Cardiff Fly-Half Callum Sheedy Praises Leigh Halfpenny's Influence
The spotlight shone brightly on Leigh Halfpenny's return to Cardiff, a momentous occasion after over a decade away. But it was the kicker's protégé, Cardiff and Wales fly-half Callum Sheedy, who stole the show with a match-winning penalty against Ulster in the Challenge Cup.
Sheedy's triumph came as a result of his hard work and dedication, a moment he cherished. He expressed his joy, saying, 'It's nice when hard work pays off. I'm delighted it went over; these crucial kicks are rare, occurring once a season or every few seasons.'
The thirty-year-old emphasized the significance of such a moment, stating, 'With a match-winning kick, you're even more focused, returning to your process. It was a serene night at the Arms Park, with no wind to distract me.'
Sheedy's goal-kicking prowess has faced scrutiny since joining Cardiff from Bristol, but he remains composed. He acknowledged, 'I've been in this game long enough to know that people will scrutinize you when you miss a few kicks. It's part of the job, no problem. I've faced pressure in my kicks before.'
Sheedy's confidence in his abilities is evident, as he reflects on his time in the Premiership, where every kick was crucial. He shared, 'I missed a few kicks last year, and I'll miss more. But nights like tonight are why I work hard, so I'm glad it went over.'
Sheedy also praised the forwards' scrummaging efforts, which secured the set-piece penalty, enabling Cardiff to overcome a 14-point deficit in the final 15 minutes. He praised their performance, saying, 'That scrum was incredible, and they did it on [Ulster's] put-in, which was impressive.'
Despite his own success, Sheedy admitted he would have preferred to witness Halfpenny's victory. He humorously stated, 'I would have had a great view of Leigh winning the game, which would have been special.'
Sheedy praised Halfpenny's influence since his arrival at Cardiff, taking on a player-coach role with kicking responsibilities. He expressed his gratitude, saying, 'I've worked hard with Leigh since he joined. It's been incredible to learn from him. People pay to watch Leigh kick, and I get to do it as my job. I feel privileged to learn from such a skilled player.'
Halfpenny's approach, Sheedy noted, was not about drastic changes but valuable advice. He shared, 'He's very good. Leigh advised me that he wouldn't change my style or how we kick, as we all have unique styles. He's there to guide us if needed.'
Sheedy was impressed by Halfpenny's technical expertise, highlighting his ability to analyze kicks. He remarked, 'Leigh's technical knowledge is remarkable. He can watch a kick and instantly identify issues like opening up too early or closing off with the kick. It's a skill we wouldn't possess, and it's clear he's been at the top of his game for 17 years, even in his weekly preparation.'
Sheedy's admiration for Halfpenny is evident, and he believes younger players will greatly benefit from his mentorship.
