First day of Pro 14 Blues v Leinster

So, expectations high (or at least as high as we get at the Blues), if you have to play the reigning European champions the first game of the season is a pretty good time to play them.

Blues didn't recruit a lot over the Summer so our match day squad is likely to only have a few new faces. Not sure if everyone is fit, but if they were this is the team I would go with -

Gethin
Dacey
Arhip
Manoa
Seb
Navidi
Jenkins
Williams

Tomos Williams
Jarrod
Owen Lane
Rey
Willis
Tom
Anscombe


SUBS
Rhys Carre
Dylan Lewis
Smiler
Ollie Robinson
Earl
Lloyd
Mathew Morgan
Garyn Smith

Thoughts?

You haven’t recruited much, but Arhip and Samu Manoa are cracking additions to the squad. That’d a strong looking pack. However, I’m not sure the backs are as strong? Just feel they’re missing a few stars in there, but under a new coach who knows they may click and do really well.

Newsilure wrote:Thoughts?

You have picked too many subs

maestegmafia wrote:

Newsilure wrote:Thoughts?

You have picked too many subs

How?

RiscaGame wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

Newsilure wrote:Thoughts?

You have picked too many subs

How?

Its my match day squad . I do get bemused by the number of subs allowed, the pro 14 rule says -

6.6 Each Team must nominate a matchday squad of 23 players, of which six must be Front Row Players

But they also have one that says -

6.2. A maximum of two non-European players are permitted in a Team’s match squad.

Which I don't see being followed by any club

Newsilure wrote:

RiscaGame wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

Newsilure wrote:Thoughts?

You have picked too many subs

How?

Its my match day squad . I do get bemused by the number of subs allowed, the pro 14 rule says -

6.6 Each Team must nominate a matchday squad of 23 players, of which six must be Front Row Players

But they also have one that says -

6.2. A maximum of two non-European players are permitted in a Team’s match squad.

Which I don't see being followed by any club

Sorry my mistake, you picked four forwards and three backs. Leaves you no second row cover of a man gets injured.

I've seen Earle on there all along, as well as 8 players. At least I thought I did.

I’m very excited to see what Jarrod Evans and Tomos Williams can do together this season. They both really shon last year. Would be great to see a home grown centre or two start making waves from the blues academy this year, as I’m not sure the leelo/Willis axis will hang around

Newsilure wrote:

RiscaGame wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

Newsilure wrote:Thoughts?

You have picked too many subs

How?

Its my match day squad . I do get bemused by the number of subs allowed, the pro 14 rule says -

6.6 Each Team must nominate a matchday squad of 23 players, of which six must be Front Row Players

But they also have one that says -

6.2. A maximum of two non-European players are permitted in a Team’s match squad.

Which I don't see being followed by any club

It is followed albeit you need to understand what is meant by non-European.   Basically it refers to Australian or NZ players who don’t have PI heritage.  Hence, Leinster can only have two of Fardy, Gibson-Park or Lowe in their match day squad.   SA-born players are not counted as “non-European”.  

There’s a bit more to it than that but that’s its broad implications.

I hope to see Thornton get some game time soon. I imagine that Williams and manu will be swapped as ball carrying backrowers and that might give Thornton a chance to emulate his blues colleague Seb Davies’s form

maestegmafia wrote:I hope to see Thor Jill get some game time soon. I imagine that Williams and manu will be swapped as ball carrying backrowers and that might give Thornhill a chance to emulate his blues colleague Seb Davies’s form

Yes I expect Thornton to get a lot of match time although he and Seb may be a bit similar in build, style of play and level of experience to both play at the same time. Garyn Smith is starting to look the part at centre and he and Rey are probably our best defensive combination, I expect Lane and Summerhill to have some outings at centre as both have bulk as well as speed.

Newsilure wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:I hope to see Thor Jill get some game time soon. I imagine that Williams and manu will be swapped as ball carrying backrowers and that might give Thornhill a chance to emulate his blues colleague Seb Davies’s form

Yes I expect Thornton to get a lot of match time although he and Seb may be a bit similar in build, style of play and level of experience to both play at the same time. Garyn Smith is starting to look the part at centre and he and Rey are probably our best defensive combination, I expect Lane and Summerhill to have some outings at centre as both have bulk as well as speed.

What has happened to the ex-20s lad who was at Tigers, Jack Roberts?

maestegmafia wrote:

Newsilure wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:I hope to see Thor Jill get some game time soon. I imagine that Williams and manu will be swapped as ball carrying backrowers and that might give Thornhill a chance to emulate his blues colleague Seb Davies’s form

Yes I expect Thornton to get a lot of match time although he and Seb may be a bit similar in build, style of play and level of experience to both play at the same time. Garyn Smith is starting to look the part at centre and he and Rey are probably our best defensive combination, I expect Lane and Summerhill to have some outings at centre as both have bulk as well as speed.

What has happened to the ex-20s lad who was at Tigers, Jack Roberts?

Yes, I should have mentioned him as he looked like he might have potential the few times I have seen him play, unfortunately injured(I think) most of last season, hopefully we will see more of him this year. A short but solid chap, very low centre of gravity and so hard to tackle.

Newsilure wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

Newsilure wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:I hope to see Thor Jill get some game time soon. I imagine that Williams and manu will be swapped as ball carrying backrowers and that might give Thornhill a chance to emulate his blues colleague Seb Davies’s form

Yes I expect Thornton to get a lot of match time although he and Seb may be a bit similar in build, style of play and level of experience to both play at the same time. Garyn Smith is starting to look the part at centre and he and Rey are probably our best defensive combination, I expect Lane and Summerhill to have some outings at centre as both have bulk as well as speed.

What has happened to the ex-20s lad who was at Tigers, Jack Roberts?

Yes, I should have mentioned him as he looked like he might have potential the few times I have seen him play, unfortunately injured(I think) most of last season, hopefully we will see more of him this year. A short but solid chap, very low centre of gravity and so hard to tackle.

Scott Gibbs-esq from what i remember seeing when he was at Tigers. Pocket battleship with a decent pass and a good eye for the game.

Newsilure wrote:

RiscaGame wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

Newsilure wrote:Thoughts?

You have picked too many subs

How?

Its my match day squad . I do get bemused by the number of subs allowed, the pro 14 rule says -

6.6 Each Team must nominate a matchday squad of 23 players, of which six must be Front Row Players

But they also have one that says -

6.2. A maximum of two non-European players are permitted in a Team’s match squad.

Which I don't see being followed by any club

6.2 would be tough on the Cheetahs and the Kings.

Pot Hale wrote:

Newsilure wrote:

RiscaGame wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

Newsilure wrote:Thoughts?

You have picked too many subs

How?

Its my match day squad . I do get bemused by the number of subs allowed, the pro 14 rule says -

6.6 Each Team must nominate a matchday squad of 23 players, of which six must be Front Row Players

But they also have one that says -

6.2. A maximum of two non-European players are permitted in a Team’s match squad.

Which I don't see being followed by any club

It is followed albeit you need to understand what is meant by non-European.   Basically it refers to Australian or NZ players who don’t have PI heritage.  Hence, Leinster can only have two of Fardy, Gibson-Park or Lowe in their match day squad.   SA-born players are not counted as “non-European”.  

There’s a bit more to it than that but that’s its broad implications.

Just to add a number of nations - including South Africa and the Pacific Island countries - are exempt from this rule under the Cotonou Agreement between the EU and African, Caribbean and Pacific group of States.

Australia and New Zealand aren't covered by this EU agreement.

I presume once Brexit occurs British clubs wouldn't be looking to avail of EU exemptions.....

Will be interesting to see if Dylan Lewis can push on from his superb performances on the summer tour.

Gethin and Navidi are unavailable through injury aren’t they? Probably is your best pack though. The back line looks very good, and although I’m not sold on your wingers you have some combo’s that can throw the ball around and score tries.

RiscaGame wrote:I've seen Earle on there all along, as well as 8 players. At least I thought I did.

Yep, and the OP hasn’t been edited by the look of it.

mikey_dragon wrote:Gethin and Navidi are unavailable through injury aren’t they? Probably is your best pack though. The back line looks very good, and although I’m not sold on your wingers you have some combo’s that can throw the ball around and score tries.

I am not sure where to look for injury status of Blues players. When Dai Young was there I think the web site used to post a regular update on injured players and how long they were out for and it would be good to have that back.

I guess if Gethin is out it means starts for either Gill, whose usually competent but doesn't over impress, or Brad Thyer who seems to be growing in skill at the scrum and is good around the field. I would still like to see Rhys Carre on the bench as he brings significant carrying power coming on in the second half - although it may be to much to expect a 19 year old to have as significant impact in the senior game as he does at u20.

Navidi is a big loss to any team but both Robinson and Turnbull are good replacements, with Jenkins going to 6 if Robinson plays.

Hopefully Tom will get back to his try scoring best this season and Lane has real potential although this season will prove whether he will become a star.

Newsilure wrote:

RiscaGame wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

Newsilure wrote:Thoughts?

You have picked too many subs

How?

Its my match day squad . I do get bemused by the number of subs allowed, the pro 14 rule says -

6.6 Each Team must nominate a matchday squad of 23 players, of which six must be Front Row Players

But they also have one that says -

6.2. A maximum of two non-European players are permitted in a Team’s match squad.

Which I don't see being followed by any club

That's probably because you're confused by what "non-European players" means.

Clue: it means those without automatic EU working rights.

Nice to see the club release a short interview with Manoa today.

The new broadcast deal, all nice and shiny launch of the competition, lots of positive words from Anayi.....


Referee for Cardiff v Leinster = Nigel Owens.

What a shower of garbage.

PhilBB wrote:The new broadcast deal, all nice and shiny launch of the competition, lots of positive words from Anayi.....


Referee for Cardiff v Leinster = Nigel Owens.

What a shower of garbage.

I think he's a great referee personally

Pete330v2 wrote:

PhilBB wrote:The new broadcast deal, all nice and shiny launch of the competition, lots of positive words from Anayi.....


Referee for Cardiff v Leinster = Nigel Owens.

What a shower of garbage.

I think he's a great referee personally

It does seem a real weakness that the pro 14 cannot come up with neutral referees. My own view is that top referees like Nigel Owens are so focussed on being seen to be neutral that they err on the side of punishing the team from their country more than their opponents. This view was reinforced the last time(I think) Owens refereed the Blues up in Scotland against Glasgow when he ended up red carding Tau Filise for a totally innocuous incident which Owens clearly thought merited at most a penalty, but when the tv referee put forward an alternative view Owens went along with it. In other situations where Owens had been refereeing games where he is a neutral it would be very unusual for him to change his view based on the TV ref as he is normally very firm that he knows best.

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/cardiff-blues-taufaao-filise-banned-14003831

Newsilure wrote:

Pete330v2 wrote:

PhilBB wrote:The new broadcast deal, all nice and shiny launch of the competition, lots of positive words from Anayi.....


Referee for Cardiff v Leinster = Nigel Owens.

What a shower of garbage.

I think he's a great referee personally

It does seem a real weakness that the pro 14 cannot come up with neutral referees. My own view is that top referees like Nigel Owens are so focussed on being seen to be neutral that they err on the side of punishing the team from their country more than their opponents. This view was reinforced the last time(I think) Owens refereed the Blues up in Scotland against Glasgow when he ended up red carding Tau Filise for a totally innocuous incident which Owens clearly thought merited at most a penalty, but when the  tv referee  put forward an alternative view Owens went along with it. In other situations where Owens had been refereeing games where he is a neutral it would be very unusual for him to change his view based on the TV ref as he is normally very firm that he knows best.

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/cardiff-blues-taufaao-filise-banned-14003831

While not ideal it isn't the worse thing. I think the IRFU want to have neutral refs but the other unions know it is their plan to get good refs and force other teams to deal with those Irish refs.

Brendan wrote:

Newsilure wrote:

Pete330v2 wrote:

PhilBB wrote:The new broadcast deal, all nice and shiny launch of the competition, lots of positive words from Anayi.....


Referee for Cardiff v Leinster = Nigel Owens.

What a shower of garbage.

I think he's a great referee personally

It does seem a real weakness that the pro 14 cannot come up with neutral referees. My own view is that top referees like Nigel Owens are so focussed on being seen to be neutral that they err on the side of punishing the team from their country more than their opponents. This view was reinforced the last time(I think) Owens refereed the Blues up in Scotland against Glasgow when he ended up red carding Tau Filise for a totally innocuous incident which Owens clearly thought merited at most a penalty, but when the  tv referee  put forward an alternative view Owens went along with it. In other situations where Owens had been refereeing games where he is a neutral it would be very unusual for him to change his view based on the TV ref as he is normally very firm that he knows best.

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/cardiff-blues-taufaao-filise-banned-14003831

While not ideal it isn't the worse thing.  I think the IRFU want to have neutral refs but the other unions know it is their plan to get good refs and force other teams to deal with those Irish refs.

Could you explain your comment, Brendan - I’ve read it a number of times and don’t understand it?

The only thing in Owens' favour is that he's not a Leinster society ref, who will fly to the game on the plane with the Leinster players and then home again on a plane with the Leinster players, all of whom are paid by the same company.

http://www.cardiffblues.com/rugby/8430.php

PhilBB wrote:The only thing in Owens' favour is that he's not a Leinster society ref, who will fly to the game on the plane with the Leinster players and then home again on a plane with the Leinster players, all of whom are paid by the same company.

http://www.cardiffblues.com/rugby/8430.php

Apparently, Phil, allegedly even, PRO14 are set to contract the refs directly as a result of new TV and sponsor monies - but no announcement as of yet.

Pot Hale wrote:

PhilBB wrote:The only thing in Owens' favour is that he's not a Leinster society ref, who will fly to the game on the plane with the Leinster players and then home again on a plane with the Leinster players, all of whom are paid by the same company.

http://www.cardiffblues.com/rugby/8430.php

Apparently, Phil, allegedly even, PRO14 are set to contract the refs directly as a result of new TV and sponsor monies - but no announcement as of yet.  

A good thing, unless they start hiring dross from the SH. You Irish wouldn’t mind having your good friend Glen Jackson back in town I guess.

mikey_dragon wrote:

Pot Hale wrote:

PhilBB wrote:The only thing in Owens' favour is that he's not a Leinster society ref, who will fly to the game on the plane with the Leinster players and then home again on a plane with the Leinster players, all of whom are paid by the same company.

http://www.cardiffblues.com/rugby/8430.php

Apparently, Phil, allegedly even, PRO14 are set to contract the refs directly as a result of new TV and sponsor monies - but no announcement as of yet.  

A good thing, unless they start hiring dross from the SH. You Irish wouldn’t mind having your good friend Glen Jackson back in town I guess.

Only if he plays two concerts in Croke Park.

Or was that Glen Campbell? Or the other fella, wotsisname?

Glenn Medeiros

M Morgan; J Harries, W Halaholo, R Lee-Lo, O Lane; J Evans, L Williams; B Thyer, K Dacey, D Arhip, S Davies, R Thornton, J Turnbull, E Jenkins, N Williams.

Read more at https://www.pro14rugby.org/2018/08/30/cardiff-blues-team-to-face-leinster-rugby/#ZJUUr1his4wBYxud.99

Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets)

15. Dave Kearney (122)
14. Adam Byrne (38)
13. Rory O’Loughlin (42)
12. Joe Tomane (0)
11. Barry Daly (27)
10. Ross Byrne (49)
9. Luke McGrath (95)
1. Peter Dooley (47)
2. James Tracy (66)
3. Michael Bent (106)
4. Ross Molony (64)
5. Scott Fardy (22)
6. Josh Murphy (9)
7. Rhys Ruddock (142) CAPTAIN
8. Caelan Doris (1)

16. Bryan Byrne (26)
17. Ed Byrne (23)
18. Andrew Porter (30)
19. Mick Kearney (35)
20. Max Deegan (21)
21. Jamison Gibson-Park (51)
22. Noel Reid (100)
23. Fergus McFadden (169)

The blues are looking sharp. There only weakness so far is the back three seem scared of high balls.
But they are doing a number on Leinster at ruck time

Leinster should nick this with a last minute score.

Surely not....

I'm really pissed off I missed this and had to watch a dour fest instead. If Premier Sports haven't sharpened up by next week I'm going to consider cancelling.

Have to say Cardiff were very impressive.
Tomane was absolute gash. How many times did he get stripped in contact?Cardiff's backline and breakdown is brilliant

Was it Adam or Ross that got the two tries? BBC just says 'Byrne' I have Ross in my fantasy team.

Exellent result for the squad. Didn’t think we’d win that with so many first teamed missing. Dave Kearney at 15 - who’d a thunk?

Artful_Dodger wrote:Was it Adam or Ross that got the two tries?  BBC just says 'Byrne' I have Ross in my fantasy team.

Bryan

Artful_Dodger wrote:Was it Adam or Ross that got the two tries?  BBC just says 'Byrne' I have Ross in my fantasy team.

Brian Byrne. One of seven Byrnes at Leinster.

carpet baboon wrote:Have to say Cardiff were very impressive.
Tomane was absolute gash. How many times did he get stripped in contact?Cardiff's backline and breakdown is brilliant

Certainly their strength but the front 5 and bench isn’t too good. Where was Manoa?

I read that Jarrod Evans (10) was a standout for Blues, he’s a promising young player.

Monoa only arrived from Toulon this week and I think is carrying a small injury. They said they didn’t want to rush him back. Not sure why he was so late coming over from Toulon though. Would have thought he’d transfer over at the end of last season.

mikey_dragon wrote:

carpet baboon wrote:Have to say Cardiff were very impressive.
Tomane was absolute gash. How many times did he get stripped in contact?Cardiff's backline and breakdown is brilliant

Certainly their strength but the front 5 and bench isn’t too good. Where was Manoa?

I read that Jarrod Evans (10) was a standout for Blues, he’s a promising young player.

Evans looked very solid - the closest comparison is Stephen Jones - except Evans has pace.

Well good game but a disappointing result. Our maul defence was very poor and got considerably worse when Nick Williams went off, his early substitution was probably the turning point of the game as after that we just couldn't match a well drilled set of Leinster forwards in the tight. I mentioned earlier in this thread that Seb and Thornton might be too similar to play together as so far neither has developed the defensive guile and grunt we need in the second row.

Very pleased with the way the backs went in attack, Jarrod Evans' kicking from hand has improved significantly and his orchestration of attack moves is very good. But he needs to quickly develop better game control to allow the Blues to close out games, we are definitely going to score tries but we are giving good opponents the chance to score as many or more against us.

Unlucky Blues. Didn’t see it but read you were looking good. Bit of a kick in the b@lls to lose at the death like that.

Congrats to Leinster. I guess that’s the sign of a champion side, never giving up and playing to the death and sneaking the win

You can never score enough against the ladyboys. Given it was Leinsters fourth choice team it doesn’t bode well for everyone else. DK at fb was impressive. Beat people and tackled well. Probably secretly feeling hard done by given bobert can’t do either.