RuggaMatrix – Show 027 – Barbarian Bob

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He’s one of the most respected men in the game of rugby and we’re pleased to have him as our special guest star for episode 027.

1991 World Cup winning coach Bob Dwyer joins the RuggaMatrix panel for the entire show and as usual he gives some thought provoking responses to our questions.

The range of topics this week include the Lions slow start in South Africa, the Bulls demolition of the Chiefs in the Super Rugby Final and the Barbarians set to take on the Wallabies in Sydney.

Ewen McKenzie once again fronts up despite bowing out of the Top 14 at the weekend and we get a first hand report on the French semifinals from the Link.

Les Kiss was unable to join us this week from the United States but we have Bruce McLane stepping up to give us all the detail on the Eagles v Ireland Test and the American Super League Final.

Our in-depth analysis this week asks the question; what would happen if the Bulls played Leinster in a world club playoff?

So join some of the deepest thinkers in the game on episode 027 of RuggaMatrix, Barbarian Bob.

RuggaMatrix – Show 026 – Finals and More Finals

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RuggaMatrix pulls off another scoop with a feature-length interview with Heineken Cup winning head coach from Leinster, Michael Cheika.

It’s a revealing ‘look’ inside the Irish powerhouse. Last weekend they beat Leicester 19-16 in the Final.

Cheika talks about the culture change that led to the team’s success and the joy of seeing a player like Chris Whitaker ending his career on a high. He looks back at the past four years and forward to his more than likely final one.

Ewen McKenzie has a busy week ahead but he’s always got time for RuggaMatrix. Stade Francais takes on Perpignan on Saturday in the second semifinal of the French Top 14 competition. By the time they play Toulouse or Clermont would have already qualified for the final. Things are obviously tense because he wouldn’t even tell us what his team is!

Les Kiss reports in from the United States after the Irish were less than impressive against Canada last week. It’s a much bigger challenge coming up this week according to Kiss against the Eagles who are coached by former Ireland mentor Eddie O’Sullivan.

Our in-depth analysis subject this week is … the DROP GOAL.

Should it be worth 3 points still? How do you defend against it? How do you coach it? Who are the gun kickers? Given the amount of finals lately, it’s a timely subject.

RuggaMatrix – Show 023 – The Rock

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He’s the man the whole world is talking about and he’s on RuggaMatrix for Episode 023 – The Rock.

Leinster flanker Rocky Elsom joins the full panel this week to talk about the Heineken Cup final series and life in general in Ireland. Elsom’s immediate future had not yet been decided but he’s keen to play for the Wallabies when the Test programme resumes in June. He spends a good 40 minutes with the panel discussing a range of issues that span the globe. Will he stay or will he go after the Heineken Cup Final? He was pretty tight-lipped but we had a crack anyway.

Find out what he thinks of his Leinster teammates and a whole lot more including a summary of Leinster’s win over Munster at the weekend. And what about that Cardiff v Leicester shoot-out in the other semifinal? Lots to talk about indeed.

Following the Elsom interview we look at the final stages of the Super 14 in the southern hemisphere. The Hurricanes v Chiefs is the stand out clash for the weekend ahead.

Our subject for in-depth analysis this week is CATCH AND PASS.

Why has the most basic skill dramatically fallen away in quality in many our professional teams? The panel throws up some reasons for it and offers solutions.

RuggaMatrix – Show 019 – Flower Power

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RuggaMatrix takes on a family feel for episode 019. Leinster scrumhalf and former Wallaby Chris Whitaker joins us just hours after the arrival of his third child in Dublin and just a few days after qualifying for the Heineken Cup semis.

Whitaker talks about the gripping finish to the quarter final against Harlequins and throws in a few funny stories about Rocky Elsom as a bonus. We also get the scoop on the new baby’s name.

Les Kiss is still in Sydney but Ewen McKenzie is back in Paris as the Top 14 resumes.

Simnikiwe Xabanisa joins the panel from Johannesburg for all things South Africa.

Our in depth analysis this week is TACTICS.

Kiss and McKenzie give a superb masterclass on the subject that is a must listen.

Congratulations to Ali Wells from Sydney who intros this week’s show. Warning: It’s smokin’ hot!

RuggaMatrix – Show 007 – Rocky O Kelly

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It’s Six Nations time and RuggaMatrix has exclusive access inside the Ireland camp ahead of this weekend’s blockbuster clash with France in Dublin.

Ireland Defence Coach and RuggaMatrix commentator Les Kiss gives us the coaching line and Gordon D’Arcy the players’ perspective on this crucial International. Ewen McKenzie gives us a firsthand report on the Dan Carter injury which has ruined his season and caused plenty of controversy in France and New Zealand.

Link details how the injury happened in a match that ended in a 13-all draw between his second placed Stade Francais and Carter’s third placed Perpignan.

We also head to South Africa again to catch up with Simnikiwe Xabanisa from the Sunday Times and of course this week’s show is brought to you by Inside Rugby, Australia’s leading rugby magazine.

As mentioned above our special guest star this week is Ireland and Leinster centre Gordon D’Arcy. It’s a great insight into the Irish outfit during game week. D’Arcy talks about his fight back from a severely broken arm to win selection for this weekend’s opening Six Nations clash at Croke Park.

He’s a lot of fun and refreshingly open about Leinster, Ireland and the Lions. Other issues in the news include Eddie Jones and his future at Saracens and a renewed Australian push for Super Rugby expansion. New Commentator! Today we welcome one of RuggaMatrix’s biggest supporters as a commentator on the blog and newsletter.

Paul Cookie Cook is a genuine rugby punter in Sydney who will write a few pars each week summing up the previous episode and giving us some honest and hopefully constructive feedback.