Ulster vs Cardiff Blues

by **Notch** Thu 24 Oct 2013, 12:44 pm

Ulster; 15 Stuart Olding, 14 Andrew Trimble, 13 Jared Payne, 12 Luke Marshall, 11 Tommy Bowe, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Ruan Pienaar; 1 Callum Black 2 Rory Best, 3 Declan Fitzpatrick, 4 Johann Muller (c), 5 Dan Tuohy, 6 Robbie Diack, 7 Chris Henry, 8 Roger Wilson

Replacements: 16 Rob Herring, 17 Tom Court, 18 John Afoa, 19 Lewis Stevenson, 20 Mike McComish, 21 Paul Marshall, 22 Darren Cave, 23 Michael Allen

Cardiff Blues: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Richard Smith, 13 Cory Allen, 12 Dafydd Hewitt, 11 Harry Robinson, 10 Rhys Patchell, 9 Lloyd Williams; 1 Gethin Jenkins (c), 2 Marc Breeze, 3 Scott Andrews, 4 Bradley Davies, 5 Filo Paulo, 6 Josh Navidi, 7 Sam Warburton, 8 Robin Copeland.

Replacements: 16 Kristian Dacey, 17 Sam Hobbs, 18 Taufa'ao Filise, 19 Lou Reed, 20 Rory Watts-Jones, 21 Lewis Jones, 22 Gareth Davies, 23 Chris Czekaj

So just two changes for Ulster and a positional switch; Payne moves to centre instead of Cave, Olding comes in at fullback and Callum Black comes into the front row at loosehead. Ulster will be targeting a bonus point win as we look to claw our way back up the table but Blues will have renewed confidence after their European scalping of Toulon. Cardiff are without Cuthbert and Matthew Rees- Ulster are missing Craig Gilroy, Iain Henderson and Nick Williams.

Massive welcome back to Ravenhill for Filo Paulo clap

by **Notch** Thu 24 Oct 2013, 12:46 pm

Commenting on his selection at fullback, Stuart Olding said:

"When the team was read out and I wasn't playing at outhalf or centre, I thought that I was going to be on the bench again, but I was really pleased when I learned that I would be starting at fullback.

"It is a position that I really enjoy playing in. I was fullback for Ireland Under 20s in the 6 Nations and the Junior World Championship so I am very confident there and I am looking forward to tomorrow night's game.”

by The Saint Thu 24 Oct 2013, 12:48 pm

Why is there a welcome back to Ravenhill for Filo?

Do anyone Blues fans know why Andrews is back in with Filise on the bench, with no Bourrust in sight? Unless it's a forced change, it's another daft move against a team who are strong in the scrum.

Is Owen Williams injured?

by **Notch** Thu 24 Oct 2013, 12:50 pm

Just the standard for all our former players. He would still be with Ulster if not for Visa issues most likely, but eventually was forced to leave us. By the time he became eligible for a UK visa by playing high-level rugby in NZ and international rugby we had filled our NIQ quota and had less need of him, so he never came back to Ulster sadly.

by geoff999rugby Thu 24 Oct 2013, 1:14 pm

Yep in those dark days when we were poor we were desperate to have him as an IQ resident but it was not to be

by VinceWLB Thu 24 Oct 2013, 1:18 pm

The Saint wrote:Why is there a welcome back to Ravenhill for Filo?

Do anyone Blues fans know why Andrews is back in with Filise on the bench, with no Bourrust in sight? Unless it's a forced change, it's another daft move against a team who are strong in the scrum.

Is Owen Williams injured?

It is clear to anyone with minimal knowledge that Bourrust is a better scrummager than either Andrews or Filise, Bourrust basically saved by himself the Blues scrum against Toulon...
Jenkins will have to play 80 min again for the Blues to have any chance as Hobbs against Afoa would be a massacre.

by 8Studs Thu 24 Oct 2013, 2:16 pm

VinceWLB wrote:
The Saint wrote:Why is there a welcome back to Ravenhill for Filo?

Do anyone Blues fans know why Andrews is back in with Filise on the bench, with no Bourrust in sight? Unless it's a forced change, it's another daft move against a team who are strong in the scrum.

Is Owen Williams injured?
It is clear to anyone with minimal knowledge that Bourrust is a better scrummager than either Andrews or Filise, Bourrust basically saved by himself the Blues scrum against Toulon...
Jenkins will have to play 80 min again for the Blues to have any chance as Hobbs against Afoa would be a massacre.

Well you no doubt have seen that Dec Fitz is starting with Afoa on the bench. So after Deccie softens him up what comes after a massacre?

by **Notch** Thu 24 Oct 2013, 2:25 pm

It's win-win for us. Our 2 best scrummaging props are on the bench and will be sprung with about 30 mins to go.

So either they will be coming on against a tiring front row or the second-string front row. I expect us to shade the battle in the scrum, whether we can win a few penalties there will be key...

by geoff999rugby Thu 24 Oct 2013, 2:26 pm

The Saint wrote:Why is there a welcome back to Ravenhill for Filo?

Don't you know we were the ones who made him a Rugby player in his youth Very Happy

by **Notch** Thu 24 Oct 2013, 2:39 pm

Robbie talks to the BT;

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/rugby/rabodirect-pro12/switch-back-to-pro12-no-problem-for-ulster-diack-29695926.html

And in the front rows it's a big game for this man!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_-jHJBHpjw

by The Saint Thu 24 Oct 2013, 2:53 pm

I had no idea Filo Paulo was at Ulster. He's had a few caps for Samoa, so no doubt his stint at Ulster benefitted him. Anyway, can't see Blues winning this. PD must think he's untouchable after the Toulon anomaly, hence the front row changes.

by **rodders** Fri 25 Oct 2013, 9:18 am

Jeebus not really a day for running rugby.....

by geoff998rugby Fri 25 Oct 2013, 9:22 am

Apparantly the rain stops at lunchtime so don't give up hope yet

by XR Fri 25 Oct 2013, 10:04 am

The Saint wrote:Why is there a welcome back to Ravenhill for Filo?

Do anyone Blues fans know why Andrews is back in with Filise on the bench, with no Bourrust in sight? Unless it's a forced change, it's another daft move against a team who are strong in the scrum.

Is Owen Williams injured?

Rumours have it Bourrust walked out of training recently due to the training methods of PD and is now paying the price. He should be starting as he is clearly the THP 'anchor' of the squad.

Owen Williams is indeed injured.

by **Notch** Fri 25 Oct 2013, 4:13 pm

Declan Fitzpatrick out injured. John Afoa starts at tighthead instead.

Really disappointing for Deccie, the chocolate prop, was looking like he could handle the heat and becoming an option for Ireland. Hopefully this isn't a serious setback.

by marty2086 Fri 25 Oct 2013, 4:21 pm

Not a bad replacement coming in it'll be good for Afoa

Wonder if Deccie will be fit for the AIs could Lutton be in for a call up?

by The Saint Fri 25 Oct 2013, 5:41 pm

gcBlues wrote:
The Saint wrote:Why is there a welcome back to Ravenhill for Filo?

Do anyone Blues fans know why Andrews is back in with Filise on the bench, with no Bourrust in sight? Unless it's a forced change, it's another daft move against a team who are strong in the scrum.

Is Owen Williams injured?
Rumours have it Bourrust walked out of training recently due to the training methods of PD and is now paying the price. He should be starting as he is clearly the THP 'anchor' of the squad.

Owen Williams is indeed injured.

So that's another overseas player to come on and not be happy with the amateurs running the team (Lualala being the first)...

by Artful_Dodger Fri 25 Oct 2013, 5:47 pm

Its a good job Fitzpatrick wasn't injured for our HC games when we had no Afoa. He really held his own against two very big scrums in Tigers and Montpellier.

by Jhamer25 Fri 25 Oct 2013, 6:08 pm

Never really seen Borroust play, i've seen him play a few times but he wasn't that good a scrummager.
But then I bet he is a better scrummager than Scott.

by wales606 Fri 25 Oct 2013, 6:30 pm

The Saint wrote:
gcBlues wrote:
The Saint wrote:Why is there a welcome back to Ravenhill for Filo?

Do anyone Blues fans know why Andrews is back in with Filise on the bench, with no Bourrust in sight? Unless it's a forced change, it's another daft move against a team who are strong in the scrum.

Is Owen Williams injured?
Rumours have it Bourrust walked out of training recently due to the training methods of PD and is now paying the price. He should be starting as he is clearly the THP 'anchor' of the squad.

Owen Williams is indeed injured.
So that's another overseas player to come on and not be happy with the amateurs running the team (Lualala being the first)...

When was Laulaula unhappy? Other than when we couldn't meet his wage demands to stay?

by The Saint Fri 25 Oct 2013, 6:36 pm

wales606 wrote:
The Saint wrote:
gcBlues wrote:
The Saint wrote:Why is there a welcome back to Ravenhill for Filo?

Do anyone Blues fans know why Andrews is back in with Filise on the bench, with no Bourrust in sight? Unless it's a forced change, it's another daft move against a team who are strong in the scrum.

Is Owen Williams injured?
Rumours have it Bourrust walked out of training recently due to the training methods of PD and is now paying the price. He should be starting as he is clearly the THP 'anchor' of the squad.

Owen Williams is indeed injured.
So that's another overseas player to come on and not be happy with the amateurs running the team (Lualala being the first)...
When was Laulaula unhappy? Other than when we couldn't meet his wage demands to stay?

Probably during the entire season under B&B, which is what his body language insinuated. There was also his tweet (later removed) that stated he had no idea what was going in, and the club was run by amateurs. This was his response to being asked about the sacking of Gavin Henson.

by Cari Fri 25 Oct 2013, 7:04 pm

I'm watching the O's match....please can I have a score update at some point? Ta...

by Cardiff Dave Fri 25 Oct 2013, 7:07 pm

The Saint wrote:
wales606 wrote:
The Saint wrote:
gcBlues wrote:
The Saint wrote:Why is there a welcome back to Ravenhill for Filo?

Do anyone Blues fans know why Andrews is back in with Filise on the bench, with no Bourrust in sight? Unless it's a forced change, it's another daft move against a team who are strong in the scrum.

Is Owen Williams injured?
Rumours have it Bourrust walked out of training recently due to the training methods of PD and is now paying the price. He should be starting as he is clearly the THP 'anchor' of the squad.

Owen Williams is indeed injured.
So that's another overseas player to come on and not be happy with the amateurs running the team (Lualala being the first)...
When was Laulaula unhappy? Other than when we couldn't meet his wage demands to stay?
Probably during the entire season under B&B, which is what his body language insinuated. There was also his tweet (later removed) that stated he had no idea what was going in, and the club was run by amateurs. This was his response to being asked about the sacking of Gavin Henson.

He wanted to stay, but we had to make cutbacks. £750,000 worth I seem to remember.

by wales606 Fri 25 Oct 2013, 7:08 pm

Awful start

by Artful_Dodger Fri 25 Oct 2013, 7:13 pm

Andrews looks in big trouble at the scrum against Callum Black and its only 5 minutes in. He's gone down twice and was turned in that last one.

by wales606 Fri 25 Oct 2013, 7:14 pm

Why on earth isn't Bourrust starting! Not having him in the 22 is criminal...Filise is almost a pensioner

by The Saint Fri 25 Oct 2013, 7:21 pm

Cardiff Dave wrote:
He wanted to stay, but we had to make cutbacks. £750,000 worth I seem to remember.

Don't think so. Hence his tweet, and he wasn't incorrect now was he?

I'm not watching this game BTW, but if this is true of Andrews then it makes his selection for Wales more of a joke. Poor Samson.

by wales606 Fri 25 Oct 2013, 7:23 pm

More defensive errors

by wales606 Fri 25 Oct 2013, 7:26 pm

Copeland stop playing so well in Ireland - we don't want them to notice!

by Cardiff Dave Fri 25 Oct 2013, 7:26 pm

Big winger that Tuohy bloke.

by wales606 Fri 25 Oct 2013, 7:28 pm

Silly turnovers are killing us

by wales606 Fri 25 Oct 2013, 7:32 pm

Scrum is killing us again this season - it looked to have improved in the first few games, but now it is just abysmal

by Cardiff Dave Fri 25 Oct 2013, 7:32 pm

The Saint wrote:
Cardiff Dave wrote:
He wanted to stay, but we had to make cutbacks. £750,000 worth I seem to remember.
Don't think so. Hence his tweet, and he wasn't incorrect now was he?

I'm not watching this game BTW, but if this is true of Andrews then it makes his selection for Wales more of a joke. Poor Samson.

The curse of CCS i'm afraid. A lot of players had to leave.....

Casey Laulala announces his departure from the Cardiff Blues, despite his desire to stay.
"My family settled in well and my daughter is at a very good school, but I guess this is a fresh challenge for me."

http://www.rugbynetwork.net/main/s170/st175167.htm&title=Laulala+to+Leave+Blues

by wales606 Fri 25 Oct 2013, 7:33 pm

Although Ulster were definitely pushing up at that last scrum

and more defensive inattention

by **rodders** Fri 25 Oct 2013, 7:34 pm

Good man yerself Tommy!

by Cardiff Dave Fri 25 Oct 2013, 7:34 pm

Cardiff go to sleep. Try Ulster.
"Wake up FFS!"

by wales606 Fri 25 Oct 2013, 7:35 pm

Fecks sake, scrums are the last thing we want

by Artful_Dodger Fri 25 Oct 2013, 7:36 pm

Scott Andrews is getting absolutely mullered.

by wales606 Fri 25 Oct 2013, 7:37 pm

by wales606 Fri 25 Oct 2013, 7:37 pm

WHY IS BOURRUST NOT PLAYING!

by **rodders** Fri 25 Oct 2013, 7:37 pm

Hang on a dang minute?? Is that Gethin Jenkins? Have I had too many knocks on the head or does he not play for Toulon these days?

by wales606 Fri 25 Oct 2013, 7:38 pm

The possession stats must be insane

by MrsP Fri 25 Oct 2013, 7:38 pm

It's 16 v 3 Cari!

by Cardiff Dave Fri 25 Oct 2013, 7:39 pm

Uncontested scrums please ref.

by **rodders** Fri 25 Oct 2013, 7:40 pm

Roger Wilson in seriously good form for an auld geezer.

by MrsP Fri 25 Oct 2013, 7:41 pm

This might be one of those games when a team are praying their opposition do not knock on.

by wales606 Fri 25 Oct 2013, 7:41 pm

Andrews off already

That's embarrasing

Pity it isn't Bourrust on the bench - instead we need the OAP to game 50minutes

by Cari Fri 25 Oct 2013, 7:43 pm

rodders wrote:Good man yerself Tommy!

Did he just get another try?! Ulster vs Cardiff Blues 3559488474

by wales606 Fri 25 Oct 2013, 7:44 pm

Robin Copeland is absolutely everywhere

Very Happy

And he gets a try

by wales606 Fri 25 Oct 2013, 7:45 pm

It's an absolute joke that Copeland was on the bench until Pretorious got injured

by Sponsored content