Posted by Well, we knew this would be a rollercoaster season, but I can’t say I expected a slow climb followed by a plummeting drop to take place by the end of week one!
Cardiff are a team that amaze and frustrate in pretty much equal measure, and it is at least heartening that despite all of the off-field goings on over the last 12 months that the Blue and Blacks will continue that theme.
With the delayed start to the season and the United Rugby Championship getting underway very much in the background of the Rugby World Cup reaching the semi-final stage, the build up to this game was understated at best. Add in the background of the upheaval in Welsh Rugby and at the Arms Park, and the atmosphere was somewhat subdued for the arrival of Benetton.
A tetchy opening 15 minutes did nothing to help lift the general fog on the terraces, but by half-time the mood had improved dramatically; Cardiff had been dominant aerially, controlled territory, displayed a dominant set piece, put pressure on through the defence and were clinical in attack, taking a 19-10 lead into the sheds.
Rhys Carre was his usual abrasive self in the carrying and jackal game, Shane Lewis-Hughes continued his impressive transition to lock, joined by Alex Mann on his first URC start on the blindside in bringing an energy mixed with physicality, Ellis Bevan and Tinus De Beer had moved Benetton around with ball-in-hand and off-the-boot, while Cam Winnett was ruling the skies from full-back.
The try that started with a Rey Lee-Lo turnover and went through the hands of Willis Halaholo, Owen Lane, De Beer and for Bevan to score was a highlight, while #TheMaulMen made a welcome return to action with a pushover try after some encouraging signs for the pack in pre-season.
Matt Sherratt had promised effort and entertainment, and it was evident in abundance during the first half, which begs the question what on earth happened after half-time? From a nine-point lead, which arguably could and should have been as much as 20 points and a try bonus point, to an agonising 22-23 defeat.
Truthfully, there is no real answer. It’s difficult to say anything went majorly tactically wrong after half-time, there was no catastrophic moment that turned proceedings on their head. To my eyes it was a slow drip of Cardiff starting to lose little battles that saw momentum swing and the home side simply unable to haul it back.
There was a missed touch compounded by a late tackle, a turnover conceded when trying to run the ball from our 22, and a kick out on the full when trying to put the pressure on. Add to that some issues around a lack of concentration and a lack of legs at certain points as the Blue and Blacks coaching staff seemed cautious when using the replacements.
Some slow and inaccurate breakdown work led to easy turnovers on the floor, kicks being poorly chased allowing easy outs, the scrum starting to give up free-kicks and penalties, and left the backfield uncovered to allow an easy run-in after a lost aerial battle.
I wrote in my season preview last week that success for Cardiff last season would largely consist of noticeable improvements as the campaign wore on; through the first block up to Christmas, then to the end of the Six Nations period, and on to the end of the year. With that in mind, this was the base performance for 2023/24.
There was a lot to like and for the Blue and Blacks to build on around the set piece, defensive intensity, handling skills and aerial game. With young players impressing and new partnerships in key areas of the pitch showing positive signs it wasn’t the overwhelming nightmare that some might have had you believe at full-time.
However, there was a lot to learn too, particularly around how to wrestle back momentum without the need to make miracle plays and simply compound problems, concentrating on the minor details that can build up to become major game changing moments, and for the coaching staff around the use of substitutions to impact proceedings.
We know the depth of quality is not present in the squad after the financial belt tightening, but there’s still an argument around fresh legs being better than tired legs when backs are to the wall late in the game, and an overarching argument around the need to develop the whole squad as part of this rebuild journey, not just stick with certain players and never expose the backups to tough situations.
The road to overall improvement will be a relatively long one, so wholesale jumps are not expected away at Dragons on Sunday, but little signs of progress will always be welcomed as the effort that Sherratt and the players have stated will underpin their game has to come to the fore.
The journey continues… #TrustTheProcess
Cardiff Rugby Life 