Cardiff Blues

Once Rugby Union was forced to go professional in 1995, the old order changed overnight and by 2002 the Welsh Rugby Union was bankrupt whilst former rivals took the game on to new levels. Months of negotiation between the nine former Premiership clubs and the Welsh Rugby Union finally reached a conclusions during the Summer of 2003 when an agreement was reached to establish a regional structure in place at the top of the game in Wales. Cardiff Rugby Football Club was allowed to form a region by itself and was the first to launch as a new regional entity. The official Cardiff Blues launch event took pl ...

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Cardiff Blues, Cardiff Blues - Cardiff Blues, Cardiff Blues - History, Cardiff Blues - Statistics, Cardiff Blues - Celtic League, Cardiff Blues - Celtic League Cup, Cardiff Blues - European Rugby Cup, Cardiff Blues - Notable Current Players, Cardiff Blues - Notable Former Players

Read more here: » Cardiff Blues: Encyclopedia II - Cardiff Blues - History

Rugby-like games have a long history in Wales, with games such as cnapan being played for centuries. Rugby seems to have reached Wales in the 1850s. Although several clubs had been in existence since the mid 1870s the Welsh Football Union (later renamed Welsh Rugby Union) was not formed until 1880. Wales have played in red since 1880 prior to this they had worn black. However the strength of Welsh rugby developed over the following years, primarily thanks to the 'big four' South Wales clubs of Newport (who lost only seven games between 1891 and 1895), Cardiff, Llanelli (wh ...

See also:

Rugby union in Wales, Rugby union in Wales - History, Rugby union in Wales - Social aspects, Rugby union in Wales - Organisation

Read more here: » Rugby union in Wales: Encyclopedia II - Rugby union in Wales - History

Rugby union has a particular hold on the national psyche of Wales, especially the Six Nations tournament. The phenomenon of fans inexplicably claiming to be ill and taking sick leave around the Six Nations championship was described in Max Boyce's 'We All Had Doctor's Papers.' Welsh people living outside the country will go to extraordinary lengths to watch the games. At the time of the 1999 World Cup held in Cardiff, Graham Henry, the new Welsh coach, was relatively unexposed to Welsh culture. Despite coming from New Zealand, a count ...

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Rugby union in Wales, Rugby union in Wales - History, Rugby union in Wales - Social aspects, Rugby union in Wales - Organisation

Read more here: » Rugby union in Wales: Encyclopedia II - Rugby union in Wales - Social aspects

Adamstown, Birchgrove, Butetown, Canton, Cardiff Bay, City centre, Cathays, Cyncoed, Gabalfa, Heath, Llandaff, Llanedeyrn, Llanishen, Llanrumney, Maindy, Mynachdy, Pentrebane, Pentwyn, Penylan, Pontcanna, Radyr, Riverside, Roath, Splott, St Mellons, Tremorfa, Trowbridge Cardiff (Welsh: Caerdydd) is the capital and largest city of Wales. Located on the South Wales coast it is administered as a unitary authority. It was a small town until the early nineteenth century and came to prominence following the arrival of i ...

Including:

• Cardiff - Industry
• Cardiff - History
• Cardiff - Culture media sport and tourism
• Cardiff - Twinning
• Cardiff - Politics
• Cardiff - Transport links
• Cardiff - Natives of Cardiff

Read more here: » Cardiff: Encyclopedia - Cardiff

The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) (Welsh: Undeb Rygbi Cymru) is the governing body of rugby union in Wales, recognised by the International Rugby Board. The first governing body of Welsh rugby was called the South Wales Football Union. It was refounded in 1880 as the Welsh Football Union was formed in 1880 to organise an international match against England. It wasn't until 1934 that they adopted the name Welsh Rugby Union. They are responsible for the running of Welsh rugby, including 293 member clubs, the Welsh National Team and National Leagues and Cups. They also o ...

Read more here: » Welsh Rugby Union: Encyclopedia - Welsh Rugby Union

The game in Wales is administered by the Welsh Rugby Union. Their responsiblities include producing the national team and the four regional franchises Cardiff Blues, Llanelli Scarlets, Newport Gwent Dragons and the Ospreys from the Neath-Swansea region. The national team play at the Millennium Stadium, built in 1999 to replace Cardiff Arms Park. There is also a Welsh league and Wel ...

See also:

Rugby union in Wales, Rugby union in Wales - History, Rugby union in Wales - Social aspects, Rugby union in Wales - Organisation

Read more here: » Rugby union in Wales: Encyclopedia II - Rugby union in Wales - Organisation

Two seasons of a Scottish / Welsh league (essentially the Welsh Premier Division with (The Borders, Edinburgh and Glasgow) added on) had been played before an agreement was made between the IRFU, SRU and WRU to create a new competition which would bring in the four Irish provinces. 2001 would see the very first incarnation of the Celtic League. Some saw the competition as the forerunner of a British / Irish league with teams from England also taking part. The WRU had previously negotiated with the RFU to form an Anglo-Welsh league but negotiations had broken down ...

See also:

Celtic League rugby union, Celtic League rugby union - History, Celtic League rugby union - 2001/02 and 2002/03, Celtic League rugby union - 2003/04, Celtic League rugby union - 2004/05 and 2005/06, Celtic League rugby union - Statistics

Read more here: » Celtic League rugby union: Encyclopedia II - Celtic League rugby union - History

The tour 44-man squad was announced on 11 April 2005, with 20 Englishmen, eleven Irishmen, ten Welshmen and three Scots selected. Many criticised this distribution, saying that when England had performed so badly in the 2004 and 2005 Six Nations Championship the selection of so many Englishmen was unjustified. However many of these might be seen as squad players, unlikely to start the test matches, having experience in the tough competition of the Zurich Premiership. The original 44-man squad was named as: Full backs / wingers < ...

See also:

2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand, 2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand - Song, 2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand - Schedule, 2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand - Tour squad, 2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand - Management, 2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand - The matches, 2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand - Argentina, 2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand - Bay of Plenty, 2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand - Taranaki, 2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand - New Zealand Maori, 2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand - Wellington, 2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand - Otago, 2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand - Southland, 2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand - First Test, 2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand - Manawatu, 2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand - Second Test, 2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand - Auckland, 2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand - Third Test

Read more here: » 2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand: Encyclopedia II - 2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand - Tour squad

Like John Kirwan, his All Blacks predecessor at (left wing), Lomu was a phenomenon, and spectators leapt to their feet whenever he touched the ball. At one time Lomu was considered 'rugby's biggest drawcard', swelling attendances at any match where he appeared. At the age of 19 years and 45 days, Jonah Lomu became the youngest All Black test player as he debuted against France in 1994. His performance was middling - but the best was yet to come. See also:

Jonah Lomu, Jonah Lomu - Genesis of a giant, Jonah Lomu - Career highs, Jonah Lomu - 1995 World Cup, Jonah Lomu - 1999 World Cup, Jonah Lomu - Bledisloe Cup, Jonah Lomu - Sevens, Jonah Lomu - NZ Provincial sides, Jonah Lomu - Health issues, Jonah Lomu - Off the field, Jonah Lomu - Comeback quest

Read more here: » Jonah Lomu: Encyclopedia II - Jonah Lomu - Career highs

Starting in 2005-06, the Powergen cup will feature a new format including the twelve teams from the Guinness Premiership and the four regional Welsh clubs. Teams from National Division One and below will now play for the Powergen National Trophy. In place of the knock-out format, the 16 sixteen clubs are placed in four pools with 3 English clubs and 1 Welsh club. The pool stages of the Anglo-Welsh Cup tournament feature one game against each team. The winners of each of the four groups progress to the semi-finals. The pools will stay ...

See also:

Powergen Cup, Powergen Cup - Anglo-Welsh Cup, Powergen Cup - Pools, Powergen Cup - List of winners, Powergen Cup - By year, Powergen Cup - By number won

Read more here: » Powergen Cup: Encyclopedia II - Powergen Cup - Anglo-Welsh Cup

The Heineken Cup began in 1995-96 with a dozen sides representing Ireland, Wales, Italy, Romania (though Romanian teams no longer take part) and France. English and Scottish teams did not compete until 1996-97 as they were already committed to their domestic schedules. From an inauspicious beginning in Romania, where Toulouse thrashed Farul Constanta 54-10 in front of a small crowd, the competition gathered momentum and crowds grew. Toulouse went on to become the first European rugby champions, eventually beating the world renowned Cardiff RFC in extra time. A tense and historic occasion at the now demoli ...

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Heineken Cup, Heineken Cup - History, Heineken Cup - Heineken Cup qualification, Heineken Cup - Heineken Cup rules, Heineken Cup - Quarter-finals, Heineken Cup - Semi-finals & Final, Heineken Cup - 2005/06 groups, Heineken Cup - Winners, Heineken Cup - By Year, Heineken Cup - By Total Wins

Read more here: » Heineken Cup: Encyclopedia II - Heineken Cup - History

The industrial development and growth of Cardiff was initially centred on the transportation of coal, where coal mined from the Rhondda Valley was sent to the port by barge along the valley of the River Taff, initially by canal and later by the Taff Vale Railway. A logical extension of the coal business was the development of an iron and steel industry, based largely on the port and the coal of the South Wales valleys. The 1980s brought closures to the industry in the entire region, and thousands of local workers were made redundant as the steel industry moved out of Cardiff, including the lar ...

See also:

Cardiff, Cardiff - Industry, Cardiff - History, Cardiff - Culture media sport and tourism, Cardiff - Twinning, Cardiff - Politics, Cardiff - Transport links, Cardiff - Natives of Cardiff

Read more here: » Cardiff: Encyclopedia II - Cardiff - Industry

The city has a professional football team, Cardiff City F.C., nicknamed "The Bluebirds". There is also the world-famous Cardiff RFC or Cardiff Blues rugby union team, and the Cardiff Devils Ice Hockey team. The city also features an international sporting venue, the Millennium Stadium. Cardiff hosted the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games. Cardiff is home to Cardiff Castle, the National Assembly for Wales, St. David's Hall, the National Museum and Gallery, and Cathays Park (including municipal buildings modelled on those in N ...

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Cardiff, Cardiff - Industry, Cardiff - History, Cardiff - Culture, media, sport and tourism, Cardiff - Twinning, Cardiff - Politics, Cardiff - Transport links, Cardiff - Natives of Cardiff

Read more here: » Cardiff: Encyclopedia II - Cardiff - Culture, media, sport and tourism

Early in his career, Jonah endeared himself to his fans by spending time signing autographs after provincial matches, for all children brave enough to approach him. In 1995 Lomu won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year (Overseas Personality) Award. Lomu spent a few off-seasons commentating in England, where Rugby Union fans treat him like royalty. For most of his professional career he was managed by raconteur Phil Kingsley-Jones, until 2004. Lomu married South African Tanya Rutter in 1996, but in 1998 they separated. On August 21, 2003, ...

See also:

Jonah Lomu, Jonah Lomu - Genesis of a giant, Jonah Lomu - Career highs, Jonah Lomu - 1995 World Cup, Jonah Lomu - 1999 World Cup, Jonah Lomu - Bledisloe Cup, Jonah Lomu - Sevens, Jonah Lomu - NZ Provincial sides, Jonah Lomu - Health issues, Jonah Lomu - Off the field, Jonah Lomu - Comeback quest

Read more here: » Jonah Lomu: Encyclopedia II - Jonah Lomu - Off the field

At the end of 1996 Lomu was diagnosed as having nephrotic syndrome, a rare and serious kidney disorder. His rugby career went on hold whilst the disorder was treated. In May 2003, the NZRFU announced that Lomu had been put on dialysis three times a week due to deterioration in his kidney function. Side effects of Lomu's dialysis treatment led to severe nerve damage in his feet and legs; his doctors warned him that he faced life in a wheelchair if ...

See also:

Jonah Lomu, Jonah Lomu - Genesis of a giant, Jonah Lomu - Career highs, Jonah Lomu - 1995 World Cup, Jonah Lomu - 1999 World Cup, Jonah Lomu - Bledisloe Cup, Jonah Lomu - Sevens, Jonah Lomu - NZ Provincial sides, Jonah Lomu - Health issues, Jonah Lomu - Off the field, Jonah Lomu - Comeback quest

Read more here: » Jonah Lomu: Encyclopedia II - Jonah Lomu - Health issues

Lomu's physique was uniquely suited for rugby as he is large, fast, and strong - qualities he augments with aggression, skill, and an intimidating presence on the field. At 1.96 metres, Lomu is as tall as most locks, and at 120 kilograms is as heavy as most prop forwards (that is, 6'5" tall and 265lbs). Despite his size, he was, when healthy, still able to run 100 metres (109.4 yards) in 10.8 seconds. At school his sprint training included running around the field, pulling ...

See also:

Jonah Lomu, Jonah Lomu - Genesis of a giant, Jonah Lomu - Career highs, Jonah Lomu - 1995 World Cup, Jonah Lomu - 1999 World Cup, Jonah Lomu - Bledisloe Cup, Jonah Lomu - Sevens, Jonah Lomu - NZ Provincial sides, Jonah Lomu - Health issues, Jonah Lomu - Off the field, Jonah Lomu - Comeback quest

Read more here: » Jonah Lomu: Encyclopedia II - Jonah Lomu - Genesis of a giant

The Lions' campaign involved a non-cap test against Argentina before departing for New Zealand, three test matches against the All Blacks, and several tour matches where the quality of the opposition was expected to be high. This proved to be the case against NZ Maori and Auckland, and most of the other tour matches were close for at least the first half. However, this was anything but true in the match against Manawatu (the only Lions opponent in the second division of New Zealand's domestic league, the National Provincial Championship), which the Lions won by an embarrassing 109-6 score. ...

See also:

2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand, 2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand - Song, 2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand - Schedule, 2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand - Tour squad, 2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand - Management, 2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand - The matches, 2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand - Argentina, 2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand - Bay of Plenty, 2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand - Taranaki, 2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand - New Zealand Maori, 2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand - Wellington, 2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand - Otago, 2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand - Southland, 2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand - First Test, 2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand - Manawatu, 2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand - Second Test, 2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand - Auckland, 2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand - Third Test

Read more here: » 2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand: Encyclopedia II - 2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand - Schedule

All matches are played at nominally neutral venues. Each of the two semi-final venues are in the country of the first team out of the hat when the draw is made. For example, in 2004, Munster v Wasps was played at Lansdowne Road in Dublin, while Toulouse v Biarritz was played in Bordeaux. However, the "neutrality" requirement is satisfied simply by the designated "home" team playing outside of its normal stadium. Both 2005 semifinals were held in the host's home city; Leicester Tigers v Toulouse was held at Walkers Stadium in Leicester ...

See also:

Heineken Cup, Heineken Cup - History, Heineken Cup - Heineken Cup qualification, Heineken Cup - Heineken Cup rules, Heineken Cup - Quarter-finals, Heineken Cup - Semi-finals & Final, Heineken Cup - 2005/06 groups, Heineken Cup - Winners, Heineken Cup - By Year, Heineken Cup - By Total Wins

Read more here: » Heineken Cup: Encyclopedia II - Heineken Cup - Semi-finals & Final

Since gaining autonomy at the county level in 1996, Cardiff has been governed by Cardiff County Council. From then until 2004 the Labour had a large working majority. In 1995, the balance was 61 Labour , 9 Liberal Democrats , 1 Conservative and 1 Plaid Cymru. In 1999 the balance was 50 Labour , 18 Liberal Democrats , 5 Conservatives, 1 Plaid Cymru and 1 Independent. Following the 2004 local elections, no individual political party has a majority on Cardiff County Council. The Liberal Democrats have 32 councillors (33 were elected, but ...

See also:

Cardiff, Cardiff - Industry, Cardiff - History, Cardiff - Culture media sport and tourism, Cardiff - Twinning, Cardiff - Politics, Cardiff - Transport links, Cardiff - Natives of Cardiff

Read more here: » Cardiff: Encyclopedia II - Cardiff - Politics

Cardiff has twinning arrangements with: Luhans'k, Ukraine Hordaland, Norway Nantes, France Stuttgart, Germany Xiamen, China It was previously, but is no longer, twinned with Baltimore County, USA ...

See also:

Cardiff, Cardiff - Industry, Cardiff - History, Cardiff - Culture media sport and tourism, Cardiff - Twinning, Cardiff - Politics, Cardiff - Transport links, Cardiff - Natives of Cardiff

Read more here: » Cardiff: Encyclopedia II - Cardiff - Twinning