I know, I know, I’m behind the times reporting the Welsh rugby news at the moment – but guess what, this isn’t the place for finding out news, go to the BBC, Heavens Game or Scrum.com for that sort of thing, the Welsh Rugby Blog is all about opinions – and trust me, I have plenty of those!
So anyway, two of the latest Welsh rugby transfers have been to the Cardiff Blues, with them signing former Welsh International and British Lion Dafydd James and All Black center Casey Lualua.
Step up in signings
After asking where the big signings for the Cardiff Blues were before I have to say this is more like it. OK they are not quite the world class signings Blues fans were hoping for – Lualua is far from an established international and Dafydd James is at the end of his career, but both are quality players.
With Jamie Robinson having moved to France there was a gap at 13, and that goes double so as Tom Shanklin is out injured until at least December. Gavin Evans, the Blues signing earlier in the summer, can play there but is more of a 12.
So signing both these players brings competition and cover for the 13 position. Dafydd James can play at center and wing, very successfully. As a Welsh international and a British Lion he brings in a huge amount of experience and leadership – and the sentimental side of me it is good to see such a top player get a Welsh region rather than having to play at a lower level. Especially considering the disgraceful way he was treated by the Scarlets.
Casey Lualua is a player I don’t know much about – but reports from people I know say he is a very exciting broken play runner, which is just the sort of player that Jamie Roberts needs to continue his growth as a top class inside center.
Squad Size
This is certainly good news for Cardiff Blues fans. Despite how well they did last season there is a feeling that the Blues need to be bringing in a number of new faces to kick on. The fact is that they got lucky with injuries last season – the only major ones happening where they have strength in depth. If they picked up a couple of injuries things could have been very different. It is not first team quality that is an issue, but strength in depth.
So these signings should be welcome news to all Blues fans – but there are still questions to be asked about certain positions. Center and especially wing are well covered now – but some positions, such as blindside where Molitika is the only top class specialist, still desperately need reinforcing.
All in all though a very encouraging pair of signings by the Blues, lets hope they have a few more up their sleeve.
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