NPR

Posted: **Thu Jan 07, 2021 4:09 pm**

penguin wrote: ↑Thu Jan 07, 2021 2:03 pm
On the Cardiff Blues fitness front, back rowers Josh Navidi and Ellis Jenkins both trained fully yesterday and are not far away from returning. The Blues now have a date in mind for Jenkins’ long-awaited comeback, which is great news.
Simon Thomas
@simonrug
·
46m
Unfortunately, Blues centre Garyn Smith requires knee surgery and will be out for five to six months. Fly-half Jarrod Evans is fit again though and available for Saturday's game against the Scarlets at CCS.
Sorry to hear about Smith - really like him as a player, but delighted to hear Navidi and Jenkins are on the way back. Coming hot on the heels of the Anscombe update, it's great to see.

Smith’s looked bad at the time, trying to stop a try from a line-out drive if I remember correctly. It’s a wonder there aren’t more serious injuries from those pileups.

Posted: **Thu Jan 07, 2021 4:17 pm**

GogLais wrote: ↑Thu Jan 07, 2021 4:09 pm
penguin wrote: ↑Thu Jan 07, 2021 2:03 pm
On the Cardiff Blues fitness front, back rowers Josh Navidi and Ellis Jenkins both trained fully yesterday and are not far away from returning. The Blues now have a date in mind for Jenkins’ long-awaited comeback, which is great news.
Simon Thomas
@simonrug
·
46m
Unfortunately, Blues centre Garyn Smith requires knee surgery and will be out for five to six months. Fly-half Jarrod Evans is fit again though and available for Saturday's game against the Scarlets at CCS.
Sorry to hear about Smith - really like him as a player, but delighted to hear Navidi and Jenkins are on the way back. Coming hot on the heels of the Anscombe update, it's great to see.
Smith’s looked bad at the time, trying to stop a try from a line-out drive if I remember correctly. It’s a wonder there aren’t more serious injuries from those pileups.

Always hate those ones where the legs get trapped under the body - I'm becoming increasingly squeamish about that sort of thing these days (not that I ever liked to see it mind).

Posted: **Thu Jan 07, 2021 9:29 pm**

Cardiff Blues: Dai Young returns as interim boss as John Mulvihill leaves

LMAO well done 2021, strong start.

Posted: **Fri Jan 08, 2021 12:02 pm**

Dragons (v Ospreys): Owen Jenkins, Jared Rosser, Nick Tompkins, Jamie Roberts, Ashton Hewitt, Josh Lewis, Tavis Knoyle; Brok Harris, Richard Hibbard, Leon Brown, Joe Davies, Matthew Screech, Huw Taylor, Harrison Keddie (c), Aaron Wainwright

Replacements: Elliot Dee, Aaron Jarvis, Lloyd Fairbrother, Ben Carter, Lewis Evans, Rhodri Williams, Arwel Robson, Jack Dixon

Would rather have seen Rhodri start at 9, and I'm still not that keen on Owen Jenkins, but otherwise it's a pretty decent side. Still wondering when we'll get to see more of Rio Dyer. Pleased to see Arwel Robson on the bench - he's 23 now, so time for him to be either a contender or find someone who can put pressure on the established 10s.

Posted: **Fri Jan 08, 2021 12:03 pm**

15. Mat Protheroe
14. George North
13. Owen Watkin
12. Keiran Williams
11. Luke Morgan
10. Stephen Myler ©
9. Rhys Webb
1.Nicky Smith
2. Ifan Phillips
3. Ma’afu Fia
4. Adam Beard
5. Rhys Davies
6. Will Griffiths
7. Sam Cross
8. Morgan Morris

16. Scott Otten
17. Gareth Thomas
18. Tom Botha
19. Lloyd Ashley
20. Gareth Evans
21. Reuben Morgan-Williams
22. Joe Hawkins
23. Keelan Giles

Posted: **Fri Jan 08, 2021 12:04 pm**

Scarlets team v Cardiff Blues (Saturday, January 9 (19:35, S4C, Premier Sports)

15 Leigh Halfpenny; 14 Liam Williams, 13 Jonathan Davies (capt), 12 Johnny Williams, 11 Steff Evans; 10 Dan Jones, 9 Gareth Davies; 1 Phil Price, 2 Marc Jones, 3 Pieter Scholtz, 4 Tevita Ratuva, 5 Sam Lousi, 6 Blade Thomson, 7 Josh Macleod, 8 Sione Kalamafoni.

Reps: 16 Ryan Elias, 17 Kemsley Mathias, 18 Javan Sebastian, 19 Josh Helps, 20 Ed Kennedy, 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Sam Costelow, 23 Paul Asquith.

Cardiff Blues: Matthew Morgan; Josh Adams, Rey Lee-Lo, Willis Halaholo, Hallam Amos; Jarrod Evans, Tomos Williams; Corey Domachowski, Liam Belcher, Dmitri Arhip, James Ratti, Cory Hill (capt.), Shane Lewis-Hughes, James Botham, Josh Turnbull

Replacements: Kristian Dacey, Rhys Carré, Dillon Lewis, Seb Davies, Alun Lawrence, Lloyd Williams, Ben Thomas, Aled Summerhill

Posted: **Fri Jan 08, 2021 2:29 pm**

bessantj wrote: ↑Thu Jan 07, 2021 9:29 pm Cardiff Blues: Dai Young returns as interim boss as John Mulvihill leaves

LMAO well done 2021, strong start.

Excellent news. He'll be pairing up with Peel - good news.

No doubt theFlier will hate it

Posted: **Sat Jan 09, 2021 6:42 pm**

George North back to his best with a try.
Dragons 13 Seagulls 20.

Posted: **Sat Jan 09, 2021 6:44 pm**

Good ol Ianto

Posted: **Sat Jan 09, 2021 7:22 pm**

Josh Lewis and Owen Jenkins... Both did some good things today but the number of times they screwed up... Just killed us at crucial times. That pass to Jarvis' ankles with five to go from Lewis. Gave away a scrum, scrum penalty, lineout, maul penalty, try. Not good enough.

Had it been Sam Davies and Jordan Williams I reckon we would have won.

Decent game, much better watch than some of the other derbies. Lots of good performances but killed by big errors at key moments.

Posted: **Sat Jan 09, 2021 7:41 pm**

Scarlets pack 938 kg according to S4C, where does that come from? Not French are they?

Posted: **Sat Jan 09, 2021 8:19 pm**

Liam Wms off then? I thought he was getting that stuff out of his system.

Posted: **Sat Jan 09, 2021 9:00 pm**

Liam back to his numpty best

Posted: **Sat Jan 09, 2021 9:56 pm**

frodder wrote: ↑Sat Jan 09, 2021 9:00 pm Liam back to his numpty best

I was surprised he wasn't off two or three games ago when he flew into a ruck and smacked somebody in the head with his elbow.

Posted: **Sat Jan 09, 2021 11:04 pm**

Take aways from today:

There’s no way the golden child shouldn’t be starting in the next squad.

I love Pat Lams style of rugby and want him to take over ASAP.

He needs to bring Harry Randall with him he looks quality and would hopefully commit to wales. I don’t see a path for him for the saes Jones is trying to get Ben youngs 200 caps

Posted: **Sun Jan 10, 2021 7:47 am**

frodder wrote: ↑Sat Jan 09, 2021 9:00 pm Liam back to his numpty best

Didn't watch the game because I'm still having a strop over the pathetic officiating and despite the results a google search of Whitehouses name, he continues to be the prodigal son for the WRU.

But Liam Williams has never changed, I remember him nearly costing us a home game vs Italy for nutting Minozzi for no reason. One line break every 10-15 games isn't worth a slow, penalty machine who can't fulfil one of the most basic skills of his role(kicking). Saw the incident on twitter, he charged at SLH, who was lying defenceless and then tucked his head for the contact, thankfully, it looked like Liam was the one in danger of breaking his neck.
Questions need to start being asked of why the turks are deserving of all this funding

Posted: **Sun Jan 10, 2021 10:19 am**

The ref tried his best to bring the Scarlets back into the game but to no avail. It looks like 1/2p will be our FB.

Maybe even Pivac will see the Golden Child needs to be with Biggar and Sheedy in the 6N squad. Lloyd being there was a joke

Posted: **Sun Jan 10, 2021 10:54 am**

Shades of Max Boyce's "strangest dream of all", last night I dreamt that Wales won the RWC, beating NZ 34-20 in the final. Sadly it wasn't revealed to me when this will happen nor who was in the team. I don't think I've had a rugby related dream before.

Posted: **Sun Jan 10, 2021 8:53 pm**

GogLais wrote: ↑Sun Jan 10, 2021 10:54 am Shades of Max Boyce's "strangest dream of all", last night I dreamt that Wales won the RWC, beating NZ 34-20 in the final. Sadly it wasn't revealed to me when this will happen nor who was in the team. I don't think I've had a rugby related dream before.

The Prophet who was promised has spoken!!!

On a more serious note, I genuinely believe that Jarrod Evans in full pomp is one of the best sights in World Rugby (I see the Wail are also bigging him up). If he were a Kiwi, they would be salivating over him the same way they do Richie Mo'unga.

The real problem however is whether Evans can play on the back foot and kick corners all game should the conditions require it.

Posted: **Mon Jan 11, 2021 9:31 am**

Agreed, Jarrod is great to watch. The fact that Cardiff go from him to Tovey makes me laugh....you could barely have two more different 10s.

Also thought Tomos was looking back to his impish best. I'd be very happy to see those two start for Wales and see how they go.

Posted: **Mon Jan 11, 2021 9:39 am**

News coming out that Francis is joining the Ospreys and so is Jac Morgan. Huge blow for the Scarlets if true. He looks a proper player, and just what they need. Also looks like the Scarlets will get WillGriff John.

Posted: **Mon Jan 11, 2021 11:23 am**

penguin wrote: ↑Mon Jan 11, 2021 9:31 am Agreed, Jarrod is great to watch. The fact that Cardiff go from him to Tovey makes me laugh....you could barely have two more different 10s.

Also thought Tomos was looking back to his impish best. I'd be very happy to see those two start for Wales and see how they go.

Tovey is utter shite, I mean Steff Evans levels of shite. The Golden Child if excluded from the Wales 6N will finish Pivac as he even can see the guy is off-scale good.

Looks like the Scarlets are getting another excellent signing. Let's the get theFlier here

Posted: **Mon Jan 11, 2021 3:45 pm**

frodder wrote: ↑Mon Jan 11, 2021 11:23 am
penguin wrote: ↑Mon Jan 11, 2021 9:31 am Agreed, Jarrod is great to watch. The fact that Cardiff go from him to Tovey makes me laugh....you could barely have two more different 10s.

Also thought Tomos was looking back to his impish best. I'd be very happy to see those two start for Wales and see how they go.
Tovey is utter shite, I mean Steff Evans levels of shite. The Golden Child if excluded from the Wales 6N will finish Pivac as he even can see the guy is off-scale good.

Looks like the Scarlets are getting another excellent signing. Let's the get theFlier here

Tovey was always a functional 10, even in his best years. Good left peg, not a lot else. The fact that the Blues have so little option at 10 that he is constantly being called on, even when he doesn't suit their style at all is bizarre. It's not like you couldn't see how that might be the case.

Wonder who else might be tempted back across the bridge. Suggested that Priestland will go to Cardiff and I can see how he could be a good option when Jarrod is unavailable - much more likely to keep the backline moving. Rowlands - I'd imagine Cardiff and Dragons will both be keen.

Saw someone on gwlad suggesting the Ospreys will be in for Thomas Young as well...they'd suddenly go from having 1 openside to 3 quality ones. Imagine how that would feel as an Ospreys fan after years of seeing King, Cracknell, Lydiate, McCusker, Cross, Evans in various combinations when Tips is away...

Posted: **Mon Jan 11, 2021 6:41 pm**

frodder wrote: ↑Mon Jan 11, 2021 11:23 am
penguin wrote: ↑Mon Jan 11, 2021 9:31 am Agreed, Jarrod is great to watch. The fact that Cardiff go from him to Tovey makes me laugh....you could barely have two more different 10s.

Also thought Tomos was looking back to his impish best. I'd be very happy to see those two start for Wales and see how they go.
Tovey is utter shite, I mean Steff Evans levels of shite. The Golden Child if excluded from the Wales 6N will finish Pivac as he even can see the guy is off-scale good.

Looks like the Scarlets are getting another excellent signing. Let's the get theFlier here

I had a ponder over the teams that played this past weekend. From what I've heard, Turks forwards nearly won them the game, whilst the backs were useless. I counted 5 foreginers in the pack. Meanwhile 5 of their backs are pretty much no question Wales' first choice in their respective position. So the strength of their backs, who are shit, allows them to buy in forwards who are good.

They are pissing on welsh rugby, and they don't even have the courtesy to call it rain.

I'm salivating over the thought of them losing Morgan to the tossers. And priestland can fuck off, he's been shit at bath

Posted: **Tue Jan 12, 2021 9:55 pm**

Gutted at the Dragons result. Obviously North should have been sent off, I'm not sure what for as I missed the match because of work, penguin will have to make up a reason.

Posted: **Wed Jan 13, 2021 10:07 am**

bessantj wrote: ↑Tue Jan 12, 2021 9:55 pm Gutted at the Dragons result. Obviously North should have been sent off, I'm not sure what for as I missed the match because of work, penguin will have to make up a reason.

The way North scored that try was rather ungentlemanly I thought. Made it look like he was going to take contact, but then passed it....subterfuge! You wouldn't see the Dragons players pretending to do one thing and then doing another, if we do that you can be damn sure it's because we didn't mean to...as god intended.

Posted: **Wed Jan 13, 2021 5:48 pm**

Ratuva off to Brive. With Ball going it's going to put a lot of focus on the young locks next year. Starting to look a little thin...

Posted: **Wed Jan 13, 2021 6:28 pm**

penguin wrote: ↑Wed Jan 13, 2021 10:07 am
bessantj wrote: ↑Tue Jan 12, 2021 9:55 pm Gutted at the Dragons result. Obviously North should have been sent off, I'm not sure what for as I missed the match because of work, penguin will have to make up a reason.
The way North scored that try was rather ungentlemanly I thought. Made it look like he was going to take contact, but then passed it....subterfuge!

One might even think he could play centre.

Posted: **Thu Jan 14, 2021 9:05 am**

penguin wrote: ↑Wed Jan 13, 2021 5:48 pm Ratuva off to Brive. With Ball going it's going to put a lot of focus on the young locks next year. Starting to look a little thin...

Yeah, that's absolutely fucked the Scarlets.

Posted: **Thu Jan 14, 2021 9:09 am**

GogLais wrote: ↑Wed Jan 13, 2021 6:28 pm
penguin wrote: ↑Wed Jan 13, 2021 10:07 am
bessantj wrote: ↑Tue Jan 12, 2021 9:55 pm Gutted at the Dragons result. Obviously North should have been sent off, I'm not sure what for as I missed the match because of work, penguin will have to make up a reason.
The way North scored that try was rather ungentlemanly I thought. Made it look like he was going to take contact, but then passed it....subterfuge!
One might even think he could play centre.

Give him a proper run there and maybe. Certainly would help considering we have wings coming out of our ears and a dearth of outside centres so bad that we're likely to send out Jonathan Davies even if he's lost limbs.

Posted: **Thu Jan 14, 2021 9:12 am**

Jeff the Bear wrote: ↑Thu Jan 14, 2021 9:05 am
penguin wrote: ↑Wed Jan 13, 2021 5:48 pm Ratuva off to Brive. With Ball going it's going to put a lot of focus on the young locks next year. Starting to look a little thin...
Yeah, that's absolutely fucked the Scarlets.

To be fair the youngsters have done pretty well, and Ratuva hasn't been as effective as when he was first signed. I thought he looked fantastic in his first run of games for the Scarlets but he's not looked as good lately - might be a decent time to get him off the books and find someone else.

Posted: **Thu Jan 14, 2021 9:48 am**

penguin wrote: ↑Wed Jan 13, 2021 10:07 am
bessantj wrote: ↑Tue Jan 12, 2021 9:55 pm Gutted at the Dragons result. Obviously North should have been sent off, I'm not sure what for as I missed the match because of work, penguin will have to make up a reason.
The way North scored that try was rather ungentlemanly I thought. Made it look like he was going to take contact, but then passed it....subterfuge! You wouldn't see the Dragons players pretending to do one thing and then doing another, if we do that you can be damn sure it's because we didn't mean to...as god intended.

I dunno about that, they pretend to be rugby players but I don't know what the hell they're actually doing.

Posted: **Thu Jan 14, 2021 10:02 am**

bessantj wrote: ↑Thu Jan 14, 2021 9:48 am
penguin wrote: ↑Wed Jan 13, 2021 10:07 am
bessantj wrote: ↑Tue Jan 12, 2021 9:55 pm Gutted at the Dragons result. Obviously North should have been sent off, I'm not sure what for as I missed the match because of work, penguin will have to make up a reason.
The way North scored that try was rather ungentlemanly I thought. Made it look like he was going to take contact, but then passed it....subterfuge! You wouldn't see the Dragons players pretending to do one thing and then doing another, if we do that you can be damn sure it's because we didn't mean to...as god intended.
I dunno about that, they pretend to be rugby players but I don't know what the hell they're actually doing.

I think they think they're rugby players...honest, decent, upstanding folk, who sadly can't play rugby very well. The fact they can't tell the difference between tactical kicking and aimlessly hoofing the ball downfield means they are blissfully unaware of this harsh reality.

Posted: **Thu Jan 14, 2021 3:25 pm**

Dipshit Liam out for the start of the 6N. 1/2p our only FB option now

Posted: **Thu Jan 14, 2021 3:40 pm**

frodder wrote: ↑Thu Jan 14, 2021 3:25 pm Dipshit Liam out for the start of the 6N. 1/2p our only FB option now

Probably, but I'd like to see a touch of spark at 15 - Ioan Lloyd is the latest shiny thing and I'd like to see more of him (and 15 seems the most likely option for now), but I could be tempted by the step and unbridled optimism of Mat Protheroe or the 'if in doubt offload' champ Mcnicholl. Amos doesn't seem to get much of a mention either despite putting in some decent performances recently.

None of them are anything like the defensive player Halfpenny is (although Protheroe does the same tackling as if he hasn't noticed he's small schtick pretty well), none of them kick for goal either (does Lloyd - I know he is though of as a 10). 1/2p's definitely the man in possession, but we'll see if Pivac is prepared to give it more of a lash this time round.

Posted: **Fri Jan 15, 2021 11:33 am**

penguin wrote: ↑Thu Jan 14, 2021 10:02 am
bessantj wrote: ↑Thu Jan 14, 2021 9:48 am
penguin wrote: ↑Wed Jan 13, 2021 10:07 am

The way North scored that try was rather ungentlemanly I thought. Made it look like he was going to take contact, but then passed it....subterfuge! You wouldn't see the Dragons players pretending to do one thing and then doing another, if we do that you can be damn sure it's because we didn't mean to...as god intended.
I dunno about that, they pretend to be rugby players but I don't know what the hell they're actually doing.
I think they think they're rugby players...honest, decent, upstanding folk, who sadly can't play rugby very well. The fact they can't tell the difference between tactical kicking and aimlessly hoofing the ball downfield means they are blissfully unaware of this harsh reality.

We need some sort of intervention. I think other teams call it "coaching"

Posted: **Fri Jan 15, 2021 1:05 pm**

frodder wrote: ↑Thu Jan 14, 2021 3:25 pm Dipshit Liam out for the start of the 6N. 1/2p our only FB option now

I wonder whether players lose wages when they’re suspended.

Posted: **Fri Jan 15, 2021 4:42 pm**

Archaeologists have uncovered footage from the last time Cardiff were any good:

Posted: **Sat Jan 16, 2021 1:31 am**

Ali Cadoo wrote: ↑Fri Jan 15, 2021 4:42 pm Archaeologists have uncovered footage from the last time Cardiff were any good:

That's fantastic footage!!

I found this program of the game on the internet.
https://cardiffrugbymuseum.org/sites/de ... es/312.pdf

It took me a while to realize that they still had the reversed numbers with backs 1-7.

Who was the big bugger who scored the 3pt try* right at the end? The great Bleddyn Williams played centre but I couldn't quite make out the number. Was it a wing - G Griffiths or G Rowlands? Edit: dont worry - found it - G Rowlands.

* changed from 2pts to 3pts in 1894, changed to 4pts in 1971, and 5pts in 1992.

That was a proper tour. Look at this:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1953%E2%8 ... th_America

Posted: **Sat Jan 16, 2021 11:03 am**

penguin wrote: ↑Wed Jan 13, 2021 5:48 pm Ratuva off to Brive. With Ball going it's going to put a lot of focus on the young locks next year. Starting to look a little thin...

They've spunked so much on cliche'd good players, how many of thompson, Kalamafoni, lowsy, Ratuva, cassiem, drake have been worth the cost to welsh rugby. Thompson and Cassiem rumoured to be approaching 400k is especially disgusting(that and O'Brien and Morgan on 200k)

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