A handful of games into his Cardiff Blues career, Ceri Sweeney talks to rucked.com about leaving Newport, his Wales career and his No.10 rival…
How’s Cardiff?
Really good, it’s been a good change for me. I had four good years at Newport but just thought it was time for me to have a new challenge.
What made you make the switch?
I think it was just about change. Things weren’t going well for me, I’d missed out with Wales and figured I needed something to kickstart my career, maybe if I played in a different environment that would happen.
Do you think playing for Newport went against you?
I don’t think so, I played for Wales plenty of times while I was at the Dragons. After the World Cup I came back and a few enquiries had been made about me, so it got me thinking about a change. Offers did come in from England but, after weighing them up, I just thought it would be better if I stayed in Wales.
Did Warren Gatland’s statement about picking Wales-based players make a difference…
Not really, at this stage of my career I just needed to do what was best for me. I can’t expect to be picked for Wales all the time, I think if I’m playing well enough I’d get picked anyway. The move was doing what was right for my rugby. I think Wales is always about picking the player who’s on form, you don’t pick someone who isn’t on form just because they’re based in Wales.
What are the differences between Dragons and Blues?
I don’t know really, they’re two professional environments, the weeks are always structured the same, the fitness is the same – it’s just about training in different places. I suppose the only thing is I don’t have to get up so early as I live closer!
The Dragons do have to rely on local talent a lot…
They do have to do that because of financial restraints. Paul doesn’t get the players he would ideally like as sides like Ospreys do. They can get the big names and pay the big money, but Paul’s hands are tied a bit in that way. But it does work in one positive way in that it means there’s a better chance for youngsters coming through. They’ve got to play and therefore they do get put in at the deep end – and there’s plenty coming through like Ashley Smith, Lewis Evans, Dan Lydiate and they’ve got that young guy at outside half… It doesn’t happen overnight though, the young players need to get experience and for most of them it’ll be 50 games or so before they really start performing…
Presumably Blues’ success in Europe last season was a factor in your move…
I met up with Dai Young before I signed and it was one of the big things, along with the type of player they were attracting and the size of the squad. We’ve got a big squad which is good for continuity, particularly in Europe. If you’ve got a smaller squad then you struggle, add a few injuries into the mix and then you really struggle…
Which players have impressed so far?
Probably a few of the Kiwis, they’ve got a totally different mindset to the rest of us! A couple of the homegrown boys, Jamie Roberts has been doing really well at 12, he’s added a string to his bow by player there and he’s a big guy so has the physicality – if he can work on the skill side of things, then the sky’s the limit! Tom James too, although he’s been injured, he’s got a lot of potential for the future and plenty of pace. Then there’s other youngsters like Leigh Halfpenny and Darren Allinson…
So what do you make of the campaign so far?
I think it’s been good, we’ve had tough start, but people don’t realise how tough it’s been. We’ve had the Magners League champions, the EDF champions and the European champions and we’ve only lost two games. One of those was a disappointing one against Ospreys too. Now we’ve got those boys out of the way and we certainly fancy our chances at home against anyone. I definitely think we’ve got the ability to do well and get better every week.
What are the targets then?
We want to win some silverware, every effort’s going into that as always. Every competition we enter into we try and win.
Starting with the EDF…
I think it is a tough competition, some teams have different agendas – some put out good sides, others don’t. But when you get to the quarterfinal stage everyone wants to win and it doesn’t get going until then so it’s hard to say who’s really going for it. You’d imagine the sides with bigger squads would be, because it’s harder for those without so many players to challenge.
And you’ve got Sale…
I’ve been watching them this week and they look solid – nobody’s scored any tries against them yet so hopefully we change that. They’ve got a lot of talent right through the side though: Chabal, Sheridan, Hodgson McAllister – plenty of quality there.
Then you’ve got Bath and Leicester?
It’s not easy is it? There’s no easy games, especially against sides like Leciester who aren’t used to losing.
It’s also Magners League v Guinness Premiership, how do they compare?
I think the Magners League is catching. There’s a lot more rugby played in the Magners League, I’ve seen some good games in the Guinness Premiership and some dire ones. It’s a lot more physical league, more about the smash and bang – the bigger sides usually win. The Magners League seems to have more skilful players who try to play running rugby, I’m not sure why that it is. It could be because of the emphasis on qualification in the Guinness Premiership, but we are seeing the Magners League getting better every year.
On a personal side, you’ve managed to start the last few games?
I’m really enjoying it, it’s everything I hoped it would be and hopefully I can keep the number ten jersey. The coaches seem happy with what I’m doing and if I keep doing what I’m doing hopefully everything else will fall into place.
How do you get on with Nicky [Robinson]?
Good. We’ve got mutual respect for each other and have known each other for a while. We both realise that if one of us slips up then the following week the other will be playing. There’s no bad blood on my part and, anyway, all good sides have two good tens.
Do you see it as also a battle to be involved with Wales?
Yeah but it’s hard because I’ve not been involved for a while, it was hard to deal with at the beginning. It’s a great set-up to be involved in, the coaches are really good… but you get over it and then realise you’ve got to concentrate on regional rugby. Then, if it happens, it happens…
Has the way you watch Wales changed?
I suppose so, it’s quite hard watching. Before you’ve played for Wales it’s different, it’s okay because you’re a supporter. But once you’ve been involved, you see it in a different light – you want to be there, you think you’re good enough to be there. I do find it difficult, especially as they played awesome this year with the Grand Slam – they really deserved it.