Cardiff Blues

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Cardiff Blues

Nickname(s)	Blues
Founded	2003
Location	Cardiff, Wales
Ground(s)	Cardiff Arms Park
Capacity	12,800
Coach	Dai Young
League	Magners League
2007-08	2nd
1st kit 2nd kit
Official website
www.cardiffblues.com

Cardiff Blues (Welsh: Gleision Caerdydd) are one of the four professional Welsh regional rugby union teams. Based in Cardiff, the capital of Wales, the team play at Cardiff Arms Park and are owned by Cardiff Rugby Football Club.

Cardiff Blues are responsible for developing rugby union in the city of Cardiff, Vale of Glamorgan, the eastern Glamorgan valleys and Breconshire.^[1]

The Cardiff Blues compete in the Magners League, which includes teams from the Celtic nations of Ireland, Scotland and Wales. In addition, Cardiff Blues compete in the Anglo-Welsh EDF Energy Cup and European Heineken Cup. The club have qualified for the Heineken Cup every season, but have yet to win honours in one of their competitions.

The teams main sponsor is currently EADS. The Cardiff Blues kit is manufactured by Canterbury of New Zealand.

Contents 1 History 1.1 Formation 1.2 2003-04 1.3 2004-05 1.4 2005-06 1.5 2006-07 1.6 2007-08 1.6.1 Signings 1.6.2 Magners League 1.6.3 EDF Cup 1.6.4 Heineken Cup 2 Colours 3 Identity controversy 4 Regional responsibilities 5 Home Ground 6 Management 7 Current squad 8 2008/09 Transfers 8.1 In 8.2 Out 9 2007/08 Transfers 9.1 In 9.2 Out 10 Notable former players 11 Results and statistics 11.1 Celtic League 11.2 Celtic League Cup 11.3 Heineken Cup 12 ERC Elite Award 13 See also 14 References 15 External links

[edit] History

[edit] Formation

Until the beginning of the 2003-04 season, Welsh rugby was organised in a typical league pyramid, at the top of which were 9 professional clubs. The system was similar to the English Guinness Premiership and French Top 14 club systems. However, by the 2002-03 season it was clear for financial reasons that Wales could not support nine professional teams.^[2]

In a process instigated by the then CEO of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), David Moffett, the nine clubs^[3] began the process of organising themselves into "regional" teams.

An agreement was reached whereby Cardiff RFC would be allowed to form a "standalone" club, meaning that they would not have to amalgamate with any of the other 8 professional clubs.^[4] The official Cardiff Blues launch event took place at the Cardiff Hilton on 6 June 2003.

[edit] 2003-04

Cardiff Blues lost their first three matches, including friendlies against Leicester Tigers and Northampton Saints and a Celtic League game against Glasgow). By the end of 2003, they had lost 12 matches and only won three (against Connacht, Leinster and Ospreys), all the wins coming at home. Increasingly, there were calls for head coach Dai Young to step down.^[5]

The 43-6 win over Ospreys was notable for the performance of fireman Lee Abdul.^[6] The semi-professional had been brought into the squad as cover during the 2003 Rugby World Cup and scored a record four tries from the wing. Unfortunately for Abdul, he suffered a serious injury in the next home game against the Newport Gwent Dragons.^{[citation needed]}

In January the Cardiff Blues recorded Heineken Cup victories over English club Sale and French side Biarritz Olympique. The temporary signing of former Australian international Matt Cockbain seemed to revitalise the side,^[7] and his brief stay coincided with a six match unbeaten run which lasted until a dour 0-6 loss to the Llanelli Scarlets in March. Cardiff Blues finished the season as the lowest ranked Welsh club in the Celtic League having only managed one win against another Welsh side. They were however the highest try scorers in the league, scoring 73 tries.^[8]

[edit] 2004-05

Cardiff Blues finished the Celtic League 9th place, and recorded only one win in the Heineken Cup. Calls for Head Coach Dai Young to be removed intensified between November and January when the team went eight games without recording a victory. Following the 15-38 loss to Stade Français Paris the players were booed from the field by their own supporters.^[9]

Finishing in a low position in the league meant that in order to qualify for the Heineken Cup, Cardiff Blues had to compete in a play-off game against the third place Italian side Arix Viadana. Cardiff Blues won this game 38-9, thus qualifying for the Heineken Cup through what the media described as the cat flap.^[10] This was only the second away win of the season, and the governing body made plans to ensure that performance on the field would dramatically improve the following season.^[11]

[edit] 2005-06

In the summer of 2005 funds were finally made available to sign new players allowing Dai Young to start rebuild the side. Former New Zealand No.8 Xavier Rush was among several new signings who gave the squad a much stronger look on paper. Also, a new custom built training head-quarters was established at Hensol in the outskirts of Cardiff. Previously the team had been training on public fields and in public gyms.

There was further reason for optimism when the Heineken Cup draw was announced. Cardiff Blues were matched with Italian minnows Calvisano, notoriously poor travellers USA Perpignan and the Leeds Tykes. Many believed that Cardiff Blues had a golden opportunity of finally making the Heineken Cup quarter finals.^[12]

Results did not improve immediately, with the 37-20 win over Saracens in October 2005 the highlight to a disappointing start to the season. However in the prematch announcement it was confirmed that rugby legend Jonah Lomu had agreed to join Cardiff Blues on a temporary basis as he tried to rebuild his career in time for the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

Lomu was recovering from a kidney transplant,^[13] but the signing gave notice of the team's renewed ambition. His home debut versus Calvisano was greeted by a capacity crowd and the signing was regarded as a marketing masterstroke.^[14] Results improved with wins over the Ospreys and the Newport Gwent Dragons in December.

In January 2006 the Cardiff Blues were knocked out of the Heineken Cup after losing 3-21 at home to Perpignan and then losing 3-48 to the relegation threatened Leeds Tykes. This formed part of a 5 match losing run, coinciding with the loss through injury of outside half Nick Robinson. The poor run prompted the management to issue "final warnings" to under performing players.^[15] As had been the case in the two previous seasons, results improved in the latter months of the season, and in May, the Celtic League attendance record was broken when 15,327 watched Cardiff Blues beat Leinster 40-31 at the Millennium Stadium. The Cardiff Blues finished the league in 4th; the highest placed Welsh team.

[edit] 2006-07

For more details on this topic, see 2006-07 Magners League.

More signings, including former New Zealand fullback Ben Blair, further enhanced the quality of the Cardiff Blues squad for the 2006-07 season. Several young players from the regional academy also became established players, including Chris Czekaj and Duane Goodfield. The emergence of other highly tipped young players (notably Bradley Davies^[16] and Tom James^[17]) encouraged the belief that Cardiff Blues can soon start challenging for major honours.^[18] London Wasps, Saracens and London Irish were all defeated in the EDF Cup group stages, however the Ospreys defeated the Blues 27-10 in the semi final at the Millennium Stadium on March 24, 2007.

In the Heineken Cup, Cardiff Blues recorded their first win in France, beating Bourgoin 13-5. For their next game, the Cardiff Blues again played at the Millennium Stadium. This time hosting Leicester Tigers, they attracted their highest ever Heineken Cup crowd, with 26,309 spectators attending the game, although they lost they game by 17 points to 21 after being down to 14 men for a long period of the game. Cardiff Blues were finally knocked out of the Heineken Cup after successive losses to the champions, Munster, despite respectable performances (particularly at Munster's Thomond Park).

Cardiff Blues fared better in the domestic league, finishing second after having beaten Leinster at home to go top of the league, only for the Ospreys to win at Borders the next day to claim the title.

[edit] 2007-08

[edit] Signings

Further additions to the Blues squad over the summer include Gareth Thomas, Paul Tito and Jason Spice, who was brought in to replace Mike Philips who signed to the Ospreys for a reported £180,000 a year.^[19]

[edit] Magners League

For more details on this topic, see 2007-08 Magners League.

The Blues won their first two games of the season, beating the Ospreys at home in the opening match and extending their unbeaten home record to sixteen games,^[20] and recording an away win at Newport Gwent Dragons the following week to top the table. The Blues extended their unbeaten home record to seventeen games the following week with a home victory against Glasgow,^[21] but subsequently lost their next home game against Leinster conceding two interception tries.^[22]

The Blues responded to the defeat against Leinster with an away victory over Munster, only the second time in the history of the Celtic League that the Blues maintained their position at the top of the league.^[23] The following week saw a 30-16 home victory against Connacht, with Gareth Thomas making his first appearnce in Blues colours, coming on off the bench after 50 minutes to replace wing Rhys Williams.^[24]

[edit] EDF Cup

For more details on this topic, see 2007-08 EDF Energy Cup.

The EDF Cup started well for the Blues with a 32-15 bonus point win at home over Sale. Cardiff scoring four tries in the first 30 minutes with Gareth Thomas getting two of these on his first start for the Cardiff Blues.^[25] In the second week of the EDF Cup the Blues lost 42-20 against Leicester Tigers, effectively knocking them out of the EDF Energy Cup. In the final pool game of the competition the Blues ended Bath RFCs twelve-month unbeaten home record, winning 6-14 at the Recreation Ground. This win however was insufficient, with Leicester progressing to the semi-finals as a result of having gained a bonus point in every pool macth.

[edit] Heineken Cup

For more details on this topic, see 2007-08 Heineken Cup.

The Blues began their Heineken Cup campaign with a bonus point 34-18 home win over Bristol, and followed this with a 13-13 away draw at Harlequins. In December, the Blues secured a losing bonus point in their 12-6 loss against Stade Francais in Paris, and subsequently won the return fixture 31-21 the following week. A 23-12 home win over Harlequins followed by a 17-0 away win at Bristol secured qualification to the quarter-final stages as the fifth seed. The Blues subsequently lost their away quarter-final 41-17 against Toulouse on April 6.

[edit] Colours

On their inception, the Cardiff Blues kit corresponded with the traditional Cardiff RFC colours of Cambridge blue and black. The kit for the subsequent season was a variation of these colours with white being used as an alternative strip in the case of a colour clash with the opposition.

In 2006, Cardiff Blues changed their playing strip in a decision widely interpreted as a move away from the old Cardiff RFC identity, as for the first time black was not included alongside the blue.^[26]

[edit] Identity controversy

At the event launching the Cardiff Blues brand in June 2003, the Chief Executive, Robert Norster said, "A huge amount of effort has been made to ensure that the past 127 years of club traditions are not lost. We are delighted by the way these aspects have been respected and retained within the new modern brand." Supporters saw the "new" team as a continuation of Cardiff RFC and the addition of the "Blues" moniker as merely a cosmetic exercise. This close association with Cardiff RFC has led to feelings of resentment from members and supporters of other Welsh rugby clubs, notably Pontypridd.^[27]

There were repeated calls for Cardiff Blues to drop the "Cardiff" part of their name in order to sever links with the old Cardiff RFC identity and to move away from the traditional light blue kit worn by CRFC.^[28][29] Proponents of this idea point to the Super 14 tournament where teams such as the Bulls and Crusaders play with no geographic locator in their name.^[30] These calls intensified when the Celtic Warriors regional team was dissolved in 2004, bringing old rivals Pontypridd within the catchment area of the Cardiff Blues region. However, there was significant opposition to any such move within the ranks of the club, despite now representing an area that far exceeds the boundaries of the city the side is perceived as a city club side by some outside the city itself.^[31]

[edit] Regional responsibilities

Cardiff Blues are responsible for assisting the development of rugby in an area covering the City of Cardiff, the Vale of Glamorgan, the eastern Glamorgan valleys and Breconshire.

Initially, the Cardiff Blues' region covered only the City of Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan. However, this was expanded upon the demise of the Celtic Warriors region after one season. Cardiff RFC Ltd employ development officers who work with schools and clubs across the region and run a rugby academy for elite players aged 16 and above.

[edit] Home Ground

The Cardiff Blues currently play their home games at the Cardiff Arms Park, situated next to the Millennium Stadium, and for some bigger games, Cardiff Blues have played at the Millennium Stadium.

Cardiff Blues and Cardiff City F.C. have both announced that they have signed a Heads of Terms agreement to see Cardiff Blues become tenants of the football club at the new 25,000 seat stadium being built at Leckwith. According to the club, the Blues and Cardiff City will "share a joint ticket office together with joint branding at the stadium".Cardiff Athletic Club, who own Cardiff Arms Park and 28% of Cardiff Rugby Ltd.^[32], have recently voted overwhelmingly to support the move to the new stadium^[33]. The initial heads of terms agreement is for a 20-year licence.^[34][35] However, the company still has fifteen years left on its existing lease at the Arms Park and will continue using it for Cardiff RFC Premiership matches. ^[36]

[edit] Management

Cardiff Blues have been coached by Dai Young since they were founded. He is currently assisted by former Australia sevens coach Bill Millward, Wales sevens coach Gareth Baber, former Academy manager Justin Burnell and former Canadian international Dan Baugh.

[edit] Current squad

Nationality	Player	Position	Former Team	International Caps	D.O.B.
	Gethin Jenkins	Prop	Celtic Warriors	42	17/11/80
	John Yapp	Prop		8	9/4/83
	Rhys Gill	Prop			30/10/86
	Gary Powell	Prop	Gloucester Rugby		30/1/79
	Taufa'ao Filise	Prop	Bath Rugby	16	26/5/77
	Scott Roberts	Prop	Bridgend RFC		5/9/84
	T. Rhys Thomas	Hooker		14	23/4/82
	Gareth Williams	Hooker	Bridgend RFC	5	19/12/78
	Ross Johnson	Hooker			26/3/86
	Bradley Davies	Second Row			9/1/87
	Deiniol Jones	Second Row	Celtic Warriors	3	18/11/77
	Paul Tito (c)	Second Row	Taranaki & Hurricanes		9/6/78
	James Down	Second Row			29/8/87
	Damian Welch	Flanker/Second Row			28/7/82
	Scott Morgan	Flanker/Second Row	Leeds Tykes	1	17/10/78
	Mark Lewis	Flanker/No.8	Celtic Warriors		18/6/82
	Maama Molitika	Flanker	IBM Big Blue	14	26/8/74
	Xavier Rush	No.8	Auckland & Blues	8	13/7/77
	Andy Powell	No.8	Llanelli Scarlets	4	23/8/81
	Ben White	Flanker	ACT Brumbies		23/11/83
	Martyn Williams	Flanker		65	1/9/75
	Robin Sowden-Taylor	Flanker		3	9/6/82
	Sam Warburton	Flanker			05/10/88
	Jason Spice	Scrum half	Ospreys		07/12/1974
	Richie Rees	Scrum half	London Irish		21/05/83
	Darren Allinson	Scrum half			13/11/87
	Nick Robinson	Outside half		12	2/1/82
	Ceri Sweeney	Outside half/Centre	Newport Gwent Dragons	35	22/3/83
	Dai Flanagan	Outside half			24/9/85
	Dafydd Hewitt	Centre	Llantwit Major RFC		21/8/85
	Jamie Robinson	Centre		18	7/4/82
	Tom Shanklin	Centre/Wing	Saracens	50	24/11/79
	Gareth Thomas	Full back/Centre/Wing	Stade Toulousain	100	25/07/74
	Tom James	Wing/Centre	Merthyr Tydfil RFC	2	17/4/87
	Leigh Halfpenny	Wing		2	22/12/88
	Chris Czekaj	Wing		4	14/12/85
	Jamie Roberts	Wing/Fullback/Centre		1	8/11/86
	Aled Brew	Wing	Ospreys	3	09/07/86
	Richard Mustoe	Wing	Newport Gwent Dragons
	Rhys Williams	Wing/Fullback		44	23/2/80
	Ben Blair	Fullback/Wing	Canterbury & Highlanders	4	26/3/79

Ben White is an Australian national who has made himself available for the Welsh national team.^[37]

[edit] 2008/09 Transfers

[edit] In

Nat. Position Player FH Ceri Sweeney WG Aled Brew WG Richard Mustoe

[edit] Out

Nat. Position Player LK Robert Sidoli FH Nick Macleod FH Rhys Jones WG Tal Selley LK James Goode HK Duane Goodfield CE Tom Riley CE Marc Stcherbina Loan to Newport Gwent Dragons FL Rhys Shellard WG Aled Brew Loan to Newport Gwent Dragons

[edit] 2007/08 Transfers

[edit] In

Nat. Position Player LK Paul Tito CE Gareth Thomas SH Jason Spice SH Richie Rees FL Maama Molitika WG Tal Selley (Loan) FH Rhys Jones (Loan)

[edit] Out

Nat. Position Player SH Mike Phillips SH Ed Fairhurst SH Wayne Evans WG Mosese Luveitasau

[edit] Notable former players

Players who have won over 20 international caps and have represented Cardiff Blues in the past:

Nat. Position Player FL Dan Baugh FL Matt Cockbain PR Ben Evans FH Iestyn Harris WG Jonah Lomu CE Pieter Muller LK Craig Quinnell FL Kort Schubert LK Robert Sidoli PR David 'Dai' Young

[edit] Results and statistics

[edit] Celtic League

Celtic League results
Season	Played	Win	Draw	Loss	BP	Points	Place
2007-08	18	12	0	6	8	56	2nd
2006-07	20	13	1	6	9	63	2nd
2005-06	22*	11	0	9	11	63	4th
2004-05	20	8	1	11	6	40	9th
2003-04	22	11	0	11	10	54	6th

* Includes 2 "Free Weekends" which equated to 4 points each.

[edit] Celtic League Cup

Celtic League Cup results
Season	Round	Match
2003-04	Quarter-final	Edinburgh Rugby 33 – 16 Cardiff Blues[38]

[edit] Heineken Cup

Heineken Cup results
Season	Pool	Played	Win	Draw	Loss	BP	Points	Place
2007-08	3	6	4	1	1	2	20	1st
	Qtr-Final	Toulouse 41 – 17 Cardiff Blues
2006-07	4	6	2	0	4	1	9	3rd
2005-06	2	6	3	0	3	3	15	3rd
2004-05	6	6	1	0	5	3	7	4th
2003-04	3	6	2	0	4	3	11	3rd

[edit] ERC Elite Award

In 2004 Cardiff Blues received the ERC Elite Award for having played 50 games in the Heineken Cup. This record began in 1995 when Cardiff RFC recorded an away draw at Bordeaux, and continued following the reorganisation of Welsh rugby in 2003, due to the club standing alone as Cardiff Blues. To the end of the 2006-2007 season, Cardiff have played a total of 68 Heineken Cup matches.^[39]

[edit] See also

• Rugby union in Wales

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Cardiff Blues official site
• Cardiff RFC official site
• Call to Arms Supporters Trust
• the Arms Park Fan Site
• TalkCardiffrugby.net Fan forum

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