I see that Ulster have signed Rush, losing players like this is serious.
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/cardiff-blues/2010/02/07/blues-star-xavier-rush-signs-ulster-deal-91466-25778206/
Thomson House have it as a done deal, whether we can put any credence in their report, who knows.
If the report is right we may have retained Ben Blair which is at least some good news.
Replacing Xavier Rush with Andy Powell is OK up to a point but there is no-one else putting their hand up for selection.
The future for Cardiff Blues is bleak anyway, this is just another nail in the coffin.
Following Cardiff RFC all over from sunny Bournemouth in Blue and Black
No doubt Mr Thomas will trawl the world for a top class replacement, although he will probably only get as far as Gloucester as I believe that Gareth Delve has still to sign a new contract.
Although a huge loss, back row is probably one of out strongest areas. MW, RST, Sam Warburton, Powell and Pretorius. We could do worse than Delve - and he's Welsh so helps with the NWQ player quota issue.
"Go ahead and play The Blues if it'll make you happy." Homer J. Simpson"To be born Welsh is to be born privileged. Not with a silver spoon in your mouth, but music in your blood and poetry in your soul." Wilfred Wilson
Let's hope he's not off to Ulster. If we are going to lose him I hope he goes to Japan or somewhere other than a Magner's League team. I don't fancy seeing him bursting through our defence in the same way as he's burst through the defences of our opponents.
This really is a huge blow. For me he has been our stand-out player since he joined and the club has no replacement. With respect, neither Powell or Delve (should he join) are in the same class. Obviously there is an inability to back any ambition the club has with the funding required
All confirmed on the Cardiff Blues website http://www.cardiffblues.com/33_4889.php
Rush has been the basis of so much of our game, without him there is far less direction, i can't wait to watch him on the TV against the bloos.
Also, it has become a feature of the club now, end of season game with a parade of players who are moving on because they see better clubs to go to, not very Cardiff.
Gutted to see him go but apparently Ulster offering £200K a season for a 2 season deal.
He's not worth that - especially not on current form. I think Rush has been largely ineffectual this season - he was especially crap against Australia.
With Tito qualifying as Welsh next year - Delve looks an obvious replacement and enables us to stay within the rules.
Don't buy this "Also, it has become a feature of the club now, end of season game with a parade of players who are moving on because they see better clubs to go to, not very Cardiff." Arguement.
Players who've left us - Robinson Brothers for example had no reason to stay as they are not going to get in the Welssh squad and at the end of their careers - so may as well follow the money
Rush at end of career - following the money for his two last seasons and Philips - greedy w**ker.
I would be more worried if we were losing our young players but we're not. The reality is we are a Welsh Region and we take the WRU schilling. Therrefore we have to abide by NWQ rules. yes there's a downside in that we don't have the financial flexility of French clubs but what would you rather see a team of locally based Welsh players who wnat to impress to make Nationsl Squad or a load of foreign mercenaries who don't give a damn just taking the money.
I know what I'd rather have....Guiness Premiership is full of clubs who've mortgaged their future to sign end of life Southern Hemisphere stars and is it helping their game or Englands? I think not.
I think I go along with mst of what you said but I would disagree with you regarding Mike Phillips, yes his move might have been interpreted as chasing the bucks but I think it had more to do with his international aspirations. When he was 9 at Cardiff he was playing alongside Nicky at 10 and Nicky had been largely discounted by Wales, at the Ospreys he was destined to play alongside Hook who was the toast of Welsh Rugby at the time. To me I just believe he wanted to develop his international career by playing alongside his international half back partner.
This is the price we have to pay for rugby becoming a Professional Sport. As much as Rush may have given his all for the team, it's only a job and you go where the money is.
Couldn't he have gone to Japan to run over small blokes instead of Ulster !!!
Maybe Xavier's current form is a reflection of the lack of ambition from the board combined with the move to Leckwith? If the team had been strengthened where it needed to be from last season would we have witnessed something different?
Big Al from sunny Bournemouth: I think I go along with mst of what you said but I would disagree with you regarding Mike Phillips, yes his move might have been interpreted as chasing the bucks but I think it had more to do with his international aspirations. When he was 9 at Cardiff he was playing alongside Nicky at 10 and Nicky had been largely discounted by Wales, at the Ospreys he was destined to play alongside Hook who was the toast of Welsh Rugby at the time. To me I just believe he wanted to develop his international career by playing alongside his international half back partner.
Entirely valid comments Al. I agree that is a logical conclusion
Toulousain: Maybe Xavier's current form is a reflection of the lack of ambition from the board combined with the move to Leckwith? If the team had been strengthened where it needed to be from last season would we have witnessed something different?
Equally valid comments.
Maybe its just me - but I don't see the same consistent performances from him this season. Some days he looks great - others it looks like he's not interested.
BT Bob: Although a huge loss, back row is probably one of out strongest areas. MW, RST, Sam Warburton, Powell and Pretorius.
Although a huge loss, back row is probably one of out strongest areas. MW, RST, Sam Warburton, Powell and Pretorius.
My concern is remembering how many times Xav has been the man who has lifted and inspired the team around him with his performance. Indeed, on occasions the only bright part of a (losing?) game has been his effort. With all due respect to them none of these guys do that, and I'm afraid Mongo is just not in the same league as an 8, neither is Delve.
Equivalently, whilst Ben Blair's boot has been the thing that has kept us in, or won us games, we do have other kickers and/or others that can play full back. So I'm more concerned about Xav's departure. Good luck to him. I recognise the reasons for him going (assuming what the chip paper has written are correct!). I just hope he's kind to us on a cold winter Friday night at Ravenhill!!!!
If at first you don't succeed, don't try scuba diving or parachuting
dobbin:Delve
Is he injured ?
Hmm. £200K for twenty games from Rush or £100K for half a dozen from Delve?
If you think I'm exaggerating, Delve made 24 starts in five years at Bath. Last season he started 10 of Gloucester's 31 games
Big Al from sunny Bournemouth: dobbin:Delve Is he injured ?
Buzzard: If you think I'm exaggerating, Delve made 24 starts in five years at Bath. Last season he started 10 of Gloucester's 31 games
Totally fair comments, absolutely agree. Was just referring to some of the speculation that's flying around.
I have to say, when he's fit I quite rate Delve.........therefore I obviously don't rate Delve very often!!
Mike Knill's Jockstrap: Players who've left us - Robinson Brothers for example had no reason to stay as they are not going to get in the Welssh squad and at the end of their careers - so may as well follow the money
I don't understand this bit. What makes you think that they left for more money elsewhere?