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Du Preez Rejects Blues

Du Preez Rejects Blues
By Andrew Collins June 27 2008
Fourie Du Preez put an end to speculation linking him to the Cardiff Blues, having signed a new deal with current employers, the Blue Bulls. It was always an audacious attempt by Peter Thomas to lure Du Preez to the Welsh region, but it is at least a sign of some ambition by the Blues chairman.

The South African is widely believed to be the best scrum half in the world at the moment, and admits that offers to play in Europe were tempting, but not enough to lure him away from the World Champions,

"There have been a lot of challenges lately and I did consider playing abroad after receiving a number of huge offers. But my goal is to once again establish myself as the country's first-choice scrum-half. I desperately want to play against the British Lions for the Springboks and the only way I will be able to do that is through consistently good performances in the Absa Currie Cup and Vodacom Super 14."

It leaves Cardiff with just Jason Spice and Ritchie Rees going into next season, with scrum half still the position of most weakness ahead of the new season.

Fellow country man January has been linked to the Blues on several occasions, although it's likely that any deal would be agreed for after the Lions tour to South Africa next summer.

Maa' Nonu and Piri Weepu have been mentioned by some people in the know, but it's unlikely there will be any new signings before next season, although the pair could arrive in time for the move to Stade De Ridsdale.

In other news, the coaching line up has been confirmed, which sees Bill Millard as the new backs coach, taking the role from Robert Howley, Gareth Baber taking the new role of skills coach and Justin Burnell replacing Dan Baugh as forwards coach. That sees Baugh revert back to his former role as conditioning coach along with Tristan Bevan and Chris Tombs.

The full squad list is expected to be announced in the next few days, and should see Leigh Halfpenny and Sam Warburton included along with a host of other names from the academy.

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Re: Du Preez Rejects Blues
Posted by: amstel (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:06:27:21:16:01

Perhaps he heard about the kind of supporters the Blues have.

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Re: Du Preez Rejects Blues
Posted by: lost in bridgend (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:06:28:18:12:15

would have been great.i am worried about our lack of squad strengthening, compared to the scarlets and even the dragons.

WISH I STILL LIVED IN CARDIFF

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Re: Du Preez Rejects Blues
Posted by: larryblues1010 (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:06:28:23:12:24

Quote:
lost in bridgend
would have been great.i am worried about our lack of squad strengthening, compared to the scarlets and even the dragons.

who on earth would you want that either the scarlets or dragons have signed? They are all average singings at best that both teams have signed! I would not swap anyone from their squads for ours.

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Re: Du Preez Rejects Blues
Posted by: lost in bridgend (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:06:29:07:41:49

You've missed the point larry, I'm not saying I would like any signings of the Dragons or Scarlets. The point I'm making is at least they have made a concious effort to improve their squads while we seem to have stood still or even gone backwards a little.

WISH I STILL LIVED IN CARDIFF

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