Albert Tatlock Posted July 25, 2006 Share Posted July 25, 2006 The old one seems to have dropped past the cutoff point ... First fixture list I've seen for the coming year.http://www.cardiffblues.com/index.cfm?meth...sectiondataid=1 All Blacks peaking too soon before the World Cup again? I did see France v South Africa a few weeks ago and they did look like they could beat the All Blacks at home. That was before it was clear how poor South Africa are, but I still fancy France next year. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Welsh Rich Posted July 25, 2006 Share Posted July 25, 2006 It's going to be France v All Blacks I reckon unless we can sort ourselves out, we just need the pack to front up, I think we've got plenty of skill behind it to cut most people down... Shame we lost the other thread but it's a new season! Was hoping to go to the Wasps game, but that looks out now. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Welsh Rich Posted August 14, 2006 Share Posted August 14, 2006 So... Was in The Brewary Yard on St. Mary's St on Friday night with a couple of mates (where the old Brains brewary used to be) and who should come in, rather p*ssed up, but the entire Cardiff Blues squad... Plenty of Brains and alcopops were drunk when Gethin Jenkins picked up Xavier Rush and promptly spun him around on his shoulders narrowly avoiding women, children and pints at the bar! Quite funny, but also, perhaps, an indication of how seriously they're taking the season which is meerly a week away.... oh well, looked like they were having fun at least. Going to try and make an Ospreys game this year... the fixture list is out, the family grudge game is on New Years day so probably out, Cardiff v Llanelli.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Tatlock Posted August 21, 2006 Author Share Posted August 21, 2006 Quite funny, but also, perhaps, an indication of how seriously they're taking the season which is meerly a week away.... oh well, looked like they were having fun at least.Nice Well, at least they were all there together. Been far too many splinter groups in the past. so far so good (or at least much better than the last few years):-http://www.cardiffrfcfans.co.uk/2006-2007/...9Worcester.html Also BBC rugby coverage until Christmas Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Welsh Rich Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 Nice - they're showing the Cardiff v Wasps game on Grandstand... looking forward to that, better let the missus know Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Tatlock Posted September 19, 2006 Author Share Posted September 19, 2006 Nice - they're showing the Cardiff v Wasps game on Grandstand... looking forward to that, better let the missus know Not so sure about the looking forward - what with the catalogue of injuries ... Also, November 3rd - JPR doing a book signing just around the corner. I'll try to shoulder charge him on his way up the stairs (I know where they hide them in the book shop until they come out to do their bit). I expect to be at the bottom of the stairs shortly afterwards, but it must be done. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Welsh Rich Posted September 19, 2006 Share Posted September 19, 2006 Sounds like a plan! I'm eyeing up tickets for the Saracens v Cardiff game at Watford on Sunday 8th Oct... just need to clear it with the Mrs... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Tatlock Posted September 19, 2006 Author Share Posted September 19, 2006 ... just need to clear it with the Mrs...It took a while, but I generally got a silent roll of the eyes now. That's fine with me.Say hello to Thomas C for me (and not like your mates did after the Wales France game ) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Tatlock Posted October 2, 2006 Author Share Posted October 2, 2006 I couldn't believe my eyes - a solid lineout! Whatever next? Blair looks like the assured sort of player we need.Saw Llanelli on digital BBC2 yesterday also, but that was a game of fits and starts. Apparently Cardiff at Saracens will be shown the same way next Sunday - 'BBC2 digital interactive' - press red button when at normal digital BBC2. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Welsh Rich Posted October 2, 2006 Share Posted October 2, 2006 It was a stonking game... sure Wasps were without some of their stars, but I thought we looked good for a change. I've been impressed with Blair so far, looks very solid and an excellent place kicker - taking some of the pressure off Nicky Robinson... Saw that the Saracens game is on digital, think I might have to make do with that as we've got to go to Helen's parents this weekend. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Tatlock Posted October 2, 2006 Author Share Posted October 2, 2006 Saw that the Saracens game is on digital, think I might have to make do with that as we've got to go to Helen's parents this weekend."Commitment" Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Tatlock Posted October 9, 2006 Author Share Posted October 9, 2006 So, the BBC lied to me Saw Swansea and quite enjoyed that (Welsh guile beats English brawn) on Saturday, but was really looking forward to the game on Sunday. Still, nice result. Not sure if the bonus points put us out of sight in the group. Playing to any pass-by traffic: USA qualified for the World Cup on Saturday! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Welsh Rich Posted October 9, 2006 Share Posted October 9, 2006 Yeah - I was mightily pissed off at that - all settled down, shirt on... nothing, the buggers. Good game though and another win. If they get through the the final I'm there, and I think the semi's are at the Millennium Stadium too, so might try to get to those... Looks like Shanklin is the main man at the moment - playing out of his skin. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Welsh Rich Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 Don't normally post stuff from the Western Mail, but I liked this interview with Ronan O'Gara... whom I think is over-rated... comments are sure to provoke a huge reaction and he's guaranteed to receive a red-hot reception when Munster launch the defence of their European crown at Leicester on Sunday.But the outspoken Irishman will clearly be heading for Welford Road in confident mood.'We no longer suffer from being beaten before we even travel to England or France any more,' he said.'That's the level we're at in Munster. We expect to win when we go over there.'It's the same with Ireland. I've played against England six times and won four of those matches.'That's not surprising to me because, between the walls of our dressing room, we always expect to beat England. But the English public and their team have a hard time believing that.'They still assume they should come out on top every time because, apparently, the natural order in rugby is that England are the greatest. It's probably down to the way they've been brought up.'Warming to his theme, O'Gara continued, 'All the old cliches about us being gallant losers or the plucky Irish is absolute nonsense.'I honestly think that, both for Munster and Ireland, we've got more talented players than the English in many positions. 'Maybe that will surprise a few people in England - but our Celtic League is looked down upon because it isn't covered by Sky Sports.'I watch some Premiership rugby and I have to switch off the sound because I wonder if I'm seeing the same game.'Their commentators are enthusing about the quality and excitement and I'm just like, 'Oh my God!''Sky do an incredible job in dramatising the whole of English rugby, but the way they hype these English guys is unbelievable.'I've toured with some of the players they're now saying are the best in England - and it just doesn't make sense.'We all talk about the English players so this is the general opinion in Irish dressing rooms. Some of the people they are trying to put on a pedestal just don't deserve to be there. 'Will Greenwood, Jonny Wilkinson, Lawrence Dallaglio, Jason Leonard and Josh Lewsey are fellows I like.'I had good times with them on tour and I thought they were very good players.'There were others, like Matt Dawson and Austin Healey, who gave out attitude, but at least they could back it up.'But at the minute I don't know many of the English players on a friendly basis and I'd say a few think they're better than they actually are in reality.'O'Gara (below) also feels that Munster - who are pooled with the Blues and Bourgoin as well as Leicester - haven't received the credit they deserve for the rugby that has made them European champions.'We get a little tired of hearing that it's all down to 'Munster passion" said the 29-year-old.'We actually produce seriously good rugby and some of our players are simply better than others in England or France - and that's not often acknowledged outside Munster.'I look at the team-mates around me and I see the hunger and the quality.' Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Tatlock Posted October 21, 2006 Author Share Posted October 21, 2006 Good set of results last night. Hope that continues in Bourgoin. It is your patriotic duty to pin the thread! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Welsh Rich Posted October 23, 2006 Share Posted October 23, 2006 Good result for Cardiff on Sat afternoon - I've got a friend with Sky Sports who's also a Cardiff girl, so sorted... not pretty, but we needed to start with a win. Yesterday afternoon found myself in the pub watching the Leicester v Munster game... although the weather was rough, not a bad game and Leicester are going to destroy Cardiff's scrum next week, they had Munster's all over the shop... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Welsh Rich Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 Rugby reborn in the USA... this is where Nigel Melville has found himself then: Nigel Melville has been charged with turning the USA into a world force after his appointment as chief executive and president of USA Rugby. The former Wasps boss will test his mettle at the 2007 World Cup' date=' but USA Rugby chairman Kevin Roberts is setting Melville more long-term targets. "I'd like to think that the USA will be in the quarter-finals at the 2011 World Cup," Roberts told BBC Sport. "That is what Nigel has been signed up to deliver." The Eagles have qualified for five of the six World Cups since the tournament's inception in 1987. However, once there, they have not won more than one match in the competition itself. Melville is unlikely to get the better of old friend and former England team-mate Rob Andrew when England and the USA open their 2007 World Cup campaigns against each other in Pool A on 8 September. Whatever happens in France, Melville, who heads to Colorado to take up his first international post, is considered crucial to kick-starting the sport in the US. "Nigel is a guy who brings everything to the party for us," said Roberts. "He is an England captain, a British Lion, a tremendous coach with lots of business experience too. "It all starts with Nigel because it is his job to make us successful on the field. "We are aiming to realistically show improvement on the world stage at the Rugby World Cup Sevens. We have made a bid to host, for the first time, both the men and women's Sevens in 2009. "If that happened it would really set the game alight in the US." For Melville and the new nine-man USA Rugby board that will mean getting some real heat under a sport that has smouldered on the edges of the US sporting consciousness for the best part of a century. Rugby union was at one time so popular that the US were crowned Olympic champions in 1920 and 1924. However, once the sport was dropped from the Olympic schedule, interest in rugby union dwindled until the formation of USA Rugby in 1975. There are now 80,000 registered players in the US and 18 teams are entered in the premier domestic competition, the Rugby Super League, for 2007. With Melville in place to oversee the sport's development at elite and grassroots level, Roberts is now focused on attracting talent and funds to drag US rugby union out of the amateur era. "For us to make the game professional we need between $3-4m a year," said Roberts, who masterminded the Adidas sponsorship of New Zealand Rugby, then the largest endorsement deal in rugby history "We have to generate a brand so we can interest current International Rugby Board (IRB) sponsors. "The IRB are extremely interested in a resurgent USA because it brings a whole new dimension to commercial rights and sponsorship. "We also plan to develop competitions at the same level of the English Premiership and the Heineken Cup. We could even base a team in the UK and play there." USA Rugby is also considering formulating a Tri-Nations tournament involving Canada and Argentina and a cross-border competition similar to the Super 12s. Roberts has also hit on a plan to plunder American football's surplus talent. Many top college players fail to make it into the NFL, and some may be tempted to switch sports, Roberts believes. "We've got natural athletes who like physical contact and collisions," he said. "If we can fund these kids have no doubt we have surplus athletic talent." The combined expertise of Melville and Roberts is vital if USA Rugby is to make a global success story of a sport which still only attracts crowds of up to 3,000, very little media attention and only limited funding. Roberts remains optimistic: "Our challenge is to create a brand, a competition and a dream - I'm confident we can do that."[/quote'] Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Welsh Rich Posted October 25, 2006 Share Posted October 25, 2006 Wales announced their squad for the autumn internationals... I've got tickets for the Wales v NZ match... Looks like Stephen Jones is going to be the new captain. Can't argue with that, especially after what happened with Alfie at the end of last season. Nice little piece on the Beeb about the upcoming squad: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_unio...lsh/6080808.stm Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Welsh Rich Posted November 2, 2006 Share Posted November 2, 2006 'Tis a bit lonely in here without Andrew to talk to... Anyway, Australia have fielded an experimental back line against us (Wales) for Sat's game... could be interesting: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/6109320.stm Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Calexico Posted November 2, 2006 Share Posted November 2, 2006 Rich, you are talking to yourself man. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Welsh Rich Posted November 2, 2006 Share Posted November 2, 2006 I know... but Andrew said he might pop in now and again.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Calexico Posted November 2, 2006 Share Posted November 2, 2006 Wish I could help but rugby and me never saw eye to eye. I must be the only person living in Munster that doesn't give a shit about them! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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