Cardiff Blues vs Connacht
Cardiff Blues vs Connacht
By Andrew Collins
September 12 2013
British Lions’ Top Try Scorer Alex Cuthbert returns for the Blues’ first league game on their new 4G pitch at Cardiff Arms Park.
Lions-hero Cuthbert goes straight into a starting position for the home team, replacing Chris Czekaj, from the side which put in a brave display against Glasgow last week.
As well as the special pitch unveiling, it’s also a significant day for Andries Pretorius and Lloyd Williams, with both making their 50th appearance for the region.
The Blues will be hoping to build on last week’s performance, a match which was largely controlled by the excellent half back duo of Williams and Patchell. The young Welsh pair managed the match with maturity and intelligence, playing to the conditions and keeping the Scots frustrated, however, they will hopefully be looking for a more attacking threat than was on show at Scotsoun.
For the visitors, Dan Parks returns to the Welsh capital a year after leaving the Cardiff Blues, who have a new coach in Pat Lamb.
Kick off is at 7.05pm.
Cardiff Blues: 15 Tom Williams, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Owen Williams, 12 Dafydd Hewitt, 11 Harry Robinson, 10 Rhys Patchell, 9 Lloyd Williams;
1 Taufa'ao Filise, 2 Matthew Rees (c), 3 Scott Andrews, 4 Bradley Davies, 5 Filo Paulo, 6 Andries Pretorius, 7 Josh Navidi, 8 Robin Copeland.
Replacements: 16 Kristian Dacey, 17 Sam Hobbs, 18 Benoit Bourrust, 19 Lou Reed, 20 Macauley Cook, 21 Lewis Jones, 22 Gareth Davies, 23 Gavin Evans.
Cardiff Blues vs Connacht
Posted by: theArmsPark.co.uk (IP Logged)
Date: 12/09/2013 18:13
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Re: Cardiff Blues vs Connacht
Posted by: Rich. (IP Logged)
Date: 13/09/2013 11:25
It certainly looks like a day when we'll be glad we have the new pitch!! What is it about Friday nights.
Hopefully the rain will have cleared by kick off though (looks possible from forecast) and, if so, as the pitch drains almost instantaneoulsy we'll have a dry pitch and ball.
Really looking forward to it
Hopefully the rain will have cleared by kick off though (looks possible from forecast) and, if so, as the pitch drains almost instantaneoulsy we'll have a dry pitch and ball.
Really looking forward to it
Re: Cardiff Blues vs Connacht
Posted by: Way Too Far Away (IP Logged)
Date: 13/09/2013 18:00
Anyone like myself that can't make it to the match tonight maybe interested in this stream by the BBC
Scrum V
[www.bbc.co.uk]
Scrum V
[www.bbc.co.uk]
Re: Cardiff Blues vs Connacht
Posted by: ATTR (IP Logged)
Date: 13/09/2013 22:26
Terrible. A long season beckons.
Re: Cardiff Blues vs Connacht
Posted by: Rich. (IP Logged)
Date: 13/09/2013 23:00
Harsh ATTR. Pack did well. Team looked nervy but looking forward if we can get good front foot ball then we have backs who can create (even if they didn't tonight). Connacht are a decent side so .....
Re: Cardiff Blues vs Connacht
Posted by: Joni89 (IP Logged)
Date: 13/09/2013 23:18
The lack of tries in our opening two matches is a bit of a concern. However, a losing bonus point and a win is not bad at all from our first two matches.
We should target a minmum of a win + try bonus point against Zebre next week. Hopefully, the weather will be better and we will see the squad grow in confidence!
We should target a minmum of a win + try bonus point against Zebre next week. Hopefully, the weather will be better and we will see the squad grow in confidence!
Re: Cardiff Blues vs Connacht
Posted by: ATTR (IP Logged)
Date: 13/09/2013 23:26
Quote:Rich.
Harsh ATTR. Pack did well. Team looked nervy but looking forward if we can get good front foot ball then we have backs who can create (even if they didn't tonight). Connacht are a decent side so .....
So much ball was poorly kicked away tonight.
you say the pack did well. If we can't get "Good front foot ball" when "the pack goes well", when will we get good ball? We created NOTHING tonight against one of the worst sides in thr Rabo.
You may be pleased, I'm not.
Re: Cardiff Blues vs Connacht
Posted by: cardiffsteve (IP Logged)
Date: 13/09/2013 23:43
I wouldnt say I was pleased but...
erm...
Well I'm not despondent at any rate.
erm...
Well I'm not despondent at any rate.
Re: Cardiff Blues vs Connacht
Posted by: Cardifflose (IP Logged)
Date: 14/09/2013 07:14
Very harsh ATTR, we won a game that last year we would have and in fact did lose, 5 points from two games we only got 1 from last season, well done blues dry day and 5 points would be nice next week
Re: Cardiff Blues vs Connacht
Posted by: bloogoo (IP Logged)
Date: 14/09/2013 07:41
Not a great game but weather dictated a lot of that. Some promise but still not convinced. Pack appears better this season, backs need more structure. ATM, without Patchell we'll be screwed.
Re: Cardiff Blues vs Connacht
Posted by: Rich. (IP Logged)
Date: 14/09/2013 09:38
I didn't say I was pleased ATTR - I just said (specifically re last night) that it was harsh to say it was terrible and that I thought the pack were good. You're right in that we created little and some of the kicking from hand was poor. Thought Rhys and Lloyd were so and so actually but with wet ball at the start of the season all half backs never look at their best.
Re: Cardiff Blues vs Connacht
Posted by: newsilure (IP Logged)
Date: 14/09/2013 10:56
It was definitely good to win but there were some areas of real concern.
Rich, the pack were good in patches but i thought their general support play was poor. Far to often during forward drives the ball carrier was completely by himself while when a back movement broke down it seemed to take an age before forward support arrived.
Our defensive organisation seemed frail, ok only one try scored against us but again it was through the centres while often we let them make alot of ground before closing them down. I watched Leinster last week and I was pleased in was Connacht not them last night!
Its great that we now seem to have lots of long and I thought prety accurate kickers but considering the speed of our backs the kick chase was poor Patchel seeming to be the main chaser of his own kicks. Reasonable kicks from us looked rubbish because of the poor chase.
Restarts also need work
I don't fully understand the impact of the new scrum laws but I was disspointed that our scrum only got on top when Scott went off and Bourrust came on.
Rich, the pack were good in patches but i thought their general support play was poor. Far to often during forward drives the ball carrier was completely by himself while when a back movement broke down it seemed to take an age before forward support arrived.
Our defensive organisation seemed frail, ok only one try scored against us but again it was through the centres while often we let them make alot of ground before closing them down. I watched Leinster last week and I was pleased in was Connacht not them last night!
Its great that we now seem to have lots of long and I thought prety accurate kickers but considering the speed of our backs the kick chase was poor Patchel seeming to be the main chaser of his own kicks. Reasonable kicks from us looked rubbish because of the poor chase.
Restarts also need work
I don't fully understand the impact of the new scrum laws but I was disspointed that our scrum only got on top when Scott went off and Bourrust came on.
Re: Cardiff Blues vs Connacht
Posted by: hands in the ruck (IP Logged)
Date: 14/09/2013 12:10
a win is good but a long hard season ahead.
Re: Cardiff Blues vs Connacht
Posted by: Londonwelsh (IP Logged)
Date: 14/09/2013 12:40
S**t game but we all agree a win is a win.
Two games played and no tries scored. That's a worry. Can't keep relying on young Patchell all the time. Big improvements needed.
We'll beat Zebre but don't expect a bonus point.
Two games played and no tries scored. That's a worry. Can't keep relying on young Patchell all the time. Big improvements needed.
We'll beat Zebre but don't expect a bonus point.
Re: Cardiff Blues vs Connacht
Posted by: cardiffblues1 (IP Logged)
Date: 14/09/2013 12:54
We won in terrible conditions. The TV did not tell the story of the weather last night. First time in years can I remember getting rain blown in my face on the south terrace from half way back. Awful conditions for ball handling. The boys need a bit of confidence which will only come from winning. A lot of very harsh comments on here and I don't know what some of you expect. Connacht are a good team and well drilled and much more experienced however they flopped over the top at every ruck and slowed ball down and the very inexperienced ref penalised them for it but kept his cards in his pockets until late on. It's also difficult when you have some players having their first game back and others a bit more up to speed. Tom Williams had a hamstring issue apparently and so was not kicking as well as he did against Sale. This put a lot more pressure on Patchell to kick and the out of hand kicking was not great. I thought Lloyd didn't have his best game either.
We did however win a game we would have lost last season and how we played last night is no indication at all of how we will play later on in the season or against Leinster or whoever. The good news is that the forecast is dry for next Friday and Halfpenny will be back. What I like about this team so far is that they have guts and they pick things up when they make mistakes. Owen Williams made a howler when him and Tom messed up the clearance but a minute later he saved the day with an enormous tackle that drove the Connacht player back yards.
Also some people have completely misunderstood the pitch. It means no mud and better footing it does not mean that it is rainproof so the ball never gets wet.
If we can grind out a win against Connacht in the rain & wind when we didn't play out best then there is much more to be optimistic about this season in my opinion but then I was actually there watching how bad it was out there.
Final word about Dan Parks. What a gent he is. I was in early and saw him come out at the same time as Patchell to warm up and kick a few balls. He went straight over to Patch and shook hands and was clearly wishing him well. Top fella.
We did however win a game we would have lost last season and how we played last night is no indication at all of how we will play later on in the season or against Leinster or whoever. The good news is that the forecast is dry for next Friday and Halfpenny will be back. What I like about this team so far is that they have guts and they pick things up when they make mistakes. Owen Williams made a howler when him and Tom messed up the clearance but a minute later he saved the day with an enormous tackle that drove the Connacht player back yards.
Also some people have completely misunderstood the pitch. It means no mud and better footing it does not mean that it is rainproof so the ball never gets wet.
If we can grind out a win against Connacht in the rain & wind when we didn't play out best then there is much more to be optimistic about this season in my opinion but then I was actually there watching how bad it was out there.
Final word about Dan Parks. What a gent he is. I was in early and saw him come out at the same time as Patchell to warm up and kick a few balls. He went straight over to Patch and shook hands and was clearly wishing him well. Top fella.
Re: Cardiff Blues vs Connacht
Posted by: cardiffsteve (IP Logged)
Date: 14/09/2013 13:18
Quote:cardiffblues1
Final word about Dan Parks. What a gent he is. I was in early and saw him come out at the same time as Patchell to warm up and kick a few balls. He went straight over to Patch and shook hands and was clearly wishing him well. Top fella.
Drop goal merchants stick together.
I think some of the criticism is fair. We butchered chances. Slippery ball cant be blamed for players mistiming runs or taking wrong options.
With that passage of play that ended with Tom Williams going into touch I think we butchered a try four times in the same movement.
It is better than last season, i agree.
Re: Cardiff Blues vs Connacht
Posted by: cardiffblues1 (IP Logged)
Date: 14/09/2013 14:01
Quote:cardiffsteveQuote:cardiffblues1
Final word about Dan Parks. What a gent he is. I was in early and saw him come out at the same time as Patchell to warm up and kick a few balls. He went straight over to Patch and shook hands and was clearly wishing him well. Top fella.
Drop goal merchants stick together.
I think some of the criticism is fair. We butchered chances. Slippery ball cant be blamed for players mistiming runs or taking wrong options.
With that passage of play that ended with Tom Williams going into touch I think we butchered a try four times in the same movement.
It is better than last season, i agree.
I don't disagree with that at all. We left a few tries out on the park for sure. We have plenty to work on but we are certainly better than last season and with very little recruitment that is pleasing at this stage.
Re: Cardiff Blues vs Connacht
Posted by: ATTR (IP Logged)
Date: 14/09/2013 19:19
160 minutes and NO try.
That is not good.
Last year it was just 28.
If and when qualification for the HEC becomes serious be need to be putting sides like Connacht to bed.It's not that long ago we were putting big scores on them. But we have gone backwards and they have moved up. So let's be happy that we are not getting put to the sword on a regular basis.
We have no direction at centre, We need a 10 to ease the burden on Patchel, at nine we are struggling with a player well short of form and confidence (as he was last season) and we still need a 3.
Still no problem.
That is not good.
Last year it was just 28.
If and when qualification for the HEC becomes serious be need to be putting sides like Connacht to bed.It's not that long ago we were putting big scores on them. But we have gone backwards and they have moved up. So let's be happy that we are not getting put to the sword on a regular basis.
We have no direction at centre, We need a 10 to ease the burden on Patchel, at nine we are struggling with a player well short of form and confidence (as he was last season) and we still need a 3.
Still no problem.
Re: Cardiff Blues vs Connacht
Posted by: cardiffstu (IP Logged)
Date: 14/09/2013 21:04
Quote:ATTR
160 minutes and NO try.
Baber.
Re: Cardiff Blues vs Connacht
Posted by: amstel (IP Logged)
Date: 15/09/2013 08:46
Quote:Totally agree.ATTR
At nine we are struggling with a player well short of form and confidence (as he was last season) and we still need a 3.
Still no problem.
No honest Blues supporter can dispute that
Williams has been poor to average for a long time!! He was pushed into the deep end by Baber and Howley much to early.
He is struggling,The boy cant handle it.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:09:15:09:00:47 by amstel.
Re: Cardiff Blues vs Connacht
Posted by: amstel (IP Logged)
Date: 15/09/2013 09:39
Quote:amstelQuote:Totally agree.ATTR
At nine we are struggling with a player well short of form and confidence (as he was last season) and we still need a 3.
Still no problem.
No honest Blues supporter can dispute that
Williams has been poor to average for a long time!! He was pushed into the deep end by Baber and Howley much to early.
He is struggling,The boy cant handle it.
Personally I don't think he is even the best 9 at Blues !
Re: Cardiff Blues vs Connacht
Posted by: cardiffblues1 (IP Logged)
Date: 15/09/2013 10:03
Two games in terrible conditions and there was only one try scored per game. We put a pile of well worked tries past Sale so it's not like we don't have the moves. We also created 3/4 tries on Friday night but we failed to execute them. If this was the last game of the season I would be concerned but as it is the second game I am not concerned. We'll see what they can do against Zebre on a better night.
As for the point that Connacht have gone upwards and we have gone backwards well they are not in a rebuilding phase yet and we are. All teams go through this. Talking of putting teams to the sword is nonsense as they are no easy teams in the Pro 12 anymore and even Zebre who lost all their games last year mostly lost them by only a point or so in their first season as a team.
I wonder how many of you just sit at home watching on the telly with your arms folded going 'well that's rubbish and that's rubbish'
Try turning up it actually looks better live.
As for the point that Connacht have gone upwards and we have gone backwards well they are not in a rebuilding phase yet and we are. All teams go through this. Talking of putting teams to the sword is nonsense as they are no easy teams in the Pro 12 anymore and even Zebre who lost all their games last year mostly lost them by only a point or so in their first season as a team.
I wonder how many of you just sit at home watching on the telly with your arms folded going 'well that's rubbish and that's rubbish'
Try turning up it actually looks better live.
Re: Cardiff Blues vs Connacht
Posted by: hands in the ruck (IP Logged)
Date: 15/09/2013 10:34
there's an old saying : you can't polish a turd.
Re: Cardiff Blues vs Connacht
Posted by: amstel (IP Logged)
Date: 15/09/2013 12:08
Quote:Never a truer word quoted !hands in the ruck
there's an old saying : you can't polish a turd.
Re: Cardiff Blues vs Connacht
Posted by: Selgwent (IP Logged)
Date: 15/09/2013 12:09
Quote:ATTR
160 minutes and NO try.
That is not good.
Last year it was just 28.
If and when qualification for the HEC becomes serious be need to be putting sides like Connacht to bed.It's not that long ago we were putting big scores on them. But we have gone backwards and they have moved up. So let's be happy that we are not getting put to the sword on a regular basis.
We have no direction at centre, We need a 10 to ease the burden on Patchel, at nine we are struggling with a player well short of form and confidence (as he was last season) and we still need a 3.
Still no problem.
Sorry ref. Can't agree with your statement that, 'It's not that long ago we were putting big scores on them.'
Before Friday, Cardiff Blues and Connacht had met 20 times.
Yes the Blues had won 16 of those, with one draw. However, six wins were by one converted try or less, and 4 by less than 14 points. We've only had three big wins against them 31-6, 39-11 and 58-0. And the last time we passed 30 points against them was that 58-0 in season 08/09.
Even with that 58-0 result, the average score is approximately 25-13 to the Blues. So 21-10 is a pretty average performance in this fixture, especially considering the weather.
Connacht have always proved hard to beat, home and away.
Oh, and let's not forget that Cardiff's (not the Blues) first Celtic adventure was a 3-6 home defeat...to Connacht!
Re: Cardiff Blues vs Connacht
Posted by: ATTR (IP Logged)
Date: 15/09/2013 12:33
Quote:cardiffblues1
I wonder how many of you just sit at home watching on the telly with your arms folded going 'well that's rubbish and that's rubbish'
Try turning up it actually looks better live.
Oh dear. The people around me and in the club house after don't agree with you. Then again you accept the standard that you are happy with I guess.
Re: Cardiff Blues vs Connacht
Posted by: ATTR (IP Logged)
Date: 15/09/2013 12:38
Quote:cardiffstuQuote:ATTR
160 minutes and NO try.
Baber.
Indeed and it is a problem that has been there for some time. Still If we ignore it it will go away. After all we score loads of tries on in the sunshine last year. Oh hang on!
I hope your ( home town) seconds are to down after yesterday. I had them and they struggled with a bare side and no STE hooker.
Re: Cardiff Blues vs Connacht
Posted by: ATTR (IP Logged)
Date: 15/09/2013 12:42
Quote:SelgwentQuote:ATTR
160 minutes and NO try.
That is not good.
Last year it was just 28.
If and when qualification for the HEC becomes serious be need to be putting sides like Connacht to bed.It's not that long ago we were putting big scores on them. But we have gone backwards and they have moved up. So let's be happy that we are not getting put to the sword on a regular basis.
We have no direction at centre, We need a 10 to ease the burden on Patchel, at nine we are struggling with a player well short of form and confidence (as he was last season) and we still need a 3.
Still no problem.
Sorry ref. Can't agree with your statement that, 'It's not that long ago we were putting big scores on them.'
Before Friday, Cardiff Blues and Connacht had met 20 times.
Yes the Blues had won 16 of those, with one draw. However, six wins were by one converted try or less, and 4 by less than 14 points. We've only had three big wins against them 31-6, 39-11 and 58-0. And the last time we passed 30 points against them was that 58-0 in season 08/09.
Even with that 58-0 result, the average score is approximately 25-13 to the Blues. So 21-10 is a pretty average performance in this fixture, especially considering the weather.
Connacht have always proved hard to beat, home and away.
Oh, and let's not forget that Cardiff's (not the Blues) first Celtic adventure was a 3-6 home defeat...to Connacht!
Indeed the scores have got better from Connacht's perspective overt he last few years as our back play has got worse. The point us we should not be where we are now. As has been posted ....... Baber!