Ospreys Riverside lounge 2013/14

Well I'd better jump on the bandwagon and start a thread for all things Ospreys for the forthcoming Pro12 season.

Coaches
Steve Tandy (Head Coach)
Chris Gibbes (Forwards)
Gruff Rees (Backs)

Players in 2013–2014
Tyler Ardron from Ontario Blues
Jeff Hassler from Prairie Wolf Pack
Tito Tebaldi from Zebre
Matthew Dwyer from Bridgend Ravens
Jamie Murphy from Bridgend Ravens
Sam Williams from Aberavon

HC "group o death" again. Leinster, Northampton Saints, Castres.

So...what lies ahead for the O's this season? No big name signings as yet. The onus being on bringing in youngsters from overseas and the regions premiership clubs. Hopefully the players that were used all over the backline last season will finally get some concistencey in their preffered positions. With an injury free squad, the team could make some hay in the forthcoming season. Big shame that Hanno Dirksen has suffered an injury set back and will not be back until November.

All fans welcome to take part in some good natured banter.

Except turks....




Ok turks... 

Your is the group of death we (Scarlets) have:
Racing metro
CLERMONT  
and Harlaquins
Racing Metro aren't going to be what they were this year, they have signed half a dozen key internationals.
Then Harlequins and Clermont are always at the top of their groups which leaves us um um yea screwed.

Didn't Tandy (or Humph?) claim they couldn't afford to make any signings due to not having any dosh. I assume recontracting Biggar and co. cost a fair bit of the wage cap too.

Breadvan - what is your view on where the Spreys will finish this year? I didn't really Dirksen was injured - massive loss.
 
Very surprised to see the name Tyler Ardron - that boy is very fast indeed and will provide something Tom Croft-esque as a loose forward option. He's very young, but very good - can't remember when but he was definitely voted Canadian Player of the Year at some point.

Is Chris Gibbes any relation to Jono Gibbes?

George Carlin wrote:Breadvan - what is your view on where the Spreys will finish this year? I didn't really Dirksen was injured - massive loss.
 
Very surprised to see the name Tyler Ardron - that boy is very fast indeed and will provide something Tom Croft-esque as a loose forward option. He's very young, but very good - can't remember when but he was definitely voted Canadian Player of the Year at some point.

2001  

profitius wrote:

George Carlin wrote:Breadvan - what is your view on where the Spreys will finish this year? I didn't really Dirksen was injured - massive loss.
 
Very surprised to see the name Tyler Ardron - that boy is very fast indeed and will provide something Tom Croft-esque as a loose forward option. He's very young, but very good - can't remember when but he was definitely voted Canadian Player of the Year at some point.

2001   

Okay, so I'm old. And having Senior Moments like this more frequently.

New signing for the Ospreys just announced, I hadn't heard this one rumoured.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/23312005

No that is a new one on me. I thought it was Guilford that was coming to fill in the wing space.

Think this guy will be an awful lot cheaper than Guildford and much less likely to go wrong.  Guildford is volatile to say the least.

George...We've definatley the squad to make the play-offs. The fringe players did well when the internationals were away but didnt quite step up at the end of the season. They need to be played in one position instead of the dreaded 'utilty back' role. Clicked on the link and guess what? Ospreys sign Fijian utility back! lol...

I think having Biggar, AWJ etc on big contracts means we cannot afford any big name signings. Altho Zac Guildford was linked, he's decided to stay in NZ. Ardron voted Cannuck player of the year in 2001....when he was 10??  

Breadvan - I guess you could argue that Kahn Fotuali'i was signed as a utility half-back, as he came over as a scrum half/fly half, and he put in stints elsewhere too. Maybe this Fijian could be the same, nail a shirt down and then show people how good he can be.

As for Guilford, he would probably cost a bomb, but that money would be recouped on wind street.

Breadvan wrote:George...We've definatley the squad to make the play-offs. The fringe players did well when the internationals were away but didnt quite step up at the end of the season. They need to be played in one position instead of the dreaded 'utilty back' role. Clicked on the link and guess what? Ospreys sign Fijian utility back! lol...

I think having Biggar, AWJ etc on big contracts means we cannot afford any big name signings. Altho Zac Guildford was linked, he's decided to stay in NZ. Ardron voted Cannuck player of the year in 2001....when he was 10??  

Without checking, I really think that's a typo and it should be 2010. With no Walker, Bowe or Dirksen, wing cover makes sense, no?
 
Zac Guildford is really not worth the risk. He's in the NZ press frequently for the wrong reasons and really gives the impression of being at the behest of the booze. Very sad - he was dry for a year but has slipped back.

George, if might not have been a typo, after all Canada are not blessed with too many top players, so maybe a 10 year old could have won it  

We've had a couple of good ones in recent years though Spidey in Kevin Tkachuk and Dan van der Merwe (who came second only to Visser in the try scoring stakes last season). Canada's Angriest Man Jamie Cudmore has also been injuring people with impressive regularity at Clermont.
 
They're definitely improving. Of course, with a Canadian wife I have to say that or I get beaten with a syrup bottle.

George Carlin wrote:

Breadvan wrote:George...We've definatley the squad to make the play-offs. The fringe players did well when the internationals were away but didnt quite step up at the end of the season. They need to be played in one position instead of the dreaded 'utilty back' role. Clicked on the link and guess what? Ospreys sign Fijian utility back! lol...

I think having Biggar, AWJ etc on big contracts means we cannot afford any big name signings. Altho Zac Guildford was linked, he's decided to stay in NZ. Ardron voted Cannuck player of the year in 2001....when he was 10??  

Without checking, I really think that's a typo and it should be 2010. With no Walker, Bowe or Dirksen, wing cover makes sense, no?
 
Zac Guildford is really not worth the risk. He's in the NZ press frequently for the wrong reasons and really gives the impression of being at the behest of the booze. Very sad - he was dry for a year but has slipped back.

I was joking about him being player of the year in 2001. Canada have some good players so Ardon can't be too bad.

I am looking forward to seeing who will press Rhys Webb for the nine shirt, to see how Baker progresses as a number eight...!

I would also very much like to see Ross Jones claim the fullback shirt from Richard Fussell.

DISCOVER YOUR FUTURE AT 2013/14 JERSEY LAUNCH


http://www.ospreysrugby.com/News/Article/30051


OSPREYS SUPPORTERS WILL GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCOVER THEIR FUTURE WHEN THE BRAND NEW 2013/14 HOME JERSEY IS UNVEILED NEXT MONTH.

To help mark the reopening of the Ospreys store and the launch of the new jersey, a whole raft of young talent from the region will be instore between 11am and 1pm including Sam Davies, the newly crowned IRB Junior World Player of the Year, and his colleagues from the Wales U20 squad that reached the Junior World Championship Final in France.

Is the rhinestone-studded 'Mates for Life' belt buckle scheme still in operation?

Anyone know when Eli Walker is back from injury? that boy is like sh1t off a teflon shovel as I recall, with a Shane sidestep to boot!

tatterd wrote:Anyone know when Eli Walker is back from injury? that boy is like sh1t off a teflon shovel as I recall, with a Shane sidestep to boot!

I know Hanno had a set back but hasn't heard that Eli had. I am hoping he will be fit and raring to go by now.

I wonder what difference the reshuffle at the top will make (administratively speaking...) now that the row between the WRU and the regions is sorted (apparently...)? Not much I expect.

In terms of players, I think it'll be all about who's coming up through the ranks. Many youngsters about making their mark following the Welsh U20s success, so we'll see how they do. I'm also hoping we can develop a decent scrumhalf...in fact any Welsh region will develop a decent scrum half...

maestegmafia wrote:DISCOVER YOUR FUTURE AT 2013/14 JERSEY LAUNCH


http://www.ospreysrugby.com/News/Article/30051


OSPREYS SUPPORTERS WILL GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCOVER THEIR FUTURE WHEN THE BRAND NEW 2013/14 HOME JERSEY IS UNVEILED NEXT MONTH.

To help mark the reopening of the Ospreys store and the launch of the new jersey, a whole raft of young talent from the region will be instore between 11am and 1pm including Sam Davies, the newly crowned IRB Junior World Player of the Year, and his colleagues from the Wales U20 squad that reached the Junior World Championship Final in France.

Will there be a flashmob, Blues stylee?

Cari wrote:I wonder what difference the reshuffle at the top will make (administratively speaking...) now that the row between the WRU and the regions is sorted (apparently...)?  Not much I expect.

In terms of players, I think it'll be all about who's coming up through the ranks.  Many youngsters about making their mark following the Welsh U20s success, so we'll see how they do.  I'm also hoping we can develop a decent scrumhalf...in fact any Welsh region will develop a decent scrum half...

baker could be an exciting prospect in the backrow.

maestegmafia wrote:

tatterd wrote:Anyone know when Eli Walker is back from injury? that boy is like sh1t off a teflon shovel as I recall, with a Shane sidestep to boot!

I know Hanno had a set back but hasn't heard that Eli had. I am hoping he will be fit and raring to go by now.

Sorry Maes, i was referring to the injury he had ages ago that kept him out of the 6N - i'm obviosuly way behind the times - pleased if he's fit to start the season

tatterd wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

tatterd wrote:Anyone know when Eli Walker is back from injury? that boy is like sh1t off a teflon shovel as I recall, with a Shane sidestep to boot!

I know Hanno had a set back but hasn't heard that Eli had. I am hoping he will be fit and raring to go by now.

Sorry Maes, i was referring to the injury he had ages ago that kept him out of the 6N - i'm obviosuly way behind the times - pleased if he's fit to start the season

Last I heard was that his recovery time from his back opperation would be three or four months and he would be ready for pre season training at Llandarcy. But I haven't heard anything since.

Potentially we have a good backline, I think Ben John could push into a regular outside centre position, with Beck fit that would add more pace and more skill to midfield. If all fit and well a back three of Walker, Dirksen and Ross Jones could be superb.

The evening post are the new Sponsors of the Ospreys for 2013/14 season

http://www.ospreysrugby.com/News/Article/30148

Not the main sponsors, surely?

Nope, just media sponsors so the name will be on the shirt neck.

Oh, okay. We have Razzle on the back of our shirt necks.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Not the main sponsors, surely?

The new Ospreys 2013/14 home jersey is being unveiled online at www.ospreysrugby.com and www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk at 6pm today

After crashing due to volume of web traffic - the online video of the new kit is up and running again.

http://www.ospreysrugby.com/News/Article/30162

maestegmafia wrote:

tatterd wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

tatterd wrote:Anyone know when Eli Walker is back from injury? that boy is like sh1t off a teflon shovel as I recall, with a Shane sidestep to boot!

I know Hanno had a set back but hasn't heard that Eli had. I am hoping he will be fit and raring to go by now.

Sorry Maes, i was referring to the injury he had ages ago that kept him out of the 6N - i'm obviosuly way behind the times - pleased if he's fit to start the season

Last I heard was that his recovery time from his back opperation would be three or four months and he would be ready for pre season training at Llandarcy. But I haven't heard anything since.

Potentially we have a good backline, I think Ben John could push into a regular outside centre position, with Beck fit that would add more pace and more skill to midfield. If all fit and well a back three of Walker, Dirksen and Ross Jones could be superb.

Ospreys winger Eli Walker believes he can challenge Lions wingers George North and Alex Cuthbert with Wales this season.

The pacy 21-year-old endured a torrid end to last season due to injury, missing out on making his Wales debut ahead of both the Six Nations and Wales' tour of Japan.

Speaking ahead of the new campaign and having made a full recovery, Walker is eager to continue from where he left off and has North and Cuthbert in his sights.

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3557_8855329,00.html

THE OSPREYS HAVE NAMED THEIR TEAM FOR FRIDAY NIGHT’S 20/20 CHALLENGE MATCH AGAINST MUMBLES CRICKET CLUB.

Ospreys XI
Ben John
Sam Davies
Matthew Jenkins
Sam Lewis
Joe Rees
Tom Smith
Ross Jones
Matt Dwyer
Tom Habberfield
Matthew Morgan
Craig Maloney

http://www.ospreysrugby.com/News/Article/30171

The Ospreys insist they have top-quality competition for the No.9 jersey despite the hammer blow of losing Kahn Fotuali’i to Northampton this summer.

The Liberty Stadium outfit will turn to Italian international Tito Tebaldi and rising Welsh star Tom Habberfield to fill the void left by Fotuali’i.

The hugely respected Samoan was the Ospreys most influential performer of the last 18 months before leaving to join George North at the Saints, while Wales scrum-half Rhys Webb will be missing until at least the end of the year with a knee problem.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/ospreys-excited-tito-tebaldi-tom-5670228

George Carlin wrote:Breadvan - what is your view on where the Spreys will finish this year? I didn't really Dirksen was injured - massive loss.
 
Very surprised to see the name Tyler Ardron - that boy is very fast indeed and will provide something Tom Croft-esque as a loose forward option. He's very young, but very good - can't remember when but he was definitely voted Canadian Player of the Year at some point.

From the Ospreys coach Gruff Rees


"Dirksen will miss the start of the season after suffering a setback in his recovery from a knee injury.

The wing underwent surgery in November last year and is now hoping to return 12 months after going under the knife.

November is a realistic return time for Hanno."

From AWJ

“I’m adjusting to being back in the environment after being away and then having some time off. There are new faces in the camp and a good vibe. I’ve had a delayed start to pre-season so I just want to put my hand up and fight to get the black jersey back off whoever wears it at the start of the season.

“We’ve only been back in for a couple of days, we’ve only been involved in testing and whatever, but the mood seems to be good. There are new signings who look good additions, and we’ve got a new forwards coach as well.

“As players you respond to new faces, new opinions, and we’re looking forward to working with Chris. It’s over to the senior players to ensure we get the best out of the environment then. We can aid the coaches, help the new boys settle and aid the younger ones who are stepping up this season. We’ve all got an important role to play and if we can help to make this environment a better one then we’ll all see the benefit.”

Richard Hibbard helps out with the WRU Rugby stars camp...

http://supporters.wru.co.uk/matchdaytv/?play=media&id=16080

I wish I could change my flipping name!
Anyway, feeling strangely positive about the season ahead. I hope this season we remember we're not playing in the Jeff mind! Apart from that a lot depends on how the new boys do. If we can get the backs playing to our obvious forward strength then this could be a turning point season for us.

One thing I'm happy about also is our new boys are mostly young uns so can hardly be accused of being journeymen.

Ask the mods re name changes mate...! Some people seem to change theirs weekly.

I am interested to see what happens, I am concerned about some of the rather unknown arrivals, particularly at scrum half.

Here good things coming from pre season about Tito Tebaldi, but rate Tom Habberfield highly.

It appears Ian Evans didnt have an extension on his contract, though is keen to stay put at the Liberty.

From PR.com

Ospreys, Wales and Lions lock Ian Evans admits that missing out on Test selection against Australia will "gnaw away" for some time.

Evans was not one of the ten Welsh players selected for the third Test in Sydney, watching from the sidelines as he also missed out on a spot on the bench to Richie Gray.
Now back with the Ospreys, with who his contract expires at the end of the season, Evans is looking forward but admits that the omission will sting for some time.
"I did enjoy the tour, but not being part of the Test team was a negative. That will probably gnaw away at me for a while," said Evans to WalesOnline.
"There were five quality locks out there and a lot of competition. In fact, it was probably the strongest squad that's ever toured with the Lions. It was obviously disappointing from a personal perspective because you always want to get in the Test team.
"But stuff happens. The better person got the jersey and you have to accept that. Hats off to Paul O'Connell, Alun Wyn Jones, Geoff Parling and Richie Gray, they deserve what they achieved.
"It's a special thing and to be part of it was incredible. Not many teams come away with series wins, either, so to be part of the squad was quite an achievement really.
"You get to train with and play alongside the best players in British and Irish rugby and you do pick up pointers. Not just from the forwards but from the backs as well. You learn a bit more about the game of rugby just by talking to experienced players.
"There's still more to achieve. I wasn't part of the last World Cup campaign and going away with so many Welsh boys on the Lions tour will give a lot of us confidence looking forward to 2015.
"I'm still hungry for success and will be trying hard to achieve something with Wales and the Ospreys."

maestegmafia wrote:It appears Ian Evans didnt have an extension on his contract, though is keen to stay put at the Liberty.

From PR.com

Ospreys, Wales and Lions lock Ian Evans admits that missing out on Test selection against Australia will "gnaw away" for some time.

Evans was not one of the ten Welsh players selected for the third Test in Sydney, watching from the sidelines as he also missed out on a spot on the bench to Richie Gray.
Now back with the Ospreys, with who his contract expires at the end of the season, Evans is looking forward but admits that the omission will sting for some time.
"I did enjoy the tour, but not being part of the Test team was a negative. That will probably gnaw away at me for a while," said Evans to WalesOnline.
"There were five quality locks out there and a lot of competition. In fact, it was probably the strongest squad that's ever toured with the Lions. It was obviously disappointing from a personal perspective because you always want to get in the Test team.
"But stuff happens. The better person got the jersey and you have to accept that. Hats off to Paul O'Connell, Alun Wyn Jones, Geoff Parling and Richie Gray, they deserve what they achieved.
"It's a special thing and to be part of it was incredible. Not many teams come away with series wins, either, so to be part of the squad was quite an achievement really.
"You get to train with and play alongside the best players in British and Irish rugby and you do pick up pointers. Not just from the forwards but from the backs as well. You learn a bit more about the game of rugby just by talking to experienced players.
"There's still more to achieve. I wasn't part of the last World Cup campaign and going away with so many Welsh boys on the Lions tour will give a lot of us confidence looking forward to 2015.
"I'm still hungry for success and will be trying hard to achieve something with Wales and the Ospreys."

Don't think anyone said he had signed a contract extension, some were claiming that he was now out of contract and could join other clubs. He's out of contract next season.

Well I hope for one we hold onto him. Not only is he a great player we've invested a lot of time and money in him while he's been out injured. He's only 28, that should be at least another 4 more years from a quality second row

I think we all would love to see him stay.

Interviews with the Lions returning to the Ospreys

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qA9r8XmxabY

maestegmafia wrote:THE OSPREYS HAVE NAMED THEIR TEAM FOR FRIDAY NIGHT’S 20/20 CHALLENGE MATCH AGAINST MUMBLES CRICKET CLUB.

Ospreys XI
Ben John
Sam Davies
Matthew Jenkins
Sam Lewis
Joe Rees
Tom Smith
Ross Jones
Matt Dwyer
Tom Habberfield
Matthew Morgan
Craig Maloney

http://www.ospreysrugby.com/News/Article/30171

Match report

http://www.ospreysrugby.com/News/Article/30232

My only love sprung from my only hate!

A turk helped me change my username. Top man!

mrzimmerman wrote:My only love sprung from my only hate!

A turk helped me change my username. Top man!

Wasn't Zimmerman lucky to get off a murder trial on lack of evidence in a high profile case that seriously questioned floridas equal justice, racial profiling, gun control and self-defence laws a few weeks ago?

Why would you re name yourself after an apparently racist, acquitted murderer?

I'm guessing he's taken his name from one Robert Zimmerman.