By Andrew Collins
May 21 2005

The Blues have finally secured their first major coup of the season, with New Zeland international, Xavier Rush joining on a 3-year deal.

The New Zelander will join Cardiff for pre-season training after the Lions tours, in which he is expected to feature asthe lions play a warm up match against his current club, Aukland Blues on July 5th.

His arrival comes at a vital time for Cardiff, who seemed to only be getting bad news at the moment. Following the departures of Nathan Thomas, Shaun James, Mike Rayer, Allun Lewis, Geraint John and  back-rower Nathan Budgett who also expected to follow, Rush finally brings some stability and quality to the Blues squad.

He is joins other New Zelanders, Carlos Spencer, Justin Marshall and Dave Hewett in signing for European clubs, and it looks likely Reuben Thorne, Andrew Mehrtens and Norm Maxwell will move aswell, with Thorne in particular, one of cardiff's long-term targets.

Dai Young has spoken on his delight of capturing the All Black,

"He is an extremely focused competitor who has the necessary experience, but is still a young man with a tremendous appetite and enthusiasm for the game. We have tracked Xavier for some considerable time and linked up with him on our recent trip to South Africa."

The estabished and widely respected number 8 joins as a major face in the squad for 2005-2006 season. Known to team mates as 'X-man', Rush will be looking to trun Cardiff's fortunes and put them back on the pedistool of Welsh, and maybe European, rugby.

Cheif executive, Bob Norster has said today in a press conference,

"Xavier is an outstanding player and proven leader of men having guided the Auckland Blues to Super 12 success in 2003. We are thrilled and delighted that he joins us against significant competition from many sides throughout the rugby playing world"

At 27 years old, Rush still has a lot to prove and aim for in his professional career. He is, as Dai rightly points out, a model proffessional, and known as a player with an appitite for success. The 6" 1 Kiwi will add tremendous experience to the squad, and give us a strong ball carrying number 8.

The victim in this signing is USA Eagles captain Kort Schubert who has had a great season and in truth does not deserve to be replaced. However, rush is a player of true quality, and will almost definately get Kort out of the team. Kort has aparently been trained this year to play at 6/7 aswell, which if successful is great news meaning our top 5 back rowers are Martyn Williams, Xavier Rush, Kort Schubert, Dan Baugh and Robin Sowden-Taylor, any of who I would be happy to see in the starting line-up and i should hope will feature prominently next season.