Cardiff Blues Team To Play Zebre
By Craig Muncey
September 4 2015
Danny Wilson and his coaching team have picked the side to kick off the league campaign this Sunday at home against Zebre. Team is as follows:
Cardiff Blues
15. Dan Fish
14. Aled Summerhill
13. Tom Isaacs
12. Gavin Evans
11. Tom James
10. Rhys Patchell
9. Tavis Knoyle
1. Sam Hobbs
2. Ethan Lewis
3. Tal Filise
4. Jarrad Hoeata
5. James Down
6. Josh Turnbull
7. Josh Navidi (c)
8. Manoa Vosawai
Replacements
R Williams, T Davies, C Mitchell, M Cook, E Jenkins, L Jones, G Davies, G Smith.
Just picking out a few players, looking forward to seeing Tom James back at The Arms Park, and how the second row goes and I like the look of the balance of the back row with Josh Navidi leading the side.
My own thoughts on team selection, I would of selected Garyn Smith over Tom Isaacs, I thought Smith looked sharp when came on last weekend, and I also liked the look of Chris Knight on the wing, and I would of selected him over Aled Summerhill, who I feel is out of position on the wing.
In the forwards, I would of selected Craig Mitchell to start over Tal Filise, with Tal coming on for last 30 minutes.
Just as a reminder, still opportunity to join the fantasy league prior to kick off, just make your way over to the website.
Best of luck lads for Sunday, let's get off to a winning start.
Cardiff Blues Team To Play Zebre
Posted by: 1876 Cardiff Rugby (IP Logged)
Date: 04/09/2015 21:42
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Re: Cardiff Blues Team To Play Zebre
Posted by: Nickysbeard (IP Logged)
Date: 05/09/2015 07:42
Is Mitchell carrying an injury or just deemed to be not as good as Filise?
Re: Cardiff Blues Team To Play Zebre
Posted by: Craig Muncey (IP Logged)
Date: 05/09/2015 07:51
Mitchell has a history of injuries but have not heard of any this time around.
Re: Cardiff Blues Team To Play Zebre
Posted by: wales606 (IP Logged)
Date: 05/09/2015 09:48
Interesting to see Ethan Lewis starting over Rhys Williams,
Will be interesting to see how the pack does
Will be interesting to see how the pack does
Re: Cardiff Blues Team To Play Zebre
Posted by: Craig Muncey (IP Logged)
Date: 05/09/2015 10:53
Line outs did not go great last week, but hopefully now those cobwebs have gone and combinations have settled.
Re: Cardiff Blues Team To Play Zebre
Posted by: Nickysbeard (IP Logged)
Date: 05/09/2015 10:57
Quote:wales606
Interesting to see Ethan Lewis starting over Rhys Williams,
Will be interesting to see how the pack does
Was ethan Lewis in the under 20s when Wilson was coach?
Re: Cardiff Blues Team To Play Zebre
Posted by: Craig Muncey (IP Logged)
Date: 05/09/2015 15:07
I think Wilson was at Bristol when Lewis was playing for the under 20's Nicky.
Re: Cardiff Blues Team To Play Zebre
Posted by: wales606 (IP Logged)
Date: 06/09/2015 18:14
What a win to start the season!
You could see what Wilson is trying to bring to the team, even if it did not always work,
Then the second half was just the backs cutting loose.
Best Blues performance for years, even if it was against weak opposition, they were ruthless.
You could see what Wilson is trying to bring to the team, even if it did not always work,
Then the second half was just the backs cutting loose.
Best Blues performance for years, even if it was against weak opposition, they were ruthless.
Re: Cardiff Blues Team To Play Zebre
Posted by: theflier (IP Logged)
Date: 06/09/2015 18:49
Really??? Our defence I thought was poor at best. That zebre team looked like they may struggle against prem sides tbf. Hopefully I'm wrong and we are in a good place... a tough test away to leinster will show, however given how depleted they are, could be prime chance for a good scalp
Re: Cardiff Blues Team To Play Zebre
Posted by: Nickysbeard (IP Logged)
Date: 06/09/2015 18:58
Thought tavis did well . Ethan Lewis looks to have something about him . Best game for Isaacs that I've seen him play us. Granted the opposition were poor.
How many points when unconverted with the kicks ?
How many points when unconverted with the kicks ?
Re: Cardiff Blues Team To Play Zebre
Posted by: Selgwent (IP Logged)
Date: 06/09/2015 21:31
a lot more in attack this week than last, but at times a weak opposition split our defence too easily.
Re: Cardiff Blues Team To Play Zebre
Posted by: Ben Blair's Right Peg (IP Logged)
Date: 06/09/2015 23:39
In a brand new coaches first competitive game his team scores 60 points and you guys are worrying about defence?!
I think you guys are started to redefine glass half empty.
I think you guys are started to redefine glass half empty.
Re: Cardiff Blues Team To Play Zebre
Posted by: Cardifflose (IP Logged)
Date: 07/09/2015 08:25
Be interesting to see people reaction if one of the other 3 pro teams did that to Zebre! I seem to remember the Ospreys doing something similar last year to a 3/4th choice Edinburgh side last year and it was deemed wonderful, but as we are Cardiff we simply can not win
Re: Cardiff Blues Team To Play Zebre
Posted by: wales606 (IP Logged)
Date: 07/09/2015 08:56
There were a few defensive lapses, but overall it was pretty good.
Dan Fish chasing back to tackle the Zebre winger then 2 Blues players getting back to support and win a penalty on the Blues line was by far the best part of the match - a real fantastic attitude when we were 30 points up and had the TBP.
Dan Fish chasing back to tackle the Zebre winger then 2 Blues players getting back to support and win a penalty on the Blues line was by far the best part of the match - a real fantastic attitude when we were 30 points up and had the TBP.
Re: Cardiff Blues Team To Play Zebre
Posted by: Rich. (IP Logged)
Date: 07/09/2015 08:57
Great result and attacking play by the whole side and squad! Regardless of how good they were the desire and execution was still there to see.
Caution about Leinster - There side minus their internationals normally win most of their games. Leinster has a VERY strong squad and a win against them (remembering we are also depleted - albeit to a lesser extent) would be fantastic. I suspect we are not at that level yet but there were signs yesterday that we will be.
Da iawn Caerdydd!!
Caution about Leinster - There side minus their internationals normally win most of their games. Leinster has a VERY strong squad and a win against them (remembering we are also depleted - albeit to a lesser extent) would be fantastic. I suspect we are not at that level yet but there were signs yesterday that we will be.
Da iawn Caerdydd!!
Re: Cardiff Blues Team To Play Zebre
Posted by: Yup (IP Logged)
Date: 07/09/2015 09:37
What pleased me the most was the players seemed to think more on their feet rather than play robotic, planned rugby, the way the players adapted to Zebre constantly being offside by looking for the gaps or chips ahead was good to see rather than just shipping on bad ball and getting smashed. Add to that some invention from the training ground, Navidi first try from 5m lineout I think was one, just something a little different.
Re: Cardiff Blues Team To Play Zebre
Posted by: cardiffblues1 (IP Logged)
Date: 07/09/2015 11:19
We have a defensive structure at last and the forwards are 100% more organised than previous seasons. We can defend a maul finally and get a pretty tidy one of our own going. You can see the difference Danny Wilson has made already. Of course there are still a lot of things to work on but seriously boys 61 points let's be happy for once.
Zebra are not a great team but they are not as bad as that score suggests. The attitude from the boys was great yesterday playing with a smile on their faces and a real desire to play for each other. Fishy running back to make a tackle when we have 40 points on the board is a good example of that. Tom James looked good and I hope he hasn't got a recurring issue with his foot and Tom Isaacs did a good job in the centre. Lots of positives.
If you still want to moan after that then really you are not going to enjoy this season. In the first block of 6 games I think if we can get another 5 out in Italy and pick up a LBP or two in Ireland we will have had a great start to this season.
Zebra are not a great team but they are not as bad as that score suggests. The attitude from the boys was great yesterday playing with a smile on their faces and a real desire to play for each other. Fishy running back to make a tackle when we have 40 points on the board is a good example of that. Tom James looked good and I hope he hasn't got a recurring issue with his foot and Tom Isaacs did a good job in the centre. Lots of positives.
If you still want to moan after that then really you are not going to enjoy this season. In the first block of 6 games I think if we can get another 5 out in Italy and pick up a LBP or two in Ireland we will have had a great start to this season.
Re: Cardiff Blues Team To Play Zebre
Posted by: robin58 (IP Logged)
Date: 08/09/2015 14:06
Anybody got any news on Tom James inury
Re: Cardiff Blues Team To Play Zebre
Posted by: bloogoo (IP Logged)
Date: 08/09/2015 19:26
Still room for improvement IMO but they've caused us problems in previous seasons.
I can't quite see us beating Leinster or any of the top sides just yet. We just don't have the quality players.
On a glass full angle, it was great to watch some running rugby in the sun. Seems like a long time since I saw smiles on the faces of the players and supporters.
Shame about the attendance but it's to be expected given the Wales game on Sat, wendyball on Sunday and opposition.
I can't quite see us beating Leinster or any of the top sides just yet. We just don't have the quality players.
On a glass full angle, it was great to watch some running rugby in the sun. Seems like a long time since I saw smiles on the faces of the players and supporters.
Shame about the attendance but it's to be expected given the Wales game on Sat, wendyball on Sunday and opposition.
Re: Cardiff Blues Team To Play Zebre
Posted by: Rich. (IP Logged)
Date: 09/09/2015 12:21
I think the main reason for the low attendance is the absence of loads of the best and most well known players for the RWC and the fact that the RWC is taking up all focus at the moment. I expect it to be the same until the RWC is over. A good few less at Ulster v Ospreys than you'd normally get.
Re: Cardiff Blues Team To Play Zebre
Posted by: gcblues (IP Logged)
Date: 09/09/2015 13:11
Let's not forget the dire performances over the past season, that will influence people too.
Winning rugby on a consistent basis will bring back crowds
Winning rugby on a consistent basis will bring back crowds
Re: Cardiff Blues Team To Play Zebre
Posted by: Beard from Tad Cymru (IP Logged)
Date: 09/09/2015 17:58
I arrived late to the game and overheard some official type saying 750 season ticket holders turned up.
No idea of context so just putting that out there
No idea of context so just putting that out there