RuggaMatrix – Show 065 – The Big Comeback
RuggaMatrix_-_Show_065_-_The_Big_Comeback.mp3
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 060 – Six Nations
RuggaMatrix_-_Show_060_-_Six_Nations.mp3
It’s Six Nations time again and we have the latest news from the defending title holders.
Donncha O’Callaghan is our special guest.
The Muster and Lions squad member gives RuggaMatrix the inside word on his knee injury and when he expects to be back.
Donncha is also an ambassador for Unicef and he’s been working hard in helping to raise awareness for the devastation in Haiti.
We have a full Six Nations preview and talk Super Rugby with Ewen McKenzie.
Our In-Depth analysis looks at MAN DOWN.
What happens when you cop a yellow or red card? What plans should you have in place? What position is better to lose?
Once again we open up the subject with our expert panel.
RuggaMatrix – Show 043 – Psychobabble
RuggaMatrix_-_Show_043_-_Psychobabble.mp3
A late show this week but worth the wait. Our special guest star is former Gloucester and NSW Waratahs playmaker Duncan McRae.
Forced to retire through in injury after his time in the UK, Duncan gives us a expert view on the Wallabies, Guinness Premiership and Magners League. He works for www.sportingbet.com.au nowadays which keeps him well informed about the latest news in rugby and a host of other sports.
Duncan has some interesting ideas about the Wallabies and what they need to do to turn things around.
Our In-Depth Analysis this week is PSYCHOLOGY .. brought to you by www.bobdwyerrugby.com.
We discuss with our experts the value of psychology in a rugby team and what it really means. It’s a fascinating look at a difficult aspect of the game to master but Les Kiss and Ewen McKenzie have vast experience in this area and it’s once again invaluable analysis.
RuggaMatrix – Show 032 – Optimus Kiss
RuggaMatrix_-_Show_032_-_Optimus_Kiss.mp3
The Lions are finished for another four years but now RuggaMatrix looks forward to the Tri Nations.
This week we wrap up the Lions series with a close look at the third Test won by the tourists.
We also question the concept of the TMO and its impact on the game. Ewen McKenzie is out of contact in country Victoria this week but Les Kiss more than makes up for Link’s absence. From the Lions analysis to our in-depth analysis Kiss is required listening.
We head across to New Zealand to catch up with Marc Hinton from www.rugbyheaven.co.nz. Hinton gives us the latest on the re-signing of the current All Blacks coaching staff and the outlook for the All Blacks in the Tri Nations.
Our in-depth analysis subject this week is MANAGEMENT.
It’s the thing that comes before anything else. Today we discuss how vital a good management structure is to a successful team and how head coaches differ in their approach. From the baggage man to the head coach … proper management of a team is critical. We give you the inside view and tips from elite national and provincial level.
RuggaMatrix – Show 020 – Pretty in Pink
RuggaMatrix_-_Show_020_-_Pretty_in_pink.mp3
Impressive … that’s what we think of Mark Gasnier after RuggaMatrix recorded a world exclusive interview with the Stade Francais back and former Australian rugby league super star.
Gasnier talks at length about his career and transition to rugby. If you thought you knew what the former St George Dragons centre was about, think again. We encountered a humble, courteous and fascinating character who is soaking up French life and enjoying the challenge of the Top 14.
Ewen McKenzie joins in the conversation late in the piece but underlines the importance of Gasnier to Stade’s championship hopes. They need just one more win to lock down a semifinal appearance.
Les Kiss reports in from New Zealand this week. He’s down under for another show before heading back to Ireland.
The Lions announcement is of course the big news of the week and Ewen McKenzie applies the blowtorch to Les Kiss about mixing his Irish lads with the Welsh. Super 14 has four rounds to go and we ask the question should the Sharks still be favourites? The panel predicts a few upsets heading into a chaotic conclusion to the round-robin stage.
RuggaMatrix – Show 007 – Rocky O Kelly
RuggaMatrix_-_Show_007_-_Rocky_O_Kelly.mp3
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.
RuggaMatrix – Show 002 – Tis the Season
RuggaMatrix_-_Show_002_-_Tis_the_Season.mp3
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.
