Posted by A mark of the progression of this Cardiff side over the last few years is the evolution of the most-used phrase among supporters at the Arms Park.
For a long time the unofficial motto of the club has been “it’s the hope that kills you” as every season we’d convince ourselves that it was the Blue & Blacks’ year only to see dreams of play-offs and trophies slip away by the Six Nations at the latest.
Then by the summer of 2023 and a few months of turmoil both in Welsh rugby generally and specifically at the Arms Park put the team in a position whereby we were having to “trust the process” as a mix-and-match coaching staff strived to guide a very young squad through a period of flux.
Over the last 18 months though it has slowly turned to a new phrase as Cardiff started to churn out results. “We would have lost that last year” became the sign of improvement for this group as the side turned encouraging performances but narrow defeats into encouraging performances and narrow wins.
Other than games against the Dragons, which come under the “we win that every year” bracket, the Blue & Blacks have begun to add an edge to all areas of the game which allow the exciting attack to score more points, a better defence to conceded fewer points and a better transition and kicking game to give us the opportunity to actually manage proceedings.
Still though there was a nagging issue that ultimately cost Cardiff a chance at making the play-offs last season, and that was the continuing fact that teams could just tighten up and bully us if they want to. In games against Glasgow, Edinburgh, Lyon, Perpignan, Sharks and away in South Africa at the end of the season there were patches of the games where we were put under the pump physically.
Indeed, in the three losses we suffered at the hands of Saturday’s opponents Connacht over the course of last season we struggled to match them at the gain line and breakdown for periods that ultimately led to the defeats. Yet at the Arms Park on the weekend something seemed to change.
After the early Tom Bowen try from another superb Callum Sheedy kick pass, the game entered a prolonged rut during which last season Cardiff would likely have struggled in the tight exchanges and seen things slip away. Instead though the home side remained well within the fight and seemed comfortable to kick a lot and spend long periods of time without the ball.
Cam Winnett ruled the skies with the composure of a 50-cap veteran full-back, Dan Thomas continually made a mess of the Connacht breakdown assisted valiantly by the rest of his pack as well as the ever industrious Johan Mulder, and an obviously not 100% Harri Millard marshalled the defence superbly to shut down the opposition.
That level of contentment to be in control despite not always being in possession is a huge leap forward on what we have seen from the Blue & Blacks not only in the last two seasons but realistically for at least a decade prior to this year. In truth, despite the scoreline being close for the majority of the game, there was never a sense that Corniel Van Zyl’s were going to lose that.
Ultimately it was Bowen again who grabbed the headlines with his interception try securing the victory, and the winger was undoubtedly eye-catching again, but this was a huge team performance which saw 42 kicks out-of-hand chased with high intensity and 213 tackles made at a 92% completion rate.
Supporters at the Arms Park have been treated to some terrific running rugby over the last two-and-a-bit years, but ultimately nothing quite tops winning. If having a few extra options in the armoury to secure those victories then that is only a benefit for Cardiff, even if the games aren’t quite as eye-catching, as we saw on Saturday night.
Two home wins out of two, 11 points out of a possible 15 and rolling in to the first Welsh derby of the season away at the Dragons with plenty of momentum. It’s been close to the dream start for the Blue & Blacks, but there’s a long way to go!
Cardiff Rugby Life 