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 034 – Tighthead
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Ewen McKenzie is back after a few weeks with the family.
This week we explore the mysterious world of tighthead prop. Joining us for show 034 is Wallaby number 3 Al Baxter. The most capped Australian Test prop in history answers questions about the match that got away from the Wallabies at Eden Park last weekend.
Tri Nations betting has moved away from Australia as New Zealand heads to South Africa for game two of the series. Baxter was penalised repeatedly in the opening match but he carries no grudge against referee Craig Joubert.
A call to our Twitter followers produced a number of great questions and comments and Al Baxter answers them all.
Up north we examine the Justin Harrison ban and the hard-hitting punishment handed down to Harlequins following a hearing into the Heineken Cup quarterfinal and a suspect replacement late in the game.
Our in-depth analysis this week is of course TIGHTHEAD PROP.
They say you select your tighthead prop first and your reserve tighthead prop second and today we have two outstanding experts in the field to talk about it. Between them Al Baxter and Ewen McKenzie have played well over a hundred Tests. It’s not glamorous but vital. It’s certainly a fascinating listen.
Les Kiss has the week off.
RuggaMatrix – Show 002 – Tis the Season
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Tis the season to be jolly and that’s what we are all about at RuggaMatrix. The full panel is together for the first time just days before Christmas after locating Les Kiss in Dublin.
Topics up for discussion this week include the ongoing competitions of course, the Barbarians to play the Wallabies in Sydney, Pacific Nations Cup, Matt Giteau’s future, Dan Carter in France and a whole lot more.
The panel cast their minds back across the year for their personal highlights.
Our special guest star is former Wallaby and current Bath second rower Justin Harrison.
Justin or ‘Goog’ goes into detail about his near return to the NSW Waratahs before re-signing with Bath. A brilliant speaker with sharp humour to match, Justin’s appearance will make for extremely satisfying holiday listening.
RuggaMatrix will take a few weeks off before retuning on Wednesday, 7 January 2009 for Episode 003.
Your support has been terrific so far. Our first show debuted at number 13 on iTunes so spread the word to friends and rugby fans near and far.
Our next special guest will be former Wallaby World Cup prop, Ben Darwin. Ben is currently coaching in Japan so if you have any questions you’d like the panel to ask him, just drop us a line on admin@ruggamatrix.com with QUESTION in the subject line.
In the meantime why not join Twitter to keep up to date with the very latest on RuggaMatrix?
Just click on the link in the top navigation to find out more.
Merry Christmas and a happy New Year from all of us at RuggaMatrix.
