Roberts Signs Extension
Roberts Signs Extension/Watkins to Blues?
Roberts Signs Extension
By Andrew Collins April 14 2008
Cardiff Blues young full back, Jamie Roberts, has signed 3-year extension to his contract, providing the region with a massive boost given the worrying lack of signings. The 22 year old has already won one cap, and is expected to be a Wales regular of the future.
Roberts Signs Extension
Cardiff Blues young full back, Jamie Roberts, has signed 3-year extension to his contract, providing the region with a massive boost given the worrying lack of signings. The 22 year old has already won one cap, and is expected to be a Wales regular of the future.
The news comes as a great relief to Blues fans, who have already seen the Ospreys try to poach the young back last season. But as he did then, the Ysgol Gyfun Glantaf product sighted his love for the city and region as the main reasons for staying at the capitol,
"I'm a local boy and can't imagine playing for any other side. I'm really proud to be playing for the Blues. I'm fortunate that they've been flexible with my medical studies and the University has been fantastic also. I'd like to thank them both for being so supportive."
Roberts has played nearly all of his 20 matches this season on the wing, and has had much success, scoring 6 tries, including a brace against Glasgow Warriors. However, 1.91m Welshman admits it's at full back he sees his future,
"I'm working hard on my game and fingers crossed I'll have more of a chance at full back next year, but I'm happy to play anywhere in the team. We've had some great results this year, especially on the road: Bath away and Bristol away was very significant."
With Roberts, Tom James and Chris Czekaj as a future, all-welsh back 3 for the Blues, things are looking very good for the region. James' performances this year have been sensational, while Czekaj can hopefully replicate some of the form that won him his Australian tour call up. Add the those 3 the ever present Ben Blair, who has also signed a 3 year extension this season, and the impending signing Aled Brew, and there are real options for Dai Young,
"One of the main reasons I signed up was that there's a real buzz about the squad and moving to a new stadium and new training facilities is something that everyone is looking forward to. Things have gone really well for me this season, better than expected if I'm being honest. I've played a lot more games for the Blues than I thought I would and getting the Wales call was a massive bonus, I hope to get more caps in the future."
In other transfer news, there could be yet another winger at the club in the shape of Welsh athletics' star, Jimmy Watkins. One of Wales' top middle distance runners, the 800 metre specialist can boast a 100m record of 10.7 seconds!
He is in talks with the Cardiff Blues about coming on trail in the summer with a view to a permanent deal. Watkins has become disillusioned with life in the tracks, and believes a career in rugby could be just the thing to reignite his passion for sport.
"I wasn't getting the same sort of buzz from athletics as I used to get. It had become a science and the fun had gone out of it. All I ever really wanted to do was run and run fast. I can do 100 metres in 10.7 seconds, so maybe I could be of use to a rugby team, on the wing, maybe."
Still just 25, Watkins could become a very useful addition to the squad, providing he's got the necessary skills and bulk. He still holds the Welsh indoor record for 800m, so keep an eye out for the man who could be setting next season alight.
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Re: Roberts Signs Extension/Watkins to Blues?
Posted by: mackumblues (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:04:14:13:48:24
Great news re Jamie.
As for Watkins those of us old enough may be thinking Nigel Walker. Remembering Nige was a 110 meters hurdler not a 100 meters sprinter there could be comparisons. In the 87 World Athletic Championships Nige was clocked at 13.47 seconds so there could be comparisons speed wise as for ability only time will tell. Incidentally that try at Sardis Road is now on U tube. Iv'e just watched it again.
Even in the 10 years since Nige retired the game has changed considerably with the exception of Shane Williams wingers can't get by on sheer speed alone any more.
Size is now the be all and end all thats one of the reasons Tom James is so effective.Look at Tuilagi or in our league Shane Horgan as proof. It is going to be interesting to see if Watkins makes the grade. It could be as pointless as Dwayne Chambers joining Castleford but lets hope he makes the impact.
That said our back 3 if Chris Czekai is in the form he had last season is going to be a very interesting watch next season so possibly the best he could aim at is play Welsh league with Cardiff RFC to learn the game then come through. I would stick with this seasons back 3 however until Czeks shows howq fit he is and if he has lost any speed because of his injury.
As for Watkins those of us old enough may be thinking Nigel Walker. Remembering Nige was a 110 meters hurdler not a 100 meters sprinter there could be comparisons. In the 87 World Athletic Championships Nige was clocked at 13.47 seconds so there could be comparisons speed wise as for ability only time will tell. Incidentally that try at Sardis Road is now on U tube. Iv'e just watched it again.
Even in the 10 years since Nige retired the game has changed considerably with the exception of Shane Williams wingers can't get by on sheer speed alone any more.
Size is now the be all and end all thats one of the reasons Tom James is so effective.Look at Tuilagi or in our league Shane Horgan as proof. It is going to be interesting to see if Watkins makes the grade. It could be as pointless as Dwayne Chambers joining Castleford but lets hope he makes the impact.
That said our back 3 if Chris Czekai is in the form he had last season is going to be a very interesting watch next season so possibly the best he could aim at is play Welsh league with Cardiff RFC to learn the game then come through. I would stick with this seasons back 3 however until Czeks shows howq fit he is and if he has lost any speed because of his injury.
Re: Roberts Signs Extension/Watkins to Blues?
Posted by: DRY (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:04:14:19:16:45
Superb news. many other teams must've been watching the situation but the medical studies were a major factor.
Re: Roberts Signs Extension/Watkins to Blues?
Posted by: ExiledinStaffs (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:04:15:07:56:11
I find it funny how people look at an athlete and say "oh look he's fast, he must be good a rugby". To be good at rugby you need a whole host of attributes: ball handling, strength, game awareness, decision making, and skill. Just cos he's quick doesn't mean he can play at the top level of club rugby!
Like this whole Dwain Chambers thing, yeah he's quick, but he's never played rugby in his life and now he's been put on trail at Castleford. Its a joke.
Like this whole Dwain Chambers thing, yeah he's quick, but he's never played rugby in his life and now he's been put on trail at Castleford. Its a joke.
Re: Roberts Signs Extension/Watkins to Blues?
Posted by: mackumblues (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:04:15:11:02:50
To the best of my memory it took Nige 3 seasons to learn the game properly even at that stage it wasn't until he stopped 4 certain All Black tries in a Wembley masscre 49-7 if I remember correctly he proved he knew what he was doing defensively.
We can't afford to gamble as I said on my earlier thread put him in the RFC team till Watkins shows he knows what he is doing. Tom James was another athlete who will have a major impact. Fell running however isn't in the olympics.
To the best of my memory only 2 olympic athletes have made a major impact in Rugby Nige himself and Ken Jones back in the 50s (Hope I got the name right)
We can't afford to gamble as I said on my earlier thread put him in the RFC team till Watkins shows he knows what he is doing. Tom James was another athlete who will have a major impact. Fell running however isn't in the olympics.
To the best of my memory only 2 olympic athletes have made a major impact in Rugby Nige himself and Ken Jones back in the 50s (Hope I got the name right)
Re: Roberts Signs Extension/Watkins to Blues?
Posted by: Welsh Athlete (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:04:16:14:23:40
Watkins is not the man for Cardiff. He is too small height wise and muscle size and the 10.7 clocking was a one off. He will run all day but someone with a bit of skill will rip him apart. Shouldnt happen!!!
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