Cardiff Blues Season Thread 3 - Danny Wilson Appointed Head Coach

[wales606]

First topic message reminder :

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

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

2nd Row
Jarrad Hoeata, James Down, Lou Reed, Chris Dicomidis, Miles Normandale

Flanker
Sam Warburton, Josh Turnbull, Macauley Cook, Ellis Jenkins, Josh Navidi, Jevon Groves, Ben Roach

Eight
Manoa Vosawai

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

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

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

Wing
Alex Cuthbert, Harry Davies, Owen Jenkins, Chris Knight, Tom Williams, Tom James

Full back
Blaine Scully, Dan Fish, Geraint Walsh, Aled Summerhill

[bedfordwelsh]

A season at LW would have hardly improved his game though.

[Coleman]

Did he play much? A season of games can do a lot for a young player. Navidi, Dacey and Cook are good examples of that.

[wales606]

Did he play much? A season of games can do a lot for a young player. Navidi, Dacey and Cook are good examples of that.

Apparently did and is a better player than when he left.

[Coleman]

Glad to hear. We really need some depth and grunt in the row. Lets hope his year in the prem stands him in good stead.

[ScarletSpiderman]

Tom Williams is off on a season long loan to the Scarlets, as injury/international cover.

[Cardiff Dave]

"Cardiff have been drawn in Pool 2 of the new Challenge Cup competition that takes place throughout the season starting in December.

The pool consists of Aberavon, Bridgend, Cardiff and Pontypridd meaning the Blue & Blacks play Ponty three times in December.

Pool 1: Carmarthen, Llanelli, Neath, Llandovery
Pool 2: Aberavon, Bridgend, Cardiff, Pontypridd
Pool 3: Newport, Cross Keys, Ebbw Vale, Bedwas

The date for the games are;

Round 1 - 14th November
Round 2 - 21st November
Round 3 - 12th December
Round 4 - 19th December
Round 5 - 16th January
Round 6 - 23rd January

Semi Final - 19th March

Final - 9th April

14/11/2015 Bridgend v Cardiff
21/11/2015 Cardiff v Aberavon
12/12/2015 Pontypridd v Cardiff
19/12/2015 Cardiff v Pontypridd
16/01/2016 Aberavon v Cardiff
23/01/2015 Cardiff v Bridgend"

http://www.cardiffrfc.com/News/Article/40991

[Steffan]

The Blue & Blacks play Ponty three times in December

240 minutes in December of hurling abuse at Cardiff players and supporters...not very festive of me I have to say

[Guest]

Oh dear.

[Cardiff Dave]

The Blue & Blacks play Ponty three times in December

240 minutes in December of hurling abuse at Cardiff players and supporters...not very festive of me I have to say

Ever considered that footy maybe your game Steff?

[Steffan]

Oh dear.

It's just a joke Rev. I have nothing major against the Blue & Blacks. They are who they say they are so thats fine

[Steffan]

The Blue & Blacks play Ponty three times in December

240 minutes in December of hurling abuse at Cardiff players and supporters...not very festive of me I have to say

Ever considered that footy maybe your game Steff?

Got Wales football season tickets

[Cardiff Dave]

Oh dear.

It's just a joke Rev. I have nothing major against the Blue & Blacks. They are who they say they are so thats fine

#BluesFamily.

[Steffan]

Oh dear.

It's just a joke Rev. I have nothing major against the Blue & Blacks. They are who they say they are so thats fine

#BluesFamily.

Its different with the Blues. Wipe them off the face of the earth I couldn't care less. But as for the "Rags"...well you're just a fellow Welsh rugby team and I quite like my trips to the Arms Park and a few pints of that "not great but tasted worse" Brains SA your staff dish up

[Cardiff Dave]

Oh dear.

It's just a joke Rev. I have nothing major against the Blue & Blacks. They are who they say they are so thats fine

#BluesFamily.

Its different with the Blues. Wipe them off the face of the earth I couldn't care less. But as for the "Rags"...well you're just a fellow Welsh rugby team and I quite like my trips to the Arms Park and a few pints of that "not great but tasted worse" Brains SA your staff dish up

Blues and Rags. The first team and the second team.
One club still, so what's the diff?

[Steffan]

One club still, so what's the diff?

Rags will still be around in years to come

[Cardiff Dave]

One club still, so what's the diff?

Rags will still be around in years to come

Don't be daft. By definition, can't have the Rags without the firsts.

[Cardiff Dave]

Oh dear.

Why?

[Cardiff Dave]

Oh dear.

Why?

Whatever you say, be nice FFS.

[Steffan]

Oh dear.

Why?

Whatever you say, be nice FFS.

It was only a joke anyway. I do not hurl abuse at any players or supporters

[Fanster]

Oh dear.

Why?

Whatever you say, be nice FFS.

This is definately a worthwhile thread worthy of staying active

[wales606]

Calm down guys. At least wait until September

[Steffan]

Calm down guys. At least wait until September

The summer months of no rugby have worked up everyone's testosterone levels. We will be fine come September

[Cardiff Dave]

Calm down guys. At least wait until September

The summer months of no rugby have worked up everyone's testosterone levels. We will be fine come September

Young man!

[Cardiff Dave]

Calm down guys. At least wait until September

Just noticed that the bloos Arms Park forum has been renamed to "1876 Cardiff Rugby". Plus the Cardiff Trust thing. Well done to all involved.

[Steffan]

Calm down guys. At least wait until September

Just noticed that the bloos Arms Park forum has been renamed to "1876 Cardiff Rugby"

Yep. You are no longer pretending to be a "region" which is better for everyone

[Cardiff Dave]

Calm down guys. At least wait until September

Just noticed that the bloos Arms Park forum has been renamed to "1876 Cardiff Rugby"

Yep. You are no longer pretending to be a "region" which is better for everyone

Doubt the club would agree, but there's defo some kind of concerted effort going on, off piste. I sense rumblings to the East too.

[Coleman]

Read in the rugby paper that Rush has left his coaching role with Auckland and come back to Cardiff for personal reasons. Any chance he could end up on the coaching staff in the interim?

[XR]

Calm down guys. At least wait until September

Just noticed that the bloos Arms Park forum has been renamed to "1876 Cardiff Rugby"

Yep. You are no longer pretending to be a "region" which is better for everyone

It was actually called "A Sunny day in Marseille" and then something else until it was pointed out that it wasn't just a Cardiff blues forum but also a place for Cardiff rfc chat, at times. So he went with that one.

[Cardiff Dave]

Calm down guys. At least wait until September

Just noticed that the bloos Arms Park forum has been renamed to "1876 Cardiff Rugby"

Yep. You are no longer pretending to be a "region" which is better for everyone

It was actually called "A Sunny day in Marseille" and then something else until it was pointed out that it wasn't just a Cardiff blues forum but also a place for Cardiff rfc chat, at times. So he went with that one.

Always been an all things Cardiff rugby forum as far as I know. Just need one supporters' club now to complete the set ie CRSC. The bloos only one has to go. Blydi daft having tew.

[XR]

Having 2 is fine right now.

You have one that engages supporters and views themselves as a supporters' club. The other wants to be chummy with the players and doesn't represent the view of the majority but of a select few who, as mentioned, want to be chummy with the players.

[Coleman]

Which is which? I'm a member of one and i don't do it to be chummy with players. I do it to save £5 on away trips.

[XR]

CBSC.

I saw the minutes of a meeting they had with RH and the discussions were shocking. No real searching questions about poor player recruitment, relations with PRFC, coaching accountability...no, they focused on the fact that after the blues lost to the dragons in the Challenge Cup, only 2 players turned up in the club bar.

They do not represent the views of the many, just the views of the few members of the #bluesfamily. It's a shame as a supporters club can be a useful tool but in it's current form, it's useless and too happy to accept the status quo rather than challenge it.

[XR]

A discussion was had about player engagement and ownership and how this could also benefit the club commercially. An example was cited where CBSC had worked with the club to ensure that CAP was used for the supporters base for the recent Challenge Cup QF. Supporters packed out the Arms Park Clubhouse all day. It was noted that only Josh Navidi and Dan Fish made the effort to come into the club and interact with supporters, whilst this isn’t for everyone a closer bond between players and supporters can only be a good thing from a number of perspectives.

You have a meeting with Holland AND Peter Thomas and this was their biggest criticism! They're too focused on being 'in' with the players and those running the place that they no longer represent the views of the majority of Cardiff blues fans.

[Coleman]

Thanks for the info. I guess the difference for me is that i don't follow Cardiff RFC and see myself as solely a Blues fan. I understand that some people see it as one in the same but i believe in the regional concept. I do agree however that more can be made of the access to higher ups. But as i said before, i mainly just like following the team away when i can.

On another point, how do people feel about the SS4O strip? I like it a lot. Are those Aberdare colours?

[Blueschief]

It's a lovely shirt, hope they do a polo version

https://youtu.be/aQyTJKGl6iU

[Guest]

That looks great

[Coleman]

Rush is in the club house and has been talking to Wilson throughout the day. Do we have a defense coach? I'd assume Wilson is taking the forwards on board.

[wales606]

Rush is in the club house and has been talking to Wilson throughout the day. Do we have a defense coach? I'd assume Wilson is taking the forwards on board.

Graham Steadman is the new defense coach

[Coleman]

Ofcourse he is. Silly me.

[XR]

Don't want Rush anywhere near the defence, he was that coach before and was relieved of his duties.

I'd like him involved with the academy, he's got a lot of knowledge and experience to pass on.

[Coleman]

What do people think the team will be for friday? Keeping in mind the players we have missing I think we'll see something close to:

1. Hobbs
2. Rees
3. Mitchell
4. Down
5. Hoeata
6. Turnbull
7. E. Jenkins
8. Navidi
9. Knoyle
10. G. Davies
11. H. Davies
12. G. Evans
13. R. Smith
14. O. Jenkins
15. Fish

I'm assuming that Navidi will remain at 8 after he did well for us there last season and it makes space for Ellis Jenkins to develop at openside. Vos will likely be on the bench waiting to come on with 30 to go as will Reed and Cook.

I've picked Knoyle at 9 as Lewis Jones was playing 7's on saturday. I'd assume Jarrod Evans will be on the bench and will come on at some point. In terms of our outside backs it's a bit of a mess. With many away on international duty it's a bit of a who is available. One thing i am resigned to is that Gavin Evans will play at 12 for the Blues forever, that is our curse.

[wales606]

Doubt we will see many first choice names for the first preseason game against championship opposition. We might see them the week after against the Dragons.

1. Tom Davies
2. Rhys Williams / Belcher?
3. Dillion Lewis
4. Lou Reed
5. Miles Normandale
6. Cam Dolan
7. Ellis Jenkins (c)
8. Manoa Vosawoi
9. Tomos Williams
10. Gareth Davies
11. Owen Jenkins
12. Gavin Evans
13. Tom Isaacs
14. Aled Summerhill
15. Dan Fish.


Then next week we will hopefully see a strong side with the new signings introduced to the Arms Park crowd.

1. Sam Hobbs
2. Matthew Rees
3. Craig Mitchell
4. Jarrod Hoeata
5. James Down
6. Josh Turnball
7. Ellis Jenkins
8. Josh Navidi
9. Tavis Knoyle
10. Rhys Patchell
11. Tom James
12. Ray Lee Lo
13. Gavin Evans (though won't be surprised if Allen is returned to play if fit)
14. Richard Smith
15. Blaine Scully

[Coleman]

Are Lee Lo, Scully and Dolan not on international duty? I assumed Tom James was still recovering as well.

[dragon4life]

Won't Dolan, Lee Lo and Scully be in world cup training

[Guest]

Patchell has been let go from the Welsh squad, if hes not injured wouldn't he be playing?

[Coleman]

He's not had much time to learn the new systems so i thought they'd go with Davies and maybe Evans on the bench. We'll probs see him against Gwent.

[wales606]

Patchell has been let go from the Welsh squad, if hes not injured wouldn't he be playing?

No need to risk him for every pre-season match. Now is the time to give other options a go. Seriously doubt he will be involved against championship opposition away from home.

[wales606]

Well I wasn't far off, managed to predict the entire backline!

Bristol Rugby v Cardiff Blues
Friday 21st August, 7:45pm KO – Ashton Gate

15 Dan Fish, 14 Aled Summerhill,13 Tom Isaacs, 12 Gavin Evans, 11 Owen Jenkins, 10 Gareth Davies, 9 Tomos Williams;

1 Sam Hobbs(c), 2 Rhys Williams, 3 Dillon Lewis, 4 Miles Normandale, 5 Chris Dicomidis, 6 Jevon Groves, 7 Ellis Jenkins, 8 Josh Turnbull

Replacements: 16 Liam Belcher, 17 Thomas Davies, 18 Craig
Mitchell, 19 Jarrad Hoeata, 20 Ben Roach, 21 Tavis Knoyle, 22 Jarrod Evans, 23 Adam Thomas, 24 James Down, 25 Seb Davies, 26 Manoa Vosawai, 27 Owen Lane

[PhilBB]

Thanks for the info. I guess the difference for me is that i don't follow Cardiff RFC and see myself as solely a Blues fan. I understand that some people see it as one in the same but i believe in the regional concept. I do agree however that more can be made of the access to higher ups. But as i said before, i mainly just like following the team away when i can.

On another point, how do people feel about the SS4O strip? I like it a lot. Are those Aberdare colours?

Sorry, but what's the 'regional concept'? Do you mean what it actually is or how it has been false portrayed?

Interested in how you view it.

[PhilBB]

Yep. You are no longer pretending to be a "region" which is better for everyone

Has the club ever pretended to be a region? It's always been a standalone club running a development pathway as a regional organisation member of the WRU.

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