The Indigo Premiership and Cardiff Arms Park seems a long way from Japan and the World Cup, but the divide can be bridged as Rhys Carre has proved. Kasey Rees went to the new Saracens forward’s former club as they took on rivals Swansea in one of Welsh’s rugby long-standing rivalries.
While former Cardiff RFC man Rhys Carre was named on the Wales replacements bench for the final World Cup pool stage game against Uruguay, the focus for his old club was on the Indigo Premiership as it returned after a two-week break.
Cardiff welcomed Swansea to the Arms Park and returned to winning as the Blue and Blacks overcame the visitors, 17-10.
While Cardiff v Swansea remains a rivalry in football where fans will again be separated in a couple of weeks’ time, it was a very different atmosphere in the capital on Saturday.
Fans sat together in the South Stand, supporting their team, showing that Premiership Rugby is all about community and coming together. Although it didn’t go Swansea’s way, there was still a great atmosphere between rival supporters.
Swansea coach Hugh Gustafson said: “It is a different mind-set to football.
“On the field, we had a couple of big shots, physically, which led to two yellow cards. But Cardiff and Swansea is always going to be a derby. It was a good day with great spirit on both sides.”
Cardiff proved why they are the current Premiership leaders and head coach Steve Law was pleased with the performance his side put in.
Law said: “Swansea are a decent side who put in a good shift, but our defence was excellent.
Cardiff 17 Swansea 10 https://t.co/NXsp8KxECq
💙🖤 #BlueAndBlacks pic.twitter.com/Bkih0xR5ra— Cardiffrfc (@Cardiff_RFC) October 13, 2019
“We are a fit squad who have got to perform if we want to play. We’re in a great place for the start of the season and we will work hard.”
The Welsh Rugby Union announced on Thursday they will be joining forces with the Scottish Rugby Union towards the end of the Premiership campaign, in a new cross-boarder competition.
This will see the top six sides from last season’s Premiership play all six new Scottish super 6 teams in home and away fixtures.
As far as Law is concerned, the new tournament is out of sight and out of mind.
“We’re not going to take any interest in it at all until it becomes relevant, which will probably be a few weeks before it starts,” he said.
“The competition will be a different experience for everyone, we will play it by ear and see how it all pans out. But it will be something to look forward to. I’m sure.”
Although his focus is the league, Law had plenty of praise for his former player Carre, who travelled out to Japan as an unproved rookie.
The prop could yet return as a World Cup winner, according to his old coach.
“I am chuffed for Rhys, he is a hell of a character and a nice lad and he will do well, hopefully.
Was a pleasure helping our friends @Cardiff_RFC with their fundraising for @Velindre.
Big thanks to all the fans that donated money.The ball team also enjoyed their first experience of being ball people at the game.
Big well done to @Cardiff_RFC on a great win! 🔵💚⚫ pic.twitter.com/KHVa7T0SCm
— Cardiff Schools Under 11s (@csru_u11) October 12, 2019
“I think he will get some game time and all he can do is take his opportunity. And without a shadow of a doubt we can win it.
“I think we need a bit of luck with our injuries but hopefully the boys will get through. On our day. we are as good as anyone.”
Carre’s former teammate, Wales U20 forward Teddy Williams, is also pleased for his old pal.
“It’s fantastic to see Rhys play at the top level where he belongs,” said Williams.
“We’re excited to see if he gets a run out. If he does, hopefully, he has a great game.
“In terms of our progress so far, with our current form we can give any team in the world a good game just like we have seen in some of the performances in the group. I don’t see why we should stop now.”
Swansea coach Gustafson is also excited about Wales’ chances and believes it will be seismic for the county should Warren Gatland’s men bring home the Webb Ellis Cup.
He says: “If we beat France in the quarter-final, we could get to the final.
“If the boys bring it home, not just the rugby community will be proud, but our whole country will be, too.
“The whole nation will build on the inspiration. It’s been building up with Warren Gatland, we won the Six Nations Grand Slam and for us to go on and win the World Cup would be fantastic for our country.”
Cardiff started the game strongly, but it was Swansea first on the score sheet as James Davies kicked a successful penalty.
It didn’t take long before the home side got on the score sheet, though, with Gareth Thompson levelling with a penalty.
With the Blue and Blacks surging forward, their hard work and persistence paid off when Sam Beard dived over the line for the first try of the game.
Tom Habberfield then crossed the line for Cardiff’s second try putting them well ahead at half-time.
In the second half Swansea searched for a way to come back, but Cardiff’s defence was excellent. Although it was too little too late for a comeback, the visitors managed to find a hole in Cardiff’s defence as Joe Scrivens crossed the line and successfully converted his own try before the full-time whistle.
Gustafson was disappointed with the loss and said his team needs to be more clinical in set pieces.
“We were poor today, which led to Cardiff scoring two tries from our errors. But I was proud of the boys, because we worked hard and in the dying minute we got the try.
“The main thing is to stay safe as it’s a tough league this season, with a lot of teams that went down last year. Now every game is a must win and it’s a chase to get to that mid-table.”
Man of the Match: Sam Beard (Cardiff)
Attendance: 1,000