RuggaMatrix – Show 065 – The Big Comeback
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The pressure is building on France as the chasing pack waits for them to fall over.
Ireland are still in the hunt for the Triple Crown and remain hopeful that the door will open for a title defence.
Lote Tuqiri says goodbye to rugby union with his head held high, we discuss his contribution and chances of success going back to rugby league in just a few days time.
The Italians are coming! The Magners League will welcome Italian clubs next season, good or bad?
The Super 14 reaches round 5 this week and we catch up with Lions Number 8 Todd Clever, the USA Eagles Captain.
Our In-Depth Analysis this week looks at The Big Comeback.
Inspired by the Queensland Reds comeback to beat the Chiefs last week and Wales’ efforts against Scotland in the 6 Nations.
Les Kiss and Ewen McKenzie give us another masterclass session.
RuggaMatrix – Show 064 – 6 Nations State of Play
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France is in the box seat for 6 Nations glory but we talk about what happens if the French choke and the door opens again for the others. It could be a mad dash for the title.
Les Kiss takes us through that epic win by Ireland over England at Twickenham.
We look at the Magners League and touch on the Guinness Premiership.
The Super 14 is up to round 4 and we look at the progress of the Bulls and Waratahs plus we discuss the troubles the Sharks are going through.
Our In-Depth Analysis this week looks at Two Referees.
Boy did this cause some drama. Mark Cashman’s never been so animated when Djuro suggested that two referees could help our men in the middle cope with the increasing workload at the breakdown.
You don’t have to agree but at least we can talk about it.
RuggaMatrix – Show 063 – Culture Shock
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Wallabies coach Robbie Deans is our special guest on RuggaMatrix 063 – Culture Shock.
We continue to debate the new law interpretations at the breakdown and we once again go in-depth on the subject.
Our expert panel includes Robbie and Sydney Morning Herald Chief Rugby Correspondent Greg Growden.
Les Kiss fires back from a Northern point of view as Robbie Deans makes the argument for change.
It’s another great discussion and we guarantee that you won’t agree with at least someone but that’s what it’s all about.
Of course 6 Nations with Southern Hemisphere referees involved this weekend could make things really interesting with the competition on a knife’s edge.
So from 6 Nations to Super Rugby – we have it covered on Show 063 – Culture Shock.
RuggaMatrix – Show 061 – Bye George
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The Six Nations is underway and we review weekend one and look forward to week two.
Ireland v France is the pivotal match of the tournament and we go direct to Les Kiss in camp with the Irish in Paris.
Ewen McKenzie gives us an unbiased view on the Six Nations, unlike Les, and he’s impressed with England.
We farewell George Smith from Test Rugby and speak to the man himself and Wallabies coach Robbie Deans.
Our In-Depth analysis looks at LINE SPEED.
Is it all about speed? Once again there’s more to the subject than meets the eye.
RuggaMatrix – Show 059 – The Dark Side of the Scrum
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RuggaMatrix looks at a controversial round of Heineken Cup .. another replacement blunder has marred the quarter-finals make up.
Top 14 ploughed on while most other comps have a rest heading into the 6 Nations.
Les Kiss joins us from Ireland’s camp and he gives an up to date form guide on this year’s combatants.
Super Rugby trials continue and Ewen McKenzie details how the refereeing of the breakdown will open the game up in 2010.
We also hear from Justin Harrison. He plays his first match for the Brumbies this weekend after completing an 8 month suspension for drug use.
It’s a fascinating chat with a man who is now trying to resurrect his rugby career.
IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS – LOOSEHEAD PROP
We’ve covered Tighthead, now the expert RuggaMatrix panel looks at the other side of the scrum. With thousands of scrum engagements between them .. Ewen McKenzie and Mark Cashman tear into this subject with gusto.
Scrum talk never sounded so good!
RuggaMatrix – Show 058 – Popcorn Rugby
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RuggaMatrix breaks new ground this week with Ewen McKenzie’s exclusive review of Invictus, the inspirational film about the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
In the real world we hammer Les Kiss over his Six Nations squad and we ask him your questions about the players left out.
The Heineken Cup is massive this weekend so what better way to prepare than downloading Show 058 of RuggaMatrix.
We go through the major matches and discuss the possibilities.
Super Rugby trials begin this weekend and we take a look at the season ahead.
Our IN DEPTH ANALYSIS this week is VIDEO ANALYSIS – TRAINING.
As video capture and replay technology improves we look at the value of on-field video review during training.
The idea isn’t new but the rapid improvements in screen technologies could see teams at all levels adopting real time review and correction.
RuggaMatrix – Show 057 – The Muscles from Brussels
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Happy New Year!
The RuggaMatrix Team is back for another year with more commentary and analysis.
We start 2010 with a look at the big freeze, the Heineken Cup, Six Nations and Super 14.
The Six Nations Squads are starting to hit the press and we check out England’s line up.
We’re just getting started so why not join Djuro, Mark, Les and Ewen as they guide your through both hemispheres of the game.
RuggaMatrix – Show 015 – Kiss and Tell
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RuggaMatrix looks at the exciting conclusion to the Six Nations this weekend by grilling Les Kiss who doubles as our special guest on show 015. Will it be a case of Kiss and tell? You’ll have to listen to find out.
The Irish are heading for grand slam glory after getting the job done against Scotland last weekend and now travel to Cardiff for the decider against Wales. What a difference one game makes. England and Martin Johnson went from zero to heroes by smashing France at Twickenham. Now the French are copping it in the press.
Ewen McKenzie gives us the latest news on a French side under siege. McKenzie faces his own challenges too as the Six Nations wreaks havoc with his playing roster. The Top 14 is starting to get serious with clubs fighting for the playoffs, Heineken Cup qualification and survival against relegation.
Sunday Times journalist Simnikiwe Xabanisa reports in from Johannesburg with plenty of detail about the progress of the South African Super 14 teams. Sim also covers the SANZAR standoff over the future design of Super Rugby.
And this is the link to the comment piece that Sim wrote about Luke Watson which is discussed in the show. Sunday Times Article.
LIVE SHOW
Today’s live streaming was a great success for our first outing. Despite the early start in Australia we had 20 people online watching and listening via Ustream.We also received a number of questions during the show which the panel thoroughly enjoyed. In fact we had too many to answer in the end. So thanks to all who listened in and we’ll be doing the same again next week.
ANALYSIS DELAYED
We ran out of time today but we were going to look in depth at kicking. We’ll have a go at the subject next week raising issues such as the proliferation of midfield kicks and many others. If you have a gripe about kicking or suggestions about how better to use tactic then drop us a line.
