RuggaMatrix – Show 026 – Finals and More Finals
RuggaMatrix_-_Show_026_-_Finals_and_more_finals.mp3
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 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 012 – Smit and Kiss
RuggaMatrix_-_Show_012_-_Smit_and_Kiss.mp3
RuggaMatrix is back with more big names as the Six Nations hits a turning point and SANZAR debates the future.
Our special guest star is South African captain John Smit.
The World Cup winning skipper is currently preparing for a heavyweight showdown with the Auckland Blues in New Zealand. Last weekend Smith played off the bench against the Chiefs in a high quality clash in the wet in Hamilton. Smit covers it all with RuggaMatrix this week. From the Sharks, Andrew Johns, George Gregan, the future of SANZAR, the referees and his own future it’s all there. Smit joins us on tour with the Sharks in New Zealand and Marc Hinton returns from www.rugbyheaven.co.nz.
Les Kiss gives us an exclusive snapshot inside the Ireland camp following their out-muscling of England at Croke Park. There’s a real determination about the Irishmen and Kiss will tell all.
We look at the Six Nations in depth with both Kiss and Stade Francais Head Coach Ewen McKenzie. McKenzie’s team was decimated by selections over the weekend and we find out just how he coped.
We also find out what the talk is in France about the Barbarians playing the Wallabies and Sonny Bill Williams coming back to Australia. Marc Hinton from www.rugbyheaven.co.nz is back for the Kiwi perspective and no doubt he’ll be crowing about the Hurricanes upset win over the Crusaders in Round 3 of the Super 14.
SANZAR – The Future is the subject of our in depth analysis this week.
The panel will make their own recommendations about the way forward. Should it be Super 15, Super 10 with more games or something else completely?
RuggaMatrix – Show 006 – What Happened to the Sleeping Giant?
RuggaMatrix_-_Show_006_-_What_Happened_to_the_Sleeping_Giant_.mp3
RuggaMatrix returns to the United States this week to answer many questions about the head coaching role that will be vacated by Australia’s Scott Johnson.
Our man on the spot in New York Bruce McLane gives us the definitive word on the coaching drama and he also debunks many assumptions about USA Rugby.
Les Kiss pops up in Limerick as the Ireland national team gathers for their Six Nations camp. The preliminaries are out of the way for the Heineken Cup and this week attention turns the French Top 14 and Ewen McKenzie’s Stade Francais hosting Perpignan. It’s the biggest game in the world this week – 2nd (Stade) v 3rd (Perpignan). All Black star Dan Carter swoops into Paris with Perpignan for a clash that will see a crowd of 80 000 at Stade de France.
The panel checks out the Super 14 trial action from across the southern hemisphere.
Our special guest star this week is Queensland centre Morgan Turinui.
Turinui speaks to the panel on the eve of the Reds departure for New Zealand to play the Auckland Blues in their second Super 14 trial. He’s as sharp as ever and extremely frank about the recent poor record of the Reds. But is the tide about to turn? There’s plenty to look forward to for Queensland supporters in 2009 and Turinui casts his expert eye across his own squad and the rest of the competition.
He also reveals a burning desire to get back into the Wallaby squad, hence his re-signing with the Reds for two years.
Once again thanks to Mark Cashman and Inside Rugby for their support.
We also welcome aboard SMP Images which provided the photo of Morgan Turinui above.
You can check out their comprehensive library at smpimages.com.
OTHER SITES WE TALK ABOUT THIS WEEK www.theroar.com.au, www.heavensgame.com and www.therugbyman.com.
