Coaches Justin Burnell and Gareth Baber set to leave Cardiff Blues

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2012/06/13/coaches-justin-burnell-and-gareth-baber-set-to-leave-cardiff-blues-91466-31174929/

Cardiff Blues look set to part company with coaches Justin Burnell and Gareth Baber – provided agreement can be reached on the settlement of their contracts.

New director of rugby Phil Davies pledged to review all aspects of the Blues’ squad and team management when he took over last month.

WalesOnline understands neither Burnell nor Baber feature in Davies’ future plans, though they both have a year remaining on their present deals so any parting of the ways will be subject to negotiation.

The pair took charge of the region last season following the departure of Dai Young a year ago and led the side to the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup.

But they endured a disappointing campaign in the RaboDirect Pro12 and were hammered by Leinster in that last eight clash in Europe.

The end of the season saw mass the announcement of mass playing departures, poor attendances and disappointing performances, with the Blues board later taking the drastic step of moving back to Cardiff Arms Park from Cardiff City Stadium after three years as tenants of the football club.

The Blues reported a £2.3m loss in their most recent set of accounts.

If Burnell and Baber’s departures are rubber-stamped, it’s unclear who Davies would bring in to replace them.

Former Wales and Lions scrum-half Robert Jones may be an option to take charge of the backs, having worked with Davies at the Scarlets.

Davies himself intends to take a hands-on role with the forwards, though he may need to reinforce his staff given his wider brief.

Good or bad thing?

Personally I think bad thing because these guys did their best in very hard circumstances, the Blues had some shockingly horrible games but had some really fantastic wins also.

They had an owner who seemed hell bend on smashing the teams moral and still were expected to deliver miracles. I feel sorry for them

HALLELUJAH! HALLELUJAH! HALLELUJAH HALLELUJAH HALLELUJAH!

Looseheaded wrote:HALLELUJAH! HALLELUJAH! HALLELUJAH HALLELUJAH HALLELUJAH!

At last the Blues have something celebrate. Congratulations.

Hopefully they'll get some good coaches in (maybe the Chief) as Phil will definately need the help and the Blues looked very clueless in the backs last season, as if they hadn't been coached at all.

Hey just thinking if Phil is looking at Rob Hones, maybe he will bring in Moriarty too!!!

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Hey just thinking if Phil is looking at Rob Hones, maybe he will bring in Moriarty too!!!

gcBlues - to be honest I seriously doubt either of them will be involved. Phil Davies is most likely to want to look towards Ponty when it comes to his backroom team, after all he said about trying to build fences etc, and IMO that would be a pretty good start.

wales606 wrote:

Looseheaded wrote:HALLELUJAH! HALLELUJAH! HALLELUJAH HALLELUJAH HALLELUJAH!

Didn't we win the EDF and Amlin with Burnell as forwards coach? Not forgetting the HC semi drama against Leicester.

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wales606 wrote:

Looseheaded wrote:HALLELUJAH! HALLELUJAH! HALLELUJAH HALLELUJAH HALLELUJAH!

Didn't we win the EDF and Amlin with Burnell as forwards coach? Not forgetting the HC semi drama against Leicester.

But our backs havent created a try from a well worked move in 2 years under Baber.

Tbf you haven't had a decent 10 since Robinson left

gowales wrote:Tbf you haven't had a decent 10 since Robinson left

Or a decent backs coach.

Baber may be staying apparently



I will not be happy if this is confirmed.

Interesting.

I'm surprised that they are being let go. Especially Baber as he has a lot of supporters within the organisation