Cardiff Blues V Scarlets

PRO12: CARDIFF BLUES V SCARLETS
Venue: Cardiff Arms ParkDate: 21 December, 2012Kick-off: 19:05 GMT
Coverage: Live on BBC Two Wales, BBC Radio Wales & online


Blues
J Tovey,
A Cuthbert,
G Evans,
D Hewitt,
H Robinson,
R Patchell,
Lewis Jones;

T Filise,
M Breeze,
S Andrews,
B Davies,
J Down,
J Navidi,
S Warburton,
A Preotrius (c)

(Bench: R Williams, S Hobbs, B Bourrust, M Cook, R Copeland, A Walker, C Sweeney, O Williams)

Scarlets

Li Williams
G North
J Davies (c)
S Williams
A Fenby
A Thomas
T Knoyle

P John
E Phillips
S Lee
G Earl
J Snyman
J Turnbull
A SHingler
K Murphy

(Bench: M Rees, Rho Jones, D Manu, S Timani, J Edwards, G Davies, G Owen, G Maule)

Referee: Ian Davies (WRU)
Assistant referees: James Jones, Sean Brickell (WRU)
Citing commissioner: Gwyn Bowden (WRU)
TMO: Gareth Simmonds (WRU)

Looking forward to this match. First of the 'seasonal' regional derbies, and also the first chance for the Scarlets to (hopefully) show Phil Davies how far they have come since his stint with us.

Really looking forward to seeing how the clash of the back 3 goes, with both sides having very exciting and attacking options there. I think the Scarlets should have a huge edge in the centres and at scrum half, but I think Patchell will be going all out to prove he is good enought to claim the vacent welsh fly half shirt.

In the pack the Scarlets have a 668 backrow going against the Blues 778 backrow, so it should be interesting to see which is more effective. As for the front five, I am unsure, I guess it all depends on how the ref looks at the scrum etc, but it will be good to see Lee and Andrews playing aginst each other (except on other sides of the scrum), I have a feeling the Howley should be paying serious attention to this match up.

Looking forward to this immensely. Should be good. I wish a few more of the Welsh names were available, but then guys have a chance to put their hands up. I do think Scarlets will win, but it should be a good one.

I'm really looking forward to seeing two players in particular: Jonathan Davies and Rhys Patchell. When the Scarlets came to Dave Parade a couple of seasons ago he was superb (apart from the yellow card he picked up for a dangerous tackle). Patchell was just about the only standout player in the dire Dragons v Blues derby earlier this season.

Risca Rev wrote:Looking forward to this immensely. Should be good. I wish a few more of the Welsh names were available, but then guys have a chance to put their hands up. I do think Scarlets will win, but it should be a good one.

I think the fact that there is also another Welsh Derby match in 6 days may lead to a few of the bigger name players coming off earlier than normal, especially considering the Dragons and Ospreys have a week off this week.

WOW the backlines are looking very interesting matchups... The Blues backline can look devestating with a deccent platform that their pack has failed to give them, yet the Blues defence is probably the weakest in europe!

Scarlets backline should be too defencively sound, yet they have been also recently also.

IMHO the keys to this game lie in 2 areas...

1) If the Blues pack can gain dparity and hold some ball the Blues will be dangerous, if not the Blues will get destroyed.

2) RHYS PATCHELL, amazing to think of this kid in his debut season as being so important for the Blues, any sort of result will come from this kids boot out of hand, if he can be given a platform to use that territory game of his we stand a chance, if he does not we will get stuffed... as usual.

IMHO looking at the lineups...

31- 24 to the Scarlets!

I think this pack has a lot more of a settled look to it (though we really need to bring price and Thomas along so we can start having a 6,7,8 backrow instead of a 6,6,8 or 6,6,6 backrow).

I'll be very interested to see how our lock pairing goes - IMO the best pairing we have, but Ball could well have something to say about that...

Hope Rhodri gets a good 20mins as well.

Should be an exciting match up against the Blues...

Scarlets look good strong in the backs, the Blues will need to starve them of possession to win - and we don't have the pack for that (especially with Reed and Paterson missing)

Blues only hope is that they actually pull together a decent defensive performance and Patchell plays the corners well.

606 - pinging the ball into the corner over and over may well be a good tactic. After all the Scarlets line out is not the best at the moment and also Knoyle is not much of a kicker, and Aled Thomas gave a try away to Exeter with a charged down kick (and your scrumhalf scored one against Munster from a charge down too).

I really hope the Blues come out with the intention to try an run the ball, but I guess the weather conditions will dictate what happens, and from the forcast I have seen (and the weather we are having now) I guess it may end up a bit of a forward arm wrestle with the fly halves just kicking the ball away as quick as possible. The sort of game that will have the anti-regional bunch coming on here to say how dire regional rugby is.

The Scarlets really have to up their game, if they don't it wont be very merry Xmas for them. Scartelts have Adrianse, Owen, Priestland and Stoddart injured and I am suprised that Ball does not feature. Unless both sides raise their game this could be as grim as the weather!

It's not forecast to rain in Cardiff tomorrow, so the pitch will have had all day to dry out.

Lets hope so Luckless

So no rain in Cardiff tomorrow, beautifull flowing rugby, and a 30 point draw thriller Luckless?

Agree with most of the comments, think there will be a few tries tomorrow, with a 7-10 point win for one of the sides. I think Blues are due a win, i'm gonna stick my neck out and say a Blues win.

BLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOS!

thebluesmancometh wrote:So no rain in Cardiff tomorrow, beautifull flowing rugby, and a 30 point draw thriller Luckless?

Your words, not mine!

too ill to go too ill to have a beer at home. not too ill to watch but i'll be feeling every hit. so ill.

That's no good, Dogtooth. Hope you feel better by Christmas Day!

Might be a bit warm for the father Christmas hat now? Looking forward to this now. Hope this evening hurries up. Might get into some Christmas booze this aft, just to get into the spirit.

Luckless

Not a bad start to the day, blue skies, no rain in newport, if Cardiffs similar my mocking will make me look foolish

I'm just about to run to the bookies and put a 10 spot on both teams getting the TBP, wonder what the odds are?

Yup no rain here and warmer than it has been (though it's not exactly tropical!)

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:That's no good, Dogtooth. Hope you feel better by Christmas Day!

thanks lucks. me too.

hope i can stay awake long enough to watch todays match.

the scarletts should come to the cap with confidence but i reckon the home team will sneak it. blues back row looks a bit stronger. scott williams and jd2 will have fun running at hewitt and evans, and there is a bit of a mismatch between george and harry (both sound english)

home team will sneak it? ever the optimist

going back to watching tv with my also very ill son. hope we can make it to ko.

thebluesmancometh wrote:Luckless

Not a bad start to the day, blue skies, no rain in newport, if Cardiffs similar my mocking will make me look foolish

I'm just about to run to the bookies and put a 10 spot on both teams getting the TBP, wonder what the odds are?

The Blues scoring 4 tries while Baber is still around and Gavin Evans and Hewitt are in the centres. ITS A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE!

This gave me a chuckle

From the East Terrace : Here

Meanwhile, troubled Welsh region the Cardiff Blues, who are struggling on and off the field, are rumoured to be in talks to be making a reality show about their escapades. However, television producers are apparently concerned that the club is in such disarray the show would be dismissed by casual viewers as slapstick, fictional comedy.

"There is no way people would believe it was true," said the head of programming at television production company ReelVision. "There is only so much the public can swallow."

I'm afraid to say it is raining in cardiff and will most certainly be a wet one tonight. Shame as the Scarlets in particular have some fantastic backs who run well with ball in hand. Its going to be up to the packs tonight and of course the tactical kicking of Patchell/Tovery for the Blues and Thomas/Williams for the Scarlets.

Close game, plenty of kicking, i'm saying 15-9 Scarlets.

The pitch will cut up, but it's not as soggy as you'd expect. Just had a minute silence for Lou Reed's dad and Cardiff sounded like the Bronx outside with sirens wailing...Black Friday indeed.

Tovey kicks off. I'll be updating the score throughout.

Penalty Scarlets - Thomas nails it. 0-3 after four minutes.

Another great kick from Thomas gives the Scarlets their second successful penalty.

0-6 at ten minutes. Blues need to watch that....Thomas isn't a bad kicker.

Patchell's penalty puts the Blues on the scoreboard after 16 minutes. 3-6.

Bit of handbags... Forwards given a row.

Blues fans may be feeling that the ref's being harsh...fortunately Thomas misses the third penalty. It's still 3-6 at 32 minutes.

Another penalty from Thomas at the 39th minute 3-9.

HT and the scores remain 3-9. Not much of a game at the minute, but I'd say the Scarlets have looked more dangerous at the moment. Statistically, that's the same too.

No I haven't disappeared... it's still only 3-9 after 56 minutes. It's been a physical game with quite a few injuries about. None too serious thankfully.

Ah! Patchell puts some more Blues points on the board at 58 minutes it's 6-9...

Thomas kicks a penalty but puts it wide...if Scarlets had a better kicker, they'd be a further six points ahead now.

6-9 at 67 minutes.

Well this game is starting to pick up somewhat, although the Scarlets are denied the only "try" of the match as it came from a forward pass to the scorer Liam Williams.

Aaron Shingler is given MOTM. The Blues have three minutes to at least scrape a draw...

Highlight of the evening was Tom Shanklins Christmas jumper.

No chance. Thomas is kicking another penalty for Scarlets...it falls short and Blues go for glory as the ball stays alive. In the words of Jiffy "To score from here they'd have to have about 80 phases..." They've got the penalty and keep it in play rather than kick for points, but it's lost.

FT 6-9.

Bit dull, Scarlets deserved it in the end.

Blues will be happy enough with a LBP

Big game against the Dragons though.

The Blues should have moved Tovey to 10 at half time his passing is so much better. Rubbish game also shows the poor form/skill of a number of players. I suspect the Ospreys will not be too concerned about either team.

That looked like what we would have seen if Wales played Wales in the recent autumn series, I.e. poor vs poor, bad skills not being punished because of bad skills from the other side too. Sorry to be negative, but once again a derby match that is meant to promise so much is only noticeable for its lack of quality.

A slug-fest on a cabbage patch, with little to cheer, unfortunately.

With a festive connection....that made little baby Jesus cry. I had a little weep too!

I agree Tovey should have gone to 10 after about 50 mins. He made a nice break and was looking to get the Blues on the front foot.

Blues poor pack constantly providing slow ball to a back line that has unfortunately a pretty ineffective centre pairing of Evans and Hewitt, who whilst are good squad players, just offer nothing going forward. Add to that the welsh game plan of aimless kicking once again and you can see why it was a pretty poor game.

I think Blues are slowly improving thought, just can't seem to create that bit of something that will take them over the line. I think also the poor quality of the coaches for Dragons and the Blues is also a big problem. For me, Davies and Edwards are not up to it at all simple as, especially Phil, who has never stuck out to me as a regional level coach. Look what he did with the U20's, it was absolutely abysmal to watch.

Liam wrote:I agree Tovey should have gone to 10 after about 50 mins. He made a nice break and was looking to get the Blues on the front foot.

Blues poor pack constantly providing slow ball to a back line that has unfortunately a pretty ineffective centre pairing of Evans and Hewitt, who whilst are good squad players, just offer nothing going forward. Add to that the welsh game plan of aimless kicking once again and you can see why it was a pretty poor game.

I think Blues are slowly improving thought, just can't seem to create that bit of something that will take them over the line. I think also the poor quality of the coaches for Dragons and the Blues is also a big problem. For me, Davies and Edwards are not up to it at all simple as, especially Phil, who has never stuck out to me as a regional level coach. Look what he did with the U20's, it was absolutely abysmal to watch.

The Blues need to give up on this season - if they beat the Dragons, they should get HC qualifications - and really throw in some youth. I want to see Cory Allen and Owen Williams starting in the centres, and find a young SH to throw in while they are at it.

wales606 wrote:

Liam wrote:I agree Tovey should have gone to 10 after about 50 mins. He made a nice break and was looking to get the Blues on the front foot.

Blues poor pack constantly providing slow ball to a back line that has unfortunately a pretty ineffective centre pairing of Evans and Hewitt, who whilst are good squad players, just offer nothing going forward. Add to that the welsh game plan of aimless kicking once again and you can see why it was a pretty poor game.

I think Blues are slowly improving thought, just can't seem to create that bit of something that will take them over the line. I think also the poor quality of the coaches for Dragons and the Blues is also a big problem. For me, Davies and Edwards are not up to it at all simple as, especially Phil, who has never stuck out to me as a regional level coach. Look what he did with the U20's, it was absolutely abysmal to watch.

The Blues need to give up on this season - if they beat the Dragons, they should get HC qualifications - and really throw in some youth. I want to see Cory Allen and Owen Williams starting in the centres, and find a young SH to throw in while they are at it.

Completely agree. I thought Cory Allen showed in the U20 world cup some fine form, good breaks and some nice handling also. Think he deserves a run. He can't do any worse than Hewitt and Evans surely, as you said also, Williams deserves a run as well.

SH is a bit of a problem now with Williams banned. Bit like with Patchell, let's call up one of the academy boys and give them a bit of exposure and see what they do. Could end up like Patchell and thrive in the professional environment.

Blues shouldve been doing this from the off, back at the Arms park I wouldve been happy watching the kids get hammered week in week out then next season a run in the Amlin and they'd be ready to go by the season after, instead what we have is NWQ gash getting hammered week in week out, too many panic buys and pressure to get HC next season!!!

The likes of Allen, Williams, Jones, Hamilton, Dacey, Robinson, Patchell, Fish, Andrews should all be playing week in week out, yet the likes of Fillise, Borrust, Kyriacou, Evans, and other poor quality players are filling the roles!!

We need to rebuild, and restructure, be brave and focus on youth! Not worry about HC rugby next season, we cannot compete at the top table now, let the younger boys have a crack at the Amlin, qualify through the group and win some games, get some confidence and take that into next season!!!

Players like Cuthbert, Davies, Warburton, 1/2p and such havn't been in a winnning team for months, that certainly effects players!!!

Beyond the Ospreys regional rugby is dead, that game was an embarrassment to Welsh rugby,
how the hell are players supposed to take a step up from that to HC or International level?

Actual ball in play times was less than 20mins and that was kick, no one chase and no one catch.
Beyond the Perpignan game two seasons ago and the Northhampton last season,i don't think i have seen a good scarlets game in over four years.

Then we look at the Blues beating Toulon in Toulon to win the Amlin! now they can't beat a crap Sale team.
I know players have left or retired but it shows the massive hole left by poor management,poor player development and poor signings.

We look to the Blues Dragons game coming up! two clueless teams dropping the ball,kicking it away ignoring over laps, not one scrum will be completed,lottery line out ball,
with a bunch of substandard players who wouldn't make it beyond semi pro in the Southern Hemisphere.

The men at the top are not business men , they weren't even any good as players let alone coaches.

Now to endure the season out with noting to really look forward to as a fan,
Wales could well win the Six Nations if the team has a strong Osprey influence, but who cares? been there done that.
Then we look to the Lions a fair few Welsh players will go, get flogged to death effecting them ,the national side and their regions for the 2013/2014 season!
which may i add i will be honestly shocked if Gatland returns after the Lions tour, he has that look in his eye, you know the one...."See you hell suckers"

thebluesmancometh wrote:Blues shouldve been doing this from the off, back at the Arms park I wouldve been happy watching the kids get hammered week in week out then next season a run in the Amlin and they'd be ready to go by the season after, instead what we have is NWQ gash getting hammered week in week out, too many panic buys and pressure to get HC next season!!!

The likes of Allen, Williams, Jones, Hamilton, Dacey, Robinson, Patchell, Fish, Andrews should all be playing week in week out, yet the likes of Fillise, Borrust, Kyriacou, Evans, and other poor quality players are filling the roles!!

We need to rebuild, and restructure, be brave and focus on youth! Not worry about HC rugby next season, we cannot compete at the top table now, let the younger boys have a crack at the Amlin, qualify through the group and win some games, get some confidence and take that into next season!!!

Players like Cuthbert, Davies, Warburton, 1/2p and such havn't been in a winnning team for months, that certainly effects players!!!

Completely agree with this. Hamilton every time i've seen him brings a real energy, a go forward attitude and always looks for the ball. Robinson looked energetic last night, and didn't shy away even when up against North.

Even if we qualify for the HC next season, we aren't anywhere near winning it. Build for the future now, keep our star players and they will help the younger players come thorugh.

I agree, we have bought some real crap in the summer through sheer panicking and its showing on the field. The Dragons-Blues game will be decided by who makes the fewest mistakes, which will be allot still.