Tom James Returns
Huge Derby for Euro-seeking Blues
Tom James Returns
By Andrew Collins
December 26 2009
Tomorrows East-Wales derby is potentially the biggest in recent years for the Cardiff Blues. Having seen their local rivals excel in the Magners League, The Blues know they need at least 4 points if they are to qualify for next season’s Heineken Cup.
Tom James Returns
December 26 2009
Tomorrows East-Wales derby is potentially the biggest in recent years for the Cardiff Blues. Having seen their local rivals excel in the Magners League, The Blues know they need at least 4 points if they are to qualify for next season’s Heineken Cup.
Dai Young is able to name a strong side for thevisit of the Newport-Gwent Dragons, making just one change from the team whichlost to Toulouse a week ago.
Tom James, who was unavailable for selection lastweekend, comes back into the side in place of Leigh Halfpennny who isn'tincluded in the squad.
Disappointingly, Casey Laulala misses his thirdconsecutive match with his new side having only featured in the win againstConnacht earlier in the month. The destructive centre is seen as the long termreplacement for Tom Shanklin, but his hamstring injury means he sits out yetanother crucial game.
Cardiff currently occupy 8th spot in theLeague table, with the Scarlets the only Welsh side below them and the Bluesknow they must start getting victories if they're to avoid a end of seasonscrap for their Heineken Cup qualification.
Dai Young knows how important bragging rights wouldbe to Cardiff fans, who've suffered a highly indifferent season so far, butadmits the points are far more important.
"Welsh derbies arealways tense affairs and are almost a stand-alone game in their own right,it's always a great occasion facing our closest rivals the Dragons, especiallyover the Christmas holidays...[However] every game that goes by where you don'tget the points, the more pressure you put on yourselves."
Paul Tito has warnedhis players not to underestimate the Dragons, whose encouraging start to theseason saw them top the Welsh pile,
"They willbe tough and backing themselves to come to our new stadium and getting a win. They'vealways had a good forward pack but their backs are really clicking this year.They've some really exciting backs and we will have to be on our game to get awin."
With the Scarlets taking just a bonus point fromtheir home derby with the Ospreys today, Cardiff have a real chance to relievesome pressure at the lower end of the league table.
Teams
Ben Blair;Richard Mustoe, Tom Shanklin, Jamie Roberts, Tom James; Sam Norton-Knight,Richie Rees; Gethin Jenkins (capt), T Rhys Thomas, Taufa'au Filise, BradleyDavies, Scott Morgan, Sam Warburton, Martyn Williams, Xavier Rush.
Gareth Williams, Gary Powell, Paul Tito, Andy Powell, Gareth Cooper, CeriSweeney, Gareth Thomas.
Jason Tovey; Aled Brew, Rhodri Gomer-Davies, Tom Riley, Richard Fussell; JamesArlidge, Danny Lee; Hugh Gustafson, Tom Willis (capt), Patrick Palmer, HoaniMacDonald, Robert Sidoli, Joe Bearman, Gavin Thomas, Lewis Evans.
Steve Jones, Peter Bracken, Adam Jones, Grant Webb, Will Harries, MatthewWatkins, Gareth Williams
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Huge Derby for Euro-seeking Blues
Posted by: theArmsPark.co.uk (IP Logged)
Date: 26/12/2009 16:18
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Re: Huge Derby for Euro-seeking Blues
Posted by: StockyBlue (IP Logged)
Date: 27/12/2009 14:51
Today's crowd figure should be interesting.
Just been down the ground to get tickets for some friends that have decided to come last thing.
Ground on both sides of the pitch is apparently sold out so could only get tickets in the Canton Stand.
So I've been split up from friends coming for the first time......this wouldn't have happened on the terrace at CAP....
Just been down the ground to get tickets for some friends that have decided to come last thing.
Ground on both sides of the pitch is apparently sold out so could only get tickets in the Canton Stand.
So I've been split up from friends coming for the first time......this wouldn't have happened on the terrace at CAP....
Re: Huge Derby for Euro-seeking Blues
Posted by: david williams (IP Logged)
Date: 27/12/2009 20:05
I wasn't able to make the game and boy what a game (or second half) I missed!
The only observations I can make are:
1. we get easily muscled off the ball or are we simply letting the opposition run out of steam?
2. Jamie's game seems a little flat in many respects...
3. Second team players done well to give some of the first's a rest.
4. Richie Rees outstanding!
5. Hugh Gustafson is a rough diamond.
6. I have not seen Mustoe play much, but very tenacious!
7. Long overdue bonus point!
Any thoughts?
The only observations I can make are:
1. we get easily muscled off the ball or are we simply letting the opposition run out of steam?
2. Jamie's game seems a little flat in many respects...
3. Second team players done well to give some of the first's a rest.
4. Richie Rees outstanding!
5. Hugh Gustafson is a rough diamond.
6. I have not seen Mustoe play much, but very tenacious!
7. Long overdue bonus point!
Any thoughts?
Re: Huge Derby for Euro-seeking Blues
Posted by: mackumblues (IP Logged)
Date: 27/12/2009 21:33
Great 2nd half but how long is SNK going to be persevered with. Whatever peoples opinion of Sweeney the pace of the attack on the final try was down to having a proper 10 on the pitch.
One thing from the TV view Tom James did not drop the ball on his disalowed try. His hand was still on the ball when it hit the ground.
We are now only 6 points off 4th spot so if we could go on a long unbeaten run in the ML I still wouldn't rule out a play off spot.
One thing from the TV view Tom James did not drop the ball on his disalowed try. His hand was still on the ball when it hit the ground.
We are now only 6 points off 4th spot so if we could go on a long unbeaten run in the ML I still wouldn't rule out a play off spot.
Re: Huge Derby for Euro-seeking Blues
Posted by: ATTR (IP Logged)
Date: 27/12/2009 22:22
A game of two halves if ever there was one.
Ball in hand we looked a much better team.
A pleasing improvement.
Ball in hand we looked a much better team.
A pleasing improvement.
Re: Huge Derby for Euro-seeking Blues
Posted by: david williams (IP Logged)
Date: 27/12/2009 22:33
I disagree about the try, I thought he had dropped it.
However I wholeheartedly agree that if we knuckle down and put together a series of wins, our season will look a little better and promising. Three away games are looking slightly disheartening though...
However I wholeheartedly agree that if we knuckle down and put together a series of wins, our season will look a little better and promising. Three away games are looking slightly disheartening though...
Re: Huge Derby for Euro-seeking Blues
Posted by: Dim Cais (IP Logged)
Date: 27/12/2009 23:05
Suck me sideways.
5 tries, all of them down my end too and I wasn't even there. And what a rubbish 1st half against a depleted Newport GD side who don't have much strength and depth as it is. Anyway a bloody marvelous win.
Well done boys.
The 6th try; Tom did drop the ball when going over and you could tell he wasn't sure if it would be given from his reaction after getting up off the floor. If he had dived to the floor earlier and slid in he probably would have been ok. For me though, the build up to this was the best move in the match with forwards and backs linking with ball in hand. Great to see.
Brad had a great game as did Sam and a well deserved MotM for Ritchie. Has Gethin turned into a rubbish prop overnight or what? The ref spoke to him more times in a game than I can remember.
Funniest moment was when SNK decided to run at their no.8 who had a team mate on his shoulder. Why did he decide to do that I don't know, but he ended up going backwards faster than italian infantry.
The O's next so let's enjoy this win while we can and also let's hope the NGD's do a number on the Terks.
5 tries, all of them down my end too and I wasn't even there. And what a rubbish 1st half against a depleted Newport GD side who don't have much strength and depth as it is. Anyway a bloody marvelous win.
Well done boys.
The 6th try; Tom did drop the ball when going over and you could tell he wasn't sure if it would be given from his reaction after getting up off the floor. If he had dived to the floor earlier and slid in he probably would have been ok. For me though, the build up to this was the best move in the match with forwards and backs linking with ball in hand. Great to see.
Brad had a great game as did Sam and a well deserved MotM for Ritchie. Has Gethin turned into a rubbish prop overnight or what? The ref spoke to him more times in a game than I can remember.
Funniest moment was when SNK decided to run at their no.8 who had a team mate on his shoulder. Why did he decide to do that I don't know, but he ended up going backwards faster than italian infantry.
The O's next so let's enjoy this win while we can and also let's hope the NGD's do a number on the Terks.
Re: Huge Derby for Euro-seeking Blues
Posted by: ATTR (IP Logged)
Date: 27/12/2009 23:09
I agree the ball looked knocked-on
Re: Huge Derby for Euro-seeking Blues
Posted by: Dare2bBlue (IP Logged)
Date: 28/12/2009 10:24
A long overdue bonus point win. I think the boys were running off their Xmas dinners in the first half, but what a way to impose yourselves in the second period. Lets hope they are not asleep in the opening quarter against the O's, not many on here are backing us to win though!!
Dare 2B Different - Dare2bBlue
Dare 2B Different - Dare2bBlue
Re: Huge Derby for Euro-seeking Blues
Posted by: tony gee (IP Logged)
Date: 28/12/2009 11:42
Quote:ATTR
I agree the ball looked knocked-on
Yes I agree also. For a split second on the grounding there was daylight between ball and hand. Still he made up for it not long after.
Re: Huge Derby for Euro-seeking Blues
Posted by: mackumblues (IP Logged)
Date: 28/12/2009 13:04
Whilst I agree he dropped the ball it looked as if he still had his hand on the ball when it hit the turf.
Lets hope we can use this to go on a long unbeaten run. I knmow it's a different league but how often have Wasps won the Play offs in England from the position we are currently in at Christmas. For me though a leagues champion team should be te one who finishes top
Lets hope we can use this to go on a long unbeaten run. I knmow it's a different league but how often have Wasps won the Play offs in England from the position we are currently in at Christmas. For me though a leagues champion team should be te one who finishes top
Re: Huge Derby for Euro-seeking Blues
Posted by: ATTR (IP Logged)
Date: 28/12/2009 13:14
If you drop the ball and the place as hand on the to of the ball is it under your control?
Re: Huge Derby for Euro-seeking Blues
Posted by: tony gee (IP Logged)
Date: 28/12/2009 17:34
Quote:If you are a player then yes.ATTR
If you drop the ball and the place as hand on the to of the ball is it under your control?
If you are a ref then no. God it was a tight call but nevertheless the right one. Everyone was going for the touch option but it clearly was not. Spot on ref (and I do not say that often )
Re: Huge Derby for Euro-seeking Blues
Posted by: richard007 (IP Logged)
Date: 28/12/2009 17:39
The first half was the worst Ive seen us play in a long time, the 2nd half was although they were told they were playing for their contracts, Hope we can play like we did in the 2nd half for 80 mins and play like it on consistent basis, we looked a better side by keeping ball in hand and playing running rugby and not this dire kicking game that we have been forced into.
Re: Huge Derby for Euro-seeking Blues
Posted by: Dim Cais (IP Logged)
Date: 28/12/2009 23:56
Quote:richard007
The first half was the worst Ive seen us play in a long time, the 2nd half was although they were told they were playing for their contracts, Hope we can play like we did in the 2nd half for 80 mins and play like it on consistent basis, we looked a better side by keeping ball in hand and playing running rugby and not this dire kicking game that we have been forced into.
The first half against Sale last season in the EDF. Superb stuff. I think Phil Bennett was the co-commentator on telly who said it was our best ever performance.
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