Kiwi duo believe in Blues’ future – Young

Jan 17 2008 by Gareth Griffiths, South Wales Echo

CARDIFF Blues coach Dai Young believes the decision of former All Blacks Ben Blair and Xavier Rush to commit to the region until 2011 is a major vote of confidence for his squad ahead of Sunday’s Heineken Cup showdown with Bristol.

The Blues have announced captain Rush and full-back Blair have extended their stay at the Arms Park for a further three seasons.

“Both of them have been great signings for us and provided added quality to what we had and our squad has got better year on year,” said Young.

“They have played to a high level and have provided a lot of experience.

“I think both players have made big impacts since they have arrived – they have been important players both on and off the field.

“They make a big contribution to helping us move forward, and it’s pleasing to retain two quality players.

“Their signatures are proof they believe we are going forward and want to be part of the set-up and is a real vote of confidence.

“They would have had other places to go and they want to be a part of our set-up.”

The confirmation of the Kiwi’s signature has meant Young is left with five non-Welsh qualified players (NWQS) to fill four spaces under the current agreement.

The existing gentlemen's agreement between the four regions and the Welsh Rugby Union is the current number of NWQS in a squad is seven and will be reduced to six for next season.

New Zealanders Paul Tito and Jason Spice, Australian centre Marc Stcherbina, Tongan flanker Maama Molitika and prop Faao Filise are the Blues’ other overseas players.

But Young is waiting to see how the goalposts will be moved before making the difficult choice of who will leave.

“The agreement as I see it at the minute is that there are seven non-qualified Welsh players for this season because of the World Cup and that would be reduced to six for next season,” he added.

“But at this moment the participation agreement is in negotiations so that might change.

“We could end with more or less, but our mindset is that it will go from seven to six. That will leave us with a difficult situation because we will have to lose one of our overseas players who have all made an impression.

“I can see why it is done because we want to bring Welsh players through for the sake of the national game.

“But we can’t lose sight of the fact that we need strong regions and be able to compete in Europe.”

The issue of foreign players in the Welsh game is linked with the current drive of Warren Gatland and the Welsh Rugby Union to ensure all Welsh players ply their trade in Wales.

That has taken a battering this week with Scarlets scrum-half Dwayne Peel switching to Sale at the end of the season, although Gatland has relented and said the Lions star would still be considered for Wales because his move has arisen before the border policy has been officially ratified.

And the Blues will have to deal with the fact extending Blair’s contract could hamper the development of Jamie Roberts at full-back, with a similar situation emerging at the Ospreys with Kiwi scrum-half Justin Marshall above Wales hopeful Mike Phillips in the pecking order.

Young has endorsed Gatland’s attempts to keep Wales players within the four regions, but the former Wales captain has insisted there are still room for overseas players.

And Young has warned people have to get used to international players battling for their positions in the regional squad because there are only four professional teams in Wales.

“We would welcome Warren’s plan to ensure the Welsh players are playing in Wales and we have wanted that type of support for many seasons,” added Young.

“But there are only four regions in Wales and we are going to get to situations where we will have two quality international players in each position. It is something that happens in Munster and Leinster and we need big squads to achieve success.

“There is also still a case for non-Welsh players as long as they are quality. Xavier Rush, Ben Blair and Paul Tito have helped raise the standards.

“The young players who are coming through the system are learning a lot from them.”

gareth.griffiths@mediawales.co.uk