Cardiff Blues
The Phil Davies Reign – 2 Years of Transition
Phil Davies
By Andrew Collins
March 3 2014
Cardiff Blues head coach steps down with immediate effect following a string of losses and a generally miserable season. TheArmsPark.co.uk analyses what’s gone wrong, and where the Blues go from here...
It’s been a long season for Blues fans. In fact, it’s been a long few years.
When Davies was announced as the new head coach, effectively taking the reins from Gareth Baber and Justin Burnell, it probably wasn’t the appointment most fans were hoping for. Having looked devoid of ideas under the previous management, the faithful were hoping for a mass clearout with a new cohort of staff who would inspire the talented youth making their way through the academy system. Davies’ track record hardly made for exceptional reading, however he was given the benefit of the doubt and he was welcomed to the Arms Park safe in the knowledge that things couldn’t get any worse.
Yet somehow it did.
Picking the bones out of Phil Davies near 2 year tenure, what were the causes and effects of the Blues continual demise? It’s certainly fair to say that Davies wasn’t solely to blame, in fact he was just one aspect of the cluster bomb which has blown the region apart in recent seasons.
The Squad
Before anyone (myself totally included in this!) gets too dismissive of Davies’ coaching ability, let’s be very clear about this; we have one of the smallest and weakest squads in the Pro 12. It was poor during the B&B years, but it has continued to lose important players without replacing them. The cost cutting – which came as a direct result of the stadium move – has seen vastly experienced and high quality players leave with absolutely no replacement even coming in.
In the backs alone, Ritchie Rees, Dan Parks, Ceri Sweeney, Jason Tovey, Jamie Roberts, Casey Laulala, Gavin Henson, Richard Mustoe, Ban Blair and Tom James have all been released in the last 2 years with the only replacements being made internally. Some of those have proved to be successful; Rhys Patchell, Owen Williams and Corey Allen the most noteable, but many have been less effective. You have to seriously question the ambition of the club when last season’s 4th choice fly half becomes this seasons 2nd choice – and not on merit.
In the forwards, it’s a very similar story. Talismen such as Xavier Rush, Michael Patterson, Paul Tito, Martyn Williams, Maama Molitika, Rhys Thomas, Deiniol Jones, John Yapp, Gethin Jenkins (though he did U-turn a season later) all left and though there were replacements, it’s fair to say they lacked the same quality.
All the players listed above competed in either 2012 or 2013 for the Blues, yet I’m sure you’ll agree, it seems like a very long time ago.
Injuries and Absentees
The injury list has been shocking this season, with 22 players – a whole match-day day squad – missing prior to the recent home loss against Leinster. Any team would struggle with such a lengthy list of absentees, but the diminutive size of the current Blues squad has been shown up for its naivety. The fact that Simon Humberstone and Chris Dicomidis were drafted in as ‘emergency signings’ yet have been mainstays of the squad in recent weeks is a testament to this.
Lack of confidence
It’s not simply been a case of not enough quality on the pitch, in fact some of the players who have come through look to have real talent and are likely to be the household names of the future, but they’ve been lambs to the slaughter week after week for nigh on two years.
This season, Cardiff Blues have won 4 league matches from 16 outings.
No one would question Phil Davies’ commitment to the cause. His work ethic has reported been exceptional. The players too have worked tirelessly on the training field, but have repeatedly come up short when it comes to match day. That takes its toll mentally on an individual, and on a squad. There is nothing more soul destroying than working that hard for such long periods and still not getting the reward.
At times like that, you need senior leadership figures. Players with experience, with reputation, with stature and character. Those sort of players are few and far between in this current group and it really hasn’t helped that the likes of Sam Warburton, Matthew Rees even Leigh Halfpenny have been unavailable for such lengthy spells. When games are close, players like that win you games. When you don’t have them, you normally lose them.
Uncertainty about future
So much of this season has been totally overshadowed by the ongoing problems eating away at the core of Welsh club rugby. Whether its star players leaving for France, Central Contracts being given out half arsed and with no formal agreement in place, doubts over Europe, doubts over the Rabo Direct Pro 12 or just doubts over finances, this season has been the most depressing for some years, if not ever. There is a terrifyingly real affliction destroying Welsh club rugby possibly beyond salvaging point and whether you’re a player or a fan, the gloomy atmosphere hasn’t helped one bit.
Where now?
On that cheery note, it’s particularly tough to see where the Cardiff Blues go from here. We already know for certain that we won’t be in the new European Cup top tier – whatever that may be – so attracting top players and coaches will become harder than ever.
However despite the doom and gloom, there is still an exciting group of players here which have the ability to turn this around quite quickly under the right leadership and with the aid of some key signings.
Even allowing for Leigh Halfpenny, Bradley Davies, Robin Copeland and Andries Pretorius’s departures, there is a starting XV of relative quality there. Tavis Knoyle will battle for the 9 jersey along with the rapidly improving Lewis Jones, with Patchell at 10, Owen Williams, Corey Allen, Alex Cuthbert, Alex Walker (New signing from Bristol) and Dan Fish makes for a highly attack-minded set of backs. But if we’re going to see those players achieve their potential we must invest in some big, nasty, heavy, non-Welsh forwards to get allow us to hold onto possession, not be dominated like we have at scrum time and finally put into place a legal defence against the rolling maul.
As for Phil Davies, he has had to coach this team with one arm behind his back. That said, his other arm hasn’t been of much use anyway. Devoid of attacking tactics, we have scored an unacceptable 21 tries in 16 league matches, a ratio of 1.3 tries per game. Compare that with the leaders Leinster, who have scored 39 tries in their 16 games (2.4 ratio).
And while that may be an unfair comparison, the more telling statistic comes in the form of tires conceded; Blues have leaked 39 tries in 16 games while the Dragons have conceded just 26 in their 15 matches to date. Only Treviso have conceded more tries (47), a stat which has been inflated by the recent 7 try loss to Ospreys where they fielded a number of loan players.
The squad really isn’t that bad.
2 Years of Transition
But what Davies has done, in his time in charge, is give a generation of young players a taste of top tier rugby. That squad have experienced beating the European Champions in the Heineken Cup. He has blooded a huge number of players, many of whom will go on to achieve greatness in their careers. For the best part of 18 months, those players were allowed to play rugby without the fear or pressures of expectation and for the majority, it has probably aided their transition to professional rugby.
Under Phil Davies, it was OK to lose.
He defended his players from much of the criticism by highlighting their improvements every week, taking pressure of them and allowing them to concentrate on their own professional development. However, the mentality of being allowed to lose has to stop at some point. The kids aren’t really kids anymore. It’s time for them to start taking responsibility and in order for that mentality to change, Davies has to move on.
Under Chief, who will take the reins for the final 6 games of the season, losing will start to become unacceptable. A new coach is needed to bring about a change in mentality and to start afresh. Whoever takes over in the summer won’t be given the ‘free season’ Davies had, because that’s no longer good enough.
It’s just down to Peter Thomas to ensure his next appointment is the right one.
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03/03/2014 21:23
There are some postives to take, however too many failures.
What is worring to me, the man who signed Cooper and Norton-Knight at a critical moment in recent history is now in the position to make a similar position!
Over to you PT....
03/03/2014 21:29
The Blues want the Wales coach to help draw up the short-list of candidates for the job and to sit on the selection panel.
They are set to trawl the rugby world for the right man to replace Davies, who resigned on Monday following crisis talks at the Arms Park in the wake of the team’s latest calamitous defeat at the hands of lowly Zebre.
Defence coach Dale McIntosh and backs coach Paul John will take up the reins in the short-term as the search for a new top man gets underway, ideally with Gatland’s input.
Blues chief executive Richard Holland said: “We’d like Warren to be involved in the process.
“We want him to be involved in drawing up a short-list and be on the appointment panel, along with members of the board.
“We will be looking to find the best available candidate, from wherever that may be in the world.
“We want the best guy to take this region forward and we are very keen to utilise Warren’s expertise in the process.”
Under Davies, who has been at the helm since the summer of 2012, the Blues have played 58 competitive matches and won just 20 of them, losing 37 and drawing one.
They have won only four of their 16 Pro12 matches this season and are the lowest placed of the four Welsh regions, down in tenth spot in the table.
Holland commented: “I’ve always enjoyed a strong relationship with Phil and would like to thank him for his contribution to Cardiff Blues during his tenure.
“Throughout his time at the region, Phil has worked passionately to develop the right infrastructure here and a pathway for aspiring players and coaches. He has overseen a period of massive change and I’m sure in the future we will see the benefits of his work.
“We now look to take the region forward with new leadership and, on behalf of all the staff at the Blues, I would like to wish Phil and his family every success in the future.”
Giving his own thoughts, the 50-year-old Davies said: “This is a decision I’ve not taken lightly, but one I’ve made in view of my future career and my past experiences in professional rugby.
“I’ve enjoyed the role and the leadership processes and the high performance elements. I feel this is the right time for me to look to the next challenge and other opportunities in performance development.
“It’s been two years of massive change at the Blues, in terms of the systems we have put in place. When I came here, I was told to look at the bigger picture and make changes as a totally new group of young players came through.
“I’ve been delighted to see talented youngsters like Rhys Patchell, Owen Williams, Josh Navidi and Cory Allen gain international honours, while the likes of Macauley Cook, Kristian Dacey and Sam Hobbs have all developed and are the building blocks for the future.
“I’m proud of the work that has gone on to put this region in a stronger position. The career pathway for players and coaches is now clear, from age grade rugby to the Academy and Premiership.
“We have an excellent Academy system and the coaches in place, with men like Dale McIntosh and Paul John, to really drive this region forward.
“I would like to thank the chairman, Peter Thomas, for his fantastic support both during my time at the region and also as a player and coach.
“The support I’ve always had from him and his family has been fantastic and I’m grateful for that. “Also I want to thank Richard Holland and the rest of the board of directors for their support over the last two years.
“Finally, I pay tribute to all the team at Cardiff Blues for their hard work, dedication and professionalism.
“I’m sure with the squad being assembled for next season and beyond, Cardiff Blues will enjoy a bright future and I wish them every success.”
It’s the second time ex-international forward Davies has left his post at the helm of a Welsh region.
Having begun his coaching career with a lengthy spell at Leeds, he returned to his beloved Scarlets in 2006 and spent just under two seasons in charge there before losing his job.
He then had spells as coach of Wales U20s and as forwards coach at Aviva Premiership club Worcester before being appointed as director of rugby at the Blues.
During his first season in charge, the Arms Park outfit recorded nine victories in the Pro12 to finish ninth in the table.
It looked as though his job was in jeopardy last October when they suffered a 44-29 hammering in their opening Heineken Cup fixture against Exeter, leaking five tries in a shocking first-half display.
But they proceeded to turn things round in dramatic fashion six days later, beating European champions Toulon 19-15 at the Arms Park.
Davies’ men built on that performance by recording back-to-back Heineken victories over Glasgow to put themselves in the frame for the quarter-finals.
But since then, things have gone rapidly downhill, with just two wins from 11 matches in all competitions.
They lost their final two European fixtures to end hopes of a knock-out spot, while they have won just one of their last nine Pro12 fixtures.
Saturday’s 15-10 defeat to a Zebre side featuring five players on loan from semi-professional Italian club Calvisano was a fourth straight league defeat and proved the end of the road for Davies.
That saw the Italians complete the double over the Blues, having claimed their first ever Pro12 win by triumphing in Cardiff back in September.
The Arms Park side now have no chance of qualifying for next season’s new 20-team European Cup.
It will be the first time ever - as either a club or a region - they will have failed to secure a place in Europe’s elite event, apart from the season in the late 1990s when they were playing rebel friendlies against English sides.
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"Under Phil Davies, it was OK to lose"
This is what annoyed me about Phil. After a defeat he came out with the same old BullS**t "We need to be more clinical" "I couldn't fault the players effort" "plenty of positives" etc...
This is a results business and results simply weren't good enough. There were people on forums and social media threatening not to renew their season tickets if Phil Davies had another season with the Blues. The board had to do something and I'm glad Phil had to sense to resign. I'm sure he's a nice guy as plenty of people say but he's not Head coach/DOR material.
Peter Thomas and the board of directors must now invest in a top level DOR with credentials and not a cheap semi-pro coach. Learn the lessons from hiring Burnell, Baber and Davies. Show some ambition please!
03/03/2014 22:37
I think the disruption in coaching roles hasn't helped in terms of consistency e.g. changes in defence coaches, etc. I believe we are now on our third defence coach in two years. However, I think Chief and Paul John will have a very positive impact at the Blues.
What is worrying me is what happened the last time a Kiwi Welsh coach recommended a new coach to us.
That's right. We ended up with Lyn Howells. And you know where he came from.
Is it deja vu all over again?
It's going to be very interesting to see what calibre of coach we're looking at over the coming months.
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The problem was, of course deeper than the coach: The Pieman's poor leadership and ego, Bungalow Bob'd ineptitude, I haven't got a Tina, the stadium fiasco etc.
The arrival of DD has addressed the Bungalow issue and has, in part, curbed The Pieman's ego. In DD the Pieman has appointed a serious business man, One who is not afraid of the Chairman. One who can see the big picture. Tew is almost a distant memory with the new marketing team having fresh ideas (I don't agree with them all but that is not the point). The finances is a long term patient and we have to accept the situation there.
Hopefully we will get the coach right. True a coach cannot transform a team from Zero to hero. However, he can make the the team be better than the sum of its parts.
Davies produced a pack that was a laughing stock. This resulted in the Pat Palmer fiasco out in Ireland. We need a hard-nosed pack of forwards. On Saturday we we beaten by a Zebre side that included loan players from Calvisano. that's on a par with losing to a WP side! THAT is shocking!
One thing is vitally important. The club is running out of time. The coach appointment has to be got right.
04/03/2014 08:27
Dale Macintosh - will have until the end of the the season to push his case!He is an outside bet for me tho but who ever comes in I hope he is kept involved
Shane howarth - has openly stated that he wanted to come and coach in wales! Not my choice think we need an enforcer in the hot seat.
Robbie deans - out of a job since sacked by aus! Outside bet again?
Paul Tito - I wouldn't be surprised if this happened! He was a great blues player and captain! Not sure what he was doing in nz since he returned.
Mike rayer - prob the only other welsh coach who I would consider other than lyn jones. But he is untested at this level and I believe blues need experience.
My choice - non of the above for me I believe the blues need an ex forward for a coach pref Southern Hemisphere. I have no idea who is available but a New Zealander aussy or SA coach would prob ensure we end up with some good forward signings from there home land.
Any other suggestions?
04/03/2014 08:37
The actual best option would be for PT to ring his mate Graham and ask him who the best young coach in New Zealand is. I dont think that'll happen.
When he came in, there was a lot of talk about new fitness programmes, changing players body shapes etc. We were assured that players were in the shape of their lives.
Yet, the one factor thats run throughout his time here, is a noticable lack of power. We consistently get knocked backwards and struggle at the tackle area.
The last match was a classic example. I saw it via a dodgy Italian internet stream and we could have had a bonus point win despite the poor start. We were making breaks and getting into the 22, then getting hit backwards and struggling to get quick ball back.
My question is whether the conditioning programme he enforced did more harm than good by prizing mobility over power.
Anecdotally, players were apparently complaining about this. Thats scuttlebutt so make what you like of it. But I also think its telling that Llanelli supporters have said precisely the same thing about PD's time there.
04/03/2014 14:11
04/03/2014 14:16
04/03/2014 14:53
[www.walesonline.co.uk]
Quote:cardifflose
Being told smart money should be placed on Shaun Edwards, i still think it will be either Wilson or Holley
As DoR? Quitting Wales just before RWC? Seems unlikely.
04/03/2014 15:15
I don't think he will take it if offered ofcourse
Quote:cardifflose
doubt he would quit, would more than likely combine the roles maybe coach Blues on his lunch break
I don't think he will take it if offered ofcourse
Yeah but how could you be a part time DoR?
They might offer him a job but surely a different one?
04/03/2014 22:48
Quote:capsgonQuote:TheBlueBaron
Shaun Holley for me!
MFL
Do tell...
04/03/2014 23:15
Quote:TheBlueBaronQuote:capsgonQuote:TheBlueBaron
Shaun Holley for me!
MFL
Do tell...
Rumoured to sign-off all emails to fellow Ospreys with "MFL" meaning "Mates For Life"
Just what we need.......
Quote:
Still don't get it.
He was identified as a prospective future coach by the Ospreys and was given some good opportunities there. They achieved below expectations and he had to move on. He now coaches in the championship and does some tv commentary.
Wouldnt be my first choice.
I recommend one Gary Gold; passionate, knowledgeable and capable of sorting the Blues. Also a true gent.
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