Cardiff Blues v Edinburgh - build-up, teams, banter and live match day thread

[George Carlin]

First topic message reminder :

No thread about this yet (I don't think), so let's get this started:

7 September 2012
Venue: Cardiff Arms Park
Kick off: 7.05 pm
Coverage: live on BBC Wales

Referee: David Wilkinson (IRFU)
Assistant Referees: Sean Brickell, Jason Langdon (both WRU)
Citing Commissioner: Aurwel Morgan (WRU)
TMO: Neil Ballard (WRU)

Teams:

Blues:

15. Leigh Halfpenny
14. Alex Cuthbert
13. Gavin Evans
12. Dafydd Hewitt
11. Tom James

10. Ceri Sweeney
9. Lewis Jones

1. Taufa'ao Filise
2. Rhys Williams
3. Benoit Bourrust
4. Bradley Davies
5. James Down
6. Josh Navidi
7. Sam Warburton
8. Andries Pretorius (c)

Substitutes:

16. Marc Breeze
17. Nathan Trevett
18. Thomas Davies
19. Lou Reed
20. Luke Hamilton
21. Lloyd Williams
22. Rhys Patchell
23. Thomas Williams

Edinburgh:

15 Greig Tonks
14 Lee Jones
13 Nick De Luca
12 John Houston
11 Tim Visser

10 Greig Laidlaw (c)
9 Richie Rees

1 Allan Jacobsen
2 Ross Ford
3 Geoff Cross
4 Grant Gilchrist
5 Sean Cox
6 David Denton
7 Roddy Grant
8 Stuart McInally

Substitutes:
16 Andy Titterrell
17 John Yapp
18 Willem Nel
19 Perry Parker
20 Netani Talei
21 Chris Leck
22 Gregor Hunter
23 Sep Visser

Unavailable:
Ben Atiga (hip)
Tom Brown (hamstring strain)
Ben Cairns (knee)
Steven Lawrie (knee)
Matt Scott (pre-season)
Steven Turnbull (shoulder)

This game is always a cracker and lovely to be back at the spiritual home of the Blues.

Form:

1. Cardiff:

Blues, of course, began the new season with a 13-9 victory in Connacht.

They won both matches they played at the Arms Park last season (against Connacht and Ulster) and won their opening two encounters last season.

2. Edinburgh:

Edinburgh had to settle for a losing bonus point in their reversal to Munster at Murrayfield last Saturday.

Amazingly, Edinburgh's only away win in their last 19 trips in the PRO12 was at Treviso last November. Edinburgh hasn't won in Wales since a visit to Scarlets on 4 December 2009.

The Blues have won their last four games against Edinburgh Rugby in the RaboDirect PRO12, whilst Edinburgh have been victorious on four of their last five visits to the Arms Park.

[bedfordwelsh]

TJ,

Overall Cuthbert and he got MOTM but both looked dangerous and looked for work

[Cari]

TJ - well Cuthbert was MOTM. His defence was superb as well. He did some great tackles. To be fair to him, he said he's been working on his defence over the summer and it shows.

[Imperialbigdave]

TJ - well Cuthbert was MOTM. His defence was superb as well. He did some great tackles. To be fair to him, he said he's been working on his defence over the summer and it shows.

If only Lee Jones would do the same. I think hes yet to complete a tackle this season.

[justified sinner]

I've been watching Embra for years and I have never seen them destroy a scrum like that. Going to be a long season for Blues unless they can get that sorted.

[GLove39]

Well after the disappointment of Munster that was the prefect pick-me-up
A fun & frantic game, nice to see Visser make it 4 tries from 2 games
Bit concerned about Laidlaw's goal kicking though, was poor against Munster & not much better this week.

[Knowsit17]

Good result for Edinburgh after an opening home loss to Munster. Blues should be very worried that scrum is going to be smashed into splinters throughout the course of this season.

+1

Cuthbert and Halfpenny the best players from a Blues perspective, the rest leave much to be desired.

Tom James showing he has the tools while somehow managing to make the wrong call on every one of his breaks.

Blues with only themselves to blame overall, going to get walloped throughout the season if they continue in this vein. At least the Scarlets look good for a rare win in Glasgow.

[TJ1]

Ta chaps.

sounds like Edinburgh spurned a few chances but for once closed out a close game - they could have lost that and in the past have tended to do so.

[BigTrevsbigmac]

Edinburgh were dominant in all aspects other than place kicking & executing their chances.
They looked a lot more dangerous in attack & dominated the breakdown & scrims.

[RDW]

As I said earlier - Edinburgh could have had a bonus point win considering the posession, scrum dominance and number of chances that they blew!

Laidlaw's kicking is a worry, but early days yet.

And as I said during the thread - stop all the bloody stupid random offloads. Even Sonny Bill Williams has learned when an offload isn't on.

Just so relieved that we got a win! Get a bonus point at home to the Zebras next week and we're off to a decent start. Just a shame we blew it last week.

[majesticimperialman]

Could there have been a little bit of complcency tonight for the Blues.

Playing in Cardif Arms Park, the home of the blues and in Wales. Did the Blues think it would be a Walk over?

Nice Drop Goal at the end of the game by Laidlaw to steel the win.

Agood win for Edinburguh.

[maestegmafia]

Well done Edinburgh...!

[wales606]

Just got back from the game.

Pros
The crowd and atmosphere were very good
Halfpenny is continuing his kicking form
Cuthbert was the best player on the pitch
Sweeney was solid as ever, but needs better ball.

Cons
Tom James has no brain cells - butchered 2 tries, one of which led to an Edinburgh try
The scrum is shambolic, Bourrust was ok, but the second and backrow don't know how to scrummage and Filise and Williams struggled.
Halfpenny's injury probably cost us the game
Hewitt and Evans can create
Neither Lewis Jones or Lloyd Williams can pass properly, Ritchie Rees should never have been let go.

[RDW]

From an Edinburgh point of View

Pros

We won!
Actually dominated a team in the scrum
Lineout strong
Good rucking
Visser scored another try

Cons
Laidlaw's kicking was poor
Too many stupid offloads
Butchered one clear cut scoring chance, and a few others that better teams would have finished off with ease
We were far too frantic with the ball - need to build the phases more instead of crappy offloads that aren't on or stupid passes
De Luca had a couple of brain farts
Lee Jones continues his awful form this season

I actually think we could really do with Matt Scott being back. He really is the missing link in our backline and gives us a lot more structure.

[glamorganalun]

The Blues front and back row were rubbish and Tom James worked hard but without any brain cells he will lose as many game as win them. I hope he will never get back into the Wales team but with Howley picking the team who knows.

[RDW]

Have to say I was disappointed with Pretorious tonight - in fact, I barely even noticed that he was playing! Expected more from him, especially as captain.

How many 1st choice players were missing tonight? Particularly in the pack...

[wales606]

Harry Robinson is now the Blues best 11, without even playing.

Missing Blues players - Kyricau (hooker), Hobbs (prop) Andrews (prop), Paterson (flanker), Tovey (fly-Half), Roberts (centre), Robinson (wing)

[wales606]

Oh, and Campese Ma'afu

[justified sinner]

From an Edinburgh point of View

Pros

We won!
Actually dominated a team in the scrum
Lineout strong
Good rucking
Visser scored another try

Cons
Laidlaw's kicking was poor
Too many stupid offloads
Butchered one clear cut scoring chance, and a few others that better teams would have finished off with ease
We were far too frantic with the ball - need to build the phases more instead of crappy offloads that aren't on or stupid passes
De Luca had a couple of brain farts
Lee Jones continues his awful form this season

I actually think we could really do with Matt Scott being back. He really is the missing link in our backline and gives us a lot more structure.

+1

[Imperialbigdave]

I thought De Luca had a mixed game. Some moments of brilliance (rushing out of the line to thump the 2nd receiver 20 metres behind the gain line) and some not so good moments (rushing out of the line and missing his man, leading to a length of the field run from cardiff). He still looked a threat with ball in hand however apart from his brainfart butchering of that opportunity, so signs are good that he can continue his club form from last season.

[funnyExiledScot]

Great result, really good win away from home. Bonus point win against zebre and we'll be where we should be.

[youngguns6]

In fairness to the blues backs, mainly 10,12,13 they were getting some poor ball. It's never easy and although Sweeney had his strengths he's really not capable of turning a game. In time Tovey could make a big impact at the blues. A very very strong tactical kicking game and he plays heads up rugby. Something the blues have lacked at 10 for a long time.


God knows what will happen vs the dragons next week.. Surly both front rows can't go backwards at scrum time?

[Liam]

Where was Tovey tonight? Sweeney was hit and miss and will be a handy back up.
Also Roberts to come back so it'll give us and Wales that added impetus in midfield.

How goof was Cuthbert tonight. Up against a very talented player in Visser and I thought his defence was simply superb, really has improved since that first game vs Ireland in the 6N.

[wales606]

Cuthbert's positioning can still be a but off in defence, he needs to work on it - but his whole game has improved a lot in the last 12 months. His catching, tackling and even kicking were good today.

So glad we kept him for this season, I would rather lose Warburton or Roberts as they rarely perform for the Blues, whereas Halfpenny and Cuthbert perform consistently for the region as well as Wales.

Blues need a new scrum half, and need to start introducing the next generation at centre.

Even if we lose games, I want to see

9. Rob Lewis (?)
10. Jason Tovey
11. Harry Robinson
12. Rhys Patchell
13. Cory Allen
14. Alex Cuthbert
15. Leigh Halfpenny (Dan Fish)

[Liam]

Yeh I was surprised not to see Cory Allen. Evans and Hewitt, although solid enough players don't really offer much going forward. Allen looked very good at the u-20's world cup as did Hamilton, who I would prefer to see at blindside instead of navidi. Keep him as back up for warbs.

Agree with your point on Cuthbert, massive bonus we kept him. Him and 1/2p like you said, are one of the few consistent performers for both region and country, particularly region.

Surprised not see Robinson, after all if Wales picked him for the last few tours, surely he should be playing ahead of James, who will be useful when Robinson is away on 6N duty (I'm assuming he'll be called up again).

[Janecory]

Neither Lewis Jones or Lloyd Williams can pass properly, Ritchie Rees should never have been let go.

Spot -on !
Rees controlled that game superbly, he gave the other 2, a lesson in scrumhalf play.
We are going to miss him big-time this season.

[Seagultaf]

I didn't see much of the game, I was watching Glasgow v Scarlets on Alba, but what I did see was Cardiff getting absolutely mullered at forward!

Given that I am suprised to see so many posters critisising, the half backs and no 8. I mean what do you expect behind a pack that is getting stuffed?

Tulip is a good coach, but the Blues are where the Scarlets were 2 or 3 seasons ago, with lots of promising youngsters but a powder puff pack. Could be a long season for Blues supporters.

[wales606]

I didn't see much of the game, I was watching Glasgow v Scarlets on Alba, but what I did see was Cardiff getting absolutely mullered at forward!

Given that I am suprised to see so many posters critisising, the half backs and no 8. I mean what do you expect behind a pack that is getting stuffed?

Tulip is a good coach, but the Blues are where the Scarlets were 2 or 3 seasons ago, with lots of promising youngsters but a powder puff pack. Could be a long season for Blues supporters.

The Blues forwards weren't dominant, they gave the backs enough chance - Tom James lack of a brain cost us 17 points by wasting 2 tries and gifting Edinburgh possession and field position which led to a penalty try.

[thebluesmancometh]

I was at the game and from where I was looking the Edinburgh tight 5 had the blues in their pocket, giving Rees the platform to totally show the Blues what they don't have anymore!

It's so sad to know all my worst predictions were basically true, the garbage Davies spouted about being the fittest team in europe, employing extra conditioners blah blah blah last 10 we were off our feet.

Also most of the mistakes seemed to be from James non thinking and Sweeney using the boot too much and too innacurately, everytime he kicked the ball we leaked position and points!!

[HERSH]

Dark days for the Blues.

[thebluesmancometh]

Hardly dark, just a case of a rebuild.

I'd be happier being a Blue than a Bath fan right now, with their Sarry wannabe style their trying to employ!

[HERSH]

Yet another well balanced Welshman, a chip on both shoulders.

As a Bath and Blues fan I know which boat I'd rather be in, and it ain't the Blue one.

[Pete C (Kiwireddevil)]

Behave HERSH.

[thebluesmancometh]

Really? You wouldn't wear a blue shirt or support a team in blue?

See now you talk about chips on shoulders but you actually have no substance in which to back that statement up.

You tend to troll the welsh threads and act the goat, who's got the chip?

[Newsilure]

I was at the game and didn't feel to upset about what was a reasonable performace from a group of players still comming together as a team. A few points -

Cuthbert and Halfpenny were excellent great tackling by both and Cuthbert's raging bull impression is a joy to see.

Hewitt is a good reliable centre but the combination of him and Evans is toothless and we need to start playing Cory regularly as he has promise while those two used to have promise.

Pretorious looked pedestrian, I hope we haven't given the captaincy to someone who will struggle to keep a place in the team

Front row was the cause of the majority of problems, Filise is a good tight head but his technique is not there on the loose, we need an answer there so hopefuly Campese will get fit quick

The critiscism of Tom for blowing chances is only half fair as all the chances he blew were ones he created, he made the breaks and then blew it, and I think the pass to Hewitt looked very catchable so that one wasnt Tom's fault.

[thebluesmancometh]

Newsilure

What did you think of the atmosphere, the club made a good start with the band in the fans section, the flame throwers (although poor quality) and a brass band around the pitch.

I thought the crowd looked good, only one section of seats not used, and there was a buzz before kick off...

Then the rugby put us all back in our places!!!

[Newsilure]

I enjoyed the atmosphere, the club made an effort. I was in the North Terrace so didn't see the fans section but there was a good buzz in the crowd and there was a reasonable number there considering Wales were playing football just a mile away.

The only thing I noticed was that the crowd was a bit quiter than it used to be, not as much participation - i.e. yelling - but I think/hope that is something that will come back with time. I enjoyed the game... bar for the result

[thebluesmancometh]

Ye the crowd were nervous, especially when the team comes out and offers little first 10 minutes, and the 3 scrum 2 pens and a free kick!!

There were a lot of kids who prob don't remember the cap, a few chants went up of 'cardiff' in the north terrace (where I was) also a few attempts at 'blues blues blues' and 'bloooooooossss' but neither worked.

It was awkward IMO, I thought it would be like a carnival atmosphere but it doesn't help when there were 100's of paraletic belgians all over the centre dominating the bars and atmosphere.

[wales606]

It was noisier in the south terrace where I was. Not as loud as it could be, but that was partly due to conditions on the pitch.

Good crowd, must have been 10k+

[overlordofthewest]

I thought they announced 7k.

[HERSH]

Really? You wouldn't wear a blue shirt or support a team in blue?

I did for many years, I went to Uni in Cardiff.

C'mon the Blues.

[BigTrevsbigmac]

I thought they announced 7k.

7412

[wales606]

I thought they announced 7k.

7412

Really?

The south stand was packed and so was most of the north.

Im surprised the number wasn't higher than that with a capacity of 12k I don't see where they can fit another 4.5k people.

[thebluesmancometh]

No way was there 7412!!!

Like wales606 said, North and south stand were busy (I wouldn't say packed because I could breathe, Ive been to games where we were like sardines) there was a few hundred seats in the south stand free but not much in the North!

I wouldve guessed around the 9k mark, maybe near 10! All the talk in the ground was 10k plus but it's restricted to 11k so think thats a touch generous!

[overlordofthewest]

Either way it certainly looked better than thousands of empty seats in the football ground. I watched it on TV and it seemed a better atmosphere than the soul less city stadium.

[bedfordwelsh]

The atmosphere seemed better but surely is should be a sell out all time after all the fuss and hot air spouted by fans who wanted to move back there

[tigertattie]

I'm getting vibes from the Edinburgh fans that lee Jones may have played himself out of a Scotland cap!

Can't say I've ever rated him and his defense is at best, terrible!

[RDW]

He got much better last season in defence to be fair, but he's barely caught a pass in the 3 matches I have seen! Been playing very poorly.

[EST]

Do you think Farndale is ready for a shot RDW? The game coming up against Zebre at home would seem a really good opportunity to give him a run out.

[XR]

Close game, Edinburgh deserved the win as they looked far more dangerous with the ball than we did. Tom James is good for making the breaks and getting chances, but he doesn't have the awareness to know when to pass or when to hold on to the ball.

Some of the scrums were hard to watch but there was some good work near our try line in the first half when there were several scrums in a row. It'll be long season for the front five but they'll come out of it better than they are now, i hope.

Dragons away next isn't ideal as this is their Heineken Cup Final (and against the O's) and they tend to turn up for 3 games a season at home against the other regions so i can see another loss coming our way.

But we knew it would be a tough season and there were positives to take from the game. Scramble defence, 1/2P's kicking and Cuthbert carrying his form in to this year were good signs. For next week, i would just say screw it and go with a back line of Jones, Tovey (if he's got rid of the flu yet?), Robinson, Hewitt, Allen, Cuthbert & 1/2P if he's fit.

Sadly, i imagine we'll go with Hewitt and Evans in the centre to counteract the one directional nature of Tuilagi in the centre, despite him being nowhere near his brothers in terms of match impact.

As for the attendance, 7412 isn't the greatest start but then i guess it's up to those who moaned about the CCS to turn up. Plus when you look at the season ahead, most casual fans probably aren't interested watching a transitional team struggle as that's on the cards. But i'll be there with my season ticket

Final 2 things...this Heineken Cup Fan Zone they had been banging on about and how the pre match experience would be better, well it ran out of beer before kick off, i kid you not.

Also - What on earth possessed the people in charge that getting in a reject from the tv show The Voice to come in and sing a song before kick off? There were sound issues which delayed things and then when he did sing...he sang 'Rolling the Deep' by Adele. Talk about not catering to your audience, no thanks on that ever happening again.

[RDW]

I don't see why not EST but we really need a BP win over the Zebras so can't see him being too adventurous with his selections.

I'd like to see him get a chance - definitely over Penn anyway!

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