Blair and Spice to Leave?
Blair and Spice to Leave?
By Andrew Collins
January 13 2008
Ben Blair looks set to be axed from the Cardiff Blues squad at the end of the season, despite being voted player of the year last year. Full back Blair is likely to return to his native New Zealand, and could be followed by Jason Spice.
With the WRU reducing the number of non-Welsh qualified (nWq) players from 7 to 6, one of our foreign stars was always going to suffer.
But Blair and family haven't quite settled in the area, and are keen to head back to New Zealand.
In truth, his place is already in jeopardy following the excellent form of Cardiff born hot prospect, Jamie Roberts. Though he is likely to be offered an extension on his current deal, it's unlikely Blair will be at the Arms Park come next year.
There are also rumours linking scrum half Jason Spice with a move back to his homeland. Having been released by the Ospreys in the summer, Spice was thrown a Welsh rugby lifeline with Cardiff, desperate to land a scrum half following the loss of Mike Phillips. However he was only offered a one year deal, and it's thought the Blues are lining up a big name foreign scrum half for next season.
The loss of Blair would see the region drop down to 6 nWq players, but in order to sign another, one must leave. Current nWq players in the squad are Ben Blair, Marc Stcherbina, Jason Spice, Xavier Rush, Maama Molitika, Paul Tito and Tau' Filise.
Meanwhile, Xavier Rush is poised to sign a new contract with the region. The Cardiff captain has agreed a new deal in principle that will keep him at the Blues for a further 2 years.
Newspaper reports that deny the Blues capture of Ceri Sweeney are incorrect, Sweeney put pen to paper on a deal in early December, but the region are delaying the announcement of the transfer at the request of the player, who wants the fans backing for as long as possible.
Blair and Spice to Leave?
Posted by: theArmsPark.co.uk (IP Logged)
Date: 13/01/2008 18:08
Blair and Spice to Leave?
Re: Blair and Spice to Leave?
Posted by: Bob Garage (IP Logged)
Date: 13/01/2008 18:42
sad to see blair go, he has been good for us, he was outstanding last season. but with roberts on the up at least we have a top quality full back to take over.
not so bothered about spice leaving, although I much prefer him to richie rees. any ideas who the "big name" signing at #9 will be?
not so bothered about spice leaving, although I much prefer him to richie rees. any ideas who the "big name" signing at #9 will be?
Re: Blair and Spice to Leave?
Posted by: S A Brained (IP Logged)
Date: 13/01/2008 19:25
Why no proper cover at 10?
Re: Blair and Spice to Leave?
Posted by: DRY (IP Logged)
Date: 13/01/2008 20:20
Sad to see blair go back home if it's true (ps, any chance of him smuggling gareth thomas in his suitcase) but i would also say thanks to stitch for his efforts and....bye bye.
NWQ players are required in QUALITY rather than quantity and would need IMO to be aged between 24-29, giving us experience with still a lot left in the tank.
I'm afraid the proper cover at 10 has probably been signed in sweeney. the best we're gonna get. I'm not impressed but if that's the best we've got available in wales then.......
The SA scrum half Janurie would be tiddddddy !!
NWQ players are required in QUALITY rather than quantity and would need IMO to be aged between 24-29, giving us experience with still a lot left in the tank.
I'm afraid the proper cover at 10 has probably been signed in sweeney. the best we're gonna get. I'm not impressed but if that's the best we've got available in wales then.......
The SA scrum half Janurie would be tiddddddy !!
Re: Blair and Spice to Leave?
Posted by: larryblues1010 (IP Logged)
Date: 13/01/2008 20:28
Spice signed a two year contract didnt he?? Cant see either leaving to be honest and will be happy to see them stay.
Re: Blair and Spice to Leave?
Posted by: jenksta (IP Logged)
Date: 13/01/2008 20:53
Peels contract is up. He was eyeing a move to France. We need to at least get an offer to him. He may not come of course. Behind our pack he would be top notch.
Unless we are going to sign a better scrum half (and Spice is one of the best 3 in Wales) we cant afford to let Spice go. Sad news about Blair. You certain on all that Admin?
Unless we are going to sign a better scrum half (and Spice is one of the best 3 in Wales) we cant afford to let Spice go. Sad news about Blair. You certain on all that Admin?
Re: Blair and Spice to Leave?
Posted by: NRisMyHero (IP Logged)
Date: 13/01/2008 22:05
blair is the hero!
will be sad to see him leave.
will be sad to see him leave.
Re: Blair and Spice to Leave?
Posted by: theArmsPark.co.uk Admin (IP Logged)
Date: 14/01/2008 01:12
Well i've known for some time that he's unsettled in the area. Xav loves it here, but then he's a single bloke living in a city full of good nightlife and women!
Blair on the contrary is married and has a young kid. It's more a fact that they want to go back to NZ. It's still possible that he will stay, but i would be suprised.
As for Spice, he's likely to leave because we're trying to sign another foreign scrum half. Im not sure who it is. We were speaking to the South African January a few months back, but he's signed a new deal with the SA rugby union.
Admin of theArmsPark.co.uk,
Make Noise and You Will Be Heard!
Blair on the contrary is married and has a young kid. It's more a fact that they want to go back to NZ. It's still possible that he will stay, but i would be suprised.
As for Spice, he's likely to leave because we're trying to sign another foreign scrum half. Im not sure who it is. We were speaking to the South African January a few months back, but he's signed a new deal with the SA rugby union.
Admin of theArmsPark.co.uk,
Make Noise and You Will Be Heard!
Re: Blair and Spice to Leave?
Posted by: Jonny Blues (IP Logged)
Date: 14/01/2008 08:26
Spice has another year left on his contract and has been playing well this season so I would be very surprised if he left in the summer.
As for the reduction of nWq, I just hope we can come up with some agreement with the WRU that allows to stick with 7 players for next season.
As for the reduction of nWq, I just hope we can come up with some agreement with the WRU that allows to stick with 7 players for next season.
Re: Blair and Spice to Leave?
Posted by: Bob Garage (IP Logged)
Date: 14/01/2008 11:07
Quote:jenksta
Peels contract is up. He was eyeing a move to France. We need to at least get an offer to him. He may not come of course. Behind our pack he would be top notch.
with gatland saying that any player moving outside of the 4 regions will not play for wales an offer from us to Peel may now be more attractive to him!
Re: Blair and Spice to Leave?
Posted by: theArmsPark.co.uk Admin (IP Logged)
Date: 14/01/2008 12:41
It certainly would, but would Peel ever leave Strady for another Welsh side? I could see him wanting to go to France, but i don't think he'd ever come to us.
Admin of theArmsPark.co.uk,
Make Noise and You Will Be Heard!
Admin of theArmsPark.co.uk,
Make Noise and You Will Be Heard!
Re: Blair and Spice to Leave?
Posted by: mackumblues (IP Logged)
Date: 14/01/2008 12:54
Why go overseas for a new Scrum Half when Newspapers reports yesterday stated that Dwayne Peel wants to leave Llanelli and Sale are trying to sign him. I seriously doubt Peel wants to be forced into internatiuonal retirement.
Obviously losing Blair will be a blow but with Jamie Roberts playing as he has this year this is actually good news because we have a replacement already at the region.
Obviously losing Blair will be a blow but with Jamie Roberts playing as he has this year this is actually good news because we have a replacement already at the region.
Re: Blair and Spice to Leave?
Posted by: blues number one (IP Logged)
Date: 14/01/2008 14:11
ye we mite have a replacement already at the region for blair if he goes but then whats our cover for roberts next season if something happens 2 him lets hope it doesnt, but at least now we got to fantastic full backs so if one is out then the other steps in we aint going to have that next season if he goes.
Be sad 2 see him go.
Be sad 2 see him go.
Re: Blair and Spice to Leave?
Posted by: lost in bridgend (IP Logged)
Date: 14/01/2008 14:24
Don't want to see Blair leave as he is a player of true quality and we don't have to many of them.
WISH I STILL LIVED IN CARDIFF
WISH I STILL LIVED IN CARDIFF
Re: Blair and Spice to Leave?
Posted by: larryblues1010 (IP Logged)
Date: 14/01/2008 14:33
Quote:theArmsPark.co.uk Admin
Well i've known for some time that he's unsettled in the area. Xav loves it here, but then he's a single bloke living in a city full of good nightlife and women!
Blair on the contrary is married and has a young kid. It's more a fact that they want to go back to NZ. It's still possible that he will stay, but i would be suprised.
As for Spice, he's likely to leave because we're trying to sign another foreign scrum half. Im not sure who it is. We were speaking to the South African January a few months back, but he's signed a new deal with the SA rugby union.
Blair has two young sons i think and am sure he has just resigned for us, and regarding Spice he signed a two year contract last summer. So please get your facts right before posting.
Re: Blair and Spice to Leave?
Posted by: mackumblues (IP Logged)
Date: 14/01/2008 15:39
Who is the original poster of this stream. It looks like a real newspaper article but there still hasn't been anyone else in the media saying we have signed Ceri Sweeney next season. That news hasn't even reached the Cardiff Blues Website.
If a player of Blair's calibre was leaving it would make news elsewhere.
If a player of Blair's calibre was leaving it would make news elsewhere.
Re: Blair and Spice to Leave?
Posted by: S A Brained (IP Logged)
Date: 14/01/2008 16:36
Blair will have proved good value for money IF when he goes a "ready to go" replacement is in place (and WQ to boot).
It looks like that will be the case, when the time comes. The same needs to happen at 5 and 8 with Tito and Rush. Lets hope that the young guns Down, Goode, Davies and Adam Powell are ready to take up the mantle in due course. If those boys go on tho great things how can the WRU regard the use of the like of Blair Tito and Rush as anything but good sense?
It looks like that will be the case, when the time comes. The same needs to happen at 5 and 8 with Tito and Rush. Lets hope that the young guns Down, Goode, Davies and Adam Powell are ready to take up the mantle in due course. If those boys go on tho great things how can the WRU regard the use of the like of Blair Tito and Rush as anything but good sense?
Re: Blair and Spice to Leave?
Posted by: mackumblues (IP Logged)
Date: 14/01/2008 22:44
Don't forget Tito didn't get NZ representative honours so he qualifies for Wales in 3 seaons time. It could just be that he will be staying long term with that in mind.
Re: Blair and Spice to Leave?
Posted by: mackumblues (IP Logged)
Date: 15/01/2008 12:54
He qualifies just in time for the 2011 World Cup even accepting that NZ have lost one of their best Line out guys in Chris Jack to the GP it is highly unlikely Tito would make All Blacks. He should however walk into the Wales squad
Re: Blair and Spice to Leave?
Posted by: Linda Blair (IP Logged)
Date: 15/01/2008 21:32
Ben and his family are not unhappy in Wales. They love it but naturally miss their family.Unsure where you got your information from. Regards from his mother.
Re: Blair and Spice to Leave?
Posted by: jenksta (IP Logged)
Date: 15/01/2008 21:44
Quote:Linda Blair
Ben and his family are not unhappy in Wales. They love it but naturally miss their family.Unsure where you got your information from. Regards from his mother.
He is a massively important member of the squad. Ben Blair would be sorely missed if he was to leave Cardiff, either to go back home, or too another club in Europe.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:01:15:21:46:58 by jenksta.
Re: Blair and Spice to Leave?
Posted by: Dead_Passive (IP Logged)
Date: 16/01/2008 09:37
If this is the case I will be very sorry to see Blair go...he's been good for us
Re: Blair and Spice to Leave?
Posted by: mackumblues (IP Logged)
Date: 16/01/2008 09:46
Thank you Mrs Blair. You have no idea how relieved Blues fans are at this news. Your son has made a massive impact with us and would have been very badly missed at the region.
A few years ago we had as full back a guy called Mike Rayer.
He was a massive player in turning us from the worst team in Wales into the best. Mike broke his leg in a game at a place called Treorchy the crack made when it broke was so loud it was heard throughout the ground. This meant he missed most of the season we won our first league title.
Your son is on a par with Mike Rayer as the best Full back I have ever seen in a Cardiff shirt.
A few years ago we had as full back a guy called Mike Rayer.
He was a massive player in turning us from the worst team in Wales into the best. Mike broke his leg in a game at a place called Treorchy the crack made when it broke was so loud it was heard throughout the ground. This meant he missed most of the season we won our first league title.
Your son is on a par with Mike Rayer as the best Full back I have ever seen in a Cardiff shirt.
Re: Blair and Spice to Leave?
Posted by: S A Brained (IP Logged)
Date: 16/01/2008 10:52
Quote:mackumblues
...He was a massive player in turning us from the worst team in Wales into the best...
A little hyperbole I feel.
Re: Blair and Spice to Leave?
Posted by: mackumblues (IP Logged)
Date: 16/01/2008 11:12
The year before Alec Evans joined us in the late 80s we would have been relegated had the WRU not cancelled relegation for that season.
Within 2 seasons we had won the Swalec Cup and league championship. Obviously players like Hemi Taylor Mark Ring, Mike Hall,Jonathon Humphries and Adrian Davies also played a part in that transformation but the crowd favourite at that time was Mikey.
Unless you saw Mike play you wouldn't appreciate just how good he was. For older Blues fans comparing Ben Blair to Mike Rayer is a deserved compliment. I'd be interested to know if other older fans who saw Mike in his prime agree with me. As for the future people in the part of the Arms Park I watch in have compared Jamie Roberts to JPR. That is hyperbole
Within 2 seasons we had won the Swalec Cup and league championship. Obviously players like Hemi Taylor Mark Ring, Mike Hall,Jonathon Humphries and Adrian Davies also played a part in that transformation but the crowd favourite at that time was Mikey.
Unless you saw Mike play you wouldn't appreciate just how good he was. For older Blues fans comparing Ben Blair to Mike Rayer is a deserved compliment. I'd be interested to know if other older fans who saw Mike in his prime agree with me. As for the future people in the part of the Arms Park I watch in have compared Jamie Roberts to JPR. That is hyperbole
Re: Blair and Spice to Leave?
Posted by: TooFamousRob (IP Logged)
Date: 16/01/2008 12:05
Mikey Rayer was good but he was no Justin Thomas 
Anyway, Mrs Blair's boy seems happy enough:
[www.cardiffblues.com]
Anyway, Mrs Blair's boy seems happy enough:
[www.cardiffblues.com]
Re: Blair and Spice to Leave?
Posted by: S A Brained (IP Logged)
Date: 16/01/2008 13:24
Quote:mackumblues
The year before Alec Evans joined us in the late 80s we would have been relegated had the WRU not cancelled relegation for that season.
Within 2 seasons we had won the Swalec Cup and league championship. Obviously players like Hemi Taylor Mark Ring, Mike Hall,Jonathon Humphries and Adrian Davies also played a part in that transformation but the crowd favourite at that time was Mikey.
Unless you saw Mike play you wouldn't appreciate just how good he was. For older Blues fans comparing Ben Blair to Mike Rayer is a deserved compliment. I'd be interested to know if other older fans who saw Mike in his prime agree with me. As for the future people in the part of the Arms Park I watch in have compared Jamie Roberts to JPR. That is hyperbole
Re: Blair and Spice to Leave?
Posted by: S A Brained (IP Logged)
Date: 16/01/2008 13:28
Quote:mackumblues
The year before Alec Evans joined us in the late 80s we would have been relegated had the WRU not cancelled relegation for that season.
Within 2 seasons we had won the Swalec Cup and league championship. Obviously players like Hemi Taylor Mark Ring, Mike Hall,Jonathon Humphries and Adrian Davies also played a part in that transformation but the crowd favourite at that time was Mikey.
Unless you saw Mike play you wouldn't appreciate just how good he was. For older Blues fans comparing Ben Blair to Mike Rayer is a deserved compliment. I'd be interested to know if other older fans who saw Mike in his prime agree with me. As for the future people in the part of the Arms Park I watch in have compared Jamie Roberts to JPR. That is hyperbole
The hyperbole is this part:
mackumblues
"...He was a massive player in turning us from the worst team in Wales into the best..."
When on earth were we the "Worst" team is Wales. That comment is simply infantile!
I watched the vast majority of Mike Rayer's games for Cardiff Including his debut. So I know how good a player he was. Your exaggeration was the nonsense!
Re: Blair and Spice to Leave?
Posted by: S A Brained (IP Logged)
Date: 16/01/2008 13:30
Cardiff Bluues.com has a different take to Andrew on this one.
"16 January 2008, 11:43 am
Rush and Blair extend contracts with Blues
Cardiff Blues can confirm they have signed both Xavier Rush and Ben Blair for a further three years..."
"16 January 2008, 11:43 am
Rush and Blair extend contracts with Blues
Cardiff Blues can confirm they have signed both Xavier Rush and Ben Blair for a further three years..."
Re: Blair and Spice to Leave?
Posted by: mackumblues (IP Logged)
Date: 16/01/2008 14:08
Ok the worst team in what is now the premier league in Wales. We finished 16th that season. This by no means takes away the transformation acheived by Alec Evans in his first spell at Cardiff.
Re: Blair and Spice to Leave?
Posted by: S A Brained (IP Logged)
Date: 16/01/2008 14:56
Quote:mackumblues
...This by no means takes away the transformation acheived by Alec Evans in his first spell at Cardiff...
No, it does not. However, that has nothing to do with your post does it?
Re: Blair and Spice to Leave?
Posted by: mackumblues (IP Logged)
Date: 16/01/2008 15:22
My post to Mrs Blair was to say how highly we regard her son. To compare him with a legend from our recent past in the eyes of most of us old enough to see Mikey play before his accident at Treorchy. If you chose to read it any other way that is not my problem.
Lets hope in the next 3 years Ben plays a major part in us reaching an EDF final winning the ML and consistently competing for a place in the HC knock out stages. I would also rate Tito on a par with John Tate the best lock I have seen in a Cardiff shirt and Xav as the best 8. In that category he is up against Hemi Taylor Emyr Lewis and Dan Baugh.
Lets hope in the next 3 years Ben plays a major part in us reaching an EDF final winning the ML and consistently competing for a place in the HC knock out stages. I would also rate Tito on a par with John Tate the best lock I have seen in a Cardiff shirt and Xav as the best 8. In that category he is up against Hemi Taylor Emyr Lewis and Dan Baugh.
Re: Blair and Spice to Leave?
Posted by: Cardiff Boo's (IP Logged)
Date: 16/01/2008 15:39
Good news see [news.bbc.co.uk]
Re: Blair and Spice to Leave?
Posted by: Cardiff Boo's (IP Logged)
Date: 16/01/2008 15:41
Not sure I believe the poster claiming to be BB mother is genuine I am always vary dubious about such things.
Re: Blair and Spice to Leave?
Posted by: S A Brained (IP Logged)
Date: 16/01/2008 17:12
Quote:mackumblues
My post to Mrs Blair was to say how highly we regard her son. To compare him with a legend from our recent past in the eyes of most of us old enough to see Mikey play before his accident at Treorchy. If you chose to read it any other way that is not my problem.
I chose to read this: mackumblues
"...He was a massive player in turning us from the worst team in Wales into the best..."
Which is plain and simple nonsense! Whatever the truth in the rest of the post.
Re: Blair and Spice to Leave?
Posted by: theArmsPark.co.uk Admin (IP Logged)
Date: 16/01/2008 19:01
I think it may well have been Blairs mum, if you just however over her name, you'll see her e-mail addy is a .co.NZ
Clearly my information was very very inacturate to say the least, however i got it from numerous sources within the region, plus he mentioned that he'd like to go back to NZ when interviewed in a rugby magazine. I didn't just post it for reaction, i would never do that, that's the work of 'The Sun' and other tabloid writers.I often speak to people, players and players relations who tell me things, and i pass them on to you guys. Apollogies for the misinformation, but it was done with the right intentions.
Admin of theArmsPark.co.uk,
Make Noise and You Will Be Heard!
Clearly my information was very very inacturate to say the least, however i got it from numerous sources within the region, plus he mentioned that he'd like to go back to NZ when interviewed in a rugby magazine. I didn't just post it for reaction, i would never do that, that's the work of 'The Sun' and other tabloid writers.I often speak to people, players and players relations who tell me things, and i pass them on to you guys. Apollogies for the misinformation, but it was done with the right intentions.
Admin of theArmsPark.co.uk,
Make Noise and You Will Be Heard!
Re: Blair and Spice to Leave?
Posted by: Linda Blair (IP Logged)
Date: 17/01/2008 00:49
Thank you for the lovely compliments regarding Ben. You'll be happy to see he has re-signed proving he is happy. We'll just have to keep on saving for another trip to your beautiful country. Regards
Linda Blair
Linda Blair
Re: Blair and Spice to Leave?
Posted by: theArmsPark.co.uk Admin (IP Logged)
Date: 17/01/2008 00:57
Cheers Linda, thnaks very much for visiting the site, your welcome back anytime! Also, if you get chance, tell Ben that all the fans are absolutely delighted he's re-signed and that he's here for the forseeable future.
Admin of theArmsPark.co.uk,
Make Noise and You Will Be Heard!
Admin of theArmsPark.co.uk,
Make Noise and You Will Be Heard!
Re: Blair and Spice to Leave?
Posted by: Mackumblues (IP Logged)
Date: 17/01/2008 11:14
The thing that occurs to me is it's certainly going to increase the pressure for places in the team if Chris Czekai makes a full recovery.
Who do people think our best wings would be? I'd be tempted to go with Czeks and Tom James and alternate Ben with Jamie as full back.
As regards to my blast from the past. Obviously every team below the first division at that time (including St Peters) were worse but finishing 16th out of 16 speaks for itself as does the transformation acheived by Evans.
Who do people think our best wings would be? I'd be tempted to go with Czeks and Tom James and alternate Ben with Jamie as full back.
As regards to my blast from the past. Obviously every team below the first division at that time (including St Peters) were worse but finishing 16th out of 16 speaks for itself as does the transformation acheived by Evans.
Re: Blair and Spice to Leave?
Posted by: S A Brained (IP Logged)
Date: 17/01/2008 11:45
16 out of 200 + is very different to the worst in Wales. Why can you not just accept your comment was a bit stupid and move on?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:01:17:19:33:39 by S A Brained.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:01:17:19:33:39 by S A Brained.
Re: Blair and Spice to Leave?
Posted by: TaffSpick (IP Logged)
Date: 17/01/2008 14:18
Come on fellas, pack it in. You're like my kids.