1
Tom James' career at Cardiff is over a year earlier than planned
Tom James will leave Cardiff Blues at the end of the month, despite still having a year remaining on his contract. The 32-year-old has made 163 appearances and established himself as the region’s all-time top try-scorer with 60.
ADVERTISEMENT
With the full support of Cardiff Blues, James took an extended break from the game to receive treatment for depression during the 2017/18 season but returned to competitive action in January. However, it has now been mutually agreed that the Wales international will depart the Arms Park with the best wishes of the entire region.
James said: “It’s been a frustrating season for me, and I would’ve liked to have pulled on a Cardiff Blues jersey one last time but I’m very grateful for the times I’ve had. The Blues have been unbelievable to me.
“Throughout my break from the game everyone was so supportive, from teammates and coaches to directors and supporters, but particularly the team doctor Gareth Jones, sports psychologist Dale Thomas and our WRPA representative Phil Davies who have been amazing.
“Cardiff Blues gave me that time off that I needed and stood beside me, and when I came back in, they have really looked after me.
Even more impressive has been the way @TomJ_11 has handled his mental health struggles and the money and awareness he has, and continues to raise for the cause. #ThankYouTJ #ItsOkNotToBeOk pic.twitter.com/8lFzzMQsEW
— Cardiff Rugby (@Cardiff_Rugby) May 22, 2019
“It was tough coming back in for pre-season following a long break and that also led to lots of little niggles that stunted my progress. That must have been frustrating for the coaches as well, but when you look at how well the other wings have been performing then you can understand.
ADVERTISEMENT
“But over the last two months I’ve really felt like I am hitting my peak again. I have been pleased with my form in the Premiership and while that is a different level, I feel I stand out.
“I’ll just see what happens now. I will be training hard over the summer and if another professional contract comes up then I will definitely look at it with my family because I’m 100 per cent confident I can still do a job at the top level. I really wanted to get back into that Cardiff Blues first team, but it wasn’t to be.”
Cardiff chief executive Richard Holland led the tributes to James. “Tom leaves with the best wishes of everyone at Cardiff Blues and will remain very much part of our extended family. We’re committed to supporting former players and TJ is no different.
A player who has become synonymous with the number 11 jersey at @cardiff_blues and our all-time record try-scorer #ThankYouTJ pic.twitter.com/donvyKd32U
— Cardiff Rugby (@Cardiff_Rugby) May 22, 2019
“He has been a great servant to Cardiff Blues, who has achieved so much over more than a decade with the region. I don’t think anyone will ever forget that try he scored against Leicester in the Heineken Cup.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Naturally, as a prolific try-scorer he has been a firm fans favourite at the Arms Park and it remains to be seen whether anyone will reach his try-scoring record. He will be missed at the Arms Park but we wish Tom and his young family all the best for his next chapter.”
WATCH: The RugbyPass behind the scenes documentary on the 2018 Guinness PRO14 final
Comments on RugbyPass
Why cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
30 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
30 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
30 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
30 Go to comments