RuggaMatrix – Show 065 – The Big Comeback
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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 063 – Culture Shock
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Wallabies coach Robbie Deans is our special guest on RuggaMatrix 063 – Culture Shock.
We continue to debate the new law interpretations at the breakdown and we once again go in-depth on the subject.
Our expert panel includes Robbie and Sydney Morning Herald Chief Rugby Correspondent Greg Growden.
Les Kiss fires back from a Northern point of view as Robbie Deans makes the argument for change.
It’s another great discussion and we guarantee that you won’t agree with at least someone but that’s what it’s all about.
Of course 6 Nations with Southern Hemisphere referees involved this weekend could make things really interesting with the competition on a knife’s edge.
So from 6 Nations to Super Rugby – we have it covered on Show 063 – Culture Shock.
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 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 009 – Eleven and a Half Hours of Sevens
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The Super 14 is underway and RuggaMatrix gives you the best analysis on the web.
Our special guest star is Nathan Sharpe, captain of the Western Force. Sharpe outlines their plan for Friday’s clash with the Cheetahs in Perth. The Force need to rebound after last week’s narrow loss to the Auckland Blues at home. He says it’s business as usual on the coaching front and the focus is on learning from their opening round hiccup. We also give the force two thumbs up for their pre-season media campaign.
The RuggaMatrix team has now covered all four Australian teams and will continue to span the globe for the highest profile rugby talent.
Our United States correspondent Bruce McLane joins the panel again this week. Not only does he update us on his marathon viewing of the USA Sevens, he gives us incredibly detailed analysis of the Super 14 and Six Nations teams. Eddie O’Sullivan appears certain to take over the American national head coach position and McLane gives his ringing endorsement of the former Ireland mentor.
Speaking of Ireland, Les Kiss checks in from Dublin following two impressive wins in the Six Nations. Now on top of the table, Kiss talks about keeping a lid on expectations ahead of their clash with England.
Ewen McKenzie has his own expectations to deal with this week. McKenzie’s team will face a fired up Toulon boosted by the playing return of Tana Umaga. Both Kiss and McKenzie join the panel for thorough analysis of the England team. A new feature of the third segment, the panel members will take a different team or issue each week and give their expert opinion.
This week we put England under the microscope and come up with some fascinating ideas. The referees have been in the news too after round one of the merit based system in the Super 14.
The change from neutral whistle blowers has not pleased everyone. International referee from Sydney, Stuart Dickinson, faces the questions head on and provides a rare insight into the mysterious world of the officiator. He gives sound reasons for the merit based system and explains what last week’s experience was like refereeing the Waratahs and Hurricanes. In a few weeks Dickinson will need to change law books as he referees at Twickenham in the Six Nations under different ELVs. The full interview will be available for download tomorrow in a shortened version of RuggaMatrix.
RuggaMatrix – Show 008 – The Brumbies of Old
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The crystal ball gets a workout this week as the RuggaMatrix panel makes its bold predictions for this year’s Super 14 competition.
Wallaby captain, Stirling Mortlock, joins us from Dunedin as the Brumbies prepare to open the season against the Highlanders this Friday. Mortlock says he feels better than ever after a satisfying break. He speaks about coming back to the Brumbies to play under Stephen Hoiles’ captaincy but at the core of this revealing interview is the renewed belief in the Brumbies programme.
The Brumbies of Old could be just around the corner and many fans will be happy if it comes true. We’ll find out soon enough as the season gets away with the Brumbies and Highlanders on Friday the 13th.
Our guest panel member is Dave Campbell from Rugby News in New Zealand. Campbell is a highly experienced rugby journalist and editorial director at the organisation. He analyses the Kiwi teams and reviews the hugely successful Wellington Sevens.
Well what a start by Ireland to the Six Nations, accounting for France 30-21 in Dublin last weekend. Ireland Defence Coach Les Kiss tells us how they pulled off their famous victory and the tactics used in the match. Kiss and Stade Francais Head Coach Ewen McKenzie run a close eye across the other results with England disappointing McKenzie the most. The whole panel remains stunned by the Italian decision to play flanker Mauro Bergamasco at scrumhalf making life that much easier for the English.
McKenzie gives RuggaMatrix the inside scoop on Eddie Jones and his resignation from Saracens. McKenzie spent several days with Jones observing operations at the club while there’s a short break in the French Top 14 competition.
And the panel discusses an idea by a RuggaMatrix listener … floating the possibility of a state of origin type match if visiting teams continue to send under strength Test squads.
