Posted by Well, what a difference a week makes in rugby watching terms! From shivering to death on a terrace built in the 1970s, to relaxing in a padded seat in an indoor arena built in 2017. Following Cardiff Rugby is a rollercoaster of matchday experiences!
When the Investec Champions Cup fixtures were announced it was the trip to Racing that I circled in permanent marker. Not for Paris as a city, not for the superstars in their squad, and not exclusively for the session, but for the La Defense Arena.
Ever since it opened it’s been a bucket list rugby trip; from the design of the ground, to the pre-game light show, to the quality of rugby on the pitch and on to the post-game nightclub vibes. It did not disappoint as a one-off visit. The Racing supporters were superb, the entertainment spot on, and I didn’t even mind paying 9euro a pint. At least there were no smart-arse charity collectors (looking at you, Saracens).
From a rugby perspective I didn’t expect too much. Matt Sherratt had made a number of changes to the matchday 23, some tactical and some enforced, as the likes of Corey Domachowski, Liam Belcher, James Botham, Taulupe Faletau, Willis Halaholo, Josh Adams and Cameron Winnett were not involved, while Mackenzie Martin was forced off relatively early after a somewhat suspect upright tackle.
However, Cardiff were bright during the first half, scrambling well in defence, causing some problems aerially and looking fairly clinical going forward to score two first half tries and go in just 20-12 down. The set piece was a particular highlight as the tight five retained parity in the scrum, while Efan Daniel’s arrows for Rory Thornton and Teddy Williams were spot on.
Unfortunately the Parisiens displayed the few percentage points of difference between a talented team and a top team in the first 10 minutes of the second half as they came out fast and took advantage of the Blue and Blacks losing concentration even for a second. The second try after half-time, where the hosts take a tap penalty and exploit space left by turned backs, will be particularly disappointing to review.
Nevertheless Sherratt’s men retain credit for the way they got themselves back in the fight, steadied the ship and then went on to earn a well-deserved try bonus point. I particularly liked Alex Mann hitting a defensive breakdown shortly after the third try was conceded of the second half and pinning a Racing player down as if to draw a line in the sand and say “we’re back”.
Tomos Williams and Tinus De Beer were instrumental in that, with Ellis Bevan replacing Tomos and having one of his best games off the bench. Ben Thomas was superb throughout, while Rhys Carre was on top form and Lopeti Timani added a much needed physical edge across his hour of action.
In the end it’s another defeat for Cardiff, but the growth in particularly the attacking game is there for all to see. The Blue and Blacks ran more variations on Saturday than in any other games this season, pulling the ball back off second and third receivers, bringing the blindside winger into midfield and mixing some short tactical kicking into the equation.
The major disappointment was in transition for the Blue and Blacks, as we turned the ball over relatively frequently but failed to capitalise on that unstructured part of the game by failing to impose our own structure on it, or making unforced individual errors. With the attacking talent across the back line and the skill level of the forwards, it’s an area we should be looking to improve on dramatically.
At the end of a long fixture block though it was a big effort from the boys, who go in to some well deserved time off ahead of two big home games against Connacht and Leinster during the Six Nations. The tough tests come thick and fast in the second half of the season, and some scalps will be very welcome to make the league table look a bit more palatable come May.
In the meantime, #TrustTheProcess.
Cardiff Rugby Life 