Wales Players Set to Play Against Cheetahs
Cheetahs vs Blues
By Andrew Collins
June 29 2012
Sam Warburton, Leigh halfpenny, Alex Cuthbert and their fellow Wales players WILL play in the Cardiff Blues’ ground breaking friendly match in South Africa.
Last month, the Blues announced they had accepted an offer to play Super 14 side, The Toyota Free State Cheetahs, in a pre-season friendly match.
The match, which will take place in Bloemfontein, will be the first time any Welsh side – club or region – will play a match outside of the Northern Hemisphere.
The micro-tour is being eagerly anticipated by Blues players, both old and new, with excited comments frequently on Twitter since the initial announcement was made.
A massive list of departing players, an empty stadium to bid farewell to greats including Martyn Williams and a European spanking from eventual winners Leinster all left a thick grey cloud hanging over the Cardiff Blues at the end of last season, however things have taken a dramatic upturn since the last game of the season in May.
First, a return to the Cardiff Arms Park was announced proving excellent news for fans and financers at the region. Then followed news of a new coach, replacing duo Gareth Baber and Richard Burnell after what can only be described a clueless season on the field, while there was even more good news with Alex Cuthbert re-signing a new deal and a host of new players arriving.
All of that helped lift the mood at the region, and it’s hoped that this tour will signal a fresh start for the team and get the season off to a bright and exciting start.
And there is yet more great news as it appears the whole Blues squad will travel to South Africa for the team building trip. Wales captain Sam Warburton is expected to captain the new-look Blues and will be joined by international team mates Halfpenny, Cuthbert, Lloyd Williams, Harry Robinson and Bradley Davies.
Indeed Cardiff look set to take a near full strength squad, with only two injuries for their August 4th fixture in the shape of Xavier Rush and Jamie Roberts – both of whom will still travel with the squad.
As part of their pre-season fixtures, the Blues have also confirmed fixtures against Bath and Worcester, while a match against Ponty looks likely as has become tradition over the past few years.
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Doubt the Welsh squad players will actually take the field, despite what the Saffer press say.
I'd love to see this game but don't suppose theres much hope of it being televised.
I can't see the Welsh players playing, but it is interesting to see Warburton named as captain if that is accurate.
Quote:wales606
Where is this article from?
I can't see the Welsh players playing, but it is interesting to see Warburton named as captain if that is accurate.
Its from the South African press: [sport.iafrica.com]
I think whoever wrote that article is just making the assumption that Warburton is our captain.
I'm not overly keen on this tour to be honest, players are doing nothing they couldn't do at home or in Europe. Throw in the hard pitches of SA and it's a recipe for injury.
Can't help but feel the money spent on the tour could be put to better use strengthening the squad.
If you can go, then do so...
But it isn't the first time that Cardiff have played in SA....
Really enjoyed the unbeaten tour many moons ago.....
___________________________________________________________
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Quote:andytb
Does anyone know what blues players have gone out to South Africa, have they all gone or have the players involved with Wales stayed at home. I only ask because Halfpenny, Cuthbert, Roberts and Lloyd Williams are all due to be making appearances at the big Welsh bite over the weekend, at Pontypridd park. Halfpenny and Cuthbert on the saturday, Williams and Roberts on the sunday.
Roberts is in South Africa, the others aren't. Wales, Wales U20 and injured players all stayed home - apart from Roberts for some reason.
Quote:Forwards: Andi Kyriacou, Andries Pretorius, Benoit Bourrust, Jake Cooper-Woolley, James Down, Josh Navidi, Lou Reed, Macauley Cook, Marc Breeze, Nathan Trevett, Robin Copeland, Rory Watts-Jones, Scott Andrews, Thomas Young.
Backs: Ceri Sweeney, Chris Czekaj, Dafydd Hewitt, Dan Fish, Gareth Davies, Gavin Evans, Jamie Roberts, Jason Tovey, Lewis Jones, Owen Williams, Rhys Patchell, Robert Lewis, Tom James.
[blog.fscheetahs.co.za]
Quote:cardiffsteveQuote:andytb
Does anyone know what blues players have gone out to South Africa, have they all gone or have the players involved with Wales stayed at home. I only ask because Halfpenny, Cuthbert, Roberts and Lloyd Williams are all due to be making appearances at the big Welsh bite over the weekend, at Pontypridd park. Halfpenny and Cuthbert on the saturday, Williams and Roberts on the sunday.
Roberts is in South Africa, the others aren't. Wales, Wales U20 and injured players all stayed home - apart from Roberts for some reason.
Quote:Forwards: Andi Kyriacou, Andries Pretorius, Benoit Bourrust, Jake Cooper-Woolley, James Down, Josh Navidi, Lou Reed, Macauley Cook, Marc Breeze, Nathan Trevett, Robin Copeland, Rory Watts-Jones, Scott Andrews, Thomas Young.
Backs: Ceri Sweeney, Chris Czekaj, Dafydd Hewitt, Dan Fish, Gareth Davies, Gavin Evans, Jamie Roberts, Jason Tovey, Lewis Jones, Owen Williams, Rhys Patchell, Robert Lewis, Tom James.
[blog.fscheetahs.co.za]
4 flyhalves?
No Sam Hobbs (injured?)
Quote:andytb
Just seen that the blues have announced a completely different set of players are going to the big Welsh bite. I hope they have told rct council as they are advertising the 4 Welsh players as being there on their website.
Actually, thats not how I read it.
The Big Bite website has the welsh squad players, plus Priestland and Jon Davies there as representatives of the Welsh Grand Slam squad.
The Cardiff Blues site has Jenkins, Hill, Screech and Maafu there as representatives of Cardiff Blues.
So maybe they'll all be there - although I dont quite see how Roberts can unless he goes straight from the airport.
If you're worried maybe ring up the organisers and check?
Quote:wales606
4 flyhalves?
No Sam Hobbs (injured?)
Patchell going as full back I'd imagine. Hobbs wither injured or perhaps just unavailable.
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