Gwent Dragons 2015/16 thread

by dragon4life Tue 21 Oct 2014, 4:17 pm

First topic message reminder :

3 in Wales squad that would have been 4 if tyler was fit

by Guest Fri 30 Jan 2015, 5:16 pm

Ah, it was on the Argus site about Evans. Interesting is all I'll say.

by The Saint Fri 30 Jan 2015, 7:37 pm

I've always thought evans was average. But we can't lose 2, so I hope we hold on to Rees. Is that former Chiefs flanker starting for us in the LV cup? Can't remember his name...

by dragon999 Fri 30 Jan 2015, 7:49 pm

do you mean Nick Crosswell? - if so yes he is

Rev, can't find the Jon Evans leaving thing,can you point me in the right direction pls

by The Saint Fri 30 Jan 2015, 8:19 pm

Dragon I heard someone else mention it on facebook, it was an english team apparently. Obviously social media isn't a fact book, but when more than one person says it it makes you wonder.

Looking at our LV team makes me realise there's a lot of dead wood in the forwards that we need shot of.

by Cardiff Dave Fri 30 Jan 2015, 8:26 pm

Robin Davey tweeted that something big is afoot in the wind.

by Cardiff Dave Fri 30 Jan 2015, 8:56 pm

dragon999 wrote:
The Saint wrote:
dragon999 wrote:Writing has been on the wall with Richie for a while it seems - Lock,OH & prop will come in.

Are you supposing, or are you in the know? Is Stankovich expected to play for us next season? I believe he had retired from playing when he come to us .

A gentleman never tells Saint - watch this space!

Richie on his way back to the Arms Park maybe?
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/richie-rees-reveals-pay-cut-2032435

by **Biltong** Fri 30 Jan 2015, 9:24 pm

Just read Sarel Pretorius is joining Dragons after the Super rugby season. Have you guys heard about it?

by The Saint Fri 30 Jan 2015, 9:28 pm

We've been discussing it. Scroll back a page thumbsup

by Guest Fri 30 Jan 2015, 9:34 pm

Biltong wrote:Just read Sarel Pretorius is joining Dragons after the Super rugby season. Have you guys heard about it?

Yes, cheers Biltong, discussed briefly on the previous page. Ive heard many good things about him. Landman, a really good signing for us himself, has said that Pretorius will bring good leadership and experience, which is good as we have a really young and inexperiened back line.

A few of us are unsure what the implications are of this signing, I.e. Does it mean that Richie Rees is going (rumours of a fall out with the coaches)? Is Jonathan Evans going? I wonder if the current 9s are a bit p*ssed with Luc Jones (son of the coach) leapfrogging them into the team and are looking to further their careers elsewhere.

by dragon999 Fri 30 Jan 2015, 9:42 pm

Jon Evans to Bath?

by Guest Fri 30 Jan 2015, 10:01 pm

I haven't heard any Jon Evans rumours personally, but some on here have mentioned it. Who is at Bath currently? Stringer? There was an SA scrum half too wasn't there? Claasens?

To be honest I thought Evans be good a few years back but has never really kicked on. Solid and dependable but not consistently good enough to cement the no.1 no.9 spot.

by dragon999 Fri 30 Jan 2015, 10:02 pm

Darren Edwards is backs coach there which is probably the link

by Guest Fri 30 Jan 2015, 10:16 pm

Ahh, didn't realise/remember. That would be a hard move for Evans to turn down.

by dragon999 Fri 30 Jan 2015, 10:25 pm

Hope he doesn't just become LV cup fodder!

by Guest Sat 31 Jan 2015, 12:43 am

He'll be behind matawalu at the very least.

by Guest Sat 31 Jan 2015, 12:46 am

Jon Evans is ok. A bit greedy sometimes and he really annoyed me in one of the games when somebody was lying behind him on the floor and he was trying to milk a penalty. I can't remember the game exactly, but it was televised this year.

by Luckless Pedestrian Sat 31 Jan 2015, 6:54 am

Biltong wrote:Just read Sarel Pretorius is joining Dragons after the Super rugby season. Have you guys heard about it?

Could you tell us more about him, Biltong? I don't watch the Super 15.

by GavinDragon Sat 31 Jan 2015, 8:27 am

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/11762766.Jonathan_Evans_leaving_Dragons_for_Bath/

surprised at this

although not overly sad to see him go,

can we keep richie now?

by **Biltong** Sat 31 Jan 2015, 11:06 am

Pretorius is a very exciting player, made the Boks but he loves to play rugby and isn't much of a kicker which is what Heyneke Meyer wants.

You'll enjoy his play

by **Biltong** Sat 31 Jan 2015, 11:09 am

Watch this link

https://youtu.be/DSS6Rj2j5Q4

by Guest Sat 31 Jan 2015, 12:18 pm

From what I've seen of Pretorious in the Super15 he knows his way to the try line alright

by The Saint Sat 31 Jan 2015, 12:20 pm

If we keep Rees (which I hope we do) then it seems a bit of a like-for-like player. Now maybe we can get a fly-half too (Peter Grant or Berrick Barnes).

by Sgt_Pooly Sat 31 Jan 2015, 12:25 pm

Pretorious is a great signing, electric scrum half. His kicking is a bit hit/miss but he'll scare the life out of defences. He's a bit like a better version of Simpson of Wasps.

by Guest Sat 31 Jan 2015, 11:54 pm

Gutted to miss later. Keen to see Crosswell and Meyer on debut. Meyer should benefit playing alongside Ash.

Still a bit miffed over the ten thing. I'm also thinking if Angus does get bombed back to the Keys, whether he will play there at ten, as Ethan Davies seems to be playing well.

by Cardiff Dave Sun 01 Feb 2015, 7:21 pm

Sweeney haunting you lot again then.
Good to see Tom on the score sheet. More next season hopefully.

by The Saint Thu 26 Feb 2015, 12:52 pm

We're not having much luck with centre's this year... Anyway, what should we expect fromt he Zebre away? Pretty poor that we just missed out on a BP when we played them at home. I'd expect a BP win away given that they seem pretty gash during the international window, but wouldn't be surprised if we fail.

by Guest Thu 26 Feb 2015, 4:44 pm

Anything more than a draw is an improvement on last year, to be honest. Will settle for any win anyway.

by The Saint Thu 26 Feb 2015, 9:24 pm

True, we're above Blues anyway - just gotta create some breathing space now Very Happy

.

by bedfordwelsh Sun 01 Mar 2015, 2:25 pm

The Saint wrote:True, we're above Blues anyway - just gotta create some breathing space now .

Need to get a win today to keep ahead of them, Blues winning at the moment.

by Cardiff Dave Sun 01 Mar 2015, 7:51 pm

Points conceded in the Pro12 after 16 games;
Cardiff Bs 404
Newport GDs 339
Shocking stats. The Bic Biro for both it is then..... again.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/pro12/table

by Guest Sun 01 Mar 2015, 8:46 pm

Considering how shocking the Blues season is, according to their fans and pundits, then the fact that we're still below them (ignoring the 'glory' of the last week) really paints a picture. Europe is papering over the cracks somewhat so far for us. We're better on a number of fronts, but then the same as ever at the end of the day. Frustrating.

On another note. What has happened to the two messiahs - Brew and Byrne. Both injured? Will they get back in the team? Maybe Byrne just to have a proper look as he didn't get a chance to show much 'magic' before injury but Brew looked well past his best on his run outs. Boo.

by Cardiff Dave Sun 01 Mar 2015, 9:24 pm

Griff wrote:Considering how shocking the Blues season is, according to their fans and pundits, then the fact that we're still below them (ignoring the 'glory' of the last week) really paints a picture. Europe is papering over the cracks somewhat so far for us. We're better on a number of fronts, but then the same as ever at the end of the day. Frustrating.

On another note. What has happened to the two messiahs - Brew and Byrne. Both injured? Will they get back in the team? Maybe Byrne just to have a proper look as he didn't get a chance to show much 'magic' before injury but Brew looked well past his best on his run outs. Boo.

Yep. Our teams are both very rubbish at the moment although mine was half decent for a brief period a few years ago. However, i'm confident mine will get better again soon. What about yours? Is there a desire at Dave Parade to do better? I don't see it and I wish there was that desire in the far East as it would put pressure on my team.

by Guest Sun 01 Mar 2015, 10:12 pm

Not sure I follow? No desire to improve? Are you suggesting the players, coaches and 'owners' don't want to get better? Not sure I've ever heard of that before in sport. Actually, I have but that is in teams who do not want to get promoted for fear it will bankrupt them in the long run. No fear of that for the Dragons!

I do think there's a desperation not to go bust though. The pro game seems to be judged by the business side these days as much as the rugby side. I think the fear is that being gash (as we are) AND being broke will end in 'disbandment', or some other word that people like to use only when describing Welsh rugby regions. So I think what may be perceived as a lack of ambition (if that's what you mean by lack of desire?) to grow and expand is perhpas just the board not living outside their means and putting us on the path to Celtic Warriors land. With Dodger that was always the fear. However, now he's gone/going perhaps we'll feel less likely to get the chop, if that's even a possibility? Who knows?

by bedfordwelsh Mon 02 Mar 2015, 12:20 pm

Thing is teams have to manage expectations and cut the cloth accordingly. Us Dragons know that we will never attract the really big (currently playing) names of Welsh or those from the SH and unfortunately by not being able to do that we have to admit that we will never really on a regular basis be pushing for the top honours.

That however doesn't mean we or the owners, players etc lack ambition or desire to improve its just we have to set realistic goals and trying to achieve them.

by GavinDragon Mon 02 Mar 2015, 5:17 pm

It was so frustrating to watch yesterday. For 5 or 6 years we have been crying out for a pair of scrummaging props and a gnarly second row to shore up our set piece to allow our young exciting backs to flourish. We get what we want but also a coaching style and gameplan around kicking possession away. Make no mistake lyn Jones wasted a back line which included Henson hook and Justin Marshall Shane williams and tommy bowe. Kingsley Jones sale were more known for chabal et Al than cueto. meanwhile our previous backs coach is tearing up he a viva premiership with an exciting bath backline. It is just sooooo frustrating

by bedfordwelsh Mon 02 Mar 2015, 5:37 pm

GD,

I agree there that has been the big frustration this season, as you said we screamed for a pack now we have one our backs have gone AWOL.

by Guest Mon 02 Mar 2015, 8:53 pm

Our backs haven't gone AWOL. They're being used wrong. For some reason, Lyn sees Jon Evans or his son as quicker than Richie, our tens are being messed around something rotten and being made to kick the leather off the ball and we have enough young talent to be doing well. For some reason also, he sees Prydie as a goalkicker (which I don't). I see no reason to take it off any ten that he decides to give a few games to.

by bedfordwelsh Mon 02 Mar 2015, 9:59 pm

Agree on the Rees issue and can never understand why he hasn't started as the pace and tempo lifts significantly when he does come on.

When he first came onto the scene Prydie was seen as a bit of Halfpenny type long range kicker but where as Leigh has gone on to be one of the best around from anywhere on the park Prydie hasn't.

by Cardiff Dave Thu 05 Mar 2015, 8:07 pm

Didn't know this. What went wrong?....

"The Newport Action Group, among others, claim the side has lost more supporters by including the name "Gwent" in its title. The crowds supporting Newport Gwent Dragons averaged 5,154 for the 2005/2006 season, whereas in the 2002/2003 season, Newport RFC was Wales' best supported club and British rugby's fourth best with an average attendance of 8,302 – after English Premiership outfits, Leicester, Gloucester and Northampton."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newport_Gwent_Dragons

by The Saint Thu 05 Mar 2015, 8:14 pm

New signings confirmed today. Is rees off? Or is that sub-standard 9 just a replacement for Jonny Evans? Surely it would have been in line with our philosophy as a Welsh region just to keep Evans...

by Guest Thu 05 Mar 2015, 8:16 pm

Cardiff Dave wrote:Didn't know this. What went wrong?....

"The Newport Action Group, among others, claim the side has lost more supporters by including the name "Gwent" in its title. The crowds supporting Newport Gwent Dragons averaged 5,154 for the 2005/2006 season, whereas in the 2002/2003 season, Newport RFC was Wales' best supported club and British rugby's fourth best with an average attendance of 8,302 – after English Premiership outfits, Leicester, Gloucester and Northampton."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newport_Gwent_Dragons

The Tony Brown era was over.

by Guest Thu 05 Mar 2015, 8:18 pm

The Saint wrote:New signings confirmed today. Is rees off? Or is that sub-standard 9 just a replacement for Jonny Evans? Surely it would have been in line with our philosophy as a Welsh region just to keep Evans...

“and will prove to be an exciting signing as he battles with Sarel Pretorius and Luc Jones for the number 9 shirt next season.”

Lyn Jones quote. Spot the missing 9.

The Wasps boy is at least WQ, but I would sooner keep Richie.

by Cardiff Dave Thu 05 Mar 2015, 8:21 pm

Risca Rev wrote:
Cardiff Dave wrote:Didn't know this. What went wrong?....

"The Newport Action Group, among others, claim the side has lost more supporters by including the name "Gwent" in its title. The crowds supporting Newport Gwent Dragons averaged 5,154 for the 2005/2006 season, whereas in the 2002/2003 season, Newport RFC was Wales' best supported club and British rugby's fourth best with an average attendance of 8,302 – after English Premiership outfits, Leicester, Gloucester and Northampton."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newport_Gwent_Dragons

The Tony Brown era was over.

Why? What happened then?

by GavinDragon Mon 23 Mar 2015, 10:36 am

Rumours on scarlet fever that they are looking at Jack Condy (Cross Keys number 8) came through at Penalta.

Now it may be no big loss to us - its too early to tell - but I would like to think we are looking at players in our own region

by Guest Tue 24 Mar 2015, 3:08 pm

There's no real space for him, I don't think. To be fair he looked good for Keys on Sunday and seeing as Adam Powell has moved to six (who I also rate), he must be pretty good. I'm sure Kingsley is aware of him though.

by ScarletSpiderman Tue 24 Mar 2015, 3:17 pm

Gav, I am guessing with Andy Powell, Toby Faletau, and Crosswell (is that right?) as No.8 options, and numerous other very good blindside options, the Dragons don't really need to be giving semi-pro players a chance at the moment.

by Luckless Pedestrian Tue 24 Mar 2015, 3:57 pm

I'm not sure if the Joneses see Andy Powell as an option these days.

by GavinDragon Tue 24 Mar 2015, 4:23 pm

I don't rate Crosswell if I am honest, and certainly not as an 8. Think Lewis Evans, Cudd, Matthews, Griffiths are all better

by GavinDragon Tue 24 Mar 2015, 4:24 pm

And like I said it may be that we do not have space for him.

I just dont like the other regions picking up talent from our doorstep, morgan allen, tommy isaacs, lewis rawlins were all playing at gwent clubs

by Guest Tue 24 Mar 2015, 5:05 pm

Ed Jackson next season too SS.

No, I think Powell is basically sitting out his contract now.

To be fair, we've recruited from other region's premiership teams (Cudd as the most obvious one) so it's just a fact of life.

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