They said we’d never make it. They said it wouldn’t last (actually, that was us saying it wouldn’t last, but you get the idea). Yet despite the naysayers, the Cheap Seats podcast celebrates the milestone 50th episode this week.
And to celebrate, we’re dedicating the entire podcast to our listeners in an #AskTheCheapSeats special.
That’s right, this Wednesday’s episode will be wall-to-wall questions, for which we promise to answer each and every single question posed to us. Each and every! No subject is taboo, no topic will be ignored!
At the start of this year, and with the Cheap Seats still very much in its infancy, Ryan and Brett decided that the podcast needed an interactive element to keep things fresh and ensure that every week we had something new. It was also our way of making sure that people listened at least to the ten-minute mark.
‘Ask the Cheap Seats’ was born in Episode 28, and it involved the boys asking each other what they had enjoyed in sport over the summer break. Once the petty sniping was handed out, a proper discussion was had on what was a wonderful summer of Australian cricket.
The following week, in Episode 29, one Michael Elliott – @its_Choppy on Twitter – had the dubious distinction of asking the maiden #AskTheCheapSeats question:
“Will the Waratahs finally live up their pre-season expectations this season?”
Both Ryan and Brett said a lot of words about why the Tahs may well live up to expectations this year, and Ryan declared he was “cautiously optimistic rather than excitedly optimistic”. But funnily enough, Choppy, neither of them actually said ‘yes’ or ‘no’.
Twenty-two episodes and extensive deliberations later, we can finally and categorically answer: “Yes. This will be the Waratahs’ year.” You’re all very welcome.
Since that inaugural question, we’ve been inundated by a number of questions each week, but for Episode 50, we’re going big, so please post your question (or questions) in the comments below, or you can hit us up on Twitter at @CheapSeatsPod, using the hashtag #AskTheCheapSeats.
The cut-off for questions is 6:00pm AEST tonight, and we look forward to answering each and every one of them.
Many thanks in advance for the questions, and indeed, your continued support. And remember, stay cheap peeps!
DingoGray
Roar Guru
The incorrect penalty does not make up for the 10,000 times he's not been correctly penalised!
Jerry
Guest
And how about that bloke who sent Colin Meads off and whoever disallowed Bob Deans try in 1905.
Jerry
Guest
I think this is what happened on Saturday - Savea had his feet infield (well, it looked like he did on the long shot - they never showed a close up replay) when the knocked the ball infield and then he fell over the sideline. It is a bit of a grey area though.
Jerry
Guest
"If the ball crosses the touchline or touch-in-goal line, and is caught by a player who has both feet in the playing area, the ball is not in touch or touch-in-goal. Such a player may knock the ball into the playing area." I don't think it matters if, after the player has knocked the ball back into the playing area, they then put a foot (or feet or whole body) into touch after you've knocked the ball into the playing area.
Common Sense
Roar Rookie
I read what you were talking about. The article states, "When a rugby player leaps to catch the ball, his feet must both land in the playing field to keep the ball out of touch." The difference here is that the article refers to catching the ball and assumedly keeping hold of the ball. What we are talking about is the ball being tapped back in to play before the player has touched the ground. What happens to the player thereafter has no bearing on the ball and the article doesn't contradict that. Otherwise what's the difference between the penalty kick incident and throwing the ball back in while in the air just before being bundled into touch.
El Gamba
Roar Guru
I think Stirling may have been correct CS, one example: http://findrugbynow.com/2012/11/touch-line-rules/ Anyway...
Digby
Roar Guru
Fair enough, I cant really remember Horne in the centres. Your explanation is probably why! I was interested to read that Link was considering switching Sio over to TH. I wonder if his plan is to eventually have Sio and Palu for the TH and Slipper and Smith as LH for the world cup? That appeals as a pretty solid front row and bench.
El Gamba
Roar Guru
I get your point regarding that Richie call CS, though feel justice was served with the result. That's one of the problems I'm finding with rugby though, it's so open to 'interpretation'. I will admit to being a pretty sorry and sore wallabies supporter right now though! Out of interest I'll look more into that law, not because I think you're necessarily wrong but I remember when the rule changed in '92 as a 10a's outside centre. It's all academic and not influential of the result, more an example of my general malais with rugby.
El Gamba
Roar Guru
Enjoy the scarf mate, I think you long suffering Tahs supporters certainly deserved it. It was nice to pull out my Pre Western Force Tahs jersey that night. The last time I wore it was to Jade Stadium for that shellacking!
Common Sense
Guest
One more question, take a look at my attempt at suggesting a Wallaby team sheet: 15. Beale 14. AAC 13. Kuridrani 12. Toomua 11. Folau 10. Foley 9. Phipps 8. Palu 7. Hooper 6. Higginbotham 5. Horwill 4. Simmons 3. Kepu 2. ?????? (S. Faingaa I think) 1. Slipper 16. ???? (James Hanson?) 17. Robinson 18. Alexander 19. Carter 20. Fardy 21. White 22. Lealiifano 23. Horne Firstly, what are your general thoughts on it. Secondly, Do you, like me, find that Israel is wasted at fullback? Being used primarily as the high kick receiver and being dictated where to be by the oppositions kicking game. Should he be on the wing where he should be primarily used as a finisher 5 meters from the line and given space. Also putting Beale at fullback allows him more room to move while also allowing him to act as first receiver when he sees an opportunity.
Common Sense
Guest
If they get 51 then they're in All Blacks territory.
Common Sense
Guest
Thanks for that. Although I thought Richie's call was clear cut incorrect - there's no offside line or gate when there's no tackle - just like his yellow card on Saturday he should have known better than to give the ref a reason to penalise him. Similar to Bismark Du Plessis in Auckland last year, whether or not his first yellow was warrented is irrelevant, he was experienced enough to know that he had to keep his nose clean for the rest of the game or risk a red card. Then he decides to elbow Liam Messam in the throat, the red was his own fault. As long as you don't land before you tap the ball then that's fine. If you touch ground after you have tapped the ball back then it is all irrelevant, you can't be judged for something that happened after you touched the ball, only while you were touching the ball. When he touched the ball he was still in. I read somewhere that Stirling Mortlock was having a go at that.
jamesb
Guest
Hey guys, what type of music do you prefer, old or new?. I prefer the old stuff myself. Anyway congrats on reaching 50. Good innings so far. Try and get to 100. ATM your in the fifties, the Shane Watson territory.
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
I thought he lost the ball as well as being out. Thank God it was all academic, hey! My NSW Waratahs 2014 Champions scarf arrived today too. It's been a good day.
El Gamba
Roar Guru
But the test is 'on the balance of probabilities' rather than 'beyond reasonable doubt'. Anyway, I thought the call was wronger than Richie's penalty, the history book doesn't really care about my opinion though. Hey Common Sense, must say I have avoided the Bledisloe discussions and well done to the blacks, a far superior team. I will ask you a question, when batting a penalty touch finder back in and you are in the air, do you need to land in the field of play?
Common Sense
Guest
Now all I'm waiting for is Wayne Barnes to come out and apologise!
Common Sense
Guest
You could see the ankle over the line but not whether or not his ankle touched the line. Similar to Israel Dagg's ankle during the 2011 RWC semi final for Ma'a Nonu's try, early camera angles appeared to show that it touched the line but further camera angles showed that is was hovering over the line but did not touch it.
Reilly
Roar Rookie
Hey guys, what are your favourite colours. I personally like red.
El Gamba
Roar Guru
Common Sense would dictate that, since the touch line was the only thing in shade and you could not even see Nadolo's ankle.... hold on, why am I explaining it to you, you are Common Sense :)
Wasim Ranamadroota
Roar Pro
Hi chaps. Love your work with these podcasts. Just wondered how many people typically tune in? What is your record? Thanks, Wasim.