Cardiff Blues
Blues Slam Saints
Blues Slam Saints
By Andrew Collins
September 1 2008
Cardiff completed their short pre-season in second half style, as they breezed past a weak Northampton Saints side, a fortnight after battering a Regional Select XV. It would be the first match of the Blues final season at Cardiff Arms Park.
Like in the match at Sardis road, Dai Young fielded a different side for each half, as fans got a chance to see all the stars for the second time in 08/09, and in all fairness to both the ticket office and the fans, there were plenty of people enjoying the friendly encounter.
A fairly average opening to the match was eventually broken, when Saints scored the opening try against the run of play. The Blues had previously spent 5 minutes camped up the other end of the pitch, but having failed to take their chances, Alex Rae being driven over the line following a line-out.
But it was to be short lived, as the Blues first half XV, which include experimental centre partnership Jamies', Roberts and Robinson, as well as Nick Robinson and new captain, Paul Tito, fought back to claim their own score not long after.
It was Robinson junior whose deft grubber kick into the goal area was pounced on by hooker Gareth Williams, who clearly felt very comfortable flying down the wing berth, beating Leigh Halfpenny to the ball!
From then on until the half time whistle, it seemed one way traffic, despite some questionable and inconsistent refereeing. But they were unable to really convert their possession and territory into any points.
That was until Mark Lewis' break up field, taking the Blues into the 22. Nick Robinson received early ball, and Cardiff looked certain to score out wide, where there was a massive overlap - something like 5 to 2! - but instead Jamie Roberts backed himself against the two men from 7 yards out, and carried the ball and the two defenders over the line with him! (Pictured) It was a fine demonstration of the highly talented full backs strength, but in truth, it showed more about why he should not be converted to centre.
Northampton claimed a consolation penalty, taking the scores 12-8 at half time.
There was very little about that first half performance that will have inspired Young, with the season just a week away, as passing looked poor from Nick Robinson, and the partnership of the Jamie's simply didn't bring the best out of either player.
There were encouraging returns for Gareth Williams, who looks as energetic as last year, and Ben White, who may become a big player for us this year, but generally, it all looked very... untrained.
Still, the second half proved far better, although it was essentially a new XV verses the same Saints side, just to put it into perspective. But as they say, you can only beat what you're up against, and the second half boys certainly did that.
Sweeney scored his second in two games, as he opened the scoring after gathering his own grubber kick, no one can doubt he'll be putting some pressure on Robinson to play to his absolute best.
Two tries in then came in quick succession for Tom Shanklin, who first was the benefactor of Czekaj, Blair and Mustoe's good work to free up space as Shanks went through to score untouched, while the second try really belonged to scrum half Darren Allinson, who this site has already tipped to be hot property this season. He gathered the loose ball after a Saints knock on, gave an inside switch to Shanklin just after he'd drawn the man leaving the centre to run in again unscathed, and the audience in awe.
But as the match become little more than a training exercise, the biggest cheer of the night came as Chris Czekaj ran in his first try in 15 months, following the well documented leg break injury. Despite showing a much wider and larger frame than on his last outing, he showed that he'd not lost any of the pace that had made hi a prolific scorer for the Blues prior to his long lay out. If he can continue to work on his speed, and keep growing in confidence, a Welsh re-call will surely be on the cards.
Leigh Halfpenny, who came back on in the second half, grabbed the Blues last try, showing why he was the star of Wales' Under 20's World Cup side, and why there's so much talk about the youngster at the Arms Park. Having gathered a clearance kick in his own half, Leigh saw a gap behind the rushing up defence, chipped over, and had the pack to beat opponents to the ball, to hack on again and touch down over the line.
Rob Milligan scored Northampton's only points of the second half, demonstrating a nice dummy and step to break the Blues defence for only a handful of times throughout the 40 minutes.
Final Score
Cardiff Blues 43 Northampton Saints 13
Blues 1st Half XV
Davies (Blair); Halfpenny, J Robinson, Roberts, Brew; N Robinson, Spice; Gill, G Williams, Filise, Down, Tito (capt), White, Sowden-Taylor, Lewis.
Blues 2nd Half XV
Blair (Halfpenny 61mins), Mustoe, Shanklin, Hewitt, Czekaj, Sweeney, Allinson, Jenkins (Roberts), Thomas, Powell, Davies, Morgan (capt), Molitika, M Williams (Shellard), Powell.
Tries
G Williams, Roberts, Sweeney, Shanklin (2), Cezkaj, Halfpenny
Cons
Robinson, Blair, Sweeney (2).
Digg
Delicious
Facebook
Reddit
StumbleuponSpice's service to NR was very poor and slow.
The fundamental issues still need addressing (ie FH back up, Scrum half [though Allinson looks a good prospect] and THP)
Allinson will become our 2nd choice scrum half this year, he alredy looks to have far more about him than Rees. Spice will only start the big games me thinks.
Nicky has looked quite poor in both games thus far, passes to nobody, poor kicks upfeild (particularly against Saints), and he actually looks quite a bit fatter! Hopefully it's muscle, but i hope he hasn't lost any of his pace.
Admin of theArmsPark.co.uk,
Make Noise and You Will Be Heard!
01/09/2008 15:43
His passing from first receiver in both games was excellent and his kicking against Northampton was varied and accurate. He kicked long from his 22 (you seem to have ignored the ELV on lineouts in your assessment) and his grubber led to Williams' try.
It's a nonsense to criticise his play during these first two games. The space he created for the outside backs against Northampton was marvellous once he worked out that Roberts lacks a passing game (unsurprisingly, for a full back). Robinson changed the style and point of attack during the first half because he read the play in front of him.
In all seriousness, your review of his play is shockingly off the mark.
01/09/2008 16:10
Sweeney looked a lot better in the second half.
Sweeney also put in a lot of tackles.
Still early days though.
It will be interesting to see the side Dai picks for Saturday.
01/09/2008 16:28
It seems that the ability to read a game has been lost from the Welsh public.
I certainly hope their up for it on Saturday against Contempomi and Whittaker!
Quote:ATTR
If that is a serious assessment of the play of our half backs smudge blue and Amstel then I worry. The backs looked better in the second half due to two main reasons. 1; No daft experiment with the centre / fullback position and 2; The Saints were running on empty against 14 and a bit fresh players!
Hold-On there ATTR,
It was meant to be a joke!
I entirely agree with you!
----------------------------------
One thing this Thread ie. Report, Assesment of the game has confirmed to me and proves that the author Andrew Collins seems to have a little or limited knowledge of the game of Rugby.
If i were in your boots Andrew Boy try your hand at writing Childrens story Books give it a go you might get a better clientele and more readers of your age-group.
Good Luck with the Pen-pushing but
BUT NOT ON THIS SITE!
Please!!
Quote:amstel
One thing this Thread ie. Report, Assesment of the game has confirmed to me and proves that the author Andrew Collins seems to have a little or limited knowledge of the game of Rugby.
If i were in your boots Andrew Boy try your hand at writing Childrens story Books give it a go you might get a better clientele and more readers of your age-group.
Good Luck with the Pen-pushing but
BUT NOT ON THIS SITE!
Please!!
Ey!? You do realise that this is MY site right?
What was wrong with it exactly? Clearly we didn't agree about Robinsons game, but other than that?
I've always believed that Nick Robinson has the ability to be one of Wales best fly halfs, see the player profile section if you don't believe me, but he had more then 3 passes not go to anyone and there were a number of kicks into that were too far infield to be deemed a touch finder or for possesion.
Phil, i completely understand the new 22 rule, but his decision making at time was highly questionable. I don't think he looks as physically fit as last year, and i thought he was lacking match practise.
Admin of theArmsPark.co.uk,
Make Noise and You Will Be Heard!
Also, would you agree that he looks fatter than last season?
Admin of theArmsPark.co.uk,
Make Noise and You Will Be Heard!
Was slightly concerned how hes got strapping on his leg and we havent even started the season yet!
I thought his overall game was better than sweeney's but thats just my opinon im sure some will disagree!!
Quote:theArmsPark.co.uk Admin
Oh and by no means do i think Sweeney is a better player than Robinson, or that Allinson is better than Spice, but surely you'd agree that it's better than last seaosns back up?
Also, would you agree that he looks fatter than last season?
The players have played 40 minutes of Rugby so far this season against a side that had no quality whatsoever, lets not go blowing things out of proportion AGAIN.
Robinson is a very talented player, to say he is looking 'fatter' than last year is a ridiculous and very immature statement to make.
And I'm not blowing things out of proportion at all, people have commented about how the players are looking in the opening freindlys, and i've given my opinion.
I hope he'll be in great form come next saturday, he'll have to be, but in my opinion, he'll need to make a fair step up from the 2 appearances in preseason.
I think thats a fair comment. Hopefully mature enough for you larry.
Admin of theArmsPark.co.uk,
Make Noise and You Will Be Heard!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:09:02:01:59:30 by theArmsPark.co.uk Admin.
02/09/2008 09:47
I also don't think Robinson is the answer. He all to often flatters to deceive.
I hope Robinson does have an outstanding season for Cardiff but I won't be holding my breath.
Sweeney brings some solid back-up but is still not a class 10.
It will be interesting to watch Dai's selections over the next few months as he has a lot of options especially in the backs.
Andrew - I would also just like to say thanks for all the work you put in to your website.
I don't mind taking critism, not at all. As long as its nothing perosnal and people can back up what their saying. For exapmle, everyone has their own opinion on Nicky and the stadium, but i'm not exactly sure where Amstals comments have come from.
I early anticpate his response.
Admin of theArmsPark.co.uk,
Make Noise and You Will Be Heard!
Quote:theArmsPark.co.uk Admin
Oh and by no means do i think Sweeney is a better player than Robinson, or that Allinson is better than Spice, but surely you'd agree that it's better than last seaosns back up?
Also, would you agree that he looks fatter than last season?
He's got a little flabby pot!! Hope he has a good season
-----
Cymru am Byth...
Quote:amstel
Hold-On there ATTR,
It was meant to be a joke!
Thank God for that!
![[:wor kid:]](/phorum-5.1.15/mods/smileys/images/13.gif "[:wor kid:]")
