Wilson’s just reward for playing it like the All Blacks

THE COMEBACK kings! What an achievement it was for Cardiff Blues to claim Challenge Cup glory against Gloucester. The manner of the victory had me on the edge of my seat.

Every single player involved for the Blues in Bilbao must take their fair share of the credit for this success and so must Danny Wilson. What a remarkable job he’s done.

Any silverware at this level has to be applauded, but what pleased me most about the Blues was that they got their rewards for continuing to play right up until the 80th minute.

The All Blacks are the best side in the world because they never deviate from their game plan and continue to back their approach from minute one to the final whistle.

That’s that the Blues did against Gloucester. With Gloucester’s Lewis Ludlow yellow carded, the Blues moved the ball from side to side and eventually got their rewards with the try from Blaine Scully and then the crucial, matchwinning penalty from Gareth Anscombe. What bottle!

After the Scarlets claimed last year’s PRO12 title, the Blues’ success is another shot in the arm for regional rugby.

The Blues positive approach is to be applauded. It also bodes very well for Wales in the future and the best performers for Danny’s men in Spain were young, exuberant Welshmen with a point to prove.

The likes of Ellis Jenkins, Jarrod Evans and Tomos Williams all had games to remember and while Warren Gatland might not have much time to work with these guys, he will have watched the final knowing Welsh rugby is in good hands in the future.

Now the Blues must not rest on their laurels and continue along this path in the future under John Mulvihill.

It’s vitally important they use this achievement as a springboard, but the future can wait for now because there’s some serious celebrating to do. It’s more than well deserved!