Adam Jones releases his statement about his lucrative move to the Cardiff Blues. 

IT is with a heavy heart that I write this letter, explaining why I am leaving my home region and thanking you all for your support over the years.
I don’t say that glibly. Every player goes through bad times as well as good during his career, and the brilliant thing about Ospreys’ supporters is that they have always been there for me when things haven’t been going as well as I might have wanted. I will appreciate that for the rest of my career and beyond. It has been quality all the way.
I’ll cut to the chase and tell you how I have ended up joining the Blues.
As pretty much the whole world and his wife will know by now, I had been waiting for a deal to be struck between the regions and the Welsh Rugby Union, over a new participation agreement, so the Ospreys could conclude a fresh contract with me.
I haven’t been getting any money, but I was just hoping that the row that has blighted Welsh rugby for so long could be finally settled and I could pull on the black shirt again.
Then on Sunday morning I received a call from the Blues asking whether I fancied a move there. I had to think long and hard about their proposal because I know all about regional rivalry and how much it matters in Wales.
But my circumstances were such that I didn’t feel I could turn Cardiff down. I haven’t been paid for two months and the season is barely a fortnight away. I need to be properly attached to a team and training with a group of players in readiness for the new campaign.
I couldn’t wait forever. The contract with the Ospreys has been on the table since January but without signatures it meant only so much.
No-one is to blame. Andrew Hore and Steve Tandy have been straight down the line with me throughout the negotiations. They haven’t messed me about and I don’t think I have messed anyone about, either.
Like I say, the region have meant the world to me. I want to thank Mike Cuddy and Roger Blyth for helping to set up the Ospreys in the first place and then doing so much to drive them forward. It has been a privilege to play alongside such great players as Alun Wyn Jones, Shane Williams, Filo Tiatia and many others. There have been great times and I have made friendships that will last a lifetime and I count people like Tandy and Andy Lloyd as my best mates as well.
The Ospreys’ result will always be one I look out for before any others.
They are going through a rebuilding phase, but with someone like Alun Wyn there, an immense presence in every respect, I still expect them to be pushing for a play-off place in the Pro12.
There are also a lot of young players at the region who are going to make Welsh rugby sit up and take notice in the years ahead.

But a new chapter starts for me now and I’m just glad I’ll be able to focus on rugby again.
The Blues had a tough season last time but they have made some new signings, have a highly respected director of rugby from New Zealand and are determined to go places. They have beefed up the front five, which was important, and I think Josh Turnbull’s signing in the back row could prove huge for them.
On the negative side I am going to have to put up with Gethin (Jenkins) again. Only kidding. He is a great player and it will be good to figure alongside him and Smiler (Matthew Rees) in the front row.
I am not taking my place for granted, though. The Blues have brought in Craig Mitchell and have depth throughout the front five. I know I will have to hit form quickly if I am to play.
It has been a pleasure to feature for the Ospreys over the years and, as I have said, I sincerely want to register my appreciation to all concerned. The Liberty is a big stadium that is hard to fill, but the fans are brilliant and I hope everyone will understand why I have arrived at my decision.
All the best for the future.

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Penalty shoot-outs are something we readily associate with our cousins in football, but it is rarely needed as a means to separate teams in Rugby and it’ frequency is extremely rare.

The most famous penalty shoot out in Rugby history was the 2009 Heineken Cup semi final shoot-out between Cardiff and Leicester at the Millennium Stadium.

Extremely entertaining for the neutrals eyes, the shoot-out was surreal as forwards were called upon to take kicks with Martyn Williams, cruelly, missing the decisive kick to send the team he served so well for so many years, Cardiff, crashing out and helped Leicester advance to the final in Murrayfield, where they were eventually beaten by Leinster.

Youtube Credit: rallyfreakwrc

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