Sportswriters Brett McKay and Ryan O’Connell are co-ordinating their schedules poorly in episode 42 of the Cheap Seats podcast.
In this episode, Ryan cannot get his mouth around the Wallabies outside centre’s name to save himself and then declares Kevin Sheedy was fortunate to share a corporate box with him, while Brett gets all high-and-mighty about a comment possibly made in jest.
Episode 42 talking points.
#AskTheCheapSeats: all about some impressive Wallabies, and scary Will Skelton
Rugby: the Wallabies and All Blacks wrap up June series clean-sweeps, and what that means for The Rugby Championship, plus the return of Super Rugby
NRL: after State of Origin, who cares? Yet more trouble at Cronulla, and Chris Sandow’s podcast-splitting jibe at a ref
AFL: Ryan gets all giddy about Greater Western Sydney, Gold Coast burn Geelong, and a genuine champion retires from the game
Football: the World Cup is going off and we can barely keep up, plus Sydney FC’s audacious bid to lure Tim Cahill
Worst Case Scenarios: Red Bull Formula One not exactly flying, and LeBron set to reprise ‘The Decision’.
Get us on Twitter at @CheapSeatsPod and use the tag #AskTheCheapSeats.
And thanks for the questions Will - even if it took us two weeks!
Please keep 'em coming, and everyone else too!
We should do an #AskTheCheapSeats special later in the year, where we just answer mass questions. Ryan, write that down please, since our production staff are no longer with us....
A thought on the use of Will Skelton
I would start him and leave him on till he starts to have less impact. If that is 50 minutes then at least we get his impact for 50 minutes. If you bring him off the bench say with 30 minutes to go, you limit his ability to have impact to 30 minutes possibly leaving 20 minutes in the tank. Also, if the AB's are 20 points ahead by then, there is no way anyone will have enough impact to bring the team back. But if he can help subdue the ABs up front, the bench can try to maintain the lead.
The other solution is to keep improving his fitness so you don't have to make the decision.
I saw Frik du Preez and Colin Meads almost single handedly destroy our forwards way back when and have never seen anyone with the potential to return the favour until now. Hope he keeps developing.
There was an audio glitch *ahem* that cut part of that comment off
*cough*
The actual statistic was: "Will Skelton became the first Wallaby since Mitch Hardy in 1997 to score on debut at Allianz Stadium."
Thanks Guys. enjoy listening to these.
Will Skelton first Wallaby to score on debut since Mitch Hardy? What about Issy Folau last year v Lions? And surely others?
I understand what you're saying, and it all makes sense. BUT...
But I still feel as though Kuridrani lacks some basic skills - he struggles to pass on either side, he runs to contact instead of to space, he has no awareness of the players around him (in terms of positioning himself or them to make the most of space), he seems to rarely beat a tackle and he lacks genuine pace.
Which leaves us with... he's big. Not sure it's enough.
Watching him on Saturday afternoon from up in the SFS grandstand was like watching someone who was playing in the centres for the first time, and struggling to come to terms with the position.
Honestly, at one point I mistook Kuridrani for Kepu (we were quite high up in the Grandstand!) and there was no clue in the pace or skill of his play that I was wrong.
You know the best way to fix this so Ryan doesn't get flustered or embarrassed again?? McKenzie doesn't pick him…
I'm not on a crusade, he's obviously a decent player but the more I see of him the more I just don't rate him as a top notcher. Too one dimensional for mine.
Obviously I stand to be corrected if he comes out and makes the AB's look silly in a few weeks….
Yeah, that's a much better explanation that what I was trying to get out Kev (and good to have you back, pal), but our flustered host was clearly affecting my performance.
Ryan's point of AAC being a victim of his own versatility is a valid one, too, and like I suggested, he's always going to be in the side somewhere. But it's true, despite AAC being the form 13 coming into the Tests, Kuridrani fits the 13 role for how the Wallabies want to play better that AAC does..
Just to drop my two cents on Will’s question:
Kuridrani is a centre that can genuinely bend the defensive line, Ashley-Cooper is not – make a line break sure, but not bend the line.
It is really that simple. Kuridrani is raw while Ashley-Cooper is polished from long experience and while both are good players the system that McKenzie and attack coach McKay want to utilise is a ball player at 12 and Toomua also brings the brick wall defensive presence that previous 12s like Flatley (who like Toomua played 10 at Super Rugby level) and Grey have brought to the team; and a big outside centre (think Herbert or Mortlock). It is the style of rugby that Australian teams have traditionally played best with.
I am also going to say that Ashely-Cooper’s game is not going to suit releasing wingers outside him. His first instinct is always to run at the outside shoulder which takes the space rather than to straighten or draw and pass. For mine that makes him a winger – not to mention that his experience and ability to play fullback makes him a great back three player (a winger who can kick is a rarity in Australia these days). McCabe, Horne, Cummins are all good wingers but I think once Speight is eligible he will usurp the wing spot opposite AAC.
Brett McKay
Expert
And thanks for the questions Will - even if it took us two weeks! Please keep 'em coming, and everyone else too! We should do an #AskTheCheapSeats special later in the year, where we just answer mass questions. Ryan, write that down please, since our production staff are no longer with us....
Brett McKay
Expert
..in an afternoon game, and running to the southern end in the first half. Great trivia.
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
That is an awesome statistic.
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
Another great show by the way guys - always enjoy it.
MikeN
Roar Pro
A thought on the use of Will Skelton I would start him and leave him on till he starts to have less impact. If that is 50 minutes then at least we get his impact for 50 minutes. If you bring him off the bench say with 30 minutes to go, you limit his ability to have impact to 30 minutes possibly leaving 20 minutes in the tank. Also, if the AB's are 20 points ahead by then, there is no way anyone will have enough impact to bring the team back. But if he can help subdue the ABs up front, the bench can try to maintain the lead. The other solution is to keep improving his fitness so you don't have to make the decision. I saw Frik du Preez and Colin Meads almost single handedly destroy our forwards way back when and have never seen anyone with the potential to return the favour until now. Hope he keeps developing.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
There was an audio glitch *ahem* that cut part of that comment off *cough* The actual statistic was: "Will Skelton became the first Wallaby since Mitch Hardy in 1997 to score on debut at Allianz Stadium."
Wasim Ranamadroota
Roar Pro
Thanks Guys. enjoy listening to these. Will Skelton first Wallaby to score on debut since Mitch Hardy? What about Issy Folau last year v Lions? And surely others?
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
I understand what you're saying, and it all makes sense. BUT... But I still feel as though Kuridrani lacks some basic skills - he struggles to pass on either side, he runs to contact instead of to space, he has no awareness of the players around him (in terms of positioning himself or them to make the most of space), he seems to rarely beat a tackle and he lacks genuine pace. Which leaves us with... he's big. Not sure it's enough. Watching him on Saturday afternoon from up in the SFS grandstand was like watching someone who was playing in the centres for the first time, and struggling to come to terms with the position. Honestly, at one point I mistook Kuridrani for Kepu (we were quite high up in the Grandstand!) and there was no clue in the pace or skill of his play that I was wrong.
Geoff Parkes
Expert
You know the best way to fix this so Ryan doesn't get flustered or embarrassed again?? McKenzie doesn't pick him… I'm not on a crusade, he's obviously a decent player but the more I see of him the more I just don't rate him as a top notcher. Too one dimensional for mine. Obviously I stand to be corrected if he comes out and makes the AB's look silly in a few weeks….
Brett McKay
Expert
The moderators would have a heart attack....
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
If we're going to use outtakes to illustrate flusterness, I'd love to hear the one where you couldn't get the recording to work!
Brett McKay
Expert
K-U-R-I-D-R.........
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
Flustered? Don't flatter yourself.
Brett McKay
Expert
Yeah, that's a much better explanation that what I was trying to get out Kev (and good to have you back, pal), but our flustered host was clearly affecting my performance. Ryan's point of AAC being a victim of his own versatility is a valid one, too, and like I suggested, he's always going to be in the side somewhere. But it's true, despite AAC being the form 13 coming into the Tests, Kuridrani fits the 13 role for how the Wallabies want to play better that AAC does..
Red Kev
Roar Guru
Just to drop my two cents on Will’s question: Kuridrani is a centre that can genuinely bend the defensive line, Ashley-Cooper is not – make a line break sure, but not bend the line. It is really that simple. Kuridrani is raw while Ashley-Cooper is polished from long experience and while both are good players the system that McKenzie and attack coach McKay want to utilise is a ball player at 12 and Toomua also brings the brick wall defensive presence that previous 12s like Flatley (who like Toomua played 10 at Super Rugby level) and Grey have brought to the team; and a big outside centre (think Herbert or Mortlock). It is the style of rugby that Australian teams have traditionally played best with. I am also going to say that Ashely-Cooper’s game is not going to suit releasing wingers outside him. His first instinct is always to run at the outside shoulder which takes the space rather than to straighten or draw and pass. For mine that makes him a winger – not to mention that his experience and ability to play fullback makes him a great back three player (a winger who can kick is a rarity in Australia these days). McCabe, Horne, Cummins are all good wingers but I think once Speight is eligible he will usurp the wing spot opposite AAC.