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With two rounds to go in last season’s Premiership Rugby campaign, Bath languished in eighth place in the table, having suffered eleven league defeats, their squad depth tested to breaking point. By the full-time whistle in Round 22, their rabbit-from-a-hat finish had seen them bag ten points and a sixth place Champions Cup spot with big wins over Gloucester and London Irish.
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It’s little surprise then to find Director of Rugby Todd Blackadder buoyant and exhuberant ahead of the new season, with an (almost) full squad of players, including several new faces keen to impress.
Blackadder said, “We’ve really focussed on not only finding really good rugby players but good men as well. The character and the leadership that they’ve brought in has been huge.
“I wouldn’t understate it but I wouldn’t overstate it either at the moment but it’s certainly changed the whole dynamic. There’s a lot more leadership, the conversations are really focussed on the performance and how we can get better. I think we’ve got it right and we’ve recruited really well and really smartly.”
Along with Anthony Watson’s injury setback, Bath will be without Beno Obano for much of the season but the signing of Jacques Van Rooyen is designed to ease any front row woes. Commenting on his signing, Blackadder said “[It’s] huge for us, we were looking for a really good loosehead, the fact that he can play both sides is an absolute bonus. It’s great that he was involved in a Super Rugby final, he’s been in a good culture with a good team. It’s good to bring a player of his quality in to bolster the ranks.”
Reflecting on the choices he now has at his disposal for Bath’s opening match against Bristol in the Friday night derby at Ashton Gate, Blackadder compares it to last season, commenting, “We can actually train competitively. There’s competition for spots. You cant take things for granted. The workload isn’t managed by the few. Hopefully we can look after our players a lot better.”
Blackadder continues, “I actually think we’ve got a squad of 30-35 players here that you could select every single week that could challenge each other for places that I really, truly believe are Premiership ready. If anything, we’ve broadened our base and made it really competitive. If we have a few selection headaches this season, then great.”
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Today is was confirmed that Guy Mercer is to leave Bath Rugby ahead of the 2018/19 campaign having been released from his contract – two years early.
Mercer made 123 senior appearances for the Club since making his first team debut in 2010.
Blackadder said: “We have an extremely deep and talented range of players in the back row and it was clear that time on the pitch would be limited.”
“We’d like to thank Guy for the immense contribution he’s made during his time with the Club. Not only has he captained the team, he’s been hugely influential passing on his experience to an exciting crop of talent coming through in his position.”
Mercer added; “I have had an incredible time with Bath Rugby and want to thank the players, staff and friends of the club that have made that possible.”
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Comments on RugbyPass
SBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
3 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
11 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
11 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
3 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
3 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
11 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
11 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
3 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
3 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
11 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
11 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
11 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
11 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
11 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
11 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to comments