Cardiff Blues
Squad Profiles 09/10
Squad Profiles 09/10
By Andrew Collins
August 6 2009
In this section of the site, you can browse through the Cardiff Blues playing and coaching squad for season 09/10. It’s a historic team, this being the first squad as the Blues enter a new era at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Coach Profiles
Head Coach
Dai Young
Assistant Coach
Billy Mallard
Backs Coach
Gareth Baber
Forwards Coach
Justin Burnell
Conditioning Coach
Dan Baugh
Tristan Bevan
Captain
Paul Tito
Vice Captain
Xavier Rush
Player Profiles
Prop
Gethin Jenkins
John Yapp
Tau'faao Filise
Darren Morris
Gary Powell
Rhys Gill
Scott Roberts
Hookers
Thomas Rhys Thomas
Gareth Williams
Ross Johnson
Second Row
Deiniol Jones
Paul Tito
Bradley Davies
James Down
Scott Morgan
Back Row
Maama Molitika
Martyn Williams
Andy Powell
Xavier Rush
Robin Sowden-Taylor
Ben White
Sam Warburton
Scrum Half
Gareth Cooper
Ritchie Rees
Darren Allinson
Outside Half
Sam Norton-Knight
Ceri Sweeney
Dai Flanagan
Centre
Tom Shanklin
Jamie Roberts
Casey Laulala
Daffydd Hewit
Gareth Thomas
Gavin Evans
Wing
Chris Czekaj
Tom James
Richard Mustoe
Leigh Halfpenny
Dafydd James
Full Back
Ben Blair
James Loxton
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Discussion started by theArmsPark.co.uk , 06/08/2009 14:30
theArmsPark.co.uk
06/08/2009 14:30
06/08/2009 14:30
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Mate Rhys Gill, Scott Roberts and Ross Johnson have left.
I'm not sure Loxton's a full squad member yet, though I dare say he's going to make a few appearances at the start of the season.
I'm not sure Loxton's a full squad member yet, though I dare say he's going to make a few appearances at the start of the season.
Looks good on paper.....
Good strength in depth in many areas. Look at Centre, back row, wings and 2nd row especially.
Then look at props, scrum halves and fly halves and things look like they may go a little pear shaped.
This has been said for a long time and yet no proven signings again in these areas.
SNK is saying the right things but proof is on on the pitch. Cooper blows hot and cold IMO. Morris is here only as a stand in for Melon.
Here's hoping I'm proved wrong as I was last year.
Good strength in depth in many areas. Look at Centre, back row, wings and 2nd row especially.
Then look at props, scrum halves and fly halves and things look like they may go a little pear shaped.
This has been said for a long time and yet no proven signings again in these areas.
SNK is saying the right things but proof is on on the pitch. Cooper blows hot and cold IMO. Morris is here only as a stand in for Melon.
Here's hoping I'm proved wrong as I was last year.
Outside half situation OMG!!!!!! Looks worse on paper than in general conversation
Quote:ATTR
Squad is wrong and very weak in places.
ATTR, interested to know what you mean by "wrong"?
As I implied above, I agree it is weak in many places but we have lost in some areas but gained in some others through recruitment and especially player development.
At the start of the last three seasons it all seems to be doom and gloom....yet the Blues have grown as a team with on the field results (not off it I may add!)
Wrong = Not right.
Prop situation is being treated with sticking plaster (Darren Morris) It needs surgery.
OH no stand out OH let alone a genuine battle.
Age: Squad is getting on in key positions.
I feel we peaked last season. I hope I'm wrong.
Prop situation is being treated with sticking plaster (Darren Morris) It needs surgery.
OH no stand out OH let alone a genuine battle.
Age: Squad is getting on in key positions.
I feel we peaked last season. I hope I'm wrong.
Just puzzled for a moment by your terminology and perhaps read more into it than was there.
Yes, I agree again, weak in many places.
Lets hope after another fab season, we're saying exactly the same this time next year.
I'm not particularly optimistic by heart...I believe I'm a realist...really
. But again, looking back, I've been pretty realistic in my views for the forthcoming season during the last three summers and yet the team have exceeded all expectations time and time again.
Yes, I agree again, weak in many places.
Lets hope after another fab season, we're saying exactly the same this time next year.
I'm not particularly optimistic by heart...I believe I'm a realist...really
. But again, looking back, I've been pretty realistic in my views for the forthcoming season during the last three summers and yet the team have exceeded all expectations time and time again.
At least if you are pessimistic you can only be pleasantly surprised. (I hope)
Quote:ATTR
OH no stand out OH let alone a genuine battle.
Two Dads says something different, but what he really thinks is another matter;
"The Australian accepts that he will have to fight for his favoured 10 position in Cardiff.
"I recognise there's a couple of good 10s in the squad with Ceri Sweeney and Dai Flanagan," he said.
"Both have got some great skills, so there is going to be plenty of competition for that jersey which you hope brings out the best in everyone.
"But hopefully over time I can secure a spot in the side."
how good is SNK if he thinks he has to fight for a place against SWEENEY.
Nicky didn't get pressured once last season.
I hope that is bluff talk which is unusual for a normally forthright aussie.
Nicky didn't get pressured once last season.
I hope that is bluff talk which is unusual for a normally forthright aussie.
Just standard rubbish given in that sort of interview. If he thinks Sweeney can challenge him then he's no first choice 10 anyway!
think we have signed a young south african back row player named Andries Pretorius, used to be Captain at hartpury College. Have heard good things about him.
Quote:rugbyguru
think we have signed a young south african back row player named Andries Pretorius, used to be Captain at hartpury College. Have heard good things about him.
Why don't they just announce it? Everyone knows about it by now. People have seen him training with the squad at the open day FFS.
I can see why you'd keep back the news of signing a "big name" for a day when it'll get maximum publicity but in this case?
Cardiff Steve is right; Rhys Gill, Scott Roberts & Ross Johnston have all gone! But, well done Admin.
MY OLD MATE CARDIFF STEVE .THOSE PLAYERS YOU MENTIONED HAVE LEFT THE CLUB GUESS WHERE THERE FROM.
Quote:beddaublue
MY OLD MATE CARDIFF STEVE .THOSE PLAYERS YOU MENTIONED HAVE LEFT THE CLUB GUESS WHERE THERE FROM.
Rhys Gill: Tylorstown, Treorchy & Ystrad Rhondda.
Scott Roberts: Pontypridd & Bridgend
Am I getting close?
HI CARDIFF STEVE YOU ARE ON THE RIGHT TRACK .ACCEPT ROSS JOHNSON WHO SURPRISE SURPRISE IS FROM BEDDAU.
Do we need 7 props?
Prop
Gethin Jenkins Injured
John Yapp Experimenting with TH
Tau'faao Filise NO 1 TH
Darren Morris Cover until January 1 2010.
Gary Powell Only here for the Tango factor
Rhys Gill Gone see earlier posts in the thread
Scott Roberts Gone see earlier posts in the thread
So its 5 props one of whom is injured so it is 4 props.
Prop
Gethin Jenkins Injured
John Yapp Experimenting with TH
Tau'faao Filise NO 1 TH
Darren Morris Cover until January 1 2010.
Gary Powell Only here for the Tango factor
Rhys Gill Gone see earlier posts in the thread
Scott Roberts Gone see earlier posts in the thread
So its 5 props one of whom is injured so it is 4 props.
Quote:ATTR
I'm not sure as to the point you're trying to make, beddaublue.
He seems to think that you're me. Take it as a compliment.
JonnyBlues
14/08/2009 11:42
14/08/2009 11:42
Quote:ATTR
Do we need 7 props?
Prop
Gethin Jenkins Injured
John Yapp Experimenting with TH
Tau'faao Filise NO 1 TH
Darren Morris Cover until January 1 2010.
Gary Powell Only here for the Tango factor
Rhys Gill Gone see earlier posts in the thread
Scott Roberts Gone see earlier posts in the thread
So its 5 props one of whom is injured so it is 4 props.
No ATTR, it isn't. You conveniently forgot about Hobbs, Andrews and Palmer. All of whom are training with the full squad. That's 8 props in the squad.
Quote:I've gone by the list at the top of the thread. Don't forget the last the are Development players not "full".JonnyBluesQuote:ATTR
Do we need 7 props?
Prop
Gethin Jenkins Injured
John Yapp Experimenting with TH
Tau'faao Filise NO 1 TH
Darren Morris Cover until January 1 2010.
Gary Powell Only here for the Tango factor
Rhys Gill Gone see earlier posts in the thread
Scott Roberts Gone see earlier posts in the thread
So its 5 props one of whom is injured so it is 4 props.
No ATTR, it isn't. You conveniently forgot about Hobbs, Andrews and Palmer. All of whom are training with the full squad. That's 8 props in the squad.
HI ATTR AND CARIFF STEVE THIS WAS MY ORIGINAL POINT ON TIGHTHEAD PROPS.BEFORE THE COMMENTS MADE 
ABOUT VALLEY OIKS.
ABOUT VALLEY OIKS. Quote:beddaublue
HI ATTR AND CARIFF STEVE THIS WAS MY ORIGINAL POINT ON TIGHTHEAD PROPS.BEFORE THE COMMENTS MADE
Been drinking again?
Quote:ONLY BRAINS S/A CARDIFFSTEVE.cardiffsteveQuote:beddaublue
HI ATTR AND CARIFF STEVE THIS WAS MY ORIGINAL POINT ON TIGHTHEAD PROPS.BEFORE THE COMMENTS MADE
Been drinking again?
James Loxton was terrible for the Rags at Ebbw Vale. Not encouraging as no 2 full back for the firsts.
Quote:ATTR
James Loxton was terrible for the Rags at Ebbw Vale. Not encouraging as no 2 full back for the firsts.
Surprised by that. He seemed to be going well for the Wands. And scored a try at Ulster on his debut last season.
Maybe carrying an injury? Didnt seem to have any kind of preseason.
Poor decision making and no backing his pace. Maybe carrying as you say but blew a couple of chances due to the pace issue.
