Ben Blair Back!

Cardiff Blues wrote:After 15 months out with a knee injury Ben Blair returns to rugby this weekend
Having suffered a knee injury in the Heineken Cup match against Castres in October 2010, Cardiff Blues fullback Ben Blair returns to action to face Gloucester this weekend.
The Blues take on Gloucester at Kingsholm on Saturday 28 January at 3pm and Blair is relieved to be back on the pitch after such a long time out of the game.

Speaking at the Vale of Glamorgan training centre Blair said:

"It's been a hugely frustrating period for me both on and off the pitch over the last 15 months."

"When I first injured the knee back in October 2010 I don't think anyone expected it to take so long to get back."

"It's been extremely hard both mentally and physically to get to the position where I am able to play again, so I'm just looking forward to finally having a match."

"The rehab work on the knee has gone well and it feels good."

"I've really missed playing so it will be good to get a run out on Saturday."

Speaking of Blair's return, Cardiff Blues backs coach Gareth Baber added:

"Ben brings a vast amount of experience having been a solid front line player for us for the past five to six seasons, so it's good to have him back."

"Obviously he's been out for a long time with his knee injury but we hope to see him back to his kicking best and controlling the back three for us, solid under high balls and driving our attack in wide areas."

"He's trained hard by himself doing a lot of rehabilitation and seems to be right back up there with his fitness scores, and has performed well alongside the players in rugby training."

"Obviously he wasn't part of our Heineken Cup squad but it's good to have him playing again with some big RaboDirect matches on the horizon."

The following week, on Sunday 5 February at 1pm the Blues take on Harlequins in the LV= Cup. The Round 4 LV= Cup match is free to children, when accompanied by a paying adult, courtesy of Coastal Cottages of Pembrokeshire, who are sponsoring the match. There will be a host of activities pre match with the Heineken Fan Zone being converted to the Kids Zone for this special match, with gates opening at 11.30am.

Not only will young supporters be able to mingle with their rugby heroes but there will be an interactive rugby game set up allowing youngsters to show of their rugby skills as well as a bouncy castle, face painting and much more.

wales606 wrote:Dont know

Can you add player before the 1/4s?

11. Cuthbert
14. Halfpenny
15. Blair

Would be awesome - probably the only area we would beat Leinster.

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wales606 wrote:Dont know

Can you add player before the 1/4s?

11. Cuthbert
14. Halfpenny
15. Blair

Would be awesome - probably the only area we would beat Leinster.

Nor me.
What about 10, 12, 13........Henson, Roberts, Laulala?

wales606 wrote:
11. Cuthbert
14. Halfpenny
15. Blair

Would be awesome - probably the only area we would beat Leinster.

After 15 months out with a knee injury Ben Blair returns to rugby this weekend

Having suffered a knee injury in the Heineken Cup match against Castres in October 2010, Cardiff Blues fullback Ben Blair returns to action to face Gloucester this weekend.

The Blues take on Gloucester at Kingsholm on Saturday 28 January at 3pm and Blair is relieved to be back on the pitch after such a long time out of the game.

Speaking at the Vale of Glamorgan training centre Blair said:

"It's been a hugely frustrating period for me both on and off the pitch over the last 15 months."

"When I first injured the knee back in October 2010 I don't think anyone expected it to take so long to get back."

"It's been extremely hard both mentally and physically to get to the position where I am able to play again, so I'm just looking forward to finally having a match."

"The rehab work on the knee has gone well and it feels good."

"I've really missed playing so it will be good to get a run out on Saturday."

Speaking of Blair's return, Cardiff Blues backs coach Gareth Baber added:

"Ben brings a vast amount of experience having been a solid front line player for us for the past five to six seasons, so it's good to have him back."

"Obviously he's been out for a long time with his knee injury but we hope to see him back to his kicking best and controlling the back three for us, solid under high balls and driving our attack in wide areas."

"He's trained hard by himself doing a lot of rehabilitation and seems to be right back up there with his fitness scores, and has performed well alongside the players in rugby training."

"Obviously he wasn't part of our Heineken Cup squad but it's good to have him playing again with some big RaboDirect matches on the horizon."

The following week, on Sunday 5 February at 1pm the Blues take on Harlequins in the LV= Cup. The Round 4 LV= Cup match is free to children, when accompanied by a paying adult, courtesy of Coastal Cottages of Pembrokeshire, who are sponsoring the match. There will be a host of activities pre match with the Heineken Fan Zone being converted to the Kids Zone for this special match, with gates opening at 11.30am.

Not only will young supporters be able to mingle with their rugby heroes but there will be an interactive rugby game set up allowing youngsters to show of their rugby skills as well as a bouncy castle, face painting and much more.

red_stag wrote:

wales606 wrote:
11. Cuthbert
14. Halfpenny
15. Blair

Would be awesome - probably the only area we would beat Leinster.

Not so sure about that really.

11 Luke Fitzgerald
14 Isa Nacewa
15 Rob Kearney

23 Shane Horgan
R Fionn Carr

red_stag wrote:Off the top of my head I'd say Leinster, Munster, Ospreys, Toulouse, Clermont, Bayonne, Gloucester and Harlequins have stronger back three units.

AlynDavies wrote:After the problems with Ben blair and his contract I'm amazed it has all been sorted out. Didnt the Blues stop paying him at some point and he took them to court?

wales606 wrote:

AlynDavies wrote:After the problems with Ben blair and his contract I'm amazed it has all been sorted out. Didnt the Blues stop paying him at some point and he took them to court?

I dont think he took them to court

Apparently there have been insurance issues though, and he wouldn't pass a medical if he joined a new club - or something like that.

He has always said he want to stay at the Blues if he can play.

AlynDavies wrote:

wales606 wrote:

AlynDavies wrote:After the problems with Ben blair and his contract I'm amazed it has all been sorted out. Didnt the Blues stop paying him at some point and he took them to court?

I dont think he took them to court

Apparently there have been insurance issues though, and he wouldn't pass a medical if he joined a new club - or something like that.

He has always said he want to stay at the Blues if he can play.

How long has he left on his contract? Because the Blues havent really had value for money have they?

AlynDavies wrote:

wales606 wrote:

AlynDavies wrote:After the problems with Ben blair and his contract I'm amazed it has all been sorted out. Didnt the Blues stop paying him at some point and he took them to court?

I dont think he took them to court

Apparently there have been insurance issues though, and he wouldn't pass a medical if he joined a new club - or something like that.

He has always said he want to stay at the Blues if he can play.

How long has he left on his contract? Because the Blues havent really had value for money have they?

red_stag wrote:Off the top of my head I'd say Leinster, Munster, Ospreys, Toulouse, Clermont, Bayonne, Gloucester and Harlequins have stronger back three units.

doctor_grey wrote:This is how I will always remember Ben Blair:
From the 2004 Super 12 final:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uT6cLWw9nLM