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 016 – Ireland’s Call
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Episode 016 is dominated by Ireland’s Six Nations triumph over Wales.
Les Kiss, Ireland’s defence guru, takes time out from celebrations to give us an incredibly detailed look inside the victorious team. Ireland’s first Grand Slam in 61 years has been a huge story and we’re lucky enough to have one of its key architects.
Aside from Ireland’s glory we look at the Super 14 with Marc Hinton from www.rugbyheaven.co.nz. Marc takes us through some of the big match ups this weekend and also drops off the Hurricanes bandwagon for the Chiefs. (All this from a Dunedin lad too)
ANALYSIS – THE BREAKDOWN
This week we look in depth at the breakdown and the refereeing of it. The issue came to a head last weekend when the Bulls and Hurricanes lost five players to yellow cards. Referee Matt Goddard copped a lot of flak as a result but here at RuggaMatrix we bring balance to the debate and show support for him.
It’s a good subject to listen to and one that won’t go away in a hurry.
Don’t forget club rugby begins in Sydney this week and you can get your grassroots fix at www.clubrugby.com.au, another RuggaMatrix production.
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.
RuggaMatrix – Show 013 – I am Pragmatic Too
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This is a coaching special.
Former Ireland head coach and newly appointed mentor of the United States Eddie O’Sullivan is our special guest star and panel member. O’Sullivan joins us for the entire show and it’s a meaty conversation to say the least. Never one to take a backward step, O’Sullivan gives us his views on a host of subjects.
The Irishman has no love for the ELVs and as a result he’s been less than impressed with Super Rugby. He mounts a strong case for the old laws and makes plenty of robust points during the discussion. The panel was deeply impressed by the maturity shown by O’Sullivan and Les Kiss on the show. Two men from different Ireland coaching regimes but enitirely respectful of each other and they both should be commended for the way they handled themselves. Class acts.
Les Kiss has again gone beyond the call of duty by squeezing us in during such an important week in the Six Nations. Kiss talks about the dangers of facing Scotland at Murrayfield and the need to maintain the rage with two matches to play.
Bruce McLane from New York Athletic Club is back on the blower this week and he’s over the moon about the appointment of O’Sullivan as Eagles head coach. The Super League season is about to kick-off in the States and McLane gives us the details.
Ewen McKenzie is back in a winning frame of mind after racking up 50 points in the Top 14 at the weekend. He’s got some strong predictions for Rob Horne the young NSW centre and firms views that the Waratahs will be back in the finals again this year.
With such a gathering this week the topic of choice for our in depth analysis is COACHING.
The subjects discussed closely mirror the issues Martin Johnson currently faces with the England team. How do they deal with skill levels? Public perception, coaching assistants and picking their skippers. It’s an intriguing look inside the minds of these elite coaches
