Blues Facing Major Exodus Crisis
By Andrew Collins
February 28 2012
Following news of Gethin Jenkins and Casey Laulala’s departures from the region, hooker Rhys Thomas is the next player to vacate the Blues. Rumours also abound that Jamie Roberts and Leigh Halfpenny are the next to go...
The Blues financial meltdown is here. This is the beginning of the end.
Hooker Rhys Thomas SHOULD be the exact sort of player the Blues look to build their squad around next season. The former Welsh international has been a very permanent feature at the region since its inception in 2003, however he is set to leave Wales to join up with former boss Dai Young at Wasps.
With high profile departures already announced - Casey Laulala to Munster and Gethin Jenkins to Toulon – it’s expected a huge list of players will leave the capital region in a few months.
As well as the Laulala, Jenkins and now Thomas, the Blues are going to release Dan Parks (Connacht), Richie Rees (Perpignan or other French side), Ceri Sweeney (Pontypridd), Deiniol Jones (potentially The Dragons) Martyn Williams and Gavin Henson.
And worse news could yet be to come. It’s been rumoured that both Jamie Roberts and Leigh Halfpenny have been released early from their contracts and have ALREADY signed deals with French clubs. Admittedly this is a rumour that has yet to be confirmed, but comes from a source within the region.
On top of the above, it’s expected that Tao’ Felise and Maama Molitika will be retiring.
Fortunately, however, it appears that Kiwi trio Ben Blair, Xavier Rush and Paul Tito will be given new deals, while Aussie hooker Ryan Tyrell should also have his contract renewed.
In terms of coming into the region, there have been one or two unconfirmed rumours.
The first, and most likely, being Rotheram RFC’s Robin Copeland, an Irish-born flanker who has the ability to play second row.
The second, and given Rees’ impended exit seems equally likely, is the arrival of scrum half Warren Fury.
The final rumoured arrival is Ian Evans who, apparently, is being released by the Ospreys, but seems unlikely given the horrific cut in wage bill.
Let’s enjoy the quarter final against Leinster in a few weeks. It could be the last time we’re there for some time.
Blues Facing Major Exodus Crisis
Posted by: theArmsPark.co.uk (IP Logged)
Date: 28/02/2012 09:46
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Re: Blues Facing Major Exodus Crisis
Posted by: Cardifflose (IP Logged)
Date: 28/02/2012 10:25
Most I have spoken too have said there is no top ups or central contracts the ALL our team Wales players would be allowed to leave this summer, and now as neither look likely it is look so bleak for all the regions not just the Blues
Re: Blues Facing Major Exodus Crisis
Posted by: cardiffsteve (IP Logged)
Date: 28/02/2012 10:36
Quote:Cardifflose
Most I have spoken too have said there is no top ups or central contracts the ALL our team Wales players would be allowed to leave this summer, and now as neither look likely it is look so bleak for all the regions not just the Blues
Looks like it's down to the WRU. What's more important, servicing the debt or keeping Welsh squad players in Wales and giving Gatland the access he's used to.
If Roger Lewis has decided to call the bluff of the regions over this issue then he's probably made a massive error.
Re: Blues Facing Major Exodus Crisis
Posted by: wales606 (IP Logged)
Date: 28/02/2012 10:49
Ian Evans is an excellent player, but second row isn't a crisis area if Tito is staying - and Evans is likely to be away with Wales.
Re: Blues Facing Major Exodus Crisis
Posted by: Cardifflose (IP Logged)
Date: 28/02/2012 10:49
The welsh team won't suffer from this, in fact some would say it may even be blessing them playing better rugby week in week out, it is us the little people whO will suffer, paying £200+ a year to watch an academy team get smashed by Aironi 
Re: Blues Facing Major Exodus Crisis
Posted by: cardiffsteve (IP Logged)
Date: 28/02/2012 10:57
Quote:Cardifflose
The welsh team won't suffer from this, in fact some would say it may even be blessing them playing better rugby week in week out, it is us the little people whO will suffer, paying £200+ a year to watch an academy team get smashed by Aironi
Yeah they will. If players are scattered around England and France Gatland won't have the same access he's had to them in the past. There won't be the same level of preparation.
Playing at a higher level is possibly a plus, on the other hand there's the possibility of burn out.
The problems for anyone who actually gives a @#$%& about domestic rugby are bigger - but it'll inevitably have an effect on the national side too.
Re: Blues Facing Major Exodus Crisis
Posted by: Bluestown (IP Logged)
Date: 28/02/2012 13:30
Far too much spectulation to agree with "meltdown" but I do agreed that the Leinster game is likely to be the last time we are in the HC QF's.
Gutted TRT is going, always thought he was a bit of a star for us.
Gutted TRT is going, always thought he was a bit of a star for us.
Re: Blues Facing Major Exodus Crisis
Posted by: cardiffstu (IP Logged)
Date: 28/02/2012 15:21
So playing games at CAP to allegedly fund a short term cashflow problem & remain liquid isn't a meltdown?
Re: Blues Facing Major Exodus Crisis
Posted by: Bluestown (IP Logged)
Date: 28/02/2012 16:16
Key there - "Allegedly"
As i said, far too much speculation.
As i said, far too much speculation.
Re: Blues Facing Major Exodus Crisis
Posted by: theArmsPark.co.uk Admin (IP Logged)
Date: 28/02/2012 17:57
I think this is now far past 'allegedyly'. The proof is there, players are leaving a sinking ship.
Things are bad bluestown. This year we've already slashed the wage bill ahead of next season, and are getting a big payout as it is from the HEC QF and yet the departures keep on coming.
I don't know about administration, but we're going back to the bleak years for the foreseeable future.
It was good while it lasted.
Admin of theArmsPark.co.uk,
Make Noise and You Will Be Heard!
Things are bad bluestown. This year we've already slashed the wage bill ahead of next season, and are getting a big payout as it is from the HEC QF and yet the departures keep on coming.
I don't know about administration, but we're going back to the bleak years for the foreseeable future.
It was good while it lasted.
Admin of theArmsPark.co.uk,
Make Noise and You Will Be Heard!
Re: Blues Facing Major Exodus Crisis
Posted by: CardiffBluesEst1876 (IP Logged)
Date: 28/02/2012 21:43
so the blues to fold and the mighty cardiff to play out of the CAP in the aviva premiership, winning the HC in 10 years time.
Re: Blues Facing Major Exodus Crisis
Posted by: Bluestown (IP Logged)
Date: 28/02/2012 22:29
Lol - You say "meltdown" but you're not sure about administration? To me meltdown would mean administration.
Re: Blues Facing Major Exodus Crisis
Posted by: Rich. (IP Logged)
Date: 29/02/2012 10:31
Signing Tovey and Lou Read (if true) don't indicate a meltdown at all - but merely a wish to let some of the very expensive players (who are rarely available) go and replace them with significantly cheaper very good players still on the upward curve in their careers who will probably be less likely to be away with Wales. Gethin is the only huge blow (so far) IMO but (as said on the other thread) I think he may well still have gone even if we matched what Toulon or whoever are offering him (which we weren't of course). Roberts and Halfpenny now confirmed as being here next year (As per other thread) - and he wouldn't have said that at this stage if it was possible the regipono owuld look to get them moved on
We need to all be careful here - you know what speculation does in the world's stock exchanges and the same (but to lesser impact of course) can happen with sport. If we all talk as if Cardiff are going bust (or will be a third class team if they remain) then that will discourage people from coming along to games (even this season) and increase the likelyhood that the doom-merchants' predictions will come true. Those who wanted to go back to CAP have got their wish by the looks so let's start to be a bit more glass half-full. Yes we need to have an honest discussion and it is right that there should be some concern but I feel some are cherry-picking evidence to argue that meltdown is approaching, which all the evidence together suggests is nonesense.
We need to all be careful here - you know what speculation does in the world's stock exchanges and the same (but to lesser impact of course) can happen with sport. If we all talk as if Cardiff are going bust (or will be a third class team if they remain) then that will discourage people from coming along to games (even this season) and increase the likelyhood that the doom-merchants' predictions will come true. Those who wanted to go back to CAP have got their wish by the looks so let's start to be a bit more glass half-full. Yes we need to have an honest discussion and it is right that there should be some concern but I feel some are cherry-picking evidence to argue that meltdown is approaching, which all the evidence together suggests is nonesense.
Re: Blues Facing Major Exodus Crisis
Posted by: bluesmonkey (IP Logged)
Date: 29/02/2012 10:41
Most sensible post Rich. Spreading fear and rumours over twitter and the internet is no way to support your club. Dai Young said two years ago that this would be the year for a squad refresh so it was always on the cards that a number of the older players would leave and be replaced by youngsters coming through or new purchases.
Re: Blues Facing Major Exodus Crisis
Posted by: shrekogre (IP Logged)
Date: 29/02/2012 10:56
Quote:Rich.
Signing Tovey and Lou Read (if true) don't indicate a meltdown at all - but merely a wish to let some of the very expensive players (who are rarely available) go and replace them with significantly cheaper very good players still on the upward curve in their careers who will probably be less likely to be away with Wales. Gethin is the only huge blow (so far) IMO but (as said on the other thread) I think he may well still have gone even if we matched what Toulon or whoever are offering him (which we weren't of course). Roberts and Halfpenny now confirmed as being here next year (As per other thread) - and he wouldn't have said that at this stage if it was possible the regipono owuld look to get them moved on
We need to all be careful here - you know what speculation does in the world's stock exchanges and the same (but to lesser impact of course) can happen with sport. If we all talk as if Cardiff are going bust (or will be a third class team if they remain) then that will discourage people from coming along to games (even this season) and increase the likelyhood that the doom-merchants' predictions will come true. Those who wanted to go back to CAP have got their wish by the looks so let's start to be a bit more glass half-full. Yes we need to have an honest discussion and it is right that there should be some concern but I feel some are cherry-picking evidence to argue that meltdown is approaching, which all the evidence together suggests is nonesense.
Agree with this post 100%. Nice one Rich.
Re: Blues Facing Major Exodus Crisis
Posted by: BlueButtyBoy (IP Logged)
Date: 29/02/2012 16:07
Well done Rich!
Re: Blues Facing Major Exodus Crisis
Posted by: Bluestown (IP Logged)
Date: 01/03/2012 19:36
Well said Rich!
Re: Blues Facing Major Exodus Crisis
Posted by: BlueButtyBoy (IP Logged)
Date: 02/03/2012 00:28
Based on current, known arrivals and departures our first XV next season should read like this:
01 Yapp (Regular)
02 Tyrell (R)
03 Andrews (R)
04 Davies
05 Reed (R)
06 Paterson (R)
07 Warburton
08 Rush (R)
09 Williams
10 Tovey (R)
11 James (R)
12 Roberts
13 ?
14 Cuthbert
15 Halfpenny
Obviously that team will not play that many games together, but add the following names and it doesn't look that bad:
Hobbs, Filise, Down, Tito, Hill, Cook, Navidi, Pretorius, Rees, Henson (?), Hewitt, Czekaj, Robinson, Mustoe, Blair
01 Yapp (Regular)
02 Tyrell (R)
03 Andrews (R)
04 Davies
05 Reed (R)
06 Paterson (R)
07 Warburton
08 Rush (R)
09 Williams
10 Tovey (R)
11 James (R)
12 Roberts
13 ?
14 Cuthbert
15 Halfpenny
Obviously that team will not play that many games together, but add the following names and it doesn't look that bad:
Hobbs, Filise, Down, Tito, Hill, Cook, Navidi, Pretorius, Rees, Henson (?), Hewitt, Czekaj, Robinson, Mustoe, Blair
Re: Blues Facing Major Exodus Crisis
Posted by: bluesmonkey (IP Logged)
Date: 02/03/2012 08:45
You left out Gavin Evans (easily done I know) and Pretorius. Doubt we will have Felise/Tito/Blair or Henson next season. Thought Tito announced he was retiring a few months back.
Re: Blues Facing Major Exodus Crisis
Posted by: BlueButtyBoy (IP Logged)
Date: 02/03/2012 12:39
Oops, but I got Pretorius on the bench. I don't really know what his best position is.
I can see the four you mentioned not being here next season.
Additionally, I forgot about Fish....
I can see the four you mentioned not being here next season.
Additionally, I forgot about Fish....
Re: Blues Facing Major Exodus Crisis
Posted by: bluesmonkey (IP Logged)
Date: 02/03/2012 12:44
I think 6 or 8 for Pretorius but he covers 2nd row so a handy lad to keep hold of. Welsh Qualified next season too I think