Cardiff Blues 2016/2017

First topic message reminder :

Surprised one of these isn’t up yet. If I’ve missed players just let me know and I’ll pop them in.

Squad

Hookers: Matthew Rees, Kirby Myhill, Kristian Dacey, Liam Belcher, Ethan Lewis
Props: Gethin Jenkins, Taufa'ao Filise, Rhys Gill, Scott Andrews, Dillon Lewis, Bradley Thyer, Anton Peikrishvili
Locks: Jarrad Hoeata, George Earle, James Down, Seb Davies
Back Row: Macauley Cook, Ellis Jenkins, Josh Navidi, James Sheekey, Josh Turnbull, Sam Warburton, Cam Dolan, Nick Williams
Scrum Half: Lloyd Williams, Lewis Jones, Tomos Williams
Fly Half: Gareth Anscombe, Jarrod Evans, Steven Shingler
Centre: Cory Allen, Garyn Smith, Rey Lee-Lo Willis Halaholo* (Joins after NPC)
Wing: Alex Cuthbert, Tom James, Blaine Scully
Fullback: Dan Fish, Matthew Morgan, Aled Summerhill, Rhun Williams

Pre-Season Results:
Dragons (L) 28-38
Bristol (W) 25-24

Hoping for a good season from the Blues. We’ve signed well in some areas, such as adding Nick Williams to our already well stocked back row. The addition of Shingler and Morgan should help our squad rotation in the backs but I can’t help but feel we’re lacking in the centre a bit. More so with Corey Allen’s potential for injury.

Pre-season has gone alright. Hammered by the Dragons for 50 mins, but we came back to score a few tries in the last 30. The Bristol game gave me worries about our scrum. Ma'afu looked more unfit against the Dragons then when he joined, it seems that he has a poor attitude and needs to buck his ideas up. Gill didn’t look great against Bristol and Thyer had a tidy game when he came on. Cam Dolan seems to have improved in the off season along with Down who had a good game against Bristol. Shingler and Morgan went well in the Bristol game as did Allen. Ray Lee-Lo will be our most important player this season I feel, he has a great attitude and really puts in a shift. Excited to see him and Halaholo link up later in the year.

Looking forward to the Edinburgh game on 3rd of September. C’mon the Bloooooooooos!

PhilBB wrote:Penry St comes off that giant roundabout by the college. The Celtic Bar is a nightclub, or is the tip next door to it?

There are NO giant roundabouts, what on earth are you talking about ???? The Celtic bar is on the other side of the junction.

PhilBB wrote:Nothing in Merthyr makes a killing, mate. Let's be sensible here.

typical Phil, and his parochial ways.

PhilBB wrote:I didn't claim that you wrote the clubhouse 'was not in Cardiff'. You claimed it wasn't in CAP.

No I didn't, I suggest you remind yourself on the thread.

PhilBB wrote:All of the income from the Clubhouse goes to Cardiff Blues. All of it. So quite how you can claim it has nothing to do with Cardiff Blues is bizarre, or ignorant.

I suppose you have proof of that ? Seeing as the Cardiff Blues do not own the clubhouse.

LordDowlais wrote:

PhilBB wrote:Penry St comes off that giant roundabout by the college. The Celtic Bar is a nightclub, or is the tip next door to it?

There are NO giant roundabouts, what on earth are you talking about ???? The Celtic bar is on the other side of the junction.

PhilBB wrote:Nothing in Merthyr makes a killing, mate. Let's be sensible here.

typical Phil, and his parochial ways.

PhilBB wrote:I didn't claim that you wrote the clubhouse 'was not in Cardiff'. You claimed it wasn't in CAP.

No I didn't, I suggest you remind yourself on the thread.

PhilBB wrote:All of the income from the Clubhouse goes to Cardiff Blues. All of it. So quite how you can claim it has nothing to do with Cardiff Blues is bizarre, or ignorant.

I suppose you have proof of that ? Seeing as the Cardiff Blues do not own the clubhouse.

The giant roundabout with the car park in the middle for the college.

What in Merthyr makes a killing, Andy?

I have reminded myself of the thread. And I've laughed at you again, in doing so.

Yes, I have seen proof of it at each CAC AGM. The terms of the lease are as they are. I educated you on this last time.

PhilBB wrote:The giant roundabout with the car park in the middle for the college.

You mean the one way system ? That still not next door to the clubhouse. Very strange that you would take a one way system as a roundabout though.

PhilBB wrote:What in Merthyr makes a killing, Andy?

General Dynamics
Next
M&S
Mc'Donalds

Ah forget it, just look at these:-

http://www.freeindex.co.uk/wales/merthyr_tydfil/

PhilBB wrote:I have reminded myself of the thread. And I've laughed at you again, in doing so.

then you will know I have never said what you are saying.

PhilBB wrote:es, I have seen proof of it at each CAC AGM. The terms of the lease are as they are. I educated you on this last time.

Ah, so you have seen them, just like you have seen a giant roundabout in Merthyr that is not there. Cardiff Blues do not own the clubhouse, so how can they take ALL the profits ?

PhilBB wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:

PhilBB wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:
Some good players, but I disagree - Cardiff have good XV and a great backline. I don't know why you see your team as vastly inferior to any French one... Unless it was Toulon, Racing or Montpellier.

Because of their strength in depth being worth millions of euros more and because the game is won up front.

That's true about the French but the budget argument only stands up if we're looking at the entire season and dealing with injuries across that. If both teams have their best XV out on the match day like I said then I seen no reason to believe Pau are far superior. It was like a supporter telling me the other day that Scarlets' strongest team got smashed by Bath because they have a bigger budget - considering it was a one off game that just made no sense to me whatsoever.

Hang on, you wrote "Cardiff have good XV" but that, too, only stands up if you're ignoring the entire season and dealing with injuries. In rugby, you cannot do that.

Man for man on first XV then it comes down to interest levels, I'd say, but when rugby squads averagely carry a 25% injury rate, you can't think like that.

I don't think you're understanding me. I'll try again. Blues may well suffer some injuries, but when the challenge cup comes around they could just as well be able to put their best matchday squad out onto the field - that's pretty likely too. You still don't think they can beat Pau and you're convinced they'll lose because both have a different budget? Surely Dragons eradicated that excuse when they beat them twice. I'm not getting why you feel the team is so inferior.

LordDowlais wrote:

PhilBB wrote:The giant roundabout with the car park in the middle for the college.

You mean the one way system ? That still not next door to the clubhouse. Very strange that you would take a one way system as a roundabout though.

PhilBB wrote:What in Merthyr makes a killing, Andy?

General Dynamics
Next
M&S
Mc'Donalds

Ah forget it, just look at these:-

http://www.freeindex.co.uk/wales/merthyr_tydfil/

PhilBB wrote:I have reminded myself of the thread. And I've laughed at you again, in doing so.

then you will know I have never said what you are saying.

PhilBB wrote:es, I have seen proof of it at each CAC AGM. The terms of the lease are as they are. I educated you on this last time.

Ah, so you have seen them, just like you have seen a giant roundabout in Merthyr that is not there.  Cardiff Blues do not own the clubhouse, so how can they take ALL the profits ?

Nor the car park either, btw.

Can you guys just call it quits with this back and forth, please?  This thread is Cardiff team/match news, not bickering about whether Merthyr can sustain pro rugby/who owns a car park/my dad's bigger than your dad

Thanks.

I'm still trying to get who your starting front-row players were in both pre-season games?

Against Newport: Brad Thyer (Corey Domachowski 63), Matthew Rees (capt) (Ethan Lewis HT), Salesi Ma'afu (Scott Andrews HT),

Against Bristol: Rhys Gill (Brad Thyer 58), Kirby Myhill (Kristian Dacey 40), Taufa'ao Filise (Dillon Lewis 40),

Both different. I would imagine it'll be Gill/Myhill/Filise combo

I'm guessing the latter was your strongest then? Heard the DRegs gave you a tough time at the scrum.

I would agree it's the strongest available right now, yeah. I didn't go to that game but from all accounts it was a young team who got pushed around a bit in the first half

I think you have some good options at prop, they won't destroy everybody but I can't see BLues getting shunted around any more. Behind Dacey I don't think much of the hookers - but as someone has pointed out Wilson is a good set piece coach so I expect that area to be shored up.

Good start to the season. Great to finally see the Blues playing good attacking rugby (even in the rain!)

I'm being lazy and not checking here, but what dates and times are you playing bath and Bristol again? I remember one was a Thursday?

Team for the Munster game.

Cardiff Blues: 15 - D Fish; 14 - A Cuthbert, 13 - C Allen, 12 - R Lee-Lo, 11 - T James; 10 - G Anscombe, 9 - T Williams; 1 - G Jenkins (capt), 2 - K Dacey; 3 - T Filise, 4 - G Earle, 5 - M Cook, 6 - J Navidi, 7 - E Jenkins, 8 - N Williams.

Replacements: 16 - M Rees, 17 - R Gill, 18 - S Andrews, 19 - J Turnbull, 20 - S Warburton, 21 - L Williams, 22 - S Shingler, 23 - M Morgan

You're going to need better locks and replacement THs against Munster...

I don't disagree. Surprised to see Cook starting at lock over Down again but he did do well last week. The fact that Andrews is on the bench over Ma'afu say everything.

He must be really bad if Andrews is ahead of him... How on earth did he go from playing for Australia and Toulon to such a disappointment?

Zebre are going to be really angry next week after having their match against Connacht called off after 56 minutes while 22 - 10 up. They would have been declared victors if it had gotten to 60 minutes.

Blues need to be careful

You've missed Rhun Williams.

Our coaches are already getting pinched!

http://www.cardiffblues.com/news/8404.php#.V-FPzWVllp8

Tom James has signed a new contract:-

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/wing-tom-james-signs-new-11917279

Danny Wilson is brave giving Shingler a start, especially after he's spent a lot of time talking about how important it is to get the performance out in Italy right this time. Team:

Cardiff Blues: Matthew Morgan; Blaine Scully, Cory Allen, Rey Lee-Lo, Tom James; Steven Shingler, Lloyd Williams; Rhys Gill, Matthew Rees, Scott Andrews, George Earle, Josh Turnbull, Josh Navidi, Sam Warburton (capt), Nick Williams,

Replacements: Kristian Dacey, Gethin Jenkins, Taufa'ao Filise, Macauley Cook, Ellis Jenkins, Tomos Williams, Gareth Anscombe, Garyn Smith.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/37431066

Not really brave. Shingler started against Edinburgh and was good. He has done very well off the bench in the last few games.

Pretty strong team, lots of strength on the bench, we should be targeting 5pts considering our recent form.

Zebre just mauled the Blues 30 metres down field, won a penalty then scored from the resulting 5m lineout.

Not a good start :/

On the plus side, Zebre missed the easy conversion and are making a lot of basic mistakes.

Blues need to sort out discipline though as they give away another penalty in possession - and get a warning!

Shingler just missed another kick from straight in front. He is not having a good game.

Shingler kicks the ball out on the full

Bring back Patchell :P

This is the worst 25 minutes of the season. So many basic errors and penalties from both teams as the Blues drop a ball out of the lineout to nobody. Then of course their is another penalty against the team in possession and it results in a Zebre yellow card as well.

And Shingler misses another kick from literally straight in front. We need Anscombe on early in this second half

Yellow card for Zebre. Their discipline is a joke

Aaaand...on comes Anscombe at 45 minutes.

Tom James somehow comes away with the ball from a ruck and sprints in from 30 metres.

3rd try for the Blues

Awful awful awful

Comedy of errors

Nick Williams try to take the ball from a defensive 5m lineout, but instead throws it to Zebre who score.

And luckily miss the conversion which would have levelled the scores

This is dire.

Tell you what, Zebre mean business at home this season. They were well ahead against Connacht when they match was called off last week and could get something here.

Zebre have cut out the errors and ill discipline, the Blues have not. Now need to close out the game, rather than trying for a TBP which looked likely 30 minutes ago.

Blues play it through the forwards for the last 2 minutes to eek out the win.

21 - 23

Awful awful game.

Bonus point gone begging.

That'll do for me. We were awful but still won. Need to sort things out for Leinster.

wales606 wrote:Shingler just missed another kick from straight in front. He is not having a good game.

So I was right then.

Artful_Dodger wrote:Tell you what, Zebre mean business at home this season.  They were well ahead against Connacht when they match was called off last week and could get something here.

Conor O'Shea is working with Zebre and Treviso every week and they've gotten much fitter this season. I'm confident the Italians will be improved on last season.

mikey_dragon wrote:

wales606 wrote:Shingler just missed another kick from straight in front. He is not having a good game.

So I was right then.

Yep. Fair play.

Didn't expect Shingler to be missing easy kicks at goal and only kicking restarts 5m though. Really had a bad day and was replaced very early.

Nobody really stood out for the Blues. The back 3 counterattacking was pretty much our only positive.

Not just a bad day as he's been this way for two years. He didn't play that well against Edinburgh either, he still made some bad errors. LV cup player at best.

mikey_dragon wrote:Not just a bad day as he's been this way for two years. He didn't play that well against Edinburgh either, he still made some bad errors. LV cup player at best.

That's harsh. He's good cover as a 10, but can have off days with his goal kicking. I've seen Patchell and Anscombe have equally bad kicking days.

Have I missed much since being banned for being 'annoying'?

Not really harsh, it's spot on and I'm not just referring to his goal-kicking. Shingler and Patch are two that seem to have a lot of off days.

Not really, just LD being childish and miaow having breakdowns over people disagreeing with him.

mikey_dragon wrote:Not really harsh, it's spot on and I'm not just referring to his goal-kicking. Shingler and Patch are two that seem to have a lot of off days.

Not really, just LD being childish and miaow having breakdowns over people disagreeing with him.

I've seen Shingler live three times now in a Cardiff shirt and I think he's above LV level. He's a solid back up 10. His game management can be good but his failure may be his temperament. If so, that can be worked on and improved when playing in a confident environment. He's a good break maker and his try against Edinburgh was very neat.

AndyDowellais is always having breakdowns, isn't he?

Still, mustn't annoy anybody this time. Must let the comfort zone breathe....

I've watched him for two seasons at Scarlets and believe he is LV cup level at best. Scarlets have a thing for talking up really poor fly-halves though, they done it with Priestland and now they're doing it with Patchell in spite of Patch proving in the opening 4 games why Cardiff had shifted him away from the 10 jersey about two years ago. I can't see why Shingler is highly thought of, he's made a lot of basic errors whilst playing for you and you can't afford to do that at this level in the most pivotal position on the field. I would have said maybe he'd be good enough against Italian sides but based on this showing it appears that isn't the case. Wilson does have a knack for improving players though and to me it seems almost all of your team has - bar Shingler who is continuing to repeat the basic errors he made when playing further west.

Not Andy, a fan called miaow. I've had him on ignore for a year but he's back and still replying to me all this time knowing he's been classed as 'Foe'.

mikey_dragon wrote:I've watched him for two seasons at Scarlets and believe he is LV cup level at best. Scarlets have a thing for talking up really poor fly-halves though, they done it with Priestland and now they're doing it with Patchell in spite of Patch proving in the opening 4 games why Cardiff had shifted him away from the 10 jersey about two years ago. I can't see why Shingler is highly thought of, he's made a lot of basic errors whilst playing for you and you can't afford to do that at this level in the most pivotal position on the field. I would have said maybe he'd be good enough against Italian sides but based on this showing it appears that isn't the case. Wilson does have a knack for improving players though and to me it seems almost all of your team has - bar Shingler who is continuing to repeat the basic errors he made when playing further west.

Not Andy, a fan called miaow. I've had him on ignore for a year but he's back and still replying to me all this time knowing he's been classed as 'Foe'.

Right, ok. I can't see how anybody would think that Priestland is a 'really poor' 10 or how Patchell was shifted from 10 'about two years ago'.

I'll give Shingler more than the three games I've seen him live but, in those, I can see how Wilson can build an attack game around him. He plays the simple things well.

Weird. You can't quite figure out why Bath fans on here have been saying what a lot of Wales supporters have said about RP since what, 2014 now isn't it? Surely watching him since then would have been enough to surmise how he isn't capable at the highest level because of his limitations. You're starting to sound like a turk...
Patch burst onto the scene at age 18/19 with Cardiff Blues? After a lot of game time at 10 they had moved him elsewhere, to 15 and played guys like Humberstone at fly-half. The general consensus from your fellow supporters, from what I could gather from a few different sources, is that he wouldn't ever be a good fly-half but could be a good 12 or 15. From what I've seen for Cardiff and Wales he is a very good 15. Going by this season and what your mates have said he isn't a good fly-half. I understand he did have a good boot on him for a period so for now he might just be have a bad few weeks with the kicking tee.

There's three or four games this season with Shingler - and there's the previous years of his career like I've alluded to... This is where we disagree because he balls' a lot of the simple things up, like RP and Patch from fly-half... Wilson may get the best out of him, he's known to do that as he's a good coach. Just don't be surprised if Shingler's limitations come back to bite your team. I'd soon have Morgan or an U20 there over him but that's just me.

mikey_dragon wrote:Weird. You can't quite figure out why Bath fans on here have been saying what a lot of Wales supporters have said about RP since what, 2014 now isn't it? Surely watching him since then would have been enough to surmise how he isn't capable at the highest level because of his limitations. You're starting to sound like a turk...
Patch burst onto the scene at age 18/19 with Cardiff Blues? After a lot of game time at 10 they had moved him elsewhere, to 15 and played guys like Humberstone at fly-half. The general consensus from your fellow supporters, from what I could gather from a few different sources, is that he wouldn't ever be a good fly-half but could be a good 12 or 15. From what I've seen for Cardiff and Wales he is a very good 15. Going by this season and what your mates have said he isn't a good fly-half. I understand he did have a good boot on him for a period so for now he might just be have a bad few weeks with the kicking tee.

There's three or four games this season with Shingler - and there's the previous years of his career like I've alluded to... This is where we disagree because he balls' a lot of the simple things up, like RP and Patch from fly-half... Wilson may get the best out of him, he's known to do that as he's a good coach. Just don't be surprised if Shingler's limitations come back to bite your team. I'd soon have Morgan or an U20 there over him but that's just me.

I think it's just your choice of language if you equate 'really poor' to 'isn't capable at the highest level'. To me, those two are not similes.

Your idea that Humberstone was selected over Patchell at 10 seems at odds with the facts. He certainly wasn't 'shifted' from 10. He played most of his rugby from there.

Interesting final sentence, when considering the rest.

He was poor for Scarlets on a consistent basis too, happy with that? Waiting for the "but Bath signed him so he must be class" retort...

Why is that at odds with facts? I read for ages from numerous Cardiff fans across a few forums that they thought he'd be better at 12 or 15. Have to say now I agree with them.

mikey_dragon wrote:He was poor for Scarlets on a consistent basis too, happy with that? Waiting for the "but Bath signed him so he must be class" retort...

Why is that at odds with facts? I read for ages from numerous Cardiff fans across a few forums that they thought he'd be better at 12 or 15. Have to say now I agree with them.

He was so poor he has multiple caps and a healthy contract. I think that it's your use of language, or your incredibly high yardstick, that I'm struggling to empathise with.

Its an odd with the facts of the shirt number he wore.