It’s been a torrid start to the season for Cardiff Blues, following the opening day landslide against Zebre. Although the next two weekends see the team enter the first phase of European action, the bread and butter of Pro 12 Rugby will still be firmly at the forefront of coach Danny Wilson’s mind.
Cardiff Blues Face Reality
The figures make uncomfortable reading – 7 games, 1 win. During the last six games, Cardiff twice conceded 5 tries, conceding on average 4 tries a game, whilst scoring only 2 a game themselves. As a result, the team have come in for some fearful stick from fans and “experts” alike.
The capital city club will always be on the end of some criticism – fair or not. For many, Cardiff Blues are the easiest target of the lot. They are still, wrongly perhaps, regarded as the biggest and the richest of all four Welsh professional teams. If you look at their website, they have sixty first team players to choose from – a deceiving figure.
Their location next to the Millennium Stadium brings it’s own issues too. During the World Cup, the decision was made to hire out the ground so that a Supporters’ Village could be erected – meaning 5 away matches in a row, against the four Irish Provinces, and then Italian side Zebre. It was against Zebre that something of a fuse was blown.
Danny Wilson’s reaction spoke volumes to the manner of that 26-15 defeat. “It was a performance where our defence was diabolical. There were one-on-one missed tackles that cost us dearly. When we attacked, we picked some poor options, and went out the back too early playing against a line-speed blitz defence that made us cough the ball up a few times.”
Harsh words, but in many ways fair ones, and a reflection of the mountain that this side has to climb. I’ve heard recently how this Cardiff Blues side is full of “inadequate” players. Indeed, only last week Danny Wilson commented on how those twenty players whose contracts were up at the end of this season were fighting for their futures.
But, Danny Wilson’s appointment at the beginning of this season was regarded as a new dawn. Last year’s disastrous experiment with Mark Hammett and then the second caretaker coaching period of Dale Mackintosh and Paul John set the team back again. This is a team in transition without a doubt. The appointment also came with a caveat – it was never going to be an overnight transition. As a reminder, I would highlight Cardiff CEO Richard Holland’s five point plan put into place before the season began:
- Appointing a head coach along with his own management team
- Prioritizing player recruitment and retention
- Improving the Academy system to develop more home-grown talent for selection
- A new structure, with a general manager of rugby and the head coach assuming different roles
- Giving the head coach freedom and authority to manage the coaching side.
Obviously, parts of that plan are now in place. However, it would be impossible to transform an ailing team overnight. Consider for a moment the run of away games just experienced by this team. Add to that the uncertainty, encouraged by the National Press in Wales, surrounding central characters such as Rhys Patchell and Alex Cuthbert. And how about the number of key characters including Patchell, Cuthbert, Gareth Anscombe and Sam Warburton who have only just returned to the squad following World Cup duty?
For sure, some aspects of the performances so far this season have been unacceptable. Yes, the effects of sub-standard coaching will be felt for a while. And yes, the lack of effective decision making and execution on the field will be a worry. Missing first up tackles, for instance, when players are in a position to make them, is unforgivable.
However, in many ways, the season has only just begun for this team – as it has for other teams such as the Ospreys, who are in a similar situation. Since the departure of Dai Young, Cardiff Blues’ have been in turmoil. Now, however, is the time to turn that round.
Danny Wilson now has the opportunity to stamp his own authority on the team. Richard Holland made it clear there are three years ahead of this team to see if they can make an impression. It’s very unfortunate that his tenure coincided with a World Cup and it’s incumbent issues.
Yes there are expectations at the Arms Park, and rightly so. The next few months will certainly test the pride, passion and ability of this squad. The positives need to be built on, and while the negatives need to be dealt with, they shouldn’t over-ride what is a squad full of talent and ability.
Should this season be written off? Of course not. Neither should the critics heap negativity on every error and defeat. There is finally a light at the end of a very dark tunnel. Some synergy between coach and hierarchy. There’s no doubt, to attract the players of the calibre of Leigh Halfpenny back to the Arms Park, results must improve.
I’m sure that the hierarchy at Cardiff Blues face the reality of the situation they find themselves every day. There seems to be an honesty about the place that perhaps hasn’t always been there over the last three or four years.
On the other hand, there is no point forcing players to remain at the Arms Park, if they really don’t want to be there. From now on it’s a case of “building blocks.” One step at a time. There will be setbacks – possibly more than positives in the short term. But there are good reasons to be positive. The introduction of Premiersip Select Rugby – A Teams in all but name – this weekend is a sign of forward thinking from Pro Rugby Wales.
The financial deals completed by the WRU and the teams themselves are, although not the greatest, still improvements, and should allow greater investment in these teams. Realism is vital though. Improved relationships and financial stability won’t bring results overnight. Yes, the Scarlets have started the season well, but seven games into a season is no time to judge positive or negative signs.
Pro Rugby Wales are in it for the long haul – I hope the fans and the pundits can be equally patient.
