Posted by I think it’s important to point out from the outset that nobody has ever won anything in pre-season. However, I can say with certainty that I have seen Cardiff lose plenty in pre-season over the years.
So with that slight pessimism, more of a warning not to get too carried away, out of the way, let’s crack on with praising what was an excellent start to the 2023/24 season as the Blue and Blacks ran out 21-12 winners against Scarlets in the first pre-season friendly.
Throughout the previous two weeks all the content from players and staff at the club had been focused on how the team were looking to show two main attributes; effort and ambition. The idea being that if the players gave 100% week-in, week-out, and aimed to play an exciting brand of rugby, then the supporters can get behind the project that is an evolution of the squad.
On that basis Friday night at the Arms Park was a resounding success as Cardiff first of all showing the ambition to play exciting rugby with a really well worked try through the hands of Tinus De Beer and Harri Millard before being finished by Theo Cabango, and then the flying winger marking his return to fitness with a superb individual effort beating four defenders and going 60 metres to score.
Then came the effort with a 100% shift ensuring the lead was retained when pressure came on from the Scarlets in the second half, embodied by the two players who were on the field for the full 80 in Blue and Black; Shane Lewis-Hughes and Harri Millard, chasing a kick-off hard downfield in the 78th minute and making a strong double tackle.
Beyond that though there was plenty to like from the Cardiff performance. The lineout was accurate throughout, providing good attacking ball and the basis for a strong offensive maul, with the two young hookers in Evan Lloyd and Efan Daniel showing up particularly well. Lloyd was especially all-action on his senior professional debut having only switched from the back row 12 months ago.
The kicking and territory game was managed well by the mix of Ellis Bevan, De Beer, Ben Thomas and Jacob Beetham, with a particular nod for Beetham who was excellent on his return to the side 12 months of suffering an ACL tear. From his first high ball of the game, taken with two hands over his head, his confidence grew and he looked composed even when switching to inside centre after half-time.
Finally, the defence was probably the most impressive aspect of the Blue and Blacks showing. When you consider that Gethin Jenkins is only at the club on a consultancy basis, and was only appointed in the last few weeks, it was an organised and pressuring defensive showing with a good line speed and retained the defensive breakdown threat led by the young back row of Alex Mann, Lucas De La Rua and Mackenzie Martin in the first half.
In the end the only real negative on the night was that the scrum was noticeably second best for the majority of the game. The starting prop duo of Rhys Carre and Ciaran Parker maintained some parity, but once the less experienced players came on, particularly at tighthead, and with a lighter second row there were a succession of penalties against the home side.
Still, a very successful night for Matt Sherratt in his first game as Head Coach and after a pre-season training block that has been tumultuous to say the least. The focus now can switch to a trip to the Ospreys next week, with the eyes rarely wandering beyond the next game in order to maintain the effort levels and ambitious style of play on a consistent basis.
That level of accuracy and execution may not be seen every week, but if Cardiff get close to that sort of performance week-in, week-out then the season will be more than worthwhile even if the result does not always follow.
A fun night at the Arms Park, here’s to plenty more in 2023/24!
Cardiff Rugby Life 