Cardiff Blues
Laulala To Leckwith?
Laulala To Leckwith?
By Andrew Collins
April 27 2009
Canterbury Crusaders centre, Casey Laulala is the latest Kiwi being linked with a move to the Cardiff Blues, according to the Wales on Sunday. The paper believes the 2 Cap All Black will snub a move to French big spenders Toulon to join the EDF Cup Champions at their new Leckwith stadium.
That would see the Blues number of non-Welsh qualified players up to seven, one more than currently allowed in the WRU's ‘gentleman's agreement' with the four regions.
But it's thought Cardiff Blues, Scarlets and Newport-Gwent Dragons will all defy the set quota next season, a move that is sure to put further strain on the relationship between the teams and the governing body.
Laulala, who is still being strongly linked with Stade Francias, would be a welcome arrival to the Blues squad as they are losing Jamie Robinson to France in the summer and though Gavin Evans has signed, Laulala would provide a far higher quality understudy.
The Crusaders midfielder, just 27, scored the winning try in his sides Super 14 Final in 2006 but is currently injured after breaking his arm. Laulala told the NewZealand press,
"It's definitely not the last time I'll play here in Canterbury or for the Crusaders. It just might not be next year."
Two years ago the Kiwi came close to signing for Munster, but changed his mind opting to push for more New Zealand caps, while the Irish province went on to sign Doug Howlett.
In other transfer news, Cardiff are one of three big name clubs being linked with the Scarlets Lions fly half, Stephen Jones. The 31 year old has been left disgruntled by life at Parc Y Scarlets, with the treatment of injured players a particular frustration and worry.
However he has moved quickly to dispel any rumors,
"I've got a contract for next season as well and as far as I know I'm committed to theScarlets. I live in the region where I play my rugby with a great group of guys you know, I can't wish for more."
The Heineken Cup Semi-Finalists have also been repeatedly linked with Newcastle and New Zealand prop Carl Hayman. The Blues are keen to get some big names on board to cover the six British Lions stars touring South Africa in the summer.
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Discussion started by theArmsPark.co.uk , 27/04/2009 12:35
theArmsPark.co.uk
27/04/2009 12:35
27/04/2009 12:35
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I cant say ive ever heard of him to be honest so i cant really comment.If hes half the player xavier rush is then ill take that.
having seen laulala play in the super 14 i would be very happy if he came to the blues, would be a great signing for us
Quote:http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/2367815/Cardiff-Blues-woo-Laulala
Laulala, who played two tests for the All Blacks, made his first appearance for the Crusaders in 2004. He has been a leading line-breaker in the Super 14 in recent seasons, and has been the strainer post of the red and blacks' backline.
Sounds good to me. The only other thing i found which isn't particulalry insightful is ">this in which he shos a nice offload on 12s and replayed on 1m 34s. Barel worth a mention really.
Admin of theArmsPark.co.uk,
Make Noise and You Will Be Heard!
I really can't agree with this move. The last thing we need is another centre. Would he leave NZ to become a reserve behind Jamie and Shanks.
We would be far better advised using the £75,000 prize money from winning the EDF to try and prize Carl Hayman from Newcastle. If the rumours that won't die about Stephen Jones joining us are more than rumour we will now only be lacking in one position tight head prop and Haymans who has made no secret of his desire to play in the HC is the best in the business.
We would be far better advised using the £75,000 prize money from winning the EDF to try and prize Carl Hayman from Newcastle. If the rumours that won't die about Stephen Jones joining us are more than rumour we will now only be lacking in one position tight head prop and Haymans who has made no secret of his desire to play in the HC is the best in the business.
some rumours about 1 of the ospreys' Lions leaving for another region also - now they have Byrne - williams - Bowe - Jones and Phillips.
We reckon if the rumours were trueit would be Adam Jones - Based on:-
Phillips - we dont reckon would be to welcome back at Blues plus he seems fairly settled at Ospreys
Byrne - not going to go anywhere
Williams - ditto
Bowe - Only really just joined and fitting in well
Jones:- Known not to be happy when Scott Johnson used to play him for 20 mins in Wales set up then bring him off etc etc plays tight head etc.....
you never know!
We reckon if the rumours were trueit would be Adam Jones - Based on:-
Phillips - we dont reckon would be to welcome back at Blues plus he seems fairly settled at Ospreys
Byrne - not going to go anywhere
Williams - ditto
Bowe - Only really just joined and fitting in well
Jones:- Known not to be happy when Scott Johnson used to play him for 20 mins in Wales set up then bring him off etc etc plays tight head etc.....
you never know!
JonnyBlues
28/04/2009 09:37
28/04/2009 09:37
Quote:MACKUMBLUES
I really can't agree with this move. The last thing we need is another centre. Would he leave NZ to become a reserve behind Jamie and Shanks.
We would be far better advised using the £75,000 prize money from winning the EDF to try and prize Carl Hayman from Newcastle. If the rumours that won't die about Stephen Jones joining us are more than rumour we will now only be lacking in one position tight head prop and Haymans who has made no secret of his desire to play in the HC is the best in the business.
I totally disagree with this post, I think Laulala will be a superb signing. We need a replacement for Jamie Robinson, who was our only real out-and-out 13, and we need to replace him with quality. From what I've seen of Laulala in the S14 this season, he reminds me a lot of Regan King, and we've all seen what and impact he's had on the Scarlets. I don't think Laulala's leaving NZ to become a reserve at the Blues, he's coming over to be first choice. In my opinion, the more quality players we have in the squad, the better.
With regard to Hayman, didn't he sign a 3 year contract with Newcastle? If so he'll still be contracted with them next season, so I think that's a bit of a no go.
Quote:what do you want to sing to them then ellist?????ellist6
well first isnt that a pass and i thin we should sing all of the Crusaders
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:04:28:12:16:30 by mityblues.
Quote:Blue_Rose
s
Jones:- Known not to be happy when Scott Johnson used to play him for 20 mins in Wales set up then bring him off etc etc plays tight head etc.....
you never know!
It was not SJ but Hanson who played him for 20 mins.
With Laulala signing, I' say our only weakness ahead of next season would be the lack of depth at FH, TH and lock. The first 15 is looking very strong, and when you can move a player like Jamie Roberts to wing or full back if needed, and bring in Laulala at centre, that's tremendous squad strength.
Admin of theArmsPark.co.uk,
Make Noise and You Will Be Heard!
Admin of theArmsPark.co.uk,
Make Noise and You Will Be Heard!
CardiffBoy
28/04/2009 16:08
28/04/2009 16:08
I've not seen or heard of him, but if he's good i suppose it's good new for the Blues. I think we should try and concentrate on nuturing Welsh talent rather than just using the best Welsh boys and buying the best un, or hardly, capped SH players..
smudgerblue
28/04/2009 16:37
28/04/2009 16:37
Looking at the squad....
Props - Jenkins, Filise, Yapp, Powell, Gill (Roberts going West?)
Hookers - Williams, TRT, 3rd choice?
2nd Row - Tito, Davies, Jones, Morgan, Down
Flankers - Williams, Sowden-Taylor, Molitika, White, Warburton, Welch
Eight - Rush, Powell, Lewis
Scrum Half - Cooper, Rees, Allinson
Fly Half - Norton-Knight, Sweeney, Flanagan
Centres - Shanklin, Roberts, Thomas, Hewitt (is he leaving?), Laulala??
Wing - Halfpenny, James, Mustoe, Czejai
Fullback - Blair
Think Lualala would be a great signing - add depth to the squad.
We have been pretty fortunate the apart from Rush are starting XV has been pretty injury free.
Agree that a tight head needs to be signed, regards second row - it would be good to see more of Down to see if he can make the grade.
At 6 with Molitika heading towards his twilight, it would be good to give game time to Welch & White.
Fly half - it would of been nice to have signed a more establish player, let's hope he's as good as Rush in terms of quality
Full back - plenty of cover if Blair gets injured - Roberts and Halfpenny can play there.
So for me, the only signing we need for next season is a top quality tighthead.
Props - Jenkins, Filise, Yapp, Powell, Gill (Roberts going West?)
Hookers - Williams, TRT, 3rd choice?
2nd Row - Tito, Davies, Jones, Morgan, Down
Flankers - Williams, Sowden-Taylor, Molitika, White, Warburton, Welch
Eight - Rush, Powell, Lewis
Scrum Half - Cooper, Rees, Allinson
Fly Half - Norton-Knight, Sweeney, Flanagan
Centres - Shanklin, Roberts, Thomas, Hewitt (is he leaving?), Laulala??
Wing - Halfpenny, James, Mustoe, Czejai
Fullback - Blair
Think Lualala would be a great signing - add depth to the squad.
We have been pretty fortunate the apart from Rush are starting XV has been pretty injury free.
Agree that a tight head needs to be signed, regards second row - it would be good to see more of Down to see if he can make the grade.
At 6 with Molitika heading towards his twilight, it would be good to give game time to Welch & White.
Fly half - it would of been nice to have signed a more establish player, let's hope he's as good as Rush in terms of quality
Full back - plenty of cover if Blair gets injured - Roberts and Halfpenny can play there.
So for me, the only signing we need for next season is a top quality tighthead.
I agree with Smudger the only weakness is Tight Head there are rumours on 606 that Adam Jones may be unsettled at the Ospreys if he is he would make a good addition.
As for Lualala I'm not doubting the guy is world class I am asking whether or not we need him with two Lions centres. Why did we sign Gavin Evans as Jamies replacement if he isn't going to be playing either. Which one do you drop between Jamie and Shanks or do you move Roberts back to the Wing and ditch Tom James and play both of them together with Lualala. For me that would be the sensible option
As for Lualala I'm not doubting the guy is world class I am asking whether or not we need him with two Lions centres. Why did we sign Gavin Evans as Jamies replacement if he isn't going to be playing either. Which one do you drop between Jamie and Shanks or do you move Roberts back to the Wing and ditch Tom James and play both of them together with Lualala. For me that would be the sensible option
not only that but there is a lions tour and im sure you cant pick test players for "X"amount of weeks after the season starts - then Autumn internationals and six nations so i'd be suprised if we actually get the freedom to experiment so much with our line up!!!
Pencoed blue
28/04/2009 20:20
28/04/2009 20:20
Dài has mentioned that he now has strength in depth and the signing of laulala enables him to maintain it in the centre. Shanks and robbo will be rested after the lions and will be straight into autumn internationals so they will see very little action at leckwith early on. It also allows him to rotate and keep a good presence on the bench for the heinrken cup. We probably could do with two props unless yapp builds on strength he's weak at the moment and I'm hoping Leicester don't get a chance to exploit this on Sunday.
I would like another 2nd row to give 4 top choices one injury and we lose an option.
Outside half Snk is unknown so a specialist is warranted snk can be a utility but Stephen jones would fit the bill. Just to throw one out there maybe Henson could do a job risky but if used correctly and he's sorts his head out play him at 10
I would like another 2nd row to give 4 top choices one injury and we lose an option.
Outside half Snk is unknown so a specialist is warranted snk can be a utility but Stephen jones would fit the bill. Just to throw one out there maybe Henson could do a job risky but if used correctly and he's sorts his head out play him at 10
Is there an agreement that the Lions players will be rested at the start of next season. I can see the point for those who play in the tests but realistically at the moment I would suggest that the only ones injury permitted who will get a test start are Geth and Nuggett and that depends on how well Paul Wallace plays in the HC semi and probably final.
Shanks may make the Lions bench but BOD will start the games if fit.Jamie can cover three positions so again I think he will be on the bench with Mcgeechans own Wasps player being favoured at 12. Mcgeechan tends to prefer experience so I think his wings would be Bowe and Shane unless Halfpenny plays out of his skin in the early games of the tour.
Anyway there is one more consideration to be taken into the picture. How are the Union going to react to our having 7 NWQ players when we are only allowed 6. Personally I would welcome 15 NWQ players if it guaranteed us the Treble next season.
Shanks may make the Lions bench but BOD will start the games if fit.Jamie can cover three positions so again I think he will be on the bench with Mcgeechans own Wasps player being favoured at 12. Mcgeechan tends to prefer experience so I think his wings would be Bowe and Shane unless Halfpenny plays out of his skin in the early games of the tour.
Anyway there is one more consideration to be taken into the picture. How are the Union going to react to our having 7 NWQ players when we are only allowed 6. Personally I would welcome 15 NWQ players if it guaranteed us the Treble next season.
He has come to terms and will be in a Blue Shirt after the Air New Zealand Cup commitments in Canterbury in Nov
JonnyBlues
30/04/2009 12:34
30/04/2009 12:34
Quote:mackumblues
...Why did we sign Gavin Evans as Jamies replacement if he isn't going to be playing either.
Gavin Evans plays 12
Casey Laulala plays 13
Where is the link saying he is definatly signing. Can we register him for our squad for the HC if he isn't signing until November. That competiton normally starts in October.
