Deiniol Jones appointed Blues’ match day team manager

Posted on Jul 22, 2012

Cardiff Blues have confirmed that former Blues second row stalwart, Deiniol Jones, has been appointed Match-day Team Manager.

Jones has a wealth of experience having joined the Cardiff Blues in 2004 from the Celtic Warriors. He was one of the most consistent players for the Blues being the first player to reach 100 games for the region and went on to make 175 appearances, before being forced to retire at the end of last season with a shoulder injury.

Speaking of the appointment, Jones said,

“To be honest the job hadn’t even crossed my mind so it was a nice surprise when Phil phoned me and asked me about the role.”

“It will be a bit strange having played for the Blues for so long not being out on the field, so it’s nice to be able to stay involved in a role that suites me at the moment.”

“It feels like a fresh start and the environment that has been created here over the summer is positive and really exciting.”

“The players have been working really hard and I’m glad I can play a small part in what hopefully will be a successful season.”

“The role is to try to make sure that everything runs smoothly for the team and I’ll be working closely with Gafyn Cooper who is the Rugby Operations Manager at the Blues.”

“I’ll aim to make sure all the players are happy and they can focus on the game.”

“The home games are quite straightforward but things are a bit trickier when you go away with regards to the logistics but it’s something I’m looking forward to it.”

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Blues name side to face Treviso

Posted on Mar 2, 2012

The Blues have made five changes to the team that narrowly lost to Munster last Friday.

There are two changes in the backs with Ben Blair starting at fullback and Ceri Sweeney at inside centre. Chris Czekaj moves to the wing from 15 in place of Tom James who moves down to the bench.

There are three changes in the forwards. Xavier Rush has recovered from illness and will start at Number 8 with Molitika moving to the bench. In the front row T Rhys Thomas and Sam Hobbs start with Ryan Tyrell and John Yapp also moving to the bench.

The Blues face a Benetton Treviso side that have lost their last four matches in the RaboDirect PRO12 since their 37-14 home win over Aironi on New Year’s Eve.

Cardiff Blues have never lost to an Italian opponent in any competition and have beaten Treviso in all three previous encounters. However, the Italians are unbeaten in their last three home games against Welsh regions in all competitions.

Benetton Treviso V Cardiff Blues

At Stadio Monigo, 4.30pmlocal time (3.30pmUK & Ireland)

Cardiff Blues 15 Ben Blair 14 Richard Mustoe 13 Gavin Evans 12 Ceri Sweeney 11 Chris Czekaj 10 Dan Parks 9 Richie Rees

8 Xavier Rush 7 Martyn Williams 6 Michael Paterson 5 Paul Tito (c) 4 Cory Hill 3 Scott Andrews 2 T Rhys Thomas 1 Sam Hobbs

16 Ryan Tyrell 17 John Yapp 18 Ryan Harford 19 Macauley Cook 20 Maama Molitika 21 Lewis Jones 22 Harry Robinson 23 Tom James

Not available due to injury:
Casey Laulala – hamstring
Fau Filise – shoulder
Dafydd Hewitt – hamstring
James Down – ankle
Andries Pretorius – knee
Deiniol Jones – shoulders

Blues aim to record third win over Irish opponents

Posted on Feb 23, 2012

Cardiff Blues have made three changes for Friday’s match against Munster

Cardiff Blues have recorded victories over two Irish opponents in a fortnight with wins over Connacht and Ulster in Cardiff and now travel to Ireland to face a Munster side that have lost just one of their last eight fixtures in all competitions.

The Blues team shows three changes to the side that beat Ulster. In the backs Richie Rees starts in place of Lloyd Williams at scrum half and Chris Czekaj starts at fullback in place of Ben Blair, who moves to the bench. There is only one change in the forwards with Xavier Rush pulling out through illness and is replaced at number 8 by Maama Molitika.

Speaking ahead of the match Justin Burnell said:

“Munster have a fantastic development programme and always seem to find those one or two players that when their internationals are away can step up for them.”

“It’s going to be quite interesting who their latest find is.”

“They will be good at Thomond Park as always but it’s a fantastic opportunity for our players to show their worth.”

“There’s always a great atmosphere and we relish going there to play in front of their very vocal support.”

“The Blues and Munster both have a game in hand and if we can take their scalp it would put us above them and we would be back in the top four.”

Munster v Cardiff Blues
At Thomond Park, 7.05pm

Cardiff Blues 15 Chris Czekaj 14 Richard Mustoe 13 Gavin Evans 12 Gavin Henson 11 Tom James 10 Dan Parks 9 Richie Rees

8 Maama Molitika 7 Martyn Williams 6 Michael Paterson 5 Paul Tito (c) 4 Cory Hill 3 Scott Andrews 2 Ryan Tyrell 1 John Yapp

16 T Rhys Thomas 17 Nathan Trevett 18 Sam Hobbs 19 Macauley Cook 20 Thomas Young 21 Lewis Jones 22 Ceri Sweeney 23 Ben Blair

Not available due to injury:

Xavier Rush – illness
Casey Laulala – hamstring
Fau Filise – shoulder
Dafydd Hewitt – hamstring
James Down – ankle
Andries Pretorius – knee
Deiniol Jones – shoulders

Blues make eleven changes for Edinburgh match

Posted on Dec 9, 2011

 

With the international players returning, the Blues have made eleven changes ahead of Friday night’s match.

The Blues make six changes in the backs, with only Casey Laulala remaining in the starting XV from the team that lost to Leinster last Friday. There are a further five changes in forwards with only Xavier Rush, Paul Tito (pictured) and Tau Filise keeping their places in the pack.

Cardiff Blues are looking to make it six of the best against Edinburgh Rugby – but forwards coach Justin Burnell insists that five match winning run against the Scottish capital side will count for nothing when the teams clash at Cardiff City Stadium on Friday night.

Three wins on the trot in the Pro12, along with an 18-17 home win and a 21-14 victory on the road in last season’s Heineken Cup leave the Blues looking for a sixth straight success.

“We do have a good record against Edinburgh but it counts for nothing at all now,” said Burnell.

“It is all about current form and they are a fantastic side.”

“They were shown up by Munster but even then they were scoring tries. They are very capable in attack and can score tries.”

“We are well aware that Edinburgh are a very good side. Michael Bradley has come in and given them a total overhaul, having done a fantastic job at Connacht.”

“They have formidable players like Tim Visser, Chris Paterson and Ross Ford and some of them are the form players in Europe.”

Cardiff Blues

15 Leigh Halfpenny14 Alex Cuthbert 13 Casey Laulala 12 Jamie Roberts 11 Chris Czekaj 10 Dan Parks 9 Lloyd Williams

8 Xavier Rush 7 Sam Warburton 6 Michael Paterson 5 Paul Tito (c) 4 Bradley Davies 3 Taufa’ao Filise 2 T Rhys Thomas 1 Gethin Jenkins

16 Ryan Tyrell 17 John Yapp 18 Scott Andrews 19 Maama Molitika 20 Josh Navidi 21 Richie Rees 22 Ceri Sweeney 23 Gavin Evans

Not available due to injury

Andries Pretorius – knee
Deiniol Jones – shoulder
Martyn Williams – arm
Gavin Henson – wrist
Kristian Dacey – shoulder

Cardiff Blues name side for Connacht match

Posted on Apr 14, 2011

Czekaj and Yapp return for Blues for another must win match

Cardiff Blues travel to Galway on Friday to face an inform Connacht side who have won three of their last four games in the Magners League. The Blues know that nothing short of a win will do if they are to climb back into the Play-Off places having recorded a draw with the Ospreys at Swansea a fortnight ago.

The Blues welcome back Chris Czekaj who had to pull out at the last minute against the Ospreys due to a minor knee injury and also welcome back John Yapp to bolster the front row, with the Welsh international having recovered from a calf injury.

Cardiff Blues have secured just one victory from their last four outings: 16-11 at Edinburgh on 4 March and it won’t be an easy task at the Sportsground, where Connacht have recorded five straight victories – their best ever league run. The Blues however do have a good record against the Irish province with their only loss in the last ten encounters a 18-16 defeat at the Sportsground in September 2009.

The match which kicks off at 7.45pm, is not televised on S4C or BBC, but supporters can receive live up dates on the Cardiff Blues App.

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