RuggaMatrix – Show 030 – Unleash the Beast
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This week we check in with our man on the spot in South Africa for the Lions series Simnikiwe Xabanisa.
The Sunday Times scribe was on site for the First Test in Durban and gives us a first hand account. Our episode name comes courtesy of the Springboks prop and man of the match Tendai Mtawarira.
‘The Beast’ dominated the opening clash and he makes for a meaty discussion point this week as we devote almost half the show to the Lions Tour. We also cover the All Blacks, France, Wallabies and Italy. Les Kiss fills us in on Ireland A and their Churchill Cup victory.
Our in-depth analysis this week is THE BALL CARRY.
As the First Test in Durban showed – ball security can mean the difference between winning and losing. Once again Ewen McKenzie and Les Kiss give a masterful lesson on the subject which is a lot more important than many may think.
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 011 – Winning Tough
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RuggaMatrix is back with another knock-out guest and killer analysis of the Super 14 and Six Nations.
Our special guest star is Qantas Wallabies Head Coach, Robbie Deans.
This time last year Deans was still in charge of the Crusaders as they prepared for yet another title win. Now he’s feeling right at home and we find him in a spare moment between analysing the Super 14 and planning for the season ahead. Deans makes it clear that good performances will be rewarded and there is plenty of scope come selection time mid-year. He even cracks a few laughs along the way. It’s a chat not to be missed.
It’s Six Nations time again after a short break and we once again go deep into the preparations of the table topping Ireland team with our man on the spot Les Kiss. It is a huge clash a Croke Park this weekend with Ireland hosting the much maligned England outfit.
Ewen McKenzie had to battle some injuries last weekend but the Top 14 resumed in a postitive manner for the big fella at Stade Francais. Mark Gasnier came out on top over Sonny Bill Williams and Tana Umaga from Toulon and we’ll get the details from McKenzie.
The Super 14 is heading into its third week and already the South Africans are flexing their muscles. Award winning journalist Simnikiwe Xabanisa joins the panel from the Republic to see if the Sharks and Bulls can maintain their winning ways.
WINNING UGLY is the subject of our in depth analysis this week. The panel will tell you what happens when teams are accused of winning ugly and maybe for the sake of the game look at another way of describing what is more likely to be a tough encounter.
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.
