Blues around the World

Global Blues
By Andrew Collins
June 13 2005

Around the World, Blues players have been on display at the highest levels this month. From New Zealand to America to Canada and later in the month Argentina. A total of 14 Blues players will represent us from around the globe in the month of June.

Saturday June 4^th,

Bay of Plenty 20 Lions 34

 

Following a long wait for all associated with the Lions, the tour finally began in Rotorua and all 3 Blues were in the starting line-up. Martyn Williams, Tom Shanklin and Gethin Jenkins all played well and got the tour of to the best possible start.

              

Gethin controlled the scrum well, constantly bettering his opposite prop, while Martyn was always at the breakdown, but full credit must be given to Tom, who had an excellent game with the limited ball, engraving his name into Lions history with a try to savour.

USA 3 Wales 77

 

A week after the Blues secured Heineken Cup rugby, 5 of Cardiff stars featured in Wales’ record win over the USA Eagles. Rhys Williams, Nicky Robinson, Craig Morgan, new-boy Mike Phillips and the previously uncapped Rhys Thomas all put on great displays being part of the team that scored 11 tries conceding none. And in front of the 6,000 fans, Morgan, Robinson, Phillips and Williams all got their name on the score sheet, with Phillips solo 70-meter try in spectacular fashion. 

Another Blue to feature was Eagles captain, Kort Schubert. Despite the obvious loss, in the last 5 minutes, the US pushed incredibly hard to get a try, and came so close with the last touch of the match, but the ball was knocked on before the try could be scored. Kort played well is an under-pressure pack, but was always looking to play the ball and played the totally committed game we have become used to at the Arms Park.

 

Saturday 11^th June

 

NZ Maori 19 Lions 13

 

The Lions first loss of the tour in what some believe to be the unofficial 4^th test saw all 3 Blues appear. Martyn and Tom started the match while Gethin came on for sin-binned Andrew Sheridan and stayed on for the rest of the match.

 

Martyn will be the first to admit he did not have his best game, but once again Shanklin was Mr Reliable in defence and attack and Gethin’s appearance did his test chances no harm whatsoever.

 

Canada 3 Wales 60

 

Yet more Blues, more tries and more caps to complete a great Welsh tour and one Blues fans can be extremely happy with.

 

Without going into much detail on how each player fared, Rhys Williams, Nick Robinson, Mike Phillips, John Yapp, Rhys Thomas, Robert Sidoli and Robin Sowden-Taylor all took part in another record win over opposition. The partnership of Phillips and Robinson will have mouth’s watering around Cardiff following 2 great displays from the young half backs. But more importantly was the first cap and first start for one of Cardiff’s hottest prospects, Chris Czekaj. The 19-year-old is the first teenager to start a Wales match since Gavin Henson in 1999 against Japan, and Chris could not have started his Wales career in much better fashion. He scored a 60-meter solo try, the pick of 9 tries.

 

Czekaj was joined in crossing the line by fellow Blue Rhys Williams. But it was the reaction of the Blues boys following CC’s score that would’ve filled Blues hearts, Rhys Williams, Rhys Thomas and Sowden-Taylor all running over to congratulate the winger.

 

Still to Come:

America face Argentina with Kort Schubert once again captaining the side from number 8. The Eagles will be looking to surprise the team who drew with the Lions 3 weeks ago.

 

More Lions matches including tests. Martyn, Geth and Tom all look to get a place in the test side and then win the series.

 

Auckland Blues v Lions – Blues captain Xavier Rush will be looking to beat the Lions in what will probably be his only chance to do so. Xavier will then meet up with the Blues during November.

 

 

 

So thanks to the cast of Martyn, Gethin, Shanklin, Kort, Xavier, Rhys Williams, Nick Robinson, Mike Phillips, Craig Morgan, Chris Czekaj, Yappy, TR and Sidoli, Sowden-Talor for what has already been and will hopefully continue to be a great month for the Blues.