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15 for 10: Cardiff Blues - an all decade XV

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15 for 10: Cardiff Blues : The Blues struggled domestically in this decade, failing to make the title playoffs at any point. But their fans have had two European Challenge Cup triumphs to celebrate in the same period and some serious stars to watch.

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RugbyPass has put together a team of the decade, a mix of stardust, regional servants, and exciting youngsters.

Here’s our 15 for 10: Cardiff Blues:

Continue reading below…

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15. Leigh Halfpenny

He’s a Scarlet now but it was in the colours of the Cardiff Blues that Halfpenny played his best rugby. He was rock-solid in defence, flying in attack, and racked up 568 points with in his time there. It was no wonder he was shortlisted for IRB Player of the Year in 2013 or that Toulon came knocking shortly after.

15 for 10 Cardiff
Leigh Halfpenny

14. Alex Cuthbert

It’s easy to forget now, with Cuthbert having become a joke to some in recent years, but the big winger was one of the most lethal finishers in the world in his earlier days at the region. Even with a noticeable loss of form towards the end, he scored 46 tries for Blues in his time there.

13. Ray Lee-Lo

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The versatile Samoan centre, who won the region’s Player of the Year award for the 2016/17 season, has put in more than one hundred shifts for Blues and narrowly edges Willis Halaholo.

12. Jamie Roberts

The former winger may have left in 2013, with his final seasons disrupted by injuries and international call-ups, but his performances as the region claimed their first European trophy are more than enough to gain him a spot here.

11. Tom James

The region’s record try-scorer, with 60 successful efforts, is an obvious choice here. A hugely popular figure in Welsh rugby, his recent openness around his mental health issue has been as inspirational as his earlier on-field performances.

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10. Ceri Sweeney

There have been some talented No10s over the decade at Blues but none have really nailed down their spot as an icon. Nicky Robinson, Dan Parks, and Gareth Anscombe all had moments but Sweeney just about edges them all. Will Jarrod Evans cement his place going forward?

9. Lloyd Williams

Tomos Williams has overtaken him in the pecking order and is a thrilling talent but his older namesake is second on the list of appearances and third on the list of try scorers in their history. He is better known outside the region for an appearance on the wing and that assist in Wales’ RWC 2015 pool game against England but he has all the qualities of a good scrum-half.

1. Gethin Jenkins

A modern great of Welsh rugby, Jenkins redefined the role of loosehead prop. We are getting used to all-singing, all-dancing props like Mako Vunipola and Tadgh Furlong but Jenkins was the pace-setter with his outstanding all-round game. When he left for New Zealand, Steve Hansen said Jenkins was the player he wishes he could take with him.

2. Matthew Rees

He captained Scarlets, Wales, and Blues, was first choice in all three games on the 2009 British and Irish Lions tour, and racked up nearly 400 games over his career, despite taking time out when he was diagnosed with cancer. Rees was some player.

3. Taufa’ao Filise

Cardiff Blues have been a little light on traditional, grunt-work tight five players but instead have had a number of lovely, skillful options up front. Filise is a perfect example. Signed off for the region after 255 appearances, a regional record, in their European Rugby Challenge Cup final victory in 2018.

4. Bradley Davies

A gnarly, fight-starting, grunt work-welcoming lock in exactly the mould that Blues could do more of, Davies came through the academy to become a mainstay of the senior side. Like so many others in Welsh rugby, he left for more glamorous pastures before returning in the past few years.

5. Seb Davies

There are a number of contenders for the second lock position and some would give it to Deiniol Jones, with him having made the most appearances. However, Davies has played 63 games at the age of 23 and has put in some very memorable performances. He edges it.

6. Josh Navidi

At one point, Navidi seemed destined to go down as an outstanding regional servant who never stepped up to international level but he has since become a fixture in the Wales side too. Comfortable anywhere across the back row and never stops working, no matter how huge the odds are against him.

7. Sam Warburton

There might be some who feel like Warburton was more of a visiting professor at times, with his injuries and international duties, but the man himself was always clear about how much his home region meant to him, turning down lucrative offers elsewhere and putting in 175 appearances. Ellis Jenkins is unlucky to miss out but Warburton deserves his spot.

8. Nick Williams

His importance to the region was shown in the moving scenes before Christmas when they paid for his mother to come over from New Zealand and watch him play for the first time in Europe. The tributes from his teammates said everything about his contribution to the side over the years. He has also been hugely influential developing the regions’ impressive young back rowers.

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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TRENDING Marcus Smith on that substitution and his England plea Marcus Smith on that substitution and his England plea
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