RugbyRebels

So what do we think about the chances of the Cardiff Blues doing something significant this season?
A couple of decent new signings and a few talented youngsters coming through too. Also, whilst I'm not entirely convinced, the relatively new coaching team seems to be moving things in the right direction.

I think we'll probably go a few better than last season, maybe push for a pro12 play off place and do alright in the Amlin (or whatever it's called)
A lot will hinge on the fitness of Anscombe (ignoring Wales commitment for now) - if we get a decent number of games out of him, we'll hopefully do well. Otherwise without Patchell, our OH replacements dont' fill me with confidence.

Thoughts

I think your coaching team is one of the best you have had for some time. Your first choice backline is pretty good to be fair and there are some cracking players in the pack.

I think your issue will be much the same as the other regions, lack of depth. Heaven forfend you get any serious injuries to key players. Hopefully this is the year Anscombe remains injury free and shows some of the talent that brought him to Wales in the first place.

I'd suggest that the blue should be pushing well into the top half of the league and there is no reason they can't have a decent run i nEurope.

To be honest, I hope they fall flat on their arses.

One of very few bright spots in the last few miserable years of Newport rugby, was seeing Cardiff finish below us in 2015.

Not going to happen this season though, they seem to have a decent squad.

The league could do with competitive Welsh sides. Cardiff will definitely improve on last year if Anscombe manages to be fit moderately often. The question is whether their rate of improvement is greater than everyone else. Munster should be better with the new coaching team. Ulster should be better with having our coaches all year and some impressive signings. Scarlets will be better with their signings. Glasgow will be better for not losing most of their first team for the first couple of months.

Should be a very interesting season.

Looking forward to this season. I think Wilson is a good coach and that they appear to have recruited reasonably well.

Still can't compete with Irish and Glasgow's money, but hopefully 3/4 of the Welsh teams will be at least competitive in the PrO'12

Looking forward to Bath and Bristol home and away in Europe very much and can't wait for the arrival of Halaholo

Tre wrote:Looking forward to this season. I think Wilson is a good coach and that they appear to have recruited reasonably well.

Still can't compete with Irish and Glasgow's money, but hopefully 3/4 of the Welsh teams will be at least competitive in the PrO'12

Looking forward to Bath and Bristol home and away in Europe very much and can't wait for the arrival of Halaholo

Do you think Nick Williams can do a job for you?

Sandydragon wrote:

Tre wrote:Looking forward to this season. I think Wilson is a good coach and that they appear to have recruited reasonably well.

Still can't compete with Irish and Glasgow's money, but hopefully 3/4 of the Welsh teams will be at least competitive in the PrO'12

Looking forward to Bath and Bristol home and away in Europe very much and can't wait for the arrival of Halaholo

Do you think Nick Williams can do a job for you?

If he can stay in shape and avoid bans he's a very useful player.

Sandydragon wrote:

Tre wrote:Looking forward to this season. I think Wilson is a good coach and that they appear to have recruited reasonably well.

Still can't compete with Irish and Glasgow's money, but hopefully 3/4 of the Welsh teams will be at least competitive in the PrO'12

Looking forward to Bath and Bristol home and away in Europe very much and can't wait for the arrival of Halaholo

Do you think Nick Williams can do a job for you?

Hopefully. He's an upgrade on Vosawaii at the least. I was impressed with him at CAP towards the end of last season. He's not the same level as 2 or 3 years ago for Ulster but a smart recruit given finances.

Also if he can take some of the pies away from maafu it'll be worth it.

With Ellis Jenkins, Warburton and Navidi on the flanks, that's got the makings of a decent back row.

MOTM from big Nick today.

He's massive

Tre wrote:MOTM from big Nick today.

He's massive

In size or performance? When he went to Munster he just got fat and bored.

I meant size.

I actually think Henson was MOTM

Fair play to Cardiff, a decent win. Llanelli lost and Newport managed to come second to Ealing Trailfinders (who?).

It will alo be interesting to see how Rhys Gill gets on - he seems to have done well at Saracens (any comments from Saracens fans?) and has won a few Wales caps.
Melon isn't getting any younger so his arrival could be timely.

Well apparently, Halaholo wants to play for Wales. Ho hum, I suspect this is more about ticking a box marked Welsh Qualified or wants to play for Wales rather than a serious statement. He would be late 20s by the time he qualifies, assuming that he even maintains his recent good form.

Sandydragon wrote:Well apparently, Halaholo wants to play for Wales. Ho hum, I suspect this is more about ticking a box marked Welsh Qualified or wants to play for Wales rather than a serious statement. He would be late 20s by the time he qualifies, assuming that he even maintains his recent good form.

Late 20s would be about peak and still have about a RWC cycle of usefulness.

Sandydragon wrote:Well apparently, Halaholo wants to play for Wales. Ho hum, I suspect this is more about ticking a box marked Welsh Qualified or wants to play for Wales rather than a serious statement. He would be late 20s by the time he qualifies, assuming that he even maintains his recent good form.

I hate these articles that point out how player A would be honoured to play for Wales/Scotland/Ireland if given the opportunity in three years time (mostly the fault of unimaginative sports journalists). It makes the players come across as real mercenaries and cheapens international rugby.

That's not to say I'm not happy for these players to represent us once those 3 years have passed - as many on here have pointed out, there's no point not taking advantage of the rule (even if if should be changed) when everyone else is.

As for Halaholo, tbh I've not seen any Super rugby this year so can't comment on his chances of success (though as pointed out, at 29 he'll shoudl still be useful). Inside centre is becoming quite important for us - Roberts won't be able to keep it up for much longer (ignoring form and game plan)

TibetanBlue wrote:

Sandydragon wrote:Well apparently, Halaholo wants to play for Wales. Ho hum, I suspect this is more about ticking a box marked Welsh Qualified or wants to play for Wales rather than a serious statement. He would be late 20s by the time he qualifies, assuming that he even maintains his recent good form.

I hate these articles that point out how player A would be honoured to play for Wales/Scotland/Ireland if given the opportunity in three years time (mostly the fault of unimaginative sports journalists). It makes the players come across as real mercenaries and cheapens international rugby.

That's not to say I'm not happy for these players to represent us once those 3 years have passed - as many on here have pointed out, there's no point not taking advantage of the rule (even if if should be changed) when everyone else is.

As for Halaholo, tbh I've not seen any Super rugby this year so can't comment on his chances of success (though as pointed out, at 29 he'll shoudl still be useful). Inside centre is becoming quite important for us - Roberts won't be able to keep it up for much longer (ignoring form and game plan)

Im not convinced that Roberts will last another 3 years, not with his attritional style of play (although I sincerely hope Im wrong). We could really do with Scott Williams stepping up to the mark and demonstrating that he is a viable alternative. Shame Watkin is injured at the moment, this could have been a big season for him.

Scott Williams is more than a viable alternative if he is required to do more than crash it up.

Eugene Wrayburn wrote:Scott Williams is more than a viable alternative if he is required to do more than crash it up.

Quite, our game needs to evolve and I'm hoping Scott Williams can bring that variety.

It's a sign of the times that a New Zealand provincial team played today with two blokes called Bryn in it, yet it's their team mate Halaholo who is in the frame for a Wales cap.

Halaholo looked good, too.

Lizard wrote:It's a sign of the times that a New Zealand provincial team played today with two blokes called Bryn in it, yet it's their team mate Halaholo who is in the frame for a Wales cap.

Halaholo looked good, too.

Sound like they are Welsh qualified to me!

One of them is Bryn Gatland. Still interested?

Sandydragon wrote:Well apparently, Halaholo wants to play for Wales. Ho hum, I suspect this is more about ticking a box marked Welsh Qualified or wants to play for Wales rather than a serious statement. He would be late 20s by the time he qualifies, assuming that he even maintains his recent good form.

They have to say it to qualify as time servers

Sandydragon wrote:Newport managed to come second to Ealing Trailfinders (who?).

Oi,..!!. It's not easy maintaining a quality team inside the M25. Ealing must have a really good structure.