

The worst thing is that Hammet has said about moving him, before we have even seen Anscombe play fly half for the Blues.  He could end up another SNK, coming over with a pretty decent CV, but just not fitting in at all.

In fairness, at least Anscombe has played a decent amount of rugby at 10, unlike SNK.

This is true, but it is almost like saying to him "well you have not even pulled on the jersey yet, but don't worry mate you are first choice 10, and the kid who is there at the moment can go fupp off". I think I would have preferred to see this kiwi put in a few games at ten, and then when Patch is fit Hammet could say "we want Patch in the side, and he is a very good fullback, so we are considering his future there".

[wales606]

The worst thing is that Hammet has said about moving him, before we have even seen Anscombe play fly half for the Blues.  He could end up another SNK, coming over with a pretty decent CV, but just not fitting in at all.

In fairness, at least Anscombe has played a decent amount of rugby at 10, unlike SNK.

This is true, but it is almost like saying to him "well you have not even pulled on the jersey yet, but don't worry mate you are first choice 10, and the kid who is there at the moment can go fupp off".  I think I would have preferred to see this kiwi put in a few games at ten, and then when Patch is fit Hammet could say "we want Patch in the side, and he is a very good fullback, so we are considering his future there".

Well, Patchell has hardly been first choice 10 recently either

I would like to see Patchell at 10 in the future, but I guess that is up to him and the coaches, for now he is out injured for 3 months - but I am sure he will have his chances in the future if that is what he want, he is one of the most talented players we have had at the Blues for ages

[Jhamer25]

does anyone where/ or wtf has happened to Craig Mitchell or has he been abducted?

[wales606]

does anyone where/ or wtf has happened to Craig Mitchell or has he been abducted?

I think he is injured, but I am not sure.

Hammett will no doubt be doing some clearing out at the end of the season, and we do have a lot of THPs on the books now,

He has said that he has only signed the Argentinian for 1 season because he wants to know they will fit in with the ethos he is trying to build before offering them longer contracts.

I think there will be a lot of departures from the Blues at the end of the season.

[wales606]

Also, according to one of the more reliable posters on the Blues forum, Hammett is not well liked by some of the players who had gotten used to cuddly Phil Davies,

apparently the Wales players love him, but not the rest - another reason for a big clearout at the end of the season (perhaps of coaches too....)

[Guest]

Also, according to one of the more reliable posters on the Blues forum, Hammett is not well liked by some of the players who had gotten used to cuddly Phil Davies,

apparently the Wales players love him, but not the rest - another reason for a big clearout at the end of the season (perhaps of coaches too....)

Probably because Phil was more forgiving of failure, on the other hand, losing the dressing room is not good for the team either.

[ScarletSpiderman]

So far Hammett hasn't really done much to show he is any better than Phil Davies, just that he is more of an aggressive sod. After all the Blues results so far this season are IMO no better than they were last season, and probably a set behind where they were with the Chief at the helm.

[wales606]

So far Hammett hasn't really done much to show he is any better than Phil Davies, just that he is more of an aggressive sod.  After all the Blues results so far this season are IMO no better than they were last season, and probably a set behind where they were with the Chief at the helm.

Hammett has had to work with what he has been given and the culture of failure left by Phil Davies,

Give him 2 more seasons and if we are still getting the same results then we can blame him.

[ScarletSpiderman]

Granted he has had to inherit a side, but there's just something just doesnt seem right there.  There should be signs of improvement etc.  How long did it take the Chief to turn things around?

[wales606]

Granted he has had to inherit a side, but there's just something just doesnt seem right there.  There should be signs of improvement etc.  How long did it take the Chief to turn things around?

The Chief is still the coach,

Hammett is DOR

[Coleman]

I agree. He needs time to actually build a squad. He's making a start with that. Honestly, if players don't like him because he shouts at them for making mistakes then they can go. We've been far to accepting of mediocre performance at the region. This is their job, i wish some of them would realise that. It seems far to casual for my liking.

[wales606]

“The Blacks don’t come in from Super Rugby and you suddenly have to get them fit. Because there’s so much depth there’s always a fight for positions. It needs to change here – I agree with that. I speak for this region and that’s one of the things we need to get right.

“I’m asking do we have players with the desire to perform week-in, week-out? To play in horrible wet weather and give everything? Do we have the right mix? Those are the questions I’m asking.

“If you happen to be a New Zealand player there’s massive pressure. The fear of losing has been the biggest motivator of the team over the years rather than the challenge and excitement of winning. It’s what keeps New Zealand strong and at the top of the game.

“It’s a huge responsibility when you are in the team because you don’t want to be the first to lose to Scotland and Ireland. You don’t even want close games.”

Hammett, known in New Zealand as ‘Hammer’ for his honesty and straight-talking, also believes his Welsh players have had the flair coached out of them.

He maintained they dwell on and highlight their errors, and those of their team-mates, rather than move on and encourage each other.

[LordDowlais]

For me the Blues are starting to extract the urine, in the last few weeks they have signed two Argentinians, that is on top of 6 or 7 NWQ players they have in their ranks, why should the Blues get any players on DC when they are doing nothing to help Welsh rugby by signing players who will never be able to play for Wales ?

[wales606]

For me the Blues are starting to extract the urine, in the last few weeks they have signed two Argentinians, that is on top of 6 or 7 NWQ players they have in their ranks, why should the Blues get any players on DC when they are doing nothing to help Welsh rugby by signing players who will never be able to play for Wales ?

We have 6 or 7 NWQ total including the 2 Argentines.

And of those Filise and Dicomedes have barely been involved in the squad this season.

[LordDowlais]

For me the Blues are starting to extract the urine, in the last few weeks they have signed two Argentinians, that is on top of 6 or 7 NWQ players they have in their ranks, why should the Blues get any players on DC when they are doing nothing to help Welsh rugby by signing players who will never be able to play for Wales ?

We have 6 or 7 NWQ total including the 2 Argentines.

And of those Filise and Dicomedes have barely been involved in the squad this season.

Taufa'ao Falise
Jarrad Hoeata
Filo Paulo
Chris Dicomidis
Manoa Vosawai
Simon Humberstone
Miles Normandale
Lucas Amorisino
Joaquin Tuclet

That is 9 players, and please do not talk to me about project players, or residency players especialy when Welsh players have just been let go from the region.

[Guest]

To be honest I could quite happily drop Filise(getting on a bit), Humberstone, Normandale from that list, possibly Hoeata too because he hasn't done much.

Dicomidis should be WQ, his stupid decision playing for Cyprus...

[LordDowlais]

To be honest I could quite happily drop Filise(getting on a bit), Humberstone, Normandale from that list, possibly Hoeata too because he hasn't done much.

Dicomidis should be WQ, his stupid decision playing for Cyprus...

What boils my pee though is they drop a Welsh kid who is scoring tries for fun in the Welsh Prem, without trying him at regional level, then sign an Argentinian in his place.

[George Carlin]

For me the Blues are starting to extract the urine, in the last few weeks they have signed two Argentinians, that is on top of 6 or 7 NWQ players they have in their ranks, why should the Blues get any players on DC when they are doing nothing to help Welsh rugby by signing players who will never be able to play for Wales ?

We have 6 or 7 NWQ total including the 2 Argentines.

And of those Filise and Dicomedes have barely been involved in the squad this season.

Taufa'ao Falise
Jarrad Hoeata
Filo Paulo
Chris Dicomidis
Manoa Vosawai
Simon Humberstone
Miles Normandale
Lucas Amorisino
Joaquin Tuclet

That is 9 players, and please do not talk to me about project players, or residency players especialy when Welsh players have just been let go from the region.

You wouldn't last long as an Edinburgh fans if 9 NWQs upsets you...

There's a reason us on the west coast refer to them as the Edinbokke.

[Guest]

To be honest I could quite happily drop Filise(getting on a bit), Humberstone, Normandale from that list, possibly Hoeata too because he hasn't done much.

Dicomidis should be WQ, his stupid decision playing for Cyprus...

What boils my pee though is they drop a Welsh kid who is scoring tries for fun in the Welsh Prem, without trying him at regional level, then sign an Argentinian in his place.

Yeah I don't understand either, he did start vs Leinster but the entire team under performed that game

[Coleman]

Humberstone and Normandale are WQ as they have been here for three years +. No one i have ever asked can tell me for certain if Dico is actually NWQ now. Someone told me that Cyprus isnt a full member of the IRB (World Rugby) and that his caps don't tie him to Cyprus. Also it was his choice to play for Cyprus. Good for him. Falise has actually reited three times, we've asked him to play on each time. This must be his last season. I 100% agree about Watkins. He should have had more of a chance.

[The Saint]

isnt Tuculet a wing/full-back? Why has he been signed as centre? Norton-Knight anyone?

[LordDowlais]

You wouldn't last long as an Edinburgh fans if 9 NWQs upsets you...

There's a reason us on the west coast refer to them as the Edinbokke..

Haven't you been debating the Edinburgh situation with me on the Scottish thread on the international board ?

[ScarletSpiderman]

You wouldn't last long as an Edinburgh fans if 9 NWQs upsets you...

There's a reason us on the west coast refer to them as the Edinbokke..

Haven't you been debating the Edinburgh situation with me on the Scottish thread on the international board ?

Embra are woeful with regards NWQ, I looked at their squad, I think their all NWQ

[ScarletSpiderman]

Humberstone and Normandale are WQ as they have been here for three years +. No one i have ever asked can tell me for certain if Dico is actually NWQ now. Someone told me that Cyprus isnt a full member of the IRB (World Rugby) and that his caps don't tie him to Cyprus. Also it was his choice to play for Cyprus. Good for him. Falise has actually reited three times, we've asked him to play on each time. This must be his last season. I 100% agree about Watkins. He should have had more of a chance.

I am assuming they must not be IRB recognised (or have been ignored) as otherwise they have the longest winning streak of all time 29/11/08 to 01/11/14, 24 games.

http://stats.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/records/team/most_consecutive_wins.html?id=1;type=class

Oh this more or less backs up the IRB ignorance of them too

http://www.espn.co.uk/2015-rugby-world-cup/rugby/story/180581.html

[Coleman]

Yeah. Very weird situation. They're a member of the EU and FIFA. Could it be something to do with their RU administration? So I guess that Dico is also still WQ. That puts us at six NWQ players I guess.

[Guest]

Just read Tom Isaacs has joined from the Ospreys

[wales606]

isnt Tuculet a wing/full-back? Why has he been signed as centre? Norton-Knight anyone?

Because he is also a centre.

[wales606]

Just read Tom Isaacs has joined from the Ospreys

Good signing

Interesting to see Hammett bringing up attitude again "He is a strong ball carrying centre who can make things happen and I've been impressed by his tremendous attitude towards both training and games," Hammett said.

I imagine he will play 13, but didn't he used to be a SH?

[Guest]

Just read Tom Isaacs has joined from the Ospreys

Good signing

Interesting to see Hammett bringing up attitude again "He is a strong ball carrying centre who can make things happen and I've been impressed by his tremendous attitude towards both training and games," Hammett said.

I imagine he will play 13, but didn't he used to be a SH?

I'm certain he started life out as a SH, but Ospreys had plenty and lacked centres at the time

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