Cardiff Blues Season Thread 3 - Danny Wilson Appointed Head Coach

by Guest Wed 23 Dec 2015, 8:54 am

First topic message reminder :

Navidi is better in other positions in my opinion. Williams is an out and out 8. Good signing.

by Cardiff Dave Tue 22 Mar 2016, 7:01 pm

wales606 wrote:Think top 6 is no longer possible to be honest.

Pretty much agree with that team though, woud have Warburton and Gethin on the bench with a view to starting them in the next game against the Scarlets.

You thinking of traveling down to this game? Very Happy

by wales606 Tue 22 Mar 2016, 10:10 pm

Cardiff Dave wrote:
wales606 wrote:Think top 6 is no longer possible to be honest.

Pretty much agree with that team though, woud have Warburton and Gethin on the bench with a view to starting them in the next game against the Scarlets.

You thinking of traveling down to this game?

Not in Cardiff anymore, so would be a bit of a way. Going to try to come down for the Treviso game this week though as I am in Cardiff anyway.

by Coleman Wed 23 Mar 2016, 9:22 am

I do think Top 6 is a very long shot but the past few years we have finished the season strongly. Issue for me is our away form has been poor and we need to go away to Llanelli and Edinburgh and get points to make it happen. What is the deal with 7th? Is there still a play off for the last EuroCup spot?

by Coleman Thu 24 Mar 2016, 12:45 pm

Cardiff Blues: 15 Rhys Patchell, 14 Dan Fish, 13 Garyn Smith, 12 Rey Lee-Lo, 11 Tom James, 10 Gareth Anscombe, 9 Lloyd Williams; 1 Gethin Jenkins (c), 2 Kristian Dacey, 3 Dillon Lewis, 4 Josh Turnbull, 5 James Down, 6 Ellis Jenkins, 7 Sam Warburton, 8 Josh Navidi

Replacements: 16 Matthew Rees, 17 Brad Thyer, 18 Scott Andrews, 19 Jarrad Hoeata, 20 Manoa Vosawai, 21 Lewis Jones, 22 Jarrod Evans, 23 Aled Summerhill.

I think Cook has reason to be annoyed here. I'll never moan about Warbs turning out for the Blues but Cook needs game time or he'll be off. Turbull becoming a victim of his own versatility again. None the less I am excited for Friday night.

by Blueschief Thu 24 Mar 2016, 1:54 pm

That's not a bad side, agree with you that Cook can feel a bit hard done by. Hope it's another 5 pointer.

by VinceWLB Thu 24 Mar 2016, 9:22 pm

What is Andrews doing on the bench? Ma'afu or Filise should be there instead of him. Also i read somewhere he was getting converted to hooker, this would make sense as he is a useless scrummager on the tight.

by Coleman Fri 25 Mar 2016, 8:26 am

VinceWLB wrote:What is Andrews doing on the bench? Ma'afu or Filise should be there instead of him. Also i read somewhere he was getting converted to hooker, this would make sense as he is a useless scrummager on the tight.

My thinking on this is that he can cover tight and hooker (maybe even second row) for tonight. No point risking Ma'afu and Filiese for this game. You'd rather have them rested before the Scarlets game I guess and it gives Lewis more game which he needs and deserves.

by **RiscaGame** Fri 25 Mar 2016, 10:43 pm

Couldn't quite believe the wheels on Dan Fish. Good win despite the opposition. I've seen Fish a few times, but tonight he looked ridiculously quick.

by Coleman Sat 26 Mar 2016, 7:41 am

Very big win for us! 5 Points in the bag & no injurues. How good was Turnbull last night? He's been on fire this season and is becoming a big player for us. Asnscome was good as well, kept the defense honest (even if they missed 38 tackles). Massive game next week.

by Blueschief Sat 26 Mar 2016, 11:29 am

That was a great win, Turnbull was very effective. Anscombe showed some lovely touches, a great pair of hands and passing. We definitely starting to click!

by wales606 Sat 26 Mar 2016, 12:28 pm

Yep. Really looking forward next season Smile

by mikey_dragon Sat 26 Mar 2016, 3:15 pm

Great times ahead for the one true club.

by Cardiff Dave Sat 26 Mar 2016, 7:16 pm

RiscaGame wrote:Couldn't quite believe the wheels on Dan Fish. Good win despite the opposition. I've seen Fish a few times, but tonight he looked ridiculously quick.

Quick thinking and excellent awareness as well as quick feet, for his try.
From his right wing he spotted space on the left behind the Treviso defence and went for it.

by Stone Motif Sun 27 Mar 2016, 9:42 am

mikey_dragon wrote:Great times ahead for the one true club.

The age of the region is over. The time of the club is at hand.

by Seagultaf Sat 02 Apr 2016, 8:35 pm

Great performance by Cardiff today against a Scarlets side who were very very poor. Star players for me were Leelo, Patchel, James, Warbs, Ellis and Filise.
Other than James Davies the Scarlets were simply appalling, maybe after beating the Ospreys they thought they only had to turn up. If they carry on like this they will not win again this season and may very well fail to qualify for Europe.

by ScarletSpiderman Sun 03 Apr 2016, 6:01 pm

I think Danny Wilson so that game on the whiteboard before either team stepped on the pitch. The blues came to play rugby, an I think the Scarlets were expecting a grind type game, and failed to adapt to the blues pace.

by mikey_dragon Sun 03 Apr 2016, 7:52 pm

Lee-Lo played well on the weekend. I was thinking that his link-up with the incoming Highlanders centre is going to be a hot prospect. And to think I became a little concerned for you with your other centres, an injury prone Cory Allen and erm, Gavin Evans... I can see what Wilson is doing and it is similar to how he had his U20s playing. What do you think the best 23 will look like next season?

by VinceWLB Sun 03 Apr 2016, 8:10 pm

ScarletSpiderman wrote:I think Danny Wilson so that game on the whiteboard before either team stepped on the pitch. The blues came to play rugby, an I think the Scarlets were expecting a grind type game, and failed to adapt to the blues pace.

If true, terrible game preparation from Pivac i'm afraid. Blues have been playing almost like a super rugby team since January and have the best attack in the league with 54 tries. Also, they were bound to play an expensive game the moment they selected 3 open side in the back row.

by wales606 Sun 03 Apr 2016, 10:22 pm

mikey_dragon wrote:Lee-Lo played well on the weekend. I was thinking that his link-up with the incoming Highlanders centre is going to be a hot prospect. And to think I became a little concerned for you with your other centres, an injury prone Cory Allen and erm, Gavin Evans... I can see what Wilson is doing and it is similar to how he had his U20s playing. What do you think the best 23 will look like next season?

Gavin Evans hasn't been seen on a teamsheet for a while. Garyn Smith and Aled Summerhill being preferred.

by Coleman Mon 04 Apr 2016, 7:18 am

Wilson has really turned things around. Really enjoying the style we are playing at the moment. If we don't make top six then i can accept that as we have clearly progressed and should be more settled next season.

In other news. We've confirmed Myhill and Earle this morning.

by LordDowlais Mon 04 Apr 2016, 10:19 am

wales606 wrote:
mikey_dragon wrote:Lee-Lo played well on the weekend. I was thinking that his link-up with the incoming Highlanders centre is going to be a hot prospect. And to think I became a little concerned for you with your other centres, an injury prone Cory Allen and erm, Gavin Evans... I can see what Wilson is doing and it is similar to how he had his U20s playing. What do you think the best 23 will look like next season?

Gavin Evans hasn't been seen on a teamsheet for a while. Garyn Smith and Aled Summerhill being preferred.

Garyn Smith looks like a bit of a gem in the making. If Cory Allen ever gets off the treatment table then there could be a good Welsh pairing at Cardiff.

by mikey_dragon Mon 04 Apr 2016, 1:07 pm

So with the promising players coming through at Blues, such as Domachowski, Lewis, Assirati, Joe Jones (all Welsh props) and their Welsh qualified centres it seems that LD was again 100% wrong about these apparent sub-standard SH journeymen blocking the development of youngsters. The lack of locks is a concern for Blues, I think you missed out on not bringing BD home. That said the Blues have a number of internationals in their team anyway and will increase that next season.

by LordDowlais Mon 04 Apr 2016, 1:10 pm

Following me around are you mikey. Rolling Eyes

You are seriously comedy gold.

picard

by VinceWLB Mon 04 Apr 2016, 1:17 pm

mikey_dragon wrote:So with the promising players coming through at Blues, such as Domachowski, Lewis, Assirati, Joe Jones (all Welsh props) and their Welsh qualified centres it seems that LD was again 100% wrong about these apparent sub-standard SH journeymen blocking the development of youngsters. The lack of locks is a concern for Blues, I think you missed out on not bringing BD home. That said the Blues have a number of internationals in their team anyway and will increase that next season.

It would be ironic, if BD goes to the Ospreys as suspected and play in the Challenge Cup while Blues got to play in the Champions Cup next season.

by mikey_dragon Mon 04 Apr 2016, 1:19 pm

LordDowlais wrote:Following me around are you mikey.

You are seriously comedy gold.

No, get over yourself. And get over this victim mentality every time some notices your ignorance.

Glad I make you laugh though, got more than I bargained for.

by mikey_dragon Mon 04 Apr 2016, 1:20 pm

VinceWLB wrote:
mikey_dragon wrote:So with the promising players coming through at Blues, such as Domachowski, Lewis, Assirati, Joe Jones (all Welsh props) and their Welsh qualified centres it seems that LD was again 100% wrong about these apparent sub-standard SH journeymen blocking the development of youngsters. The lack of locks is a concern for Blues, I think you missed out on not bringing BD home. That said the Blues have a number of internationals in their team anyway and will increase that next season.

It would be ironic, if BD goes to the Ospreys as suspected and play in the Challenge Cup while Blues got to play in the Champions Cup next season.

It would be. Makes me wonder if what Gatland and some 'fans' have been saying about having our internationals playing in the top tier should be the basis for international selection.

by LordDowlais Mon 04 Apr 2016, 1:21 pm

mikey_dragon wrote:And get over this victim mentality every time ~~some~~ mikey_dragon notices your ignorance

There fixed that for you, now scuttle off before you ruin another perfectly good debate with your childishness.

by mikey_dragon Mon 04 Apr 2016, 1:29 pm

LordDowlais wrote:
mikey_dragon wrote:And get over this victim mentality every time ~~some~~ mikey_dragon notices your ignorance

There fixed that for you, now scuttle off before you ruin another perfectly good debate with your childishness.

Oh good one LD.... Another post dripping in irony and stupidity. PS, no debate is ever 'perfectly good' when you're in on it spouting your pigheaded drivel - so I would advise you not to advise that to other posters.

by Steffan Mon 04 Apr 2016, 5:27 pm

Cardiff Blues release outside half Callum Hall and prop Callum Lewis. Both will join Valleys Rugby next season. Sardis also confirms the signing of scrum half Wayne Evans who has previously played for Valleys Rugby before joining the mighty Blues. In a recent interview Wayne Evans said "Obviously this is a big step up from Newport Dragons RFC...although Carmarthen Scarlets 'B' team would have been a step up from the men of Gwent...but I am happy to be back with Ponty Valleys Rugby Team. The one true non region"

Chickens coming home to roost for Ponty it seems

#Bluesfamily

by Stone Motif Mon 04 Apr 2016, 6:12 pm

Steffan wrote:Cardiff Blues release outside half Callum Hall and prop Callum Lewis. Both will join Valleys Rugby next season. Sardis also confirms the signing of scrum half Wayne Evans who has previously played for Valleys Rugby before joining the mighty Blues. In a recent interview Wayne Evans said "Obviously this is a big step up from Newport Dragons RFC...although Carmarthen Scarlets 'B' team would have been a step up from the men of Gwent...but I am happy to be back with Ponty Valleys Rugby Team. The one true non region"

Chickens coming home to roost for Ponty it seems

#Bluesfamily

Wayne Evans still serving up sh6te at every opportunity then

by Steffan Mon 04 Apr 2016, 6:21 pm

Stone Motif wrote:
Steffan wrote:Cardiff Blues release outside half Callum Hall and prop Callum Lewis. Both will join Valleys Rugby next season. Sardis also confirms the signing of scrum half Wayne Evans who has previously played for Valleys Rugby before joining the mighty Blues. In a recent interview Wayne Evans said "Obviously this is a big step up from Newport Dragons RFC...although Carmarthen Scarlets 'B' team would have been a step up from the men of Gwent...but I am happy to be back with Ponty Valleys Rugby Team. The one true non region"

Chickens coming home to roost for Ponty it seems

#Bluesfamily

Wayne Evans still serving up sh6te at every opportunity then

Wayne is quite good at semi-pro level. He will be a good addition to the team. Him and Sweeney can be the Premiership dream team half backs after Dan Carter and Conor Murray at Merthyr

In another statement on Twitter...Owen Robins has said that "This signing proves that Ponty...sorry I mean the Valleys deserve a professional rugby team"

by LordDowlais Tue 05 Apr 2016, 10:17 am

Cuthbert signs on for another two years:-

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/wales-wing-alex-cuthbert-signs-11138657

by Coleman Tue 05 Apr 2016, 11:13 am

I think the injury forced his hand a bit as not many clubs would sign a player seen as out of form on the back of two surgeries. I would assume the deal that was on the table from the Blues was the best he would be offered right now as well.

But I am very glad to have him stay. He's got three to four months of no rugby that he can use to "find him self" "recharge" "balance his chi" or what ever mumbojumbo you want to use. He should come back fresh in August and with that find form.

by GavinDragon Tue 05 Apr 2016, 12:32 pm

Blues putting together a very good squad for next season. Could they push for top 4? Certainly have to be up there for top welsh region? Followed by Scarlets. I worry for the Ospreys, but then people did write them off at the beginning of last season and look what happened.

The Dragons will be fighting off the Italians again I feel.

by Blueschief Tue 05 Apr 2016, 1:11 pm

The way Wilson has Cardiff playing, utilising wingers will suit Cuthbert. Hopefully that will revitalise him.
At least we could hope so. Very much looking forward to next season, there's certainly a buzz of anticipation around Cardiff now.

by Cardiff Dave Fri 15 Apr 2016, 10:14 pm

A must-win on Sunday I feel.

by Cardiff Dave Sun 17 Apr 2016, 7:42 pm

A must-win on Saturday I feel.
Think the Os will do us though.

by Cardiff Dave Sun 17 Apr 2016, 7:51 pm

Cardiff don't seem to be very good when it comes to maul time and today's game showed it. Can anybody explain why?

by mikey_dragon Thu 21 Apr 2016, 9:26 pm

You know him, you love him, it's Tau Filise! The guy is a legend.

by Cardiff Dave Thu 21 Apr 2016, 9:44 pm

mikey_dragon wrote:You know him, you love him, it's Tau Filise! The guy is a legend.

Up there with Rush, Baugh, Humph and Derwyn.

by PhilBB Fri 22 Apr 2016, 10:05 am

Cardiff Dave wrote:Cardiff don't seem to be very good when it comes to maul time and today's game showed it. Can anybody explain why?

Their offensive maul is the best I've seen in many seasons at CAP. Wilson's coaching influence there is obvious.

As yet, he hasn't cracked it defensively and this may because they lack a lock who can get his hands on the ball, a la Charteris, and they lack a good mauler who can physically disrupt, a la Bradley.

I'd say it was because defending a maul is a physical requirement (good core strength or long arms) and they lack either. An offending maul is more togetherness so is easier to coach.

by Guest Thu 28 Apr 2016, 1:13 pm

Harry Robinson has been forced to retire through a neck injury. Sh*t. He's so young too. I thought he had some promise going forward. A real shame.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/36161028

by Cardiff Dave Thu 28 Apr 2016, 7:41 pm

Griff wrote:Harry Robinson has been forced to retire through a neck injury. Sh*t. He's so young too. I thought he had some promise going forward. A real shame.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/36161028

Crap news indeed.

by Cardiff Dave Thu 28 Apr 2016, 7:45 pm

PhilBB wrote:
Cardiff Dave wrote:Cardiff don't seem to be very good when it comes to maul time and today's game showed it. Can anybody explain why?

Their offensive maul is the best I've seen in many seasons at CAP. Wilson's coaching influence there is obvious.

As yet, he hasn't cracked it defensively and this may because they lack a lock who can get his hands on the ball, a la Charteris, and they lack a good mauler who can physically disrupt, a la Bradley.

I'd say it was because defending a maul is a physical requirement (good core strength or long arms) and they lack either. An offending maul is more togetherness so is easier to coach.

Need some big locks then. Any in the pipeline?

by ScarletSpiderman Thu 28 Apr 2016, 8:31 pm

You've got Earle coming, he is not a beast but still he seems to love the physical stuff. Also, there is talk of Charteris pulling out of his Bath move. With the recent improvements you guys have shown, maybe there is a chance to sneak in an bag him in an ndc?

by ScarletSpiderman Thu 28 Apr 2016, 8:33 pm

Cardiff Dave wrote:
Griff wrote:Harry Robinson has been forced to retire through a neck injury. Sh*t. He's so young too. I thought he had some promise going forward. A real shame.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/36161028

Crap news indeed.

Really sad news for him being so young, and never really getting to show the potential he had.

by PhilBB Fri 29 Apr 2016, 1:55 pm

ScarletSpiderman wrote:You've got Earle coming, he is not a beast but still he seems to love the physical stuff. Also, there is talk of Charteris pulling out of his Bath move. With the recent improvements you guys have shown, maybe there is a chance to sneak in an bag him in an ndc?

What rumour is that? His Mrs is from there, no?

by mikey_dragon Fri 29 Apr 2016, 2:01 pm

PhilBB wrote:
ScarletSpiderman wrote:You've got Earle coming, he is not a beast but still he seems to love the physical stuff. Also, there is talk of Charteris pulling out of his Bath move. With the recent improvements you guys have shown, maybe there is a chance to sneak in an bag him in an ndc?

What rumour is that? His Mrs is from there, no?

Given how overrated Bath are he seen that the writing was on the wall, so instead of wasting his time decided to return to his home region, that's NGD where he would be more valued. Welcome back Charteris!

thumbsup

by Cardiff Dave Sat 30 Apr 2016, 9:58 pm

JD 4... 76.51mins.... checkout Holland telling Uncle Pete that they're both on the big screen. Lol.

by Seagultaf Mon 02 May 2016, 12:02 pm

ScarletSpiderman wrote:You've got Earle coming, he is not a beast but still he seems to love the physical stuff. Also, there is talk of Charteris pulling out of his Bath move. With the recent improvements you guys have shown, maybe there is a chance to sneak in an bag him in an ndc?

If you can get Earle fit he will be a great acquisition, unfortunately since being injured last season he has been a shadow of the player he was. If Charteris does pull out of his Bath move (no doubt so that he can continue to play for Wales) then there will be a scramble for his signature. If Bradley is going to the Ospreys then they are probably out of contention unless the rumours about AWJ are correct. Unfotunatey I can't see him going back to the Dragons as they seem destined to be a development region. So it's the Blues or Scarlets (Charteris apparently played for them before he played for the Dragons) or the Blues, who could probably come up with the cash for this NDC and he would certainly fit into their side.

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