Blues Boys In Action
Blues Boys In Action
By Andrew Collins
May 30 2009
The domestic season may be over, but you can still see many of the Blues in action this weekend as the British Lions, Wales and Dai Young’s Baabaa’s take centre stage in a wonderful Saturday of rugby...
Jamie Roberts and Martyn Williams both start the Lion's first game of the 2009 tour against Royal XV, but there's sad news for Andy Powell who has been ruled out this morning following an insect bite on his hand. Roberts makes his Lion's bow at centre next to Munster's Keith Earls, while Martyn will be out to stake a claim for a test jersey. The Lions kick off at 2pm.
Then, at 16.15, England take on Dai Young's Barbarians at Twickenham. The Blues coach enjoyed a great day at HQ only a few weeks ago, as the Cardiff Blues lifted the EDF Cup, their first piece of silverware. Two of the boys who played that day also return along with Young, ben Blair is starting full back for the invite-only side, while Paul Tito is on the bench.
And finally, to complete a great day of televised rugby, Wales begin their tour of North America against Canada. There, the Blues are well represented by the starting Tom James, Chris Czekaj, newbie Gareth Cooper, John Yapp, Bradley Davies, Deiniol Jones and Robin Sowden-Taylor, while Gareth Williams, Sam Warburton and Nicky Robinson should all feature from the bench. Wales take on the Canucks at 19.45, live on BBC2 Wales.
Good luck to all the Blues on show, particularly to Jamie Roberts and Sam Warburton, who will each claim their first Lions and Wales cap respectively.
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Lion were poor. Jamie one of the few bright spots.
Quote:should maybe of had man of the match i thinkATTR
You can't claim "newbie" Cooper and claim Nicky as well.
Lion were poor. Jamie one of the few bright spots.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:05:30:19:01:08 by hands in the ruck.
In the backs the Kiwi Centre was out of his depth. Bowe OK Shane not as effective as Bowe.
Half Backs both poor.
A long tour awaits if they don't show a massive improvement.
I realise he's not ours anymore, but would anyone like to hazard a guess on why Nick R didn't make an appearance in the second half?
Surely you mean Irish Centre waas out of his depth? Earls had a shocker, but Fluety looked sharp. The Lions will improve, but I find the lack of leadership from O'Connell a worry. Jamie did well though.
Jamie Roberts was very solid and once O'Gara actually decided to give him the ball, it was clear that he gave some much needed go-forward.
O'Connell actually ball carried pretty well (Wallace was a waste of space in all areas but particularly in this respect) but his captaincy, or lack of it, worries me a lot.
It was clear early on that Earls was having a 'mare and at no point did his Irish / Munster team-mate / captain try to give him any calming encouragement. In fact Alun Wyn-Jones seemed to take on the energetic-talking up the pack role as soon as he came on - something distinctly lacking from POC!
C'mon You Blues!!!
Quote:ATTR
You can't claim "newbie" Cooper and claim Nicky as well.
I knew when i was writting someone would pick up on that. I mentioned Cooper as an interest to Blues fans; i claim Nicky because he's ours and always will be, sod Gloucester!!!
Admin of theArmsPark.co.uk,
Make Noise and You Will Be Heard!
Quote:we can see now why he wasnt picked in the 1st place to go on the tour i thinkATTR
Blair was so poor the team had to look better when Phillips came on.
If he keeps playing like that on the world's stage how long will CB's be able to keep hold of him? You can bet your bottom dollar that the powerhouses of european rugby have their eyes on him.
Quote:Chops_8
Ref ATTR:- Kiwiw Centre out of his depth?
Surely you mean Irish Centre waas out of his depth? Earls had a shocker, but Fluety looked sharp. The Lions will improve, but I find the lack of leadership from O'Connell a worry. Jamie did well though.
My mistake indeed. Posting on two sites and subjects. Must concentrate next time!
I think we'll get a better idea if Jamie and BOD start against the Natal Sharks on Winsday. The Bulls, the recently crowned super 14 champions only managed to beat them by one point a couple of weeks ago so a stern test is afoot.
I hope that 1/2penny and Shane get named also as today they hardly had a sniff.