:00:20. > :00:26.players at least, Christmas is on Christmas, a time to love thy
:00:26. > :00:30.neighbour, to visit friends, exchanged gifts. But not in rugby.
:00:30. > :00:40.Now is the time for rivalries to be renewed, a chance to get one over
:00:40. > :00:41.
:00:41. > :00:46.Neighbours me open doors to one another across the country today...
:00:46. > :00:50.But there will be 0 warm welcome here. Last Friday, the Arms Park
:00:50. > :00:59.witnessed a nightmare before Christmas. Once again it is defeat
:00:59. > :01:04.at the Arms Park for the Blues. Now the dragons have the chance to
:01:04. > :01:08.make Phil Davies's festive season one to forget.
:01:08. > :01:13.These two teams are in a European dog fight. The lowest placed Welsh
:01:13. > :01:23.side will miss out on the Heineken Cup next year. A win today may make
:01:23. > :01:27.-- may just be the greatest gift of Season's greetings to you all from
:01:27. > :01:32.everyone here at Scrum V Live. It is the traditional Boxing Day derby
:01:32. > :01:37.match and a battle for supremacy in the East as Blues take on Dragons.
:01:37. > :01:39.There is always a good deal of There is always a good deal of
:01:39. > :01:44.pride at stake, but as we mentioned, the teams are battling for that
:01:44. > :01:48.third Heineken Cup spot and as things stand they are just seven
:01:48. > :01:54.points between them. There is a special atmosphere in Cardiff today,
:01:54. > :01:59.despite the weather. The fans are out in force, and are expecting --
:01:59. > :02:03.we are expecting a sell-out here at Arms Park today. Cardiff City are
:02:03. > :02:05.also Tom, playing Crystal Palace in the championship, saw the city is
:02:05. > :02:08.the championship, saw the city is thronged with sports fans and there
:02:08. > :02:13.is a carnival atmosphere. The fans will be hoping for something to
:02:13. > :02:17.celebrate, down to the player to provide that. Blues have their,
:02:17. > :02:23.advantage, although advantages prod -- perhaps thrown -- wrong word,
:02:23. > :02:28.after recording their seventh lost this season at home. It is
:02:28. > :02:33.certainly not the fortress they had hoped for. Blues are hoping to buck
:02:33. > :02:38.that trend. A win could insure the retain their place in the Heineken
:02:38. > :02:43.Cup next season. Welcome to you all, season's greetings, what you have
:02:43. > :02:45.not indulged too much and are looking forward to a feast of rugby.
:02:45. > :02:50.High arm, saw his Kingsley Jones he joins me.
:02:50. > :02:55.We talked about this in to build up, Kingsley, jeopardy involved in this
:02:55. > :02:59.fixture, because the fourth-placed team will not be in the Heineken
:02:59. > :03:04.Cup next year, how important is that in terms of financial issues,
:03:04. > :03:10.prestige, to be in that drop? everything, in terms of finances,
:03:10. > :03:17.but it, but also the players. Players want to play in the
:03:17. > :03:24.Heineken Cup, it is a shop window and I'll -- a little higher level.
:03:24. > :03:32.It is so important today, the Blues's form at home has not been
:03:32. > :03:36.great. Dragons are just on the back of two wins. They are in a similar
:03:36. > :03:42.position in the league, but it is a crucial game and the weather will
:03:42. > :03:47.play a part. I am looking forward to it. Another plot -- sub-plot, in
:03:47. > :03:53.the papers in the last few days Roger Lewis has hinted that the
:03:53. > :03:57.number of regions may go down. He said four would be ideal, two is
:03:58. > :04:02.too few, three is a possibility. Given these two are the bottom to
:04:02. > :04:08.Mike Wells region's at the moment, that and another dimension. It does,
:04:08. > :04:13.it seems difficult to believe there would be a competition without the
:04:13. > :04:21.Cardiff Blues involved. It has to be said, the Dragons have been
:04:21. > :04:27.consistently at the bottom end of the league. They're always battling,
:04:27. > :04:30.and their academy system really works. It is healthy to have a four
:04:30. > :04:35.regions, but I understand something has to be done, we're not
:04:35. > :04:41.performing as well as we can, we need to keep our home-grown players
:04:41. > :04:45.playing in our regions. It is more to just having a good environment,
:04:45. > :04:50.but -- that is key, but also the model with tax relief, etc,
:04:50. > :05:00.something has to be done. Speaking of our home grown players,
:05:00. > :05:01.
:05:01. > :05:11.the latest to be spoken about his Taufa'ao Filise. If he goes, what
:05:11. > :05:12.
:05:12. > :05:17.happens? He it is sad, Toby Faletau is such a key player.
:05:17. > :05:21.The game now in rugby is so difficult. More often than not,
:05:21. > :05:25.whether he beat the defender or draws two or three defenders in and
:05:25. > :05:28.create space, he is a big part. I believe he is in a contract next
:05:29. > :05:33.year. If I was in charge of the Dragons I would say he is
:05:33. > :05:36.unavailable, he is that important. Ultimately, you have to keep the
:05:36. > :05:41.player happy, but I know him personally, he is a great lad from
:05:41. > :05:46.a good family, and I am really disappointed. I know that Allott --
:05:46. > :05:50.lots has been made about players leaving for money, etc. Jamie
:05:50. > :05:53.Roberts, he could be in Cardiff for the rest of his life, he could go
:05:53. > :05:59.to France and try something different. For some players it is
:05:59. > :06:03.not all about the money. Toby is in contract for another few months and
:06:03. > :06:06.it should be the end of the conversation. You may have seen him
:06:06. > :06:13.at the top of the programme plucking his guitar, I was doing my
:06:13. > :06:16.best to avoid him, but he is down on the touch line now, Tom Shanklin.
:06:16. > :06:22.There was a lady alongside me crying when I was singing, I asked
:06:22. > :06:26.her if she was a fan, she said she was a music teacher. Tom,
:06:26. > :06:30.conditions here today will be as bad if not worse than Friday.
:06:30. > :06:33.Neither team adapted on Friday, what effect will it have today?
:06:33. > :06:37.I had just been speaking to the groundsman, Brian Walker, who said
:06:38. > :06:44.the surface is good to soft. It is not that bad considering the rain
:06:44. > :06:47.we have had, but it will obviously dictate the play. Last week
:06:47. > :06:52.conditions were pretty similar. I think the team that have to learn
:06:52. > :06:56.from last week, the way they played, kicking out defence, the air as
:06:56. > :07:01.they need, and it will be a forward dominated game for sure. Which of
:07:01. > :07:06.those forwards on both sides will love this game today?
:07:06. > :07:10.Your tank tried -- type five, Scott Andrews, Bradley Davies, and also I
:07:10. > :07:15.am looking for a big performance from Sam Warburton. Pretty quiet
:07:15. > :07:20.last week. On top of that, Alex Cuthbert, who can carry better than
:07:20. > :07:25.at some of the forwards. He does go looking for the ball and I am sure
:07:25. > :07:28.he will be looking for it tonight. A earlier I caught up with both
:07:28. > :07:32.quarters, starting with the Dragons's Darren Edwards.
:07:32. > :07:36.Everyone knows the significance of this game in terms of Europe, but
:07:36. > :07:40.also we have heard in the press about perhaps downgrading regions,
:07:40. > :07:45.how much does that concentrate your mind?
:07:45. > :07:50.It is something, we do not really think about it. We just want to
:07:50. > :07:54.finish as high up in the table as we can. We're concentrating on that.
:07:54. > :07:57.There is real pressure to win this one because of the Heineken place,
:07:57. > :08:02.how much pressure do you feel going into it?
:08:02. > :08:06.We are very disappointed, Phil. I am personally that we do not have a
:08:06. > :08:10.few more wins to pick us up the table. We have a lot of games left,
:08:10. > :08:15.starting today, a massive game in front of a our own fans on Boxing
:08:16. > :08:20.Day, we want to put a smile on people's faces by playing well, but
:08:20. > :08:23.the Dragons are adopted team and it will be tough it. There has been
:08:23. > :08:27.told about Wales going to three regions or a downgrading of the
:08:27. > :08:31.region, does that at anything extra?
:08:32. > :08:34.It is a game, really. I do not know what that talk is to the other guys,
:08:35. > :08:38.but we're considering on this game and making sure we perform well,
:08:38. > :08:43.Tim Krul, to move forward and continued to win in the future,
:08:43. > :08:47.starting today. Finally, how important is that you keep ahead of
:08:47. > :08:51.the Dragons for that Heineken Cup place? It is important, way want to
:08:51. > :08:55.play a lot of rugby, we want to be further up the table and we are,
:08:55. > :08:58.and we want to attend this game today and be fortunate and we have
:08:59. > :09:03.another game in ten days' time at Munster and we will try and get as
:09:03. > :09:07.many points as we can to get up the table and secure Heineken Cup
:09:07. > :09:13.football next year. Thank you, Phil. A Kingsley, one
:09:13. > :09:17.thing I wanted to ask you earlier this month, the rugby consultant
:09:17. > :09:24.here at the Dragon's suddenly raised a few eyebrows.
:09:24. > :09:27.What is his role? Firstly, I think the Dragons should be applauded for
:09:27. > :09:31.doing that. They have confidence in their court and rather than firing
:09:31. > :09:35.people because things are not going well, I believe they have brought
:09:35. > :09:39.in in to give support to the coaches. Will he undermine the
:09:39. > :09:45.existing coaches? I would not think so. Darren needs a father figure,
:09:45. > :09:49.he is a young coach, done really well in previous years and is in
:09:49. > :09:55.the deep end. Recruitment and all of these things add to the pressure
:09:55. > :09:58.and take away the focus from rugby. Dean Ryan will call in here and do
:09:58. > :10:02.a top-to-bottom review of where they are fat and give our report
:10:02. > :10:06.back into the Dragons, not only supporting the quarters but
:10:07. > :10:11.reporting back to see where he thinks things can be improved at
:10:11. > :10:15.where the need changes. I think it is commonsense. Back to the pitch,
:10:15. > :10:18.briefly, and the Six Nations is rendered corner of, of course, and
:10:18. > :10:24.this Christmas derby is in some ways a trial for those looking to
:10:24. > :10:34.impress the Welsh gorges. Once the position up for grabs is the fabled
:10:34. > :10:34.
:10:34. > :11:22.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 48 seconds
:11:22. > :11:27.number 10 jersey. Let's look at the No debate would be complete without
:11:27. > :11:31.Gavin Henson on the end. Someone you know very well, Kingsley, but
:11:31. > :11:36.whose you pick? I think Daniel has an opportunity
:11:36. > :11:41.to start. I have reviewed their last four games, and Stephen Jones
:11:41. > :11:46.is still doing the job. Someone of his experience could do a job for
:11:46. > :11:50.Wales at the moment. Nicky Robinson, of course, another Welsh 10, also
:11:50. > :11:54.at the Wasps. He yes, but they're not playing
:11:54. > :11:59.enough regular rugby, I think. Nicky is another person close to it.
:11:59. > :12:04.A does bring in Phil Steele and Tom Shanklin on these guys. What are
:12:04. > :12:08.your thoughts? We have Rhys Patchell playing again
:12:08. > :12:12.today, Tom, what does he bring to again.
:12:12. > :12:16.I have been very impressed. He has only played a handful of games at
:12:16. > :12:21.the start of the season, he is a good runner, a good eye for a gap
:12:21. > :12:25.and his skill set seems very good. I want to see him bossing the
:12:25. > :12:29.players around a little bit more. He seems a little quiet out there,
:12:30. > :12:34.but he is only 19 years old and things like this, with experience.
:12:34. > :12:41.It must be difficult at the moment playing behind a pack that is not
:12:41. > :12:45.going forward they're all time. He likes a pack going forward. Today
:12:45. > :12:50.he will have to bring in the bolt - - the big ball carriers and keep
:12:50. > :12:54.things tight. Three has started coming down and I would like to see
:12:54. > :13:00.him bringing in Cuthbert, short runners of them and trying to
:13:00. > :13:04.control the game better. He has a great left boot, so we have two
:13:04. > :13:12.kicking options and they have to learn from their mistakes last week.
:13:12. > :13:16.Why about defensively? He is a big lad for a 10, he will have a people
:13:16. > :13:22.like Andy Tuilagi running at him today. He is a big lad, it will be
:13:22. > :13:28.a big test today. Andy Tuilagi will be running switches and short balls
:13:28. > :13:33.at him. It will be tough. Rather him than you? Park much or rather!
:13:33. > :13:37.It is absolutely sopping wet, suffers border on the field now,
:13:37. > :13:42.conditions are deteriorating and it is raining quite heavily. It will
:13:42. > :13:49.be a slugfest, let's hope the emphasis is on the fest, rather
:13:49. > :13:52.than the slug. So on one tucked away in the warmth of the analysis
:13:52. > :13:55.struck is Sean Holley. You have looked at both of these teams, what
:13:55. > :13:58.have you found out? We thought the Blues, they have
:13:58. > :14:03.really struggled with what I call the nuts and bolts, getting out of
:14:03. > :14:07.their own half, winning the territory battle. When they do win
:14:07. > :14:11.it, they fail to converted two tries. Only zebra have scored fewer
:14:11. > :14:13.tries in the pro 12 this week. tries in the pro 12 this week.
:14:13. > :14:19.I doctor last week about exit strategies, getting out of your own
:14:19. > :14:23.half. They struggled to do this, forwards or were committing. We can
:14:23. > :14:28.see Rhys Patchell taking the ball here, and the Scarlets have three
:14:28. > :14:33.men back covering the ground. Conversely, with the Blues, does he
:14:33. > :14:37.take this off the field or is it a contested game? It has not been
:14:37. > :14:42.good kicking from them. You can see the Scarlets working to counter.
:14:42. > :14:48.The problem this year, Harry Robinson in this case, will they
:14:48. > :14:52.run? He has to come up leaving a lot of space behind for Williams to
:14:52. > :14:56.punch that ball in two. It is a lot of space to cover, and from a
:14:56. > :15:02.reasonable position the Blues find themselves back in their own 22.
:15:02. > :15:08.From at -- an attack point of view, they can move forward against the
:15:08. > :15:12.Scarlets, but cannot convert it. Too flat, not emotion, they need to
:15:12. > :15:20.move as a team as a back line up this week.
:15:20. > :15:24.Rhys Patchell is making -- spooked into making the wrong decision.
:15:24. > :15:31.Look at the back foot of the starts from the scrum. Who is attacking
:15:31. > :15:36.who here? They are pushing hard. It is too deep, Jason Tovey his boot
:15:36. > :15:40.onto his run third, and it is two on a one with the scarlet, another
:15:40. > :15:42.bid position squandered. bid position squandered.
:15:42. > :15:46.They need to improve goody. Sean Holley will be there for the
:15:46. > :15:50.duration of the match with analysis, and the pitch is looking a little
:15:50. > :15:55.body, Kingsley, and that can only mean one thing - it will not be
:15:55. > :15:59.running rugby today. It a a big challenge, the back role clash will
:15:59. > :16:04.be interesting. Warburton's form has been up and
:16:04. > :16:09.down, he improved it, and it will be interesting to see him today.
:16:09. > :16:11.Navidi is also on the bench, it will be interesting to see him. One
:16:11. > :16:16.up front, I think, with those conditions.
:16:16. > :16:20.Well, the crowd is expected to sell out today, the weather is not great,
:16:20. > :16:30.but there is no doubt in the passion and that is the reason we
:16:30. > :16:30.
:16:30. > :17:17.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 48 seconds
:17:17. > :17:23.all love watching the rugby at this The home advantage, I will go with
:17:23. > :17:27.the Blues. The dragon has have come off the back of two convincing wins,
:17:27. > :17:33.or albeit against an Italian minnows side. That will give them
:17:33. > :17:38.confidence. When I look at the strength and the front five,
:17:38. > :17:43.Bradley Davies, Lou Reed. That will give the Blues the edge. We will
:17:43. > :17:48.settle in and watch the first half, coming up shortly and that means it
:17:48. > :17:53.is time to cross to the commentary team. Merry Christmas. Gareth and
:17:53. > :17:56.Jonathan Davies. Compliments of the season to you
:17:56. > :18:06.and to the viewers. It is good to see that Ross is recovered good
:18:06. > :18:08.
:18:08. > :18:13.Christmas? Jonathan Davies. Good to get out of their house! One of the
:18:13. > :18:22.songs played earlier was "why does songs played earlier was "why does
:18:22. > :18:26.songs played earlier was "why does it always rain on me?". Wayne Evans
:18:26. > :18:36.is looking to direct things in his hundredth league game for the
:18:36. > :18:36.
:18:36. > :18:43.Dragons this afternoon. And look for Mick Poole to -- to put
:18:43. > :18:47.pressure on Alex Cuthbert. They will be looking for a big game for
:18:47. > :18:53.Toby Faletau and Tuilagi this afternoon. It will not be easy. It
:18:53. > :18:59.will be slippery in hand and treacherous underfoot. Those extra
:18:59. > :19:06.inches and yards to give the team a backbone will be crucial. It will
:19:06. > :19:12.not to be pretty today. The conditions will determine how the
:19:12. > :19:22.game is played. It will be a forward battle and a kicking battle.
:19:22. > :19:22.
:19:22. > :19:29.The pitch is not in great condition. It is going to be a mudbath. For
:19:29. > :19:39.the old-fashioned traditionalist, right up your street. I do not
:19:39. > :19:39.
:19:39. > :19:44.think it is going to be 46-44 somehow. It will be a tight affair.
:19:44. > :19:51.Robin Copeland on the blindside rather than Josh Navidi. Going for
:19:51. > :19:59.bulk out the front, as well. It is the usual line-up behind. Seeing if
:19:59. > :20:08.Robinson and Alex Cuthbert can get any kind of ball to improve the try
:20:08. > :20:13.statistics. Leighton Hodges of the Welsh Rugby Union is in charge.
:20:13. > :20:21.one of the up and coming youngsters. In the conditions today, this man
:20:21. > :20:30.will be crucial, as well. Daniel Evans gets the game under way. The
:20:30. > :20:35.rain has abated somewhat. It is not pouring down now, anyway. The
:20:35. > :20:39.traditional post-Christmas affair. It is bringing out a good sized
:20:40. > :20:49.crowds despite the conditions. It will not be easy for either hooker
:20:50. > :21:28.
:21:28. > :21:38.is bound to be many carries this took the ball, there was a chance
:21:38. > :21:40.
:21:40. > :21:49.to go. The kick was a little bit too far. He took the ball, and he
:21:49. > :21:59.did kick it. The chance for a quick tap and go in. You have to be aware
:21:59. > :22:07.
:22:07. > :22:17.as soon as possible. He is certainly one of the main attacking
:22:17. > :22:31.
:22:31. > :22:41.important today. Jason Tovey has got to come in and use the left
:22:41. > :22:41.
:22:41. > :23:27.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 48 seconds
:23:27. > :23:32.foot. A nurse has got to help Dan failing to stand on their feet this
:23:32. > :23:39.afternoon. The gain-line is going to be born. They will have to look
:23:39. > :23:44.at the depth. The Blues have an opportunity to go... They are going
:23:44. > :23:54.wide. That was a little bit too slow. Once that is off you have to
:23:54. > :23:54.
:23:54. > :24:37.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 48 seconds
:24:37. > :24:47.to be at his as important as the other one. He tried to put too much
:24:47. > :25:04.
:25:04. > :25:14.into that. He had plenty of following up by a Lewis Evans and
:25:14. > :25:14.
:25:14. > :25:24.Andrew Coombs. That was brilliant. The Dragons have got a scrum but
:25:24. > :25:28.
:25:28. > :25:38.that was a super Chase. He got mud on his face. Absolutely no time
:25:38. > :26:01.
:26:01. > :26:09.and nowhere else to go. He might be the most aptly named player on the
:26:09. > :26:17.field this afternoon! He has a history as a cage fighter, Mick
:26:17. > :26:24.Poole. Using his strength. In a tight game, they have gone for the
:26:24. > :26:34.touchline. Rhys Patchell, well, I am sure that is the work of a back-
:26:34. > :27:10.
:27:10. > :27:20.Let's see what will happen here. Interesting.
:27:20. > :27:23.
:27:23. > :27:28.REFEREE: This man here, not you. a players refusing to let each
:27:28. > :27:34.other go on the floor. A nothing more of that so we stay with the
:27:34. > :27:39.original scrum for blue. What are you coming on for? If there is
:27:39. > :27:47.nothing... I spoke to you at the last crumb after the whistle and I
:27:47. > :27:53.will not speak to you again. -- last scrum. This is where it
:27:53. > :28:01.started. Sam Hobbs was in there, dragged out by the scruff of his
:28:01. > :28:11.neck and there is a tussle on the floor. They are warning each other
:28:11. > :28:18.
:28:18. > :28:28.up! -- and warming. Let's see how to take as many of the points as
:28:28. > :28:38.
:28:38. > :28:41.in the corner, the Blues, and they will not kick very far and the
:28:41. > :28:51.Dragons would Haka Slater whereas now they can have an icy easier
:28:51. > :29:02.
:29:02. > :29:10.kick and when they do get the line- off. No. 6. Lewis-Evans, the
:29:10. > :29:14.captain went too early. So far, it has not been great. Toby Faletau
:29:14. > :29:19.came down to the front of the line to win it for the Dragons.
:29:19. > :29:29.Conditions like this. You know the front ball is going to be very much
:29:29. > :29:34.
:29:34. > :29:41.use. At Tuilagi will take stopping in these conditions. Wayne Evans
:29:41. > :29:51.was complaining that the referee said it was done legally. Very good
:29:51. > :30:23.
:30:23. > :30:33.will deal with you. It is a blue anything to show for it on the
:30:33. > :31:01.
:31:01. > :31:11.They were quite dominant, it just seems a lack of concentration on
:31:11. > :31:16.
:31:16. > :31:26.the pit. J D they have to make sure they secured the ball, because very
:31:26. > :31:37.
:31:38. > :31:47.penalty coming. Yes, Phil Price, Sam Parry, Dan Way, really looking
:31:48. > :31:48.
:31:48. > :32:42.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 48 seconds
:32:42. > :32:45.to do a job on Sam Hobbs, Rhys get out of their own half. They
:32:45. > :32:51.have been pinned back for the opening dozen minutes. The winds
:32:51. > :32:58.are picking up now. I grade take from Amos, superbly
:32:58. > :33:01.done by the young fullback. Just turned 18 years old. -- a great
:33:01. > :33:11.take. Dan Evans near the touch line was
:33:11. > :33:18.
:33:18. > :33:28.advantage coming and they will settle for that. That was great
:33:28. > :33:37.
:33:37. > :33:47.go for the touch down again. Two kicks they have gone for, this is a
:33:47. > :34:01.
:34:01. > :34:05.great take. He does not take his Dragons with the ball. Who are yes,
:34:05. > :34:15.definitely broken off, he was isolated and allowed the Blues
:34:15. > :34:15.
:34:15. > :35:07.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 48 seconds
:35:07. > :35:15.that going to happen today? Good thinking by a Coombs on the
:35:15. > :35:25.recovery. And Hewitt got absolutely it's smashed good of the way by
:35:25. > :35:38.
:35:38. > :35:48.doesn't happen, a little chip, Gavin Hewitt pushed without the
:35:48. > :35:52.
:35:52. > :36:02.Dragons, came off their own feet before Warburton could get a hand
:36:02. > :36:12.
:36:12. > :36:17.to it, really. This is the charge because it is a nice patch of grass.
:36:18. > :36:23.If this was five yards in he would not take it. A following wind,
:36:23. > :36:28.against the run of play, Rhys Patchell gains the Blues the lead.
:36:28. > :36:33.Dragons have been turning down kicks, taking into the wind, and
:36:33. > :36:37.Rhys Patchell from the only bit of turf with no mock -- no mud shows
:36:37. > :36:42.how it is done. That was interesting, Rhys Patchell's first
:36:42. > :36:48.chance to kick and they went for it, the Dragons is sued their first
:36:48. > :36:53.chance to kick, was that a mistake? We saw that ball from Rhys Patchell,
:36:53. > :36:56.it was at cracking kick. It has only been from a lucky couple of
:36:56. > :37:02.turn overs from the Blues they have been able to relieve a bit of
:37:02. > :37:07.pressure. A lovely first kicked there by Rhys Patchell.
:37:07. > :37:11.Dragons have no points on the board but 90% possession. They're looking
:37:11. > :37:14.good, Andy Tuilagi is looking a handful in the centre, it is just
:37:14. > :37:24.about looking after the ball, really, when they get scoring
:37:24. > :37:42.
:37:42. > :37:50.the Blues are concerned. Yes, it just stops dead. This is
:37:50. > :38:00.where they want to play now. The wind has definitely picked up.
:38:00. > :38:16.
:38:16. > :38:21.Absolute monsoon conditions at the swirled and groaned in the wind,
:38:21. > :38:28.but he got it spot on. That was just a great kick and he was going
:38:28. > :38:32.to drop short. Bad is a good kick, as well. That will come away from
:38:32. > :38:42.the defenders, but Lewis Jones has done well, and to be fair the
:38:42. > :38:43.
:38:43. > :38:53.catching has been talk draw, and this time perfectly worked out
:38:53. > :39:00.
:39:00. > :39:05.playing? It would be a resounding no! Boxing Day. What a great take,
:39:05. > :39:15.I thought that Paul was just going to drift, drop outside of the 22,
:39:15. > :39:15.
:39:15. > :39:55.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 48 seconds
:39:55. > :40:05.carriers, Faletau and Tuilagi, are a few of those this afternoon.
:40:05. > :40:12.
:40:12. > :40:22.REFEREE: Be very careful in this pass, you have to hit the bread
:40:22. > :40:59.
:40:59. > :41:03.basket. Conditions are dreadful, when you're in this kind of paddy
:41:03. > :41:10.field conditions is going to be difficult.
:41:10. > :41:15.That is a very good scrum by the Blues. You can see that Phil Price
:41:15. > :41:25.pops up, turned over, they are looking for the miracle pass here.
:41:25. > :41:48.
:41:48. > :41:52.Just hit the deck, clear it out, it 5:30pm kick-off. The second of the
:41:52. > :41:58.Welsh derbies this afternoon, and Jonathan at 50. Who would have
:41:58. > :42:08.thought it? So more old codger, that is! Hosts
:42:08. > :42:11.
:42:11. > :42:21.like a, warming up! Of course, Dragon's back in action New Year's
:42:21. > :42:21.
:42:21. > :43:03.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 48 seconds
:43:03. > :43:13.side. The ball pops straight out of Coombs. The support did not get to
:43:13. > :43:17.
:43:17. > :43:22.else on, he Patchell makes a tackle, then it Warburton. They just do not
:43:22. > :43:27.clear him out, Warburton is over the ball, they cannot clear him out.
:43:27. > :43:31.There is the knock-on. Once Warburton get over him, you have
:43:31. > :43:41.got to take him out. If he is there for a couple of seconds, it is
:43:41. > :43:51.
:43:51. > :43:57.going to be a turnover in penalties. successful penalties for Rhys
:43:57. > :44:01.Patchell. I thought that because Evans is a good footballer, but I
:44:01. > :44:06.am not sure if he is a recognised high percentage goal kicker. And
:44:06. > :44:10.you do have someone like Lewis Robling. He is on the bench. Maybe
:44:10. > :44:20.in the second half it will come down to kicks, it is no doubt in
:44:20. > :44:33.
:44:33. > :44:39.took it away from him. Very difficult to take. It shows how
:44:39. > :44:44.good they have been taking the ball so far. Going too early, Toby. And
:44:44. > :44:54.the wind takes the ball away from him. But, absolutely horrible
:44:54. > :45:19.
:45:19. > :45:25.Dragons players, the wind is strong against them. What you have to do
:45:25. > :45:29.is try to keep the score down. They are thinking, we are going to get
:45:29. > :45:34.good field position in the second half and get penalties and then we
:45:34. > :45:44.will kick the goals. They will try to play the clock down in the first
:45:44. > :45:45.
:45:45. > :45:55.half. The line-out at the moment is an absolute shambles from Cardiff
:45:55. > :46:14.
:46:14. > :46:17.difficult at the moment. The Dragons are challenging everything.
:46:17. > :46:22.Just the one through for the Blues and there was a hand in from Andrew
:46:22. > :46:32.Coombs which destroyed things for the Blues. You're have to think
:46:32. > :46:54.
:46:54. > :47:04.about shortening its. If you do not straight. You cannot pick your feet
:47:04. > :47:21.
:47:21. > :47:30.up in these conditions. All the base about scrum. Somehow, the
:47:30. > :47:40.Blues have managed to recover. That was good readjustment from Jason
:47:40. > :47:55.
:47:55. > :48:05.Tovey. And great pressure from Toby opportunities to put it through the
:48:05. > :48:13.
:48:13. > :48:16.seen a fair bit of kicking this afternoon, we have seen at a good
:48:16. > :48:26.deal more pace to the game there we saw on Friday night when the Blues
:48:26. > :49:02.
:49:02. > :49:12.Tallinn the world, anyway! -- driest towel. Still 100% from the
:49:12. > :49:12.
:49:12. > :50:16.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 48 seconds
:50:16. > :50:24.clockwork, isn't it? With Rhys Patchell making the tackles you
:50:24. > :50:34.have to look after him. Rhys Patchell is having to put his body
:50:34. > :50:34.
:50:34. > :51:28.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 48 seconds
:51:28. > :51:32.sunbathing weather! A bit shocking, it up in the air and no one is
:51:32. > :51:42.getting out of that. They were all offside, unfortunately. They were
:51:42. > :51:54.
:51:54. > :51:59.post and the Blues and Rhys Patchell are taking every
:51:59. > :52:04.opportunity. That is three from three. They have opened up a nine-
:52:04. > :52:11.point gap. A that is the difference. You look at the Dragons. They
:52:11. > :52:15.missed a kick and then they did not take two penalties that could be
:52:15. > :52:25.kicked. I do not think it was windy at that stage. Ten minutes into the
:52:25. > :52:31.
:52:31. > :52:36.match it picked up and it was Leach, but Rhys Patchell and even
:52:36. > :52:41.better slide to recover the ball. It will be a scrum for the Dragons.
:52:41. > :52:51.This is a problem. You have to have an option to kick. They are
:52:51. > :52:53.
:52:53. > :52:57.sprinting out of the line. Rhys Patchell is there. You can see
:52:57. > :53:07.Jason Tovey was on the other side, which is the easier kick. You have
:53:07. > :53:17.
:53:17. > :53:24.Dragons, wanted to get points on the board sooner rather than later.
:53:25. > :53:30.This should be a chance for them. One minute the blue scrum is on the
:53:30. > :53:40.offensive. The next minute the dragon scrum is on the offensive.
:53:40. > :53:45.
:53:45. > :53:55.Surely that was a lack of confident. The ball goes to the
:53:55. > :54:01.
:54:01. > :54:10.back, they stay down. It is there to be picked up. Just watch, on the
:54:10. > :54:17.right-hand side. That was the easier kick. In these conditions,
:54:17. > :54:26.you have to take the easy option. The touchline was nearer to Jason
:54:26. > :54:32.Tovey on the side. There is no trace in Jason Tovey down. --
:54:32. > :54:40.chasing. Well, the Dragons got themselves back within striking
:54:40. > :54:46.distance. But, Dan Evans put it past the post. He tried to
:54:46. > :54:50.absolutely welly that. Before the wind was stronger. He gave it
:54:50. > :54:56.everything. He just had to stroke it and he would have had the
:54:56. > :55:06.distance. They cannot afford to ways those opportunities. It is
:55:06. > :55:39.
:55:39. > :55:43.the elements. Kingsley, imagine you are a forward. You have got
:55:43. > :55:49.possession. Suddenly, there is a chance for a goal-kick and you miss
:55:49. > :55:53.it. You miss the goal kick. What does it do for my role? It is
:55:53. > :55:58.momentum. The Dragons, the forwards have done well. The commonsense
:55:58. > :56:03.approach is to go to the line-out early on. They disrupted the Blues
:56:03. > :56:09.line-out. Blues have not done that. There are scores should be nine-6.
:56:09. > :56:19.There is 9-0 enough? I think it might be. The way they are kicking.
:56:19. > :56:19.
:56:19. > :57:13.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 48 seconds
:57:13. > :57:23.and dry this afternoon is being used to advantage. The conditions
:57:23. > :57:25.
:57:25. > :57:31.are horrendous. Remember, seven points separate the sides before
:57:31. > :57:41.this afternoon. The Dragons have a game in hand. This is so important
:57:41. > :58:06.
:58:06. > :58:12.thing going for the third Heineken I think there might be a change in
:58:12. > :58:16.the second half. Lewis Robling will have to come on, do you think? He
:58:16. > :58:21.is the goalkicker there. I am not saying that they will take Dan
:58:21. > :58:31.Evans off. I do not think much ball is going out to the winks. You
:58:31. > :59:10.
:59:10. > :59:16.would have to -- flyer macros. You again. And that is a great hit on
:59:16. > :59:19.Tuilagi. I think it was a couple of hits. Toby Faletau getting them
:59:19. > :59:29.back on the front foot. And excellent defence so far from the
:59:29. > :59:57.
:59:57. > :00:07.Look, there is only one man there. Amos goes the aerial route, though.
:00:07. > :00:15.
:00:15. > :00:25.sting out of it. Good carrying by the Dragons,
:00:25. > :00:44.
:00:44. > :00:46.sooner is he back up and get more the touch line and the pass is for
:00:46. > :00:56.word. Despite all the possession, again at that thin blue line stands
:00:56. > :01:15.
:01:15. > :01:19.for it, but Amos gets it. Apologies for any interruption to your
:01:19. > :01:26.screens, the weather conditions are playing havoc with the satellite,
:01:26. > :01:33.if you can just bear with us. If you are suffering with your screens
:01:33. > :01:37.come imagine those boys out there. That might be a problem for the
:01:37. > :01:47.scrum-half, Yom Lewis Jones, because he has strapped his fingers
:01:47. > :02:02.
:02:02. > :02:08.with the assistant coach for the Blues, 9-0, is it enough?
:02:08. > :02:18.I would not have thought so. We have to do a little of what Dragons
:02:18. > :02:18.
:02:18. > :02:28.did in the first half and keep the back in the changing rooms in a
:02:28. > :02:39.
:02:39. > :02:47.couple of minutes, clean Jersey's, keep the Blues pinned down, rather
:02:47. > :02:51.than giving them a wee out with the throat to come. They're just
:02:51. > :02:55.relieving the pressure valve a little bit. He he has gone again
:02:55. > :03:03.early, that is a very good scrum by the Blues.
:03:03. > :03:13.If he stays owned, he has a chance to go. Cuthbert should stay on the
:03:13. > :03:42.
:03:42. > :03:52.touch line there, as well. Just out, - get in there. Quick take.
:03:52. > :04:01.
:04:01. > :04:06.Quick, take it, have a line-out and like this in this game. He now it
:04:06. > :04:13.is the Dragons's turn to be disciplined. Who are last
:04:13. > :04:16.opportunity, 12-0. It is not out of play and the line-
:04:16. > :04:20.out has been a bit of an Achilles heel for the Blues in the first
:04:20. > :04:24.half, but their defence has been excellent. They were under pressure
:04:24. > :04:30.for long periods initially, again at the end of a half and they did
:04:30. > :04:35.not concede asked -- a. Back. That's the Dragons need to make a
:04:35. > :04:39.change, the forwards carried the ball exceptionally well. In the
:04:39. > :04:44.second half they will have the element with them, so I think this
:04:44. > :04:49.game is not with them. Conditions awful, element with the blues
:04:49. > :04:58.mainly in the first half, Rhys Patchell separating the sides, at
:04:58. > :05:04.half-time it is a Blues nine, Territory and possession
:05:04. > :05:08.overwhelmingly in favour of the Dragons, but have they -- they have
:05:08. > :05:13.failed to register a single point. Not making the most of that
:05:13. > :05:16.possession. Lineouts have been a big problem for the Blues, the
:05:16. > :05:20.Dragons putting big pressure on them, but not translating into any
:05:20. > :05:25.advantage on the score board. Dragons only have half the might of
:05:25. > :05:29.tackles, as well. I think they started the game well.
:05:29. > :05:38.We mentioned the line-out, the scrums are tit-for-tat, both teams
:05:38. > :05:41.are under pressure, but for me it is stopping Tuilagi and Faletau. If
:05:41. > :05:46.the Blues can manage to do that they will keep the lead and take
:05:46. > :05:48.the victory. He Tom, we're watching from the
:05:48. > :05:54.comfort of the box and the conditions are dreadful.
:05:54. > :05:57.Give us an idea for the players, what it is like for them out there.
:05:57. > :06:04.They it is terrible for the players! It is terrible from the
:06:04. > :06:08.side lines. The weather is awful. There is acute wind out there, it
:06:08. > :06:12.is still wet on the floor at the MoD is coming up, it is all greasy,
:06:12. > :06:17.and that is why you're seeing so many mistakes and not ons. It is
:06:17. > :06:21.very hard conditions, you are playing at the wind and the rain
:06:21. > :06:27.and more than the team in front of you. It is a good lead by the Blues,
:06:27. > :06:30.9-0, and for them this game is hugely important. They have lost
:06:30. > :06:39.seven out of nine home games. They want to make sure, this is your
:06:39. > :06:42.home ground, it is a fortress. The wind will favour the Dragons in the
:06:42. > :06:47.second half, it is whether the Blues can play out of that. Sean
:06:47. > :06:52.Holley, tactics are key on conditions like this. You do not
:06:52. > :06:55.want to spin it wide because you make got the ball, so taking takes
:06:55. > :07:00.importance. You have been looking at the strategies of both, who is
:07:00. > :07:05.getting it right? At times both of them. The Blues will be very happy
:07:05. > :07:11.going in at nine-seagull, because it is 79% territory to the Dragons.
:07:11. > :07:14.I mentioned exit strategies at the start of the shore. Getting out of
:07:14. > :07:20.start of the shore. Getting out of your own half is very important,
:07:20. > :07:26.and Evans played very, very well. Left-footed option, Audrey Cuthbert.
:07:26. > :07:31.Nothing fancy, drilling into this difficult side of the field. Amos
:07:31. > :07:35.at fullback had a good half, and playing into the wind, sometimes
:07:35. > :07:39.contest double kicks are very important to keep the territory.
:07:39. > :07:43.Jason Tovey does not get them out of the territory. Rhys Patchell has
:07:43. > :07:48.been charged down twice in the first half putting pressure on
:07:48. > :07:54.himself. They started to get it right, Jones but a lovely one N.
:07:54. > :07:59.Jason Tovey but a lovely one N. It got them the penalties for the 9-0
:07:59. > :08:01.in the first half. It will be interesting in the second half who
:08:01. > :08:05.interesting in the second half who wins this battle. It a obviously
:08:05. > :08:09.become a placed kick battle, and Rhys Patchell has knocked over a
:08:09. > :08:13.three for the blues. Dan Evans has missed two for the
:08:13. > :08:18.Dragons. It is the kind of game that will probably come down to one
:08:18. > :08:25.penalty. Dan Evans's first kick, when you are in tough battles,
:08:25. > :08:28.particularly like today, it is so important. It is crucial, you'll
:08:28. > :08:34.win your at the moment is important, but if you can bring someone on
:08:35. > :08:39.down the wing to kick those goals, it can make the difference. It is
:08:39. > :08:44.difficult, if you have the nerve to hold for those crucial kicks, it
:08:44. > :08:48.could win the game. That is why I was never a kicker. They have had
:08:48. > :08:53.opportunities, they will be disappointed, the Dragons, because
:08:53. > :08:58.they had opportunities in the first half. They should have had at least
:08:58. > :09:02.six on the board. Second half, they are playing with a lot of wind, but
:09:02. > :09:11.it is whether Dan Evans has the nerve to kick his goals, whether
:09:12. > :09:14.they bring Lewis Robling on or not. It will be harder for the Blues in
:09:15. > :09:20.the second half because of the wind. Can additions are not helping
:09:20. > :09:27.anyone, but we talked about Toby Faletau at the big -- beginning of
:09:27. > :09:32.the programme, if anyone is doing well it is that man. He has been a
:09:32. > :09:41.real handful with Tuilagi. He is going so it -- through three
:09:41. > :09:47.or four defenders there to get to the line.
:09:47. > :09:53.He is carrying non-stop. They are quite happy, the Dragons, to put
:09:53. > :10:03.the ball behind the Blues and pressure on the line.
:10:03. > :10:04.
:10:04. > :10:10.The runs from Tuilagi are a loading -- allowing Jason Tovey that
:10:10. > :10:17.freedom. We sold Dragons sparing opportunities to kick goals, made
:10:17. > :10:20.because it off -- maybe because of the lack of confidence in the
:10:20. > :10:24.kicker. Their line-out has been functioning really well, there
:10:24. > :10:27.drive has been functioning really well, and they were unlucky not to
:10:28. > :10:32.score in the first five minutes. It was only agreed turnover by the
:10:32. > :10:37.Blues that allowed them to relieve pressure. Jason Tovey has been
:10:37. > :10:44.brilliant in that have, he is loose and fast, but he is certainly
:10:44. > :10:48.getting the game line. Sean poorly come -- Sean Holley, obviously
:10:48. > :10:54.things are being kept tight and the set piece will be very important,
:10:54. > :10:58.you have been looking at the scrum, who is coming out on top?
:10:58. > :11:00.I think it is important, I am not a scrum coach, but just to have a
:11:00. > :11:04.scrum coach, but just to have a look at what each team is trying to
:11:04. > :11:08.achieve. There is an interesting tussle developing. Scott Andrews is
:11:08. > :11:14.on the tight end, but Phil Price is having a real go at him, hitting
:11:14. > :11:18.his shoulder and forge -- forcing pressure. It is difficult for
:11:18. > :11:24.referees and players, they cannot get a bind on these Sharks and
:11:24. > :11:28.difficult conditions. The Bank tend to slip. Look at full price. They
:11:28. > :11:32.have to be careful not to be reeling it round. As for the Blues,
:11:32. > :11:38.Scott Andrews is trying to attack the Book of the Dragons and get
:11:38. > :11:48.some purchase. -- the boot. The second half is under way and
:11:48. > :11:53.plenty more rugby coming your way today. Cup next it is Scrum V Live
:11:53. > :11:57.Classics, England versus Wales, 1976.
:11:57. > :12:04.Then it is the Ospreys welcoming the Scarlets in the battle of the
:12:04. > :12:13.West at 5:15pm. On New Year's Eve, the Dragons face the Ospreys at
:12:13. > :12:17.Any year in Welsh rugby is one of extremes, from euphoria to
:12:17. > :12:20.heartbreak and despair in the blink of an eye and back again. 2012 was
:12:21. > :12:25.no exception and as it is Christmas we thought we would use Charles
:12:25. > :12:30.Dickens to take us through this you of contradictions. He it was the
:12:30. > :12:35.best of times... Wales have got the Grand Slam, the
:12:35. > :12:41.third since 2005! And it was the worst of times...
:12:41. > :12:50.A crushing blow for Wales. It was the age of wisdom. It was
:12:50. > :12:53.the age of foolishness... That is read.
:12:53. > :13:02.Will Gavin Henson ever play professional rugby again?
:13:02. > :13:06.It was the epoch of belief, it was And and here is the drive, and they
:13:06. > :13:13.have scored! It was the season of light...
:13:13. > :13:17.We Williams is going to go for it, have they got their? They have
:13:17. > :13:26.taken the pro 12 right at the very death.
:13:26. > :13:32.It was the season of darkness. And he get over in the corner! That
:13:32. > :13:41.is a try. It is all going horribly wrong for Wales.
:13:41. > :13:47.It was the time of hope... Wales have the Triple Crown at
:13:47. > :13:52.Twickenham! It was the winter of despair...
:13:52. > :13:58.Wales walk dejectedly off the field. They have lost again.
:13:58. > :14:03.We had everything before us. We had nothing before us. We were all
:14:03. > :14:11.going direct to heaven... We were all going directive the
:14:11. > :14:15.Great to look back at some of the more triumphant moment, we were on
:14:15. > :14:19.the verge of world domination at the start of the year, but it went
:14:19. > :14:24.a bit sour at the end of the year. What would you highlight?
:14:24. > :14:34.Their grandstand was great, but to see the Ospreys take the pro 12th,
:14:34. > :14:35.
:14:35. > :14:41.that is probably my highlight of Highlight of my year, honestly, the
:14:41. > :14:45.try-saving tackle Leigh Halfpenny and Davies. Unbelievable. It was
:14:45. > :14:48.last minute. They galvanise the team and they went on to win the
:14:48. > :14:53.Grand Slam. People forget that on the back of the campaign, Wales are
:14:53. > :14:57.the defending champions of the Six Nations. They have not become a bad
:14:57. > :15:02.team overnight and had it not been for injuries and the last few
:15:02. > :15:05.seconds against Australia, we would have come away with a great victory.
:15:05. > :15:10.Wales still are the Six Nations champions and perhaps we will get
:15:10. > :15:14.your thoughts on that. Let's go down to Phil Steele and we spoke
:15:14. > :15:18.about the conditions in the first half. You can give us an update.
:15:18. > :15:23.That is what it looks like, that is around the 10 metre halfway line
:15:23. > :15:27.and you can see the surface water. It will not get any better. It is
:15:27. > :15:31.hammering down. I had a word with the referee. He said he is happy
:15:31. > :15:36.that the game does not need to be abandoned. He will go on safety,
:15:36. > :15:40.where the players are in danger. Also player identification. Can he
:15:40. > :15:43.spot which team has the ball? He is happy with both of those things and
:15:43. > :15:48.he said neither captain have complained and he is happy to go on.
:15:48. > :15:53.The wind has really picked up and it should favour the Dragons.
:15:53. > :15:56.We have spoken how it is an old- fashioned derby, with the weather
:15:56. > :16:00.as well. Kingsley, you look at the conditions and you think if ever
:16:00. > :16:04.there was an argument for rugby union becoming a summer sport this
:16:04. > :16:09.is it. To be honest with you, it was the only time we had a decent
:16:09. > :16:13.game when it was raining like this! I know Tom will give his food, but,
:16:13. > :16:18.for me, it all summer we have had the wettest Aprils, the wettest
:16:18. > :16:24.Junes. I do not think it will change that much. It still reigns
:16:24. > :16:26.in Wales, particularly any month of the air. Just over our shoulder is
:16:26. > :16:30.the Millennium Stadium with a retractable roof. Perhaps we should
:16:30. > :16:36.have played next door. I would have liked to have seen it played next
:16:36. > :16:39.door. We want to see a good, free- flowing game. Unfortunately, the
:16:39. > :16:44.weather is dictating how the game is played. The only option today
:16:44. > :16:49.would be to play indoors. OK come as we have seen, the
:16:49. > :16:59.weather is against us. But a passionate crowd, especially if you
:16:59. > :17:03.
:17:03. > :17:13.saw the guy with the top off earlier.
:17:13. > :17:35.
:17:35. > :17:40.Time to return to our commentary team of Jonathan Davies and Gareth
:17:40. > :17:41.charles. Thanks very much. Hopefully, the
:17:41. > :17:45.Thanks very much. Hopefully, the satellite problems have been solved
:17:45. > :17:54.and they will not interfere with the picture any more. I think the
:17:54. > :17:58.phrase of the last few weeks is, more rain falling on a saturated
:17:58. > :18:08.surface, is applicable. His it is not raining and the moment. Fingers
:18:08. > :18:13.
:18:13. > :18:17.crossed. -- it is. I think with a double head of local derbies,
:18:17. > :18:22.Ospreys and Scarlets coming up, we could have played both of the games
:18:22. > :18:30.in the Millennium Stadium. They will do it at the end of May, this
:18:30. > :18:34.season, so who knows? Twice next year? It were be nice. -- it would
:18:34. > :18:44.be nice. And then they can share the money out. That might be a
:18:44. > :18:44.
:18:44. > :19:46.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 48 seconds
:19:46. > :19:51.stumbling block! Liberty is not too half the way they finished the
:19:51. > :20:01.first. It was a good tackle, he lost the tackle. That was a nice
:20:01. > :20:01.
:20:01. > :20:11.chance to go. He slipped before he could deliver. Dafydd Hewitt
:20:11. > :20:21.stepped in at scrum-half. That was a poor kick. He'd did not get it
:20:21. > :20:50.
:20:50. > :20:54.aggressive defence and the turnover. He could not get that pass away.
:20:54. > :21:01.saw that handling errors statistics. Very much more by the Dragons than
:21:01. > :21:11.the Blues, but that might be a reflection of possession. Jones
:21:11. > :21:11.
:21:11. > :21:56.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 48 seconds
:21:56. > :22:06.dancing is he would get in on this at the Arms Park. That was way back
:22:06. > :22:08.
:22:08. > :22:18.in November 2003. This will be a turnover if they do not do this
:22:18. > :22:37.
:22:37. > :22:47.was happy to who fit off anyway. hoof it. They just need to stay
:22:47. > :22:50.
:22:50. > :22:55.down here in get those penalties. They cannot relax now, Cardiff
:22:55. > :22:58.Blues, I tell you. They have to be aggressive with their defence. They
:22:58. > :23:04.have to carry ball. They cannot just kick it away because with
:23:04. > :23:14.these conditions the Dragons will return it with interest. Toby
:23:14. > :23:24.
:23:24. > :23:29.Faletau was again leading the Blues have hardly missed a tackle
:23:29. > :23:39.all afternoon. When they need to, they have got crucial turnovers and
:23:39. > :24:00.
:24:00. > :24:08.again to keep him at bay. The Dragons have done everything except
:24:08. > :24:13.to score. They have kept ball time and time again. It was not just a
:24:13. > :24:20.tackle from Jason Tovey, there were two covering players. That was a
:24:20. > :24:30.big line-out. And they have lost it again. It was a free play for the
:24:30. > :24:46.
:24:46. > :24:56.defending the try-line. The right one has to come over. Now they are
:24:56. > :25:36.
:25:36. > :25:46.in midfield, there has to be one Tremendous pressure by the visitors,
:25:46. > :26:03.
:26:03. > :26:13.stop that is what the Dragons have been building and building for.
:26:13. > :26:17.
:26:17. > :26:22.Eventually. This man was on the charge. What a great dummy run.
:26:22. > :26:27.Again, one-on-one, big man and small man. Harry Robinson I think
:26:27. > :26:32.is bowled over. Watch the dummy run. I'm not sure, I cannot see who it
:26:32. > :26:42.is, but that is the hit. You cannot go high on this man. He bowls him
:26:42. > :26:52.over and eventually put the ball down. Great work by Dan Evans.
:26:52. > :26:52.
:26:52. > :27:02.Harry Robinson. You have to go low on that man. Just when the Blues
:27:02. > :27:04.
:27:04. > :27:10.needed one of the big men in big field -- what the use needed. --
:27:10. > :27:14.what the Blues needed. Wayne Evans with the conversion. He chipped it
:27:14. > :27:22.over and now the game is in the melting pot. A converted try brings
:27:22. > :27:30.them back within a kick. Darren Edwards, Dragons coach, how vital
:27:30. > :27:36.was that? It is good. We have had a lot of pressure in the game.
:27:36. > :27:42.Disappointed in the first half. This game is about territory. It is
:27:42. > :27:48.at about keeping somebody binned. The airline that has been fantastic.
:27:48. > :27:57.And the scrum. I just need them to be refereed properly! -- the line-
:27:57. > :28:02.out. Watch this dummy run. They hold the line, he hit it short.
:28:02. > :28:12.They had numbers on the outside and worked exceptionally well. It was a
:28:12. > :28:13.
:28:13. > :28:19.quality dummy run and then a good ball by Dan Evans. I think the
:28:19. > :28:25.Blues have won one line-out all afternoon. It has been a shambles
:28:25. > :28:28.for the Blues. They have to try to sort it out. This will show a lot
:28:28. > :28:33.of character for the Blues. Because the conditions are favouring the
:28:33. > :28:37.Dragons. They have to carry the ball. They just cannot kick the
:28:37. > :28:47.ball away, because the Dragons will get a penalty in the second half
:28:47. > :28:53.
:28:53. > :29:03.and slot it. They have to keep on playing. Lewis Evans, another good
:29:03. > :29:18.
:29:18. > :29:28.change. Tuilagi this time with the for Daniel Evans. Toby Faletau, I
:29:28. > :29:41.
:29:41. > :29:51.tell you what, you have been the field, reset -- Lewis Robling
:29:51. > :29:59.
:29:59. > :30:09.is on for him. Tom Brown in the is now.
:30:09. > :30:09.
:30:09. > :30:58.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 48 seconds
:30:58. > :31:05.intensity, the Blues, the game is the Blues atoll old stones --
:31:05. > :31:11.downfield. Trying to get into the pace of their game and into the
:31:12. > :31:19.conditions. He of he is, Harry Robinson. --
:31:19. > :31:24.here he is. Technically that is a penalty. As I said, that he might
:31:24. > :31:32.have to start playing. If they think they're going to hang on with
:31:32. > :31:42.27 minutes left, with the wind behind, they have good...
:31:42. > :32:10.
:32:10. > :32:17.There is Will Harries, a good kick, something to grasp on to with all
:32:17. > :32:27.the mud and moister. -- moisture. Any clean, dry surface, so much of
:32:27. > :32:34.
:32:34. > :32:44.in the scrums. I heard earlier that Darren Edwards was not happy in the
:32:44. > :33:22.
:33:22. > :33:32.way they were being refereed. He honest, they are all screaming
:33:32. > :33:32.
:33:32. > :34:13.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 48 seconds
:34:13. > :34:23.season, come off the bench a couple of times. He is struggling, isn't
:34:23. > :34:26.
:34:26. > :34:31.the referee will give the medics a chance. Phil, you have some news.
:34:31. > :34:36.Yes, Daniel Evans of the Dragons came off with a net ankle problem.
:34:36. > :34:40.He has his left ankle encased in a smack. Interestingly enough, it is
:34:40. > :34:45.a twin battle, Sam Warburton in the back row for the Blues, and on the
:34:45. > :34:51.far side from me doing great work as a physio for the Dragons is his
:34:51. > :35:01.twin brother, Ben, who has been quite busy this afternoon. Thank
:35:01. > :35:06.
:35:06. > :35:16.water boys are all being kept extremely busy this afternoon.
:35:16. > :35:27.
:35:27. > :35:37.I think we can spot the family Filise's boating was very short-
:35:37. > :36:06.
:36:06. > :36:13.little bit now. It is almost a nice well, well. I think that is a home-
:36:14. > :36:23.made tattoo. Somebody has just decided to write that on his chest,
:36:24. > :36:52.
:36:52. > :37:02.they take it down and picked up on offside position of dog that is
:37:02. > :37:10.
:37:10. > :37:20.interesting. -- the offside position. Will pick it up after it
:37:20. > :37:20.
:37:20. > :38:27.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 48 seconds
:38:27. > :38:33.very difficult. There is not really back, the following up was
:38:33. > :38:43.excellent. That is a good offload there.
:38:43. > :39:12.
:39:12. > :39:22.Harry Robinson has a run and tried come off. He is carrying his leg.
:39:22. > :39:27.
:39:27. > :39:37.Lewis Jones, with a face full of There row man short, the Blues,
:39:37. > :39:42.
:39:42. > :39:48.because he just walked off. -- they own, and that is the penalty the
:39:48. > :39:58.Dragons have been looking for. all stemmed from the fact there was
:39:58. > :39:59.
:39:59. > :40:03.no scrum-half their, court, irrespective of what happens.
:40:03. > :40:09.Patchell has to get the kick away. He has plenty of time to pick the
:40:09. > :40:19.kick in, but for some unknown reason goes on his own. Cuthbert is
:40:19. > :40:48.
:40:48. > :40:53.taken out in the tackle, and then between the posts, and the Dragons,
:40:53. > :41:03.after failing to score a point in the first half, in the next quarter
:41:03. > :41:09.
:41:09. > :41:19.the team might have to pick up their game in the final quarter. --
:41:19. > :41:28.
:41:28. > :41:33.the Blues have to pick up their Patchell takes off for the Blues.
:41:33. > :41:40.That is offside. All-in Evans picked it up from an offside
:41:40. > :41:50.position. -- Owen Evans. They hit was not a note of us -- not just by
:41:50. > :41:53.
:41:53. > :42:01.the referee, Ian Davies notified him. There he is, he was screaming
:42:01. > :42:08.and shouting. An elementary error. The threesome -- three substitutes
:42:08. > :42:17.just came on for the Dragons. They were picked up by going Evans
:42:17. > :42:22.clearly from an offside position. - - picked up by Evans. Immediately,
:42:22. > :42:29.the Dragons take the lead. It they have given it the Blues the chance
:42:29. > :42:34.to take it back. A big kick for Rhys Patchell, he makes up for
:42:34. > :42:41.getting caught in possession a moment earlier. The team might
:42:41. > :42:46.sneak back ahead of the Dragons. That is a big kick by Rhys Patchell.
:42:46. > :42:56.That is the difference, when you are in front and it is a silly,
:42:56. > :43:02.
:43:02. > :43:06.Serie earned -- silly error by the take a leap out of Cuthbert's book.
:43:06. > :43:13.You cannot just stand and wait for the kick it to clear, you have to
:43:13. > :43:19.roll your sleeves up, the Blues, and get really stuck in. Otherwise,
:43:19. > :43:23.the Dragons are so much in control they will neck this game. The Blues
:43:23. > :43:33.have to net -- play because the Dragons are going to steal this
:43:33. > :43:35.
:43:35. > :43:45.Jason Tovey can do nothing and watches it go past him over the
:43:45. > :43:49.
:43:49. > :43:59.touchline. Nicely angled by Lewis in the right areas for the Dragons.
:43:59. > :44:18.
:44:18. > :44:28.It is about discipline and no little things will make a huge
:44:28. > :44:28.
:44:28. > :45:20.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 48 seconds
:45:20. > :45:28.call by Lewis Robling. They are going forward. They just have to
:45:28. > :45:35.get something. Use your big men. Just keep possession in that
:45:35. > :45:41.position. They have done so well for an hour and more, the Dragons,
:45:41. > :45:47.they have kept possession time and time again. It brought them the
:45:47. > :45:57.lead for a short while. On a day when there is plenty of rugby to be
:45:57. > :45:57.
:45:57. > :48:03.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 48 seconds
:48:03. > :48:13.who he could not pass to. There are a lot of mud coloured Jersey's out
:48:13. > :48:34.
:48:34. > :48:44.where they are playing the game, gone. You could throw a blanket
:48:44. > :48:50.
:48:50. > :48:56.good work by the forwards. Such a lot of hard work to be done hanging
:48:56. > :49:06.on to possession. You have got to take the penalty. You have to hold
:49:06. > :49:33.
:49:33. > :49:43.their weight. You have to hold your width.
:49:43. > :49:45.
:49:45. > :49:55.REFEREE: What is your opinion in terms of the conditions? If we come
:49:55. > :50:00.
:50:00. > :50:04.here again and we do not get quick ball, I will blow. He is having a
:50:04. > :50:11.word with Pretorius and Lewis Evans and he is quite happy to blow my
:50:11. > :50:16.top at any time when they think it is no longer safe to play. I wonder
:50:16. > :50:21.what our pundits would make of it. Kingsley? It interesting. It
:50:21. > :50:30.favours the be used to call it off at the moment. At the moment, the
:50:30. > :50:34.Blues need to play in the right areas and you are better off
:50:34. > :50:37.playing and getting the ball down and let the Dragons play out. Sam
:50:37. > :50:42.Warburton is effective over the ball and could get the penalty to
:50:42. > :50:48.take the game away from the Dragons effectively. 12 minutes left, I do
:50:48. > :50:52.not think he can blow up now. The Dragons would be distraught. They
:50:52. > :51:02.have 12 minutes to win the game. The Blues have to play in the right
:51:02. > :51:26.
:51:26. > :51:36.for Tuilagi. Our I am surprised Tuilagi has gone laugh. It must
:51:36. > :51:36.
:51:36. > :52:33.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 48 seconds
:52:33. > :52:38.kick and he won his team a scrum. Hugh Gustafson comes on at hooker.
:52:39. > :52:46.If I were a dragon, I would not nip and under us, I would could tell
:52:46. > :52:56.that a little bit and try to Trail one and spent some time in the
:52:56. > :52:58.
:52:58. > :53:08.Blues 22. They have to drill one or low and hard into the 22 and rather
:53:08. > :53:08.
:53:08. > :53:18.than putting it up in the air. It will be difficult to take the ball
:53:18. > :53:21.
:53:21. > :53:31.from your own 22. One turnover, one penalty, and they win the game.
:53:31. > :54:01.
:54:01. > :54:03.conditions. The scoreline is very This is still on a knife-edge. The
:54:03. > :54:10.nine points advantage we looked out at half-time and everybody saying
:54:10. > :54:20.it was too close to call, that is the way it has proved to be as Toby
:54:20. > :54:32.
:54:32. > :54:42.Faletau again gets it over the difficult to keep control on that
:54:42. > :54:47.
:54:47. > :54:50.ball. He picks the ball up, knocks the ball. Eight minutes left.
:54:50. > :54:57.Unless the Blues start really carrying the ball and playing the
:54:57. > :55:01.right areas, the Dragons will have one a chance to win this game.
:55:01. > :55:07.a third place in Europe is what they are essentially fighting for.
:55:07. > :55:14.Both teams before this afternoon, blues played 11, 20 points. Dragons
:55:14. > :55:21.played 10, 13 points. Seven points of an advantage and a game in hand,
:55:21. > :55:31.this will be massive for the Dragons. Ospreys a further seven
:55:31. > :55:31.
:55:31. > :56:42.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 48 seconds
:56:42. > :56:52.Dragons. He came down from the Blues again. He does so well to
:56:52. > :57:12.
:57:12. > :57:22.come back infield and keep the on to this narrow lead. Almost got
:57:22. > :57:25.
:57:25. > :57:29.a turnover. He is a good ball carrier, Hugh Gustafson. Questions
:57:29. > :57:37.are being asked again of the Blues defence as they have been most of
:57:37. > :57:44.the afternoon. No penalties whatsoever. You are better off
:57:44. > :57:54.trying to score. A try. You cannot be passive. They will get over the
:57:54. > :57:58.
:57:58. > :58:08.gain-line. And another pick and go from the No. 8. The referee said to
:58:08. > :58:10.
:58:10. > :58:16.play on. That could have gone either way. Lewis Robling. He
:58:16. > :58:23.pushed it just wide. Now, he missed it! He thought it was over. He was
:58:23. > :58:33.brave enough to go for it, but he did not quite. It was a great chase.
:58:33. > :58:35.
:58:35. > :58:45.Watch the chase by the Blues. He pushes it and it was so close. That
:58:45. > :58:54.
:58:54. > :59:04.this and then a good chase is important now for the Blues. They
:59:04. > :59:04.
:59:04. > :59:08.have to try to sprint. That was coming back. And knock-on has been
:59:08. > :59:14.called. Rhys Patchell had half turned and everybody wearing blue
:59:14. > :59:18.thought that went backwards. That is a big call from Leighton Hodges.
:59:18. > :59:24.Phil Steele. We have done this interviews so often, can you win
:59:24. > :59:28.it? This is a good position to be in. Opposition 22. The conditions
:59:29. > :59:36.have made it more about guts and heart. I hope the boys can push on
:59:36. > :59:46.and win again. Try or drop goal? will go for either. We will see if
:59:46. > :00:26.
:00:26. > :00:33.we can power of way over. This is a Dragons under glory. A couple of
:00:33. > :00:39.minutes between the Blues and defeat. Well, tit-for-tat, the same
:00:39. > :00:49.as the other one, but the team that holds farm.
:00:49. > :00:57.
:00:57. > :01:04.Tit-for-tat? Two wrongs do not make goes back. Keep you run on, what
:01:04. > :01:09.happens here is, they are lucky because one Dragons goes in, two
:01:09. > :01:19.players going, three players going, if that is played on that that is a
:01:19. > :01:41.
:01:41. > :01:44.the ground. It has been a mighty match? I think Lewis Evans has been
:01:44. > :01:51.very good leading the Dragons, but one player head-and-shoulders above
:01:51. > :01:56.every player on the park tonight is Toby Faletau. My man of the match
:01:56. > :02:02.today is Toby Faletau. The steels, the carrying, the tackling, he has
:02:02. > :02:12.been immense. This has all been about managing the time, winning
:02:12. > :02:26.
:02:26. > :02:31.advantage, you want a scrum, don't you? The Dragons will have one shot
:02:31. > :02:41.at it in the final minute. You want a scrum there, there is no
:02:41. > :02:41.
:02:41. > :03:26.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 48 seconds
:03:26. > :03:36.have the chance to clear once and for all. That is a great kick from
:03:36. > :03:47.
:03:47. > :03:53.This is it, 80 minutes is up. The Dragons Quartet with in-goal
:03:53. > :04:03.distance once, can they do it again? -- that Dragons got it
:04:03. > :04:09.
:04:09. > :04:11.as the final whistle goes. They have another home win and they have
:04:11. > :04:16.have another home win and they have been few and far between. What a
:04:16. > :04:22.battle, what a battle that was. was a great battle, but I have to
:04:22. > :04:27.say that the Blues Hong on, the defensive effort in the second half
:04:27. > :04:30.was immense. But you have to feel for the Dragons, because they were
:04:31. > :04:39.the better side overall. Unfortunately, they could not get
:04:39. > :04:44.those points on the board. The Blues hung on for a desperate one.
:04:44. > :04:48.The Blues needed that so badly and it really showed. He that Dragons
:04:48. > :04:55.had at the possession, they carried and carried, but they could not get
:04:55. > :05:00.over the line enough times, and the boot of Rhys Patchell Kate -- kept
:05:00. > :05:05.the Blues in the game. Four penalty for again, the Dragons have the
:05:05. > :05:15.only try but only have a losing bonus point. Such a precious win
:05:15. > :05:16.
:05:16. > :05:20.for the Blues by the narrowest He Gareth Charles mention that
:05:20. > :05:23.there might it was the boot of Rhys Patchell that won that game. He
:05:24. > :05:27.knocked over three in the first staff despite the Dragons being the
:05:27. > :05:32.better side. In the second half, Andy Tuilagi bashed his way over
:05:33. > :05:39.after some great running. Rhys Patchell get them in touch, nudged
:05:39. > :05:47.the Blues back in front, but the Dragons themselves but themselves
:05:47. > :05:53.back in front. -- got themselves. But his heart pick for the Dragons,
:05:53. > :05:57.euphoria for the Blues. Caked in mud, but delighted, what a
:05:57. > :06:02.Christmas present for them. We will go straight down to Phil Steele.
:06:02. > :06:05.I have Phil Davies, the Blues chord with me. How are relieved are you
:06:05. > :06:10.get the win? Massive relief. All credit to both
:06:10. > :06:16.players, the referee and the crowd. Considering the conditions, it was
:06:16. > :06:22.a very tough game. Not a lot of skill, you can't expect that in
:06:22. > :06:27.this weather, but pleased to get there four points. All credit to
:06:27. > :06:29.the Dragons, fair enough. Would it be fair to say your
:06:29. > :06:35.defence won it for you in the second half?
:06:35. > :06:41.Yes, we had a ferocious wind in the second half, but our defence were
:06:41. > :06:44.magnificent. The effort the players showed was fantastic. We were a
:06:45. > :06:48.little bit short on confidence at times with the ball in hand and
:06:48. > :06:54.looked a little jittery, but for sheer effort and a determination,
:06:54. > :06:58.ten out of ten. It opens the gap a little bit between EU and the
:06:58. > :07:02.Dragons for the European place, how important is that? It is important,
:07:02. > :07:09.but we just have to start stringing really good performances and get
:07:09. > :07:13.the results. We need a bit of a run of results, and hopefully, with
:07:13. > :07:16.finishing the year positively, let's told we can start next you
:07:17. > :07:22.positively over in Munster and continued to win. Also continued to
:07:22. > :07:24.develop. Thank you very much. Congratulations to Phil Davies.
:07:24. > :07:29.Congratulations to Phil Davies. Let's look at the table and see how
:07:29. > :07:33.this affects things. At the beginning at the Blues were
:07:34. > :07:37.in 9th, the Dragons in 11th. The Blues have moved up two places to
:07:37. > :07:41.seventh. That is a cause significant because the two teams
:07:41. > :07:47.are fighting for the third Welsh European Cup place. It also means
:07:47. > :07:54.the Blues's future looks a little brighter. They are not as far off
:07:54. > :07:58.the play-off zone as they might have seemed. The Blues season in
:07:58. > :08:02.have seemed. The Blues season in the Pro12 is by no means over.
:08:02. > :08:07.Sean Holley, at the start of that second half, we mentioned the
:08:07. > :08:11.Dragons seemed the better side in the first half, but it looked as
:08:11. > :08:14.though they were seizing control. It was a great battle and not one
:08:14. > :08:19.for the outside backs, but one back had a real influence in the second
:08:19. > :08:26.had a real influence in the second half, Andy Tuilagi. This is how
:08:26. > :08:30.they got back into the game, he even creating havoc, knocking over
:08:30. > :08:33.Alex Cuthbert, and it was him who eventually got over the line with a
:08:33. > :08:37.bursting run. If that was not enough, just at the
:08:37. > :08:47.end it was Andy Tuilagi who got the turnover of winner Rhys Patchell
:08:47. > :08:57.was a little indecisive. A great You were talking about Tuilagi
:08:57. > :09:02.
:09:02. > :09:06.throughout the game, a massive ball Today there was a difference in the
:09:06. > :09:14.two teams. The Blues did not keep the ball, they did not attempt to
:09:14. > :09:18.play anymore, and did not cause or threaten to make any tackles. A
:09:18. > :09:21.lack of confidence, that is a massive win for them today, and
:09:21. > :09:25.looking at that table they will start looking up all of a sudden,
:09:26. > :09:31.as opposed to looking over their shoulder. The performance was not
:09:31. > :09:37.great, but they got the points. man's turkey sandwich that water is
:09:37. > :09:42.a lot two-tier today is the winning captain, Andries Pretorius. He is
:09:42. > :09:46.with Phil Steele. A and proud of you argue with you men in that
:09:46. > :09:51.when? De Mata cliff. That game I hope
:09:51. > :09:55.people found as entertaining as we found it to play. A how bad weather
:09:55. > :09:59.conditions? It was tough, really tough. Before
:09:59. > :10:03.we went out we talked about some of the great names that played on that
:10:03. > :10:09.pitch and that should inspire us to Diggins extra deep, and they did
:10:09. > :10:12.that today. Here is the match winner, Rhys
:10:12. > :10:15.Patchell, you almost cost it with that turnover.
:10:15. > :10:20.He yes, I thought I had blown it for the boys and I was gutted for
:10:20. > :10:24.them. The boys worked hard to get into position and we score does
:10:24. > :10:27.points. The kicking proved important,
:10:27. > :10:31.particularly the first one new knocked over. The grass has been
:10:31. > :10:37.pretty good today. I was telling them, if it is on this piece of
:10:37. > :10:44.grass, I will have a short. Not one for the highlight real, but we will
:10:44. > :10:47.take it. Alwyn is a winner. Definitely.
:10:47. > :10:51.Not one for the highlights, it was not pretty, but how critical for
:10:51. > :11:00.the Blues is that we to be considering their season so far?
:11:00. > :11:05.Huge, the pressure has been on them. They did not play much rugby at all.
:11:05. > :11:10.I thought Dragons played all the rugby. Blues kicking out of defence
:11:10. > :11:14.was not great, but they defended, defended, defended. Some of the
:11:14. > :11:20.hearts the pitch into those tackles at the end was brilliant. -- some
:11:20. > :11:25.of the guts they put into those tackles. We are not sure what he is
:11:25. > :11:30.doing there, he is shipping the kick, then all of a sudden he is
:11:30. > :11:35.getting turned over. He is only 19 years old, and he
:11:35. > :11:40.kicked brilliantly today. This is the winning kick, nerves of steel
:11:40. > :11:44.this boy, only 19 years older. you forget how young he is. Whether
:11:44. > :11:50.or not it is due soon to bring him into the Welsh Academy, possibly
:11:50. > :11:54.good for his experience, but we already have two good Kens. For the
:11:54. > :12:00.Dragons, after heartbreak, because they will feel they were the better
:12:00. > :12:05.side. All of the stats in their favour, they go back down the M4
:12:05. > :12:09.with just a losing bonus point back. Yes, for me, personally, I would
:12:09. > :12:19.have kept all of the ball, I would not have attempted a drop goal,
:12:19. > :12:19.
:12:19. > :12:23.unless it is clear with no pressure on the kicker. I think young Jack
:12:23. > :12:27.Dixon came in and kicked the ball away little too quickly, but that
:12:27. > :12:31.showed the experience of the 10 two. Thank you for watching at dawn,