Posted by It’s a season that continues to make no sense. Cardiff lose at home to the Scarlets, conceding the double to our old West Wales rivals, having had a man sent off and with chances to win the match, yet I’m still positive about our progress and enjoying the campaign.
This Blue and Blacks side are an excellent group. They battle and battle no matter the opposition or the scenario, they play some really exciting rugby, and they are noticeably growing week-on-week as individuals and as a team. Despite the frustrations of particularly the results, and some elements of the performances, the squad stay tight and optimistic.
Saturday was one of the tougher afternoons to take so far this season as the “what if” question remains around the red card. Going down to 14-men is tough in any circumstances, but particularly when it comes before half-time, it’s an influential leader within the group, and the only openside flanker in a matchday squad when the defensive identity of the team is the jackal turnover.
There’s no blame attached to Ellis Jenkins as such, it’s clearly not a deliberate act on his part he just gets the technique of the tackle wrong. The conditions around the tackle are tough with Dan Davis jumping into contact, but once a player goes through 90 degrees then it’s asking for trouble.
Having said that, referee Ben Whitehouse’s use of language when explaining the red card was entirely inappropriate. Describing Jenkins as having “completely discarded” the tackled player in the air in a “highly dangerous” act is neither fair or true. There’s a lot of talk about the lack of respect towards referees currently, but that goes both ways and Whitehouse should reconsider the arrogance he showed when attempting to talk through the incident.
Even in spite of the red card though there was opportunity to win the game. Two entries into the 22 early in the second half failed to come away with a try, while a chance to put pressure on in the final minutes was not forthcoming as the Cardiff defence failed to force a mistake or a turnover.
It was that defence which the Blue and Blacks will probably rue in the end as a few too many missed and passive tackles allowed Scarlets to move the ball quickly and take advantage of their extra man. There’s some deficiencies within the squad in West Wales, but they don’t lack pace or a bit of x factor in the back line. Give Gareth Davies or Ioan Lloyd an inch and they will take a mile.
When you go down to 14 you need to be as close to perfect to possible in every aspect of the game, and while Matt Sherratt’s men still played well on the day, they just weren’t near enough to perfect across the board to come away with the result. Plenty of learning points for the young players, but just the one league point to show for it.
It brings a close to a positive block for Cardiff, where we’ve only secured two wins from seven games but have not lost a game by more than seven points. As a result we’ve taken a league point from every match in the United Rugby Championship. At the start of the season I wrote that 22 points at the conclusion of the festive derbies would be a good return, after this block we sit on 15 points with the Dragons at home and the Ospreys in Bridgend to come.
On top of that there is noticeable growth within the squad. As a collective the attack is a lot more coherent and exciting now, stretching the opposition team, creating mis-matches and getting into dangerous areas. The set piece is also much improved, but the biggest positive has been the young players coming into the first team and playing like seasoned professionals.
Now focus switches to the Investec Champions Cup, with the small matter of French giants Toulouse and second-placed English Premiership side Bath to face.
If we maintain our basic principles of maximum effort at all times and looking to play exciting, high intensity rugby when we can though, then the momentum will remain into the Welsh derbies and the good vibes will continue at the Arms Park.
#TrustTheProcess
Cardiff Rugby Life 