Cardiff Blues vs Connacht

First topic message reminder :

Anyone watching?

Leighton Hodges (as Assistant Referee) gave a pretty dodgy try with a perfect view of it, but the TMO prevailed.

Cardiff Blues: 15 Rhys Patchell, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Cory Allen, 12 Gavin Evans, 11 Joaquin Tuculet, 10 Gareth Anscombe, 9 Lloyd Williams; 1 Sam Hobbs, 2 Kristian Dacey, 3 Taufa'ao Filise, 4 Jarrad Hoeata, 5 Lou Reed, 6 Josh Turnbull, 7 Ellis Jenkins (c), 8 Josh Navidi

Replacements: 16 Matthew Rees, 17 Thomas Davies, 18 Scott Andrews, 19 Filo Paulo, 20 Macauley Cook, 21 Tavis Knoyle, 22 Gareth Davies, 23 Tom Isaacs

Connacht:
15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Tiernan O'Halloran, 13 Danie Poolman, 12 Dave McSharry, 11 Matt Healy, 10 Craig Ronaldson, 9 John Cooney; 1 Denis Buckley, 2 Tom McCartney, 3 Rodney Ah You, 4 Mick Kearney, 5 Aly Muldowney, 6 John Muldoon (captain), 7 Jake Heenan, 8 George Naoupu

Replacements:16 Shane Delahunt, 17 Ronan Loughney, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Andrew Browne, 20 Eoghan Masterson, 21 Ian Porter, 22 Jack Carty, 23 Darragh Leader

Connacht deserve a lot of credit, their defence was top notch considering the ball the Blues had and they looked dangerous when they had the ball against addmittedly a poor Blues defence it is a shame they made too many errors. Connaught's improvement is helping the pro 12 become more competitive, we need some of the Welsh teams to improve to make the Pro 12 even better.

Thats' got be be one of the weirdest games I've ever seen.

Yes is was a tale of two halfs but that's only because Blues stepped up a gear in attack in the second Half. Blues' defence was abysmal, they just seemed really soft when going in for the hit and had no line speed what so ever; Lou reed and filise were shocking tonight. I thought Connachts defence was really strong, great line speed.

Im not complaining because i'm happy for the Blues as they need a bit of luck and they done us (Scarlets) a huge favour. I'm just left scratching my head how the hell they won.

Notch wrote:Rodney Ah You leaving has really swung the scrums

Also, the Connacht 8 was having a good game yet got pulled with half hour to go, for some reason.

Can't fault Cardiff's endeavour and perseverance, but sometimes they're akin to a bluebottle continually banging its head against a window.
Good to have a win however.

Connacht have beaten the Blues only once in 10 attempts since the league went to 12 teams.

VinceWLB wrote:Connacht have beaten the Blues only once in 10 attempts since the league went to 12 teams.

Once is too many and could've very easily been twice this evening.

Thought the ref made a mistake in that final play when Muldoon came straight through the middle of a ruck to turn the ball over but credit to cardiff for their patience in the face of aggressive defence . Of the two sides Connacht look like a side much better drilled than cardiff which has been their problem all year. Once Aki and henshaw are back in the centre their a handful for any side. Probably the most improved side in the league this year lets hope the blues can just get some confidence from the win, sort out their coaching issues and get going again for next year. Anyone think cuthbert in open field and at full pace should have scored one on one for an international winger?

VinceWLB wrote:Is there some Dragons fans outhere? i can hear the "he knocked on" anthem.

There was a big group of French guys in the North seating. Also i think a French touring team in the terrace. They sang it twice i think. Fair play to them they both really got behind the Blues.

stevetynant wrote:Thought the ref made a mistake in that final play when Muldoon came straight through the middle of a ruck to turn the ball over but credit to cardiff for their patience in the face of aggressive defence . Of the two sides Connacht look like a side much better drilled than cardiff which has been their problem all year. Once Aki and henshaw are back in the centre their a handful for any side. Probably the most improved side in the league this year lets hope the blues can just get some confidence from the win, sort out their coaching issues and get going again for next year. Anyone think cuthbert in open field and at full pace should have scored one on one for an international winger?

It wasn't the ref who made the mistake. It was Leighton Hodges who called it. He should never be let ref a game again.

Actually Sin it was the ref who made the call that ST is referring to. Muldoon came through the ruck quite legally and picked up the ball but the ref said the ruck had beaten him. TO be honest I don't understand or agree with that explanation but I cant argue what I don't understand.

Hodges called the 'in at the side' penalty when the ball squirmed out which was a poor call. I see Connacht have made a formal complaint about him. We'll see how that goes

Oh come on now. Never allowed to ref a game again? You need to take a hard look at yourself if you really think that.

Didn't hear Lam complain much up in Edinburgh this season or at home to Edinburgh last season. Sometimes you get the rub of the green, sometimes you don't.

VinceWLB wrote:Didn't hear Lam complain much up in Edinburgh this season or at home to Edinburgh last season. Sometimes you get the rub of the green, sometimes you don't.

There was a fair big nudge of the green well into the 84th minute of the game for Cardiff to get that bit of luck. It wouldn't have been up to him to Lam to complain about the Edinburgh decision, but there was a complaint.

This is what Lam's says:

Showing video footage of the last minutes of play at the Arms Park, Lam said:”The ball comes back, it’s 83.27 minutes into the game. Cardiff knock the ball on, there is no ruck, our hooker picks the ball up, it is cleared, the ref is just about to blow and then Leighton Hodges, the touch judge, says it’s hands in the ruck.
“A, clearly no ruck. B, clearly he [the Cardiff player] knocked the ball on, and the referee is one metre away to call that.
“That is a massive call and it [the game] should be over and finished. I will go through the process now, but it was the wrong call and it cost us the game.”

Strange game. Connacht were better in attack AND defence, but for some reason, decided to let the Blues have the ball for 75% of the second half.  A combination of luck and persistence got the win. I do think Connacht were unlucky in the reffing calls at the end, but I CANNOT STAND coaches whining about refs afterwards.

Bizarre ending to the game. Understandably Connacht are furious.

Interview with Pat Lam here about it. Seems Connacht have complained about Hodges before for threatening to cost them 7pts in a game.

https://soundcloud.com/knockon-ie/pat-lam-after-cardiff-defeat

Hopefully Hodges doesn't ref the Munster v Connacht game now.

Its one thing to say Hodges got it wrong. Its quite another to question his integrity. Not sure this will pan out well for Connacht

What do you mean 'pan out well for Connacht'? You think they will be deducted even more points?

Lam is right ... people's livelihoods are at stake here.

I can understand why Lam is so upset, and I can understand that he wants Hodges investigated, but I don't think he should have went public with this.
As for questioning the integrity of Hodges; if Hodges really stated that he would cost Connacht 7 points, then Hodges has damaged his own reputation, and has only himself to blame. If it is true, he shouldn't ref a Pro12 game again.

It was a very entertaining game anyway. A credit to both sides.

You and Lam are right about people's livelihoods, Sin.

Now Union has been swallowed up by capitalism, money is the bottom line. It puts pressure on players and coaches to contest decisions, to simulate injuries and foul play, to switch clubs for cash, rather than out of loyalty to community and all the rest.

That's why I prefer the amateur game.

Connacht don't deserve the 6th spot, they barely beat Scarlets 2nd at home and were taught a lesson in Llanelli. Scarlets are a far better team than them and these comments from Lam just make him a sore loser.

Connacht have won 9 games to Scarlets 6. If they had have won last nights game, and if Scarlets lose today, Connacht would have been 4 wins ahead. Statistically at least I would say Connacht would certainly deserve their 6th spot.

Surely this game debunks Chunky's theory about the reffing in the league?

It's been a Welsh conspiracy all along

Sin é wrote:What do you mean 'pan out well for Connacht'? You think they will be deducted even more points?

Lam is right ... people's livelihoods are at stake here.

It wont pan out well if they get a rep for complaining about refs. Boy who cried wolf and all that. Is it unheard of for a province/team to get fined for bringing the game into disrepute as happens in football? Questioning the integrity of a ref is serious business Sin. There are a lot of subtle ways this wont benefit Connacht. I understand his frustration but bringing up this parking business in public does nobody any favours.

Lam needs to shut the f u c k up. Sour grapes.

I don't hear him questioning the decision the referee made when he gave Connacht the first penalty saying the blues had their hands in the ruck which allowed them to kick in to the corner and get the try. It was clearly not a penalty as the ball came out of the side of the ruck. What goes around comes around, Chin up Patty cakes

And the comments about Hodges are not on. If you think he's messed up, fine, but as soon as you question whether a referee is biased or not that's when the officials of the Pro12 have to step in and discipline him. Fans can do it because that's what fans tend to do but to have a coach come out and actually believe the linesman is influenced over a car parking space is lunacy.

This'll be a real test of the balls of this Blazerfest Pro12.

"what goes around comes around" 2 wrongs don't make a right, gc.

Lam has every right to complain about Hodges performance if he genuinely believes Hodges has cost them the game, and also, if Hodges did make that comment about costing them 7 points. If it's a fact, then Hodges really needs to be disciplined, and I would say banned from reffing Pro12 games. No, it isn't lunacy. What would be lunacy is if Hodges actually made that comment...
I do think Lam was wrong in going public with this though.

Hopefully something good comes out of it, but I won't hold my breath.

I feel like Connacht could have and should have put a lot more points on the board when they had total dominance in the first half. Then the officials are taken out of the equation. With this context of this Hodges comment about the seven points... someone I follow on twitter (Munster fan, full disclosure) said if Nigel Owens had said that, we'd think it was hilarious and a classic Owens witticism. Without knowing how it was said and with what tone, it does seem like it could have been tongue in cheek.

Before we jump on the bias bandwagon, lets remember right at the start of the match Hodges awarded a try to Connacht which was very obviously a foul on the Blues jumper who was pulled back. So Hodges has in the same game made at least one poor decision in Connachts favour... If it wasn't for the TMO that try would have stood and had it been an Irish official instead of Hodges awarding the try there we would probably be hearing from the Welsh fans how THAT incident was biased/corrupt!

I think Hodges got both the calls mentioned badly wrong and was very poor, so its appropriate to refer him to whoever is higher up in the league. But I think Pat Lam should apologise to Leighton Hodges for questioning his integrity.

what he said

Why should Lam shut up? He has a clear grievance with Hodges, one that appears to be grounded in fact. Despite that, Hodges is still allowed to ref their games and made yet another appalling decision that cost them. If the powers that be won't deal with it what else is he meant to do?

Not question the integrity of the ref and not do it publicly. He has basically called Leighton Hodges a cheat. Question his competency by all means. You wont find many ulster fans singing his praises after he reffed us against Edinburgh but then you don't have to call him a cheat

I see your point, but he made it clear that he had raised the previous incident through the official channels; clearly it hasn't been dealt with. What else is he supposed to do?

If it hasn't been dealt with then perhaps there is nothing to deal with. As notch said context is everything and Lam didn't even hear the comment first hand

If it was an Owens style witticism then why did the stewards involved feel the need to report it?

I highly doubt Lam goes around making statements of such seriousness unless he knows they are able to be substantiated.

Well I would imagine the league will be needing them substantiated because one way or another I see someone getting in hot water over them

I really don't care what Lam has to say. His opinion now means nothing to me and i've lost all respect for him after his comments. Fact of the matter is, my team who have had a beyond dismal season, came from behind to string 68 phases of play together. Players dug deep, we the fans backed them. You can all be negative but it was a much needed win and performance for us.

Coleman I don't think it was 68 phases lad. Pretty sure Martyn Williams just pulled that number from the sky making a point.

Coleman, Blues needed a big performance, but Hodges call was beyond a joke. The two aren't mutually exclusive!

The Echo had it as 68 as well. I've not had a chance to watch the game on tele. It was a fair few mind with the odd pen thrown in the mix. From being well beat by Treviso to a good come back vs a good Connacht team, i'm taking this as a positive.

Not saying it wasn't impressive lad just don't think it was the 68 phases.

Talk that Pat Lam could face misconduct charge- and, to be honest, I think thats fair enough.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/connacht-coach-pat-lam-could-8794835#ICID=sharebar_twitter

Standulstermen wrote:Coleman I don't think it was 68 phases lad. Pretty sure Martyn Williams just pulled that number from the sky making a point.

He also said that Cardiff were "sleeping giants". Nugget obviously reading my posts on here.

Coleman wrote:I really don't care what Lam has to say. His opinion now means nothing to me and i've lost all respect for him after his comments. Fact of the matter is, my team who have had a beyond dismal season, came from behind to string 68 phases of play together. Players dug deep, we the fans backed them. You can all be negative but it was a much needed win and performance for us.

Our team, should be taking the likes of Connacht to the fecking cleaners everytime and refs making mistakes or whinging coaches won't even enter into the equation. Here you go....

Cardiff 58-0 Connacht

http://www.cardiffblues.com/rugby/1662.php

Cardiff really should be up there vying with the top 5 based on resources. It wasn't that long ago they were going really well. I'm still hoping for a home 5 pointer at Ravenhill though so if you lads could have a three week session that would be great 

Standulstermen wrote:Cardiff really should be up there vying with the top 5 based on resources. It wasn't that long ago they were going really well. I'm still hoping for a home 5 pointer at Ravenhill though so if you lads could have a three week session that would be great 

Threw the proverbial "kitchen sink". Need change at the top of the tree imo.

Cardiff Dave wrote:

Coleman wrote:I really don't care what Lam has to say. His opinion now means nothing to me and i've lost all respect for him after his comments. Fact of the matter is, my team who have had a beyond dismal season, came from behind to string 68 phases of play together. Players dug deep, we the fans backed them. You can all be negative but it was a much needed win and performance for us.

Our team, should be taking the likes of Connacht to the fecking cleaners everytime and refs making mistakes or whinging coaches won't even enter into the equation. Here you go....

Cardiff 58-0 Connacht

http://www.cardiffblues.com/rugby/1662.php

And now it's Connacht dishing out the hammering's to certain teams. Maybe if us Welsh took a leaf out of their book we wouldn't be going backwards.

Munchkin wrote:"what goes around comes around" 2 wrongs don't make a right, gc.

Lam has every right to complain about Hodges performance if he genuinely believes Hodges has cost them the game, and also, if Hodges did make that comment about costing them 7 points. If it's a fact, then Hodges really needs to be disciplined, and I would say banned from reffing Pro12 games. No, it isn't lunacy. What would be lunacy is if Hodges actually made that comment...
I do think Lam was wrong in going public with this though.

Hopefully something good comes out of it, but I won't hold my breath.

How can he prove the 7 points thing as fact though? Get some neutral Galway parking attendant?

Coleman wrote:The Echo had it as 68 as well. I've not had a chance to watch the game on tele. It was a fair few mind with the odd pen thrown in the mix. From being well beat by Treviso to a good come back vs a good Connacht team, i'm taking this as a positive.

The echo did as they took Nugget's word as gospel haha

The Saint wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

Coleman wrote:I really don't care what Lam has to say. His opinion now means nothing to me and i've lost all respect for him after his comments. Fact of the matter is, my team who have had a beyond dismal season, came from behind to string 68 phases of play together. Players dug deep, we the fans backed them. You can all be negative but it was a much needed win and performance for us.

Our team, should be taking the likes of Connacht to the fecking cleaners everytime and refs making mistakes or whinging coaches won't even enter into the equation. Here you go....

Cardiff 58-0 Connacht

http://www.cardiffblues.com/rugby/1662.php

And now it's Connacht dishing out the hammering's to certain teams. Maybe if us Welsh took a leaf out of their book we wouldn't be going backwards.

All 4 pro sides are sleeping giants, especially my team. Have faith. I have. Just.

Notch wrote:I feel like Connacht could have and should have put a lot more points on the board when they had total dominance in the first half. Then the officials are taken out of the equation.

They really should have done. The Blues were rank poor in the first half but Connacht didn't capitalise on it. They were only seven points ahead at half time and the Blues always had a way back in.

I don't really have an opinion on Pat Lam going public with his criticism of Leighton Hodges. The main thing is that he's made an official complaint, because a decision as bad as the one in Friday's game doesn't help the league, and what's more it's not the first howler Hodges has had: remember the Blues v Ospreys game when he awarded a penalty against a player for tackling someone as they were about to kick? The player penalised was incredulous and said the player hadn't kicked, to which Hodges said, "I know, because you tackled him." Simple way to score a try then, just dummy-kick the length of the field, you're untouchable!