Cardiff Blues v Australia

[LydiatesGirl]

Cardiff Blues v Australia on tuesday down Leckwith Stadium.
Anyone going?

what do you think the teams are going to be?

 

[Woldog]

10. Giteau.

 

[dullonien]

Cardiff Blues will probably look something like this:

01 Darren Morris (?)
02 Gareth Williams
03 Felise
04 Deiniol Jones
05 Paul ***o
06 Ben White (?)
07 Robin-Sowden Taylor
08 Xavier Rush

09 Richie Rees
10 Sam Norton-Knight (great night for him)
11 Richard Mustoe
12 Gavin Evans
13 Gareth Thomas
14 Dafydd James
15 Ben Blair

 

[Bluemoon]

Would rather see Hewitt there rather than Gavin Evans. Gavin Evans is absolutely awful and a wasted signing. I think itll look like this: -

01 Filise
02 Gareth Williams
03 Gary Powell
04 Deiniol Jones
05 Paul ***o
06 Ben White
07 Josh Nividi (very taleneted player - had a fantastic game against Steffon Armatidge) / Sam Warbuton??
08 Xavier Rush

09 Richie Rees
10 Sam Norton-Knight
11 Richard Mustoe
12 Gareth Thomas
13 David Hewitt
14 Chris Czjekai
15 Ben Blair

I am assuming that Warburton won't be used against Aus on the weekend so may be made available?? Dafydd James hasn't had any game time in a while now it would be a big risk to play him - regardless of experience. Dai has said alot recently about how it will be good for the youngsters to play at such a high level - so Ill be really disappointed if James plays.

 

[dullonien]

Completely forgot about Czjekai. Good point regarding the midfield aswell. Not sure I've ever seen Felise play on the looshead, think Darren Morris is more likely as he certainly does play on both sides of the scrum.

Would prefer someone else instead of Ben White at 6, but Molatika is injured, and Powell and Warberton are with Wales. Warberton could be realeased if he isn't involved against Aus, we'll see. Any other youngsters from Premiership level good enough to play on the blindside? Can't think of any personally. Josh Nividi could ell get some game time, although I'm sure Sowden-Taylor will start. Nividi still looks a bit lightweight, but he's certainly got the skills.

 

[Bluemoon]

I think Sowden-Taylor is injured, he hasn't even been on the bench for a while now! The other combination that Dai has used (against Leinster last I think) is Ben white at 7, Scott morgan at 6 with X-man at 8. Thats a big back row but not a very mobile one. If Warburton is made available that would be a big boost.

 

[LydiatesGirl]

hmm i hope Chris Czekaj doesnt play - hes had a shocking season so far
Warbz wont be released (Gatland wont release anyone)
one of the Blues lads said on friday that Sowden-Taylor was injured but should be back soon
Bluemoon - i agree more with your line-up and think Josh will play

i hope James Down plays - i've just asked him if he is and he doesnt think so

 

[LydiatesGirl]

just heard off one of the lads that theyre waiting to see if any players are released by Gatland

 

[Bluemoon]

Cardiff Blues XV to play Australia XV...

15 Ben Blair 14 Richard Mustoe 13 Gareth Thomas 12 Dafydd Hewitt 11 Chris Czekaj 10 Sam Norton-Knight 9 Gareth Cooper

8 Xavier Rush © 7 Ben White 6 Sam Warburton 5 Scott Morgan 4 Deiniol Jones 3 Gary Powell 2 Gareth Williams 1 Taufa'au Filise

Replacements
16 T Rhys Thomas 17 Sam Hobbs 18 Paul ***o 19 Robin Sowden Taylor 20 Richie Rees 21 Ceri Sweeney 22 Gavin Evans

Sam Warburton and Gareth Cooper have been released by Warren Gatland. Shocked that Cooper has been released - I assumed Peel would start after Sat but surely Cooper will be on the bench against Aus??

I am also surprised that White will play 7 :unsure: but I am pretty sure they switch around throughout the match anyway. I am very happy that Hewitt will start in front of Gavin Evans, that gives us alot more penetration in the centre. I am not expecting the blues to win this one - I just hope its an attractive game with a respectable scoreline. Should be a good night!

 

[Haj]

1. Pekahou Cowan (Western Force)
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau (NSW Waratahs)
3. Sekope Kepu (NSW Waratahs)
4. Dave Dennis (NSW Waratahs)
5. Dean Mumm (NSW Waratahs, captain)
6. Mitchell Chapman (Brumbies)
7. Matt Hodgson (Western Force)
8. Richard Brown (Western Force)
9. Luke Burgess (NSW Waratahs)
10. Matt Toomua (Brumbies)
11. Kurtley Beale (NSW Waratahs)
12. Tyrone Smith (Brumbies)
13. Ryan Cross (Western Force)
14. Lachie Turner (NSW Waratahs)
15. James O’Connor (Western Force)

Run on reserves:

16. Salesi Ma’afu (Brumbies)
17. Matt Dunning (Western Force)
18. Mark Chisholm (Brumbies)
19. George Smith (Brumbies)
20. Richard Kingi (Queensland Reds)
21. Quade Cooper (Queensland Reds)
22. Luke Morahan (Queensland Reds)

 

[LydiatesGirl]

jut seen the squad, quite suprised that Gatland released anyone
I'm very glad that O'Connor is playing but thought that Richie Rees would have started

 

[Bluemoon]

I do agree on the Cooper/Rees debate. Richie Rees is by far the Cardiff Blues form number 9. Cooper is in on reputation and because Gatland doesn't want him.

 

[LydiatesGirl]

yeah i met up with Richie on friday (irrelevant i know)
hes miles better than Cooper

 

[Thingimubob]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (LydiatesGirl @ Nov 23 2009, 04:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

yeah i met up with Richie on friday (irrelevant i know)
hes miles better than Cooper[/b]

damn it, how many rugby players do you know

 

[LydiatesGirl]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Thingimubob @ Nov 23 2009, 04:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (LydiatesGirl @ Nov 23 2009, 04:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

yeah i met up with Richie on friday (irrelevant i know)
hes miles better than Cooper[/b]

damn it, how many rugby players do you know
[/b][/quote]
haha umm do you really want me to answer that? :lol:

 

[Juggernaut]

Beale on the wing ??

 

[Fushitsusha]

O'Connor at fullback... and Beale on the wing...

Is Deans friggin' retarded?

 

[Wally]

What the f*** is the point of playing Kurtley Beale on the wing when there is a cut and dry winger in Luke Morahan sitting on the bench?

 

[LydiatesGirl]

i'll see how they play tonight
anyone going?

 

[Bluemoon]

I'm there - season ticket holders got the game included - which was a nice surprise!

Quite wet in Cardiff today - I was hoping for an open game but with the part-synthetic pitch I think it may be an error ridden game.