Ospreys v Cardiff Blues, 28 November

      
Ospreys v Cardiff Blues
Saturday 28 November 2015
KO 15:00
Liberty Stadium, Swansea

Live on Sky Sports

Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU, 128th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Leighton Hodges, Wayne Davies (both WRU)
Citing Commissioner: Aurwel Morgan (WRU)
TMO: Gareth Simmonds (WRU)

A. Head to Head

24 Played 24
16 Wins 7
7 Losses 16
1 Draws 1
547 Points 410

B. Form

Sun 12 October 2014
Ospreys 26 - 15 Cardiff Blues

Sat 25 April 2015
Cardiff Blues 23 - 31 Ospreys

C. Teams

Ospreys

[tbc]

Cardiff Blues

[tbc]

I said on the Ospreys 15/16 thread yesterday, that 4 long term absentees could be available for this week, Ardron, Hassler, Smith and Fia, going by the Ospreys Press Conference,our attack coach said it might be a bit early for Ardron and possibly Hassler, Fia was also mentioned in this context, but he also said a couple could come in from the long term absentees this week and the others next week, so I would say both Hassler and Fia will be playing some part, Nicky Smith wasn't mentioned at all, the only thing about the whole conference was that Rees didn't offer up any names, he only answered what he was asked.
Whatever, some of our players desperately need a rest, a few are also carrying knocks, Matavesi is going through HIA protocols and we are delaying naming our side to the last possible moment to give him a chance to make this game, Arhip is also a concern, but if Fia is available this might give him a week to recover, it's a tricky balancing act, Baldwin was also carrying his arm, but both Parry and Otten are available,not too big a loss.
I can see a starting team of Evans, Hassler John, Dirksen, Walker, Biggar, Leonard, James, Parry, Jarvis, Thornton, AWJ, Lydiate, Tipuric and King with Smith, Otten, Fia, Ashley, Baker, Habberfield, Davies and Spratt making up the bench.
I would have liked to see Biggar, AWJ and Lydiate given rests, considering the amount of top level Rugby lately they've played, but I don't think they would want to miss any.

Think the Ospreys are going to win this quite comfortably.

Here's hoping it is a big crowd for such a tasty fixture.

GavinDragon wrote:Think the Ospreys are going to win this quite comfortably.

Here's hoping it is a big crowd for such a tasty fixture.

I would expect a larger crowd, but realistically are the Blues really that big a draw for the non-regular fans? Especially going on this seasons performances.

No SS, realistically the only big draw for a derby (as far as the Ospreys are concerned) is Scarlets.

If we're lucky this match will go no further than a brutal prison shaming.

Rees is banned for seven weeks after the incident with Easter- am I right in saying that Blues fans won't be too broken hearted he's out of the team? I remember how good he used to be, but he hasn't been the same player since he came back after his brush with cancer.

Notch wrote:Rees is banned for seven weeks after the incident with Easter- am I right in saying that Blues fans won't be too broken hearted he's out of the team? I remember how good he used to be, but he hasn't been the same player since he came back after his brush with cancer.

Blues fans were asking for 7 months

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

GavinDragon wrote:Think the Ospreys are going to win this quite comfortably.

Here's hoping it is a big crowd for such a tasty fixture.

I would expect a larger crowd, but realistically are the Blues really that big a draw for the non-regular fans?  Especially going on this seasons performances.

It should be as big a crowd as last year 10800 odd, on Saturday morning at Morriston RFC, there is a tagfest between U8s and U10s from the 2 Regions there are around 40 teams taking part, they then have a pizza and then come to the Liberty to watch the match, a few of the teams coaches get in with the squad, there are many parents attending who pay to get in at a reduced rate. I have a great nephew playing and there will be 5 adults coming along, we will make our money from the kids in the food areas.
I would say even the Dragons fetch more fans with them to the Liberty than the Blues.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

GavinDragon wrote:Think the Ospreys are going to win this quite comfortably.

Here's hoping it is a big crowd for such a tasty fixture.

I would expect a larger crowd, but realistically are the Blues really that big a draw for the non-regular fans?  Especially going on this seasons performances.

They're not that big a draw in Cardiff mun. Not true enough imho. More work to do methinks.

wayne wrote:
I would say even the Dragons fetch more fans with them to the Liberty than the Blues.

How can you tell?

gcBlues wrote:If we're lucky this match will go no further than a brutal prison shaming.

I take it that you don't expect to be swinging your pants this weekend.

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:
I would say even the Dragons fetch more fans with them to the Liberty than the Blues.

How can you tell?

Noise

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:
I would say even the Dragons fetch more fans with them to the Liberty than the Blues.

How can you tell?

Noise

I see. The Cardiff lot are not so vulgar, preferring to gently clap and say jolly good show, when it's deserved of course.

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:
I would say even the Dragons fetch more fans with them to the Liberty than the Blues.

How can you tell?

Noise

I see. The Cardiff lot are not so vulgar, preferring to gently clap and say jolly good show, when it's deserved of course.

I should also have added eyes, I could see a lot more of them than I usually see of your lot, let me just add I expect to see a lot more of your lot on Saturday, due to the outstanding marketing ploy of having many Junior teams being involved in the TAGFEST against our lot and then getting fantastic deals into the Liberty for the big match, will you be there supporting your team Dave, you must have saved some money as you wasn't at the Quins game last week.

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:
I would say even the Dragons fetch more fans with them to the Liberty than the Blues.

How can you tell?

Noise

I see. The Cardiff lot are not so vulgar, preferring to gently clap and say jolly good show, when it's deserved of course.

I should also have added eyes, I could see a lot more of them than I usually see of your lot, let me just add I expect to see a lot more of your lot on Saturday, due to the outstanding marketing ploy of having many Junior teams being involved in the TAGFEST against our lot and then getting fantastic deals into the Liberty for the big match, will you be there supporting your team Dave, you must have saved some money as you wasn't at the Quins game last week.

Fat chance.

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:
I would say even the Dragons fetch more fans with them to the Liberty than the Blues.

How can you tell?

Noise

I see. The Cardiff lot are not so vulgar, preferring to gently clap and say jolly good show, when it's deserved of course.

I should also have added eyes, I could see a lot more of them than I usually see of your lot, let me just add I expect to see a lot more of your lot on Saturday, due to the outstanding marketing ploy of having many Junior teams being involved in the TAGFEST against our lot and then getting fantastic deals into the Liberty for the big match, will you be there supporting your team Dave, you must have saved some money as you wasn't at the Quins game last week.

Fat chance.

There are 48 Teams entered in the TAGFEST, with over 800 kids put in the Northeast corner of the Stadium, Ospreys Tickets states not all the Teams are locals, so I don't know how many are coming from the Blues Region, the person who entered the response on our forum is hoping for a decent walkup and a crowd of around 10500, I must admit that would disappoint me.
As for your reply I didn't expect anything else.

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:
I would say even the Dragons fetch more fans with them to the Liberty than the Blues.

How can you tell?

Noise

I see. The Cardiff lot are not so vulgar, preferring to gently clap and say jolly good show, when it's deserved of course.

I should also have added eyes, I could see a lot more of them than I usually see of your lot, let me just add I expect to see a lot more of your lot on Saturday, due to the outstanding marketing ploy of having many Junior teams being involved in the TAGFEST against our lot and then getting fantastic deals into the Liberty for the big match, will you be there supporting your team Dave, you must have saved some money as you wasn't at the Quins game last week.

Fat chance.

There are 48 Teams entered in the TAGFEST, with over 800 kids put in the Northeast corner of the Stadium, Ospreys Tickets states not all the Teams are locals, so I don't know how many are coming from the Blues Region, the person who entered the response on our forum is hoping for a decent walkup and a crowd of around 10500, I must admit that would disappoint me.
As for your reply I didn't expect anything else.

Thanks.

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:
I would say even the Dragons fetch more fans with them to the Liberty than the Blues.

How can you tell?

Noise

I see. The Cardiff lot are not so vulgar, preferring to gently clap and say jolly good show, when it's deserved of course.

I should also have added eyes, I could see a lot more of them than I usually see of your lot, let me just add I expect to see a lot more of your lot on Saturday, due to the outstanding marketing ploy of having many Junior teams being involved in the TAGFEST against our lot and then getting fantastic deals into the Liberty for the big match, will you be there supporting your team Dave, you must have saved some money as you wasn't at the Quins game last week.

Fat chance.

There are 48 Teams entered in the TAGFEST, with over 800 kids put in the Northeast corner of the Stadium, Ospreys Tickets states not all the Teams are locals, so I don't know how many are coming from the Blues Region, the person who entered the response on our forum is hoping for a decent walkup and a crowd of around 10500, I must admit that would disappoint me.
As for your reply I didn't expect anything else.

Thanks.

If the thanks, is for my reply to the Fat chance, if you cannot be bothered to attend your home match against Harlequins I wouldn't expect you to attend this one, Wild horses wouldn't have kept me from our game against Exeter in the RCC, we had 2 games last season when my Brother in law couldn't take me, I had the wife take me to Bridgend, once I went by local bus to Swansea then very local out to the Liberty and organised a lift back to Sarn services where my wife picked me up, the other game I went to Swansea by train and came back the same way. I would have done the same for the Exeter game.
If there is some other reason for not attending and is a valid one. I APOLOGISE.

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:
I would say even the Dragons fetch more fans with them to the Liberty than the Blues.

How can you tell?

Noise

I see. The Cardiff lot are not so vulgar, preferring to gently clap and say jolly good show, when it's deserved of course.

That's my they are all so quiet then as it's not often deserved

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:
I would say even the Dragons fetch more fans with them to the Liberty than the Blues.

How can you tell?

Noise

I see. The Cardiff lot are not so vulgar, preferring to gently clap and say jolly good show, when it's deserved of course.

I should also have added eyes, I could see a lot more of them than I usually see of your lot, let me just add I expect to see a lot more of your lot on Saturday, due to the outstanding marketing ploy of having many Junior teams being involved in the TAGFEST against our lot and then getting fantastic deals into the Liberty for the big match, will you be there supporting your team Dave, you must have saved some money as you wasn't at the Quins game last week.

Fat chance.

Whats the matter Dave? Feeling a little Blue?

I'll be at this one, along with my brother and old man, so that's 10503 people then.

Oh, and I will be supporting Cardiff Blues, when they are winning, then Ospreys when they are winning.

Only joking, I will most likely be sitting I with the Blues crowd with my Cardiff stalwart father. Do you know, he still reckons they are the biggest club in the world.

LordDowlais wrote:I'll be at this one, along with my brother and old man, so that's 10503 people then.

Oh, and I will be supporting Cardiff Blues, when they are winning, then Ospreys when they are winning.

Only joking, I will most likely be sitting I with the Blues crowd with my Cardiff stalwart father. Do you know, he still reckons they are the biggest club in the world.

Have you bought your ticket yet Lord, and if you want to meet up, let me know, the same applies to anybody on this site for any game at the Liberty.

wayne wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:I'll be at this one, along with my brother and old man, so that's 10503 people then.

Oh, and I will be supporting Cardiff Blues, when they are winning, then Ospreys when they are winning.

Only joking, I will most likely be sitting I with the Blues crowd with my Cardiff stalwart father. Do you know, he still reckons they are the biggest club in the world.

Have you bought your ticket yet Lord, and if you want to meet up, let me know, the same applies to anybody on this site for any game at the Liberty.

My old man will get them via his credit card. When I have them I will let you know, it is not my turn to drive either I drove down to Cardiff last Thursday, but because it is a 3pm kick off the two crafty barstewards (my bro and father) will convince the girls to come and get a bit of shopping in and they can drive, will probably go for dinner afterwards as well, just to treat the girls.

wayne wrote:
If there is some other reason for not attending and is a valid one. I APOLOGISE.

Several reasons actually.
Life tends to throw a curve ball or two when you least expect them. No need to apologise btw.

Hope the dire forecast doesn't curtail a decent crowd turning up. 3pm derby on a sat should bring more numbers in. Where do you go pre game Wayne?

Breadvan wrote:Hope the dire forecast doesn't curtail a decent crowd turning up. 3pm derby on a sat should bring more numbers in. Where do you go pre game Wayne?

Now there's a novelty.

GavinDragon wrote:

Whats the matter Dave? Feeling a little Blue?

You 'ere all week? Should be on the stage mun.
Mightily cheesed off, as you've asked.

bedfordwelsh wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:
I would say even the Dragons fetch more fans with them to the Liberty than the Blues.

How can you tell?

Noise

I see. The Cardiff lot are not so vulgar, preferring to gently clap and say jolly good show, when it's deserved of course.

That's my they are all so quiet then as it's not often deserved

Pimms all round next season. Just you wait and see.

LordDowlais wrote:I'll be at this one, along with my brother and old man, so that's 10503 people then.

Oh, and I will be supporting Cardiff Blues, when they are winning, then Ospreys when they are winning.

Only joking, I will most likely be sitting I with the Blues crowd with my Cardiff stalwart father. Do you know, he still reckons they are the biggest club in the world.

Silly old sod tell him.
They were though I spose when they played in club colours, jerseys were cotton with collars and the Austin Allegro was the must-have car.

We will have changes in the pack, we have a player preview before every game and whoever is interviewed has always been selected since this process began at the beginning of last season, the 2 players interviewed were Dan Baker, (he also said in an interview in the Fail yesterday that he was playing in this match) the other player interviewed was Sam Parry. So going by past experiences these 2 will definitely be playing, perhaps Baldwin is still feeling his shoulder, Baker will be playing 8, they could be resting Lydiate and moving King to Blind side, or could they do the ridiculous and put King in the 2nd row instead of AWJ, I really hope not.

Cardiff Dave wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:I'll be at this one, along with my brother and old man, so that's 10503 people then.

Oh, and I will be supporting Cardiff Blues, when they are winning, then Ospreys when they are winning.

Only joking, I will most likely be sitting I with the Blues crowd with my Cardiff stalwart father. Do you know, he still reckons they are the biggest club in the world.

Silly old sod tell him.
They were though I spose when they played in club colours, jerseys were cotton with collars and the Austin Allegro was the must-have car.

Yeh and they could buy all the decent players in the country and with the help of JBG Thomas who would continually bull them up and get them in the Welsh Team. I can certainly remember them days.

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:I'll be at this one, along with my brother and old man, so that's 10503 people then.

Oh, and I will be supporting Cardiff Blues, when they are winning, then Ospreys when they are winning.

Only joking, I will most likely be sitting I with the Blues crowd with my Cardiff stalwart father. Do you know, he still reckons they are the biggest club in the world.

Silly old sod tell him.
They were though I spose when they played in club colours, jerseys were cotton with collars and the Austin Allegro was the must-have car.

Yeh and they could buy all the decent players in the country and with the help of JBG Thomas who would continually bull them up and get them in the Welsh Team. I can certainly remember them days.

And ruin them. Cheque book blydi charlies!

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:I'll be at this one, along with my brother and old man, so that's 10503 people then.

Oh, and I will be supporting Cardiff Blues, when they are winning, then Ospreys when they are winning.

Only joking, I will most likely be sitting I with the Blues crowd with my Cardiff stalwart father. Do you know, he still reckons they are the biggest club in the world.

Silly old sod tell him.
They were though I spose when they played in club colours, jerseys were cotton with collars and the Austin Allegro was the must-have car.

Yeh and they could buy all the decent players in the country and with the help of JBG Thomas who would continually bull them up and get them in the Welsh Team. I can certainly remember them days.

And ruin them. Cheque book blydi charlies!

To be quite honest about it I think things are a lot more open today, than they were back then, there were some terrible players that got caps back then, all because they played for one or two clubs.

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:I'll be at this one, along with my brother and old man, so that's 10503 people then.

Oh, and I will be supporting Cardiff Blues, when they are winning, then Ospreys when they are winning.

Only joking, I will most likely be sitting I with the Blues crowd with my Cardiff stalwart father. Do you know, he still reckons they are the biggest club in the world.

Silly old sod tell him.
They were though I spose when they played in club colours, jerseys were cotton with collars and the Austin Allegro was the must-have car.

Yeh and they could buy all the decent players in the country and with the help of JBG Thomas who would continually bull them up and get them in the Welsh Team. I can certainly remember them days.

And ruin them. Cheque book blydi charlies!

To be quite honest about it I think things are a lot more open today, than they were back then, there were some terrible players that got caps back then, all because they played for one or two clubs.

More murkier than ever imo, but there we are.

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:I'll be at this one, along with my brother and old man, so that's 10503 people then.

Oh, and I will be supporting Cardiff Blues, when they are winning, then Ospreys when they are winning.

Only joking, I will most likely be sitting I with the Blues crowd with my Cardiff stalwart father. Do you know, he still reckons they are the biggest club in the world.

Silly old sod tell him.
They were though I spose when they played in club colours, jerseys were cotton with collars and the Austin Allegro was the must-have car.

Yeh and they could buy all the decent players in the country and with the help of JBG Thomas who would continually bull them up and get them in the Welsh Team. I can certainly remember them days.

And ruin them. Cheque book blydi charlies!

To be quite honest about it I think things are a lot more open today, than they were back then, there were some terrible players that got caps back then, all because they played for one or two clubs.

More murkier than ever imo, but there we are.

How old are you, can you actually remember the late 50s early to mid 60s as this is the period I'm talking about, JBG had a lot of undue influence at that time. I don't think anybody outside of the WRU have that influence today

To be fair to Parry, he did trundle over this weekend too.

Cardiff Dave wrote:

GavinDragon wrote:

Whats the matter Dave? Feeling a little Blue?

You 'ere all week? Should be on the stage mun.
Mightily cheesed off, as you've asked.

Well I hope that is purely down to rugby and nothing more serious!

Ospreys team named
Evans, Grabham, Spratt, Dirksen, Walker, Biggar, Leonard, Bevington, Parry, Arhip, AWJ, Thornton, Lydiate, Tipuric, Baker. Subs Otten, Smith, Jarvis, Ashley, King, Habberfield, Davies John.
Baldwin and James out injured, still no Fia, thought Hassler would have been back, very strong pack.

Is it just me, or does anyone else think Brendon Leonard has been poor so far this season ?

LordDowlais wrote:Is it just me, or does anyone else think Brendon Leonard has been poor so far this season ?

He was very poor against Exeter IIRC, he was MOTM against Treviso (think), and had a decent game last week IMO, the point is Habbers has impressed when he has come on in place of him, I wouldn't mind either starting tomorrow, perhaps they are sticking with the same tactics as they are appearing to be working and Leonard is a bit more physical than Tom.

wayne wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:Is it just me, or does anyone else think Brendon Leonard has been poor so far this season ?

He was very poor against Exeter IIRC, he was MOTM against Treviso (think), and had a decent game last week IMO, the point is Habbers has impressed when he has come on in place of him, I wouldn't mind either starting tomorrow, perhaps they are sticking with the same tactics as they are appearing to be working and Leonard is a bit more physical than Tom.

I would rather us stick with Habberfield. Look how Rhys Webb was held back because of Khan "box kick" Fotuali'i being though of in the same vein. As soon as he was gone Rhys Webb flourished.

LordDowlais wrote:

wayne wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:Is it just me, or does anyone else think Brendon Leonard has been poor so far this season ?

He was very poor against Exeter IIRC, he was MOTM against Treviso (think), and had a decent game last week IMO, the point is Habbers has impressed when he has come on in place of him, I wouldn't mind either starting tomorrow, perhaps they are sticking with the same tactics as they are appearing to be working and Leonard is a bit more physical than Tom.

I would rather us stick with Habberfield. Look how Rhys Webb was held back because of Khan "box kick" Fotuali'i being though of in the same vein. As soon as he was gone Rhys Webb flourished.

Lord, the only person that was holding Rhys back was himself, he had his opportunities before Khan ever got here, when he was here and since, yes he had some excellent games, but cost us games as well. IIRC Rhys made his debut for us around 2007 and played games every season after, he had a good mentor in Justin Marshall, a terrible one in Mike Phillips, and a decent one in Jamie Nutbrown and IMO up to the point he announced he was leaving a good one in Khan, perhaps being automatically given first choice status by us after Khan left was the making of him. Who knows?

wayne wrote:Ospreys team named
Evans, Grabham, Spratt, Dirksen, Walker, Biggar, Leonard, Bevington, Parry, Arhip, AWJ, Thornton, Lydiate, Tipuric, Baker. Subs Otten, Smith, Jarvis, Ashley, King, Habberfield, Davies John.
Baldwin and James out injured, still no Fia, thought Hassler would have been back, very strong pack.

The back 5 of the pack is strong, but your weak links are Bevington and Parry, both of whom should probably be regulars for the premiership select rather than the Ospreys. No Fia? Are supporters asking questions of Tandy like we are of Jones?

mikey_dragon wrote:

wayne wrote:Ospreys team named
Evans, Grabham, Spratt, Dirksen, Walker, Biggar, Leonard, Bevington, Parry, Arhip, AWJ, Thornton, Lydiate, Tipuric, Baker. Subs Otten, Smith, Jarvis, Ashley, King, Habberfield, Davies John.
Baldwin and James out injured, still no Fia, thought Hassler would have been back, very strong pack.

The back 5 of the pack is strong, but your weak links are Bevington and Parry, both of whom should probably be regulars for the premiership select rather than the Ospreys. No Fia? Are supporters asking questions of Tandy like we are of Jones?

Mikey, Bevington has not let us down in the scrum this season so far, he is not as good as either James or Smith in that department, in open play he is far superior to both, as for Parry he did have a bit of a ropey start with us, especially with the arrows, but he is getting better and to be in the position he was for that try out in France was exceptional.
Some were asking questions of Tandy before the last few games, it has quietened down a lot since then, as for Lyn the Lip he has his foibles, but what he did fantastically well for us was to fetch players through to a decent standard, it was when he came up against well organised teams at the top of their game, that his expertise was brought into question. I can't remember who it was against but he picked the New Zealand International scrum half Justin Marshall at full back because he said he could read a game very well from there.

Gethin Jenkins got completely mullered at that scrum by Arhip.

VinceWLB wrote:Gethin Jenkins got completely mullered at that scrum by Arhip.

Arhip got completely mullered at that scrum by Gethin Jenkins

wales606 wrote:

VinceWLB wrote:Gethin Jenkins got completely mullered at that scrum by Arhip.

Arhip got completely mullered at that scrum by Gethin Jenkins

It was actually great work from Filise, fair play he is still going strong even at 39.

Harsh penalty against Blues here, the O's scrum just got dismantled once again..

Well even given the weather the Blues leading is still a shock