The Bonus Point

Tj Olsen
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  • Rugby
  • Monthly

A transpacific rugby podcast connecting New Zealand’s elite game with the rise of rugby in the United States. Expect detailed breakdowns, tactical insight, and honest analysis across Super Rugby, the All Blacks, and MLR.

  1. 1 day ago

    Building the Eagles (w/ Rob Hammerschmidt & Scott Ferrara) — Episode 76

    In Episode 76, we’re diving deep into the state of USA Rugby with Rob “The Hammer” Hammerschmidt and Scott “The Big Guy” Ferrara from the Rugby Rant podcast. With the Eagles set for a huge summer of Test rugby, we break down the upcoming Nations Cup fixtures, talk through who should be in the 23 for the first match against Portugal in Denver, and look ahead to what this stretch means for the future of the national team. We also get into the current Major League Rugby season, including the latest standings, the teams building momentum down the stretch, and the ongoing challenges around viewing access and league growth in the U.S. From there, we zoom out to ask the bigger questions: is USA Rugby on track for 2031

    1hr 2min
  2. The Man in the Middle (w/ Caleb Greaves) - Episode 75

    12 May

    The Man in the Middle (w/ Caleb Greaves) - Episode 75

    If you’ve ever yelled at a ref… this episode might change your perspective. Or probably not as its a regular occurance amongst rugby fans. In this episode, we sit down with Caleb Greaves, a referee with 12 years of experience across five different associations and a current official in the North Harbour Premier Men’s competition Auckland, NZ. Caleb shares stories from the field, how referees manage chaos in real time, and why it might be one of the toughest jobs in sport. We also unpack his viral approach to recruiting new referees, including the now-infamous “do something dumb until someone signs up” challenge, + how the North Harbour Referees Instagram page is changing the perception of officiating. In the second half, we shift into Super Rugby — breaking down the state of officiating, the chaos at the breakdown, TMO influence, and how players are getting smarter at pushing the limits of the game. Our Bonus Point segment is a new segment we like to call “Whistle Blower” - Some quick fire questions and sure to be a doozy

    55 min
  3. All Blacks Season Review w/ Jamie Wall - Episode 69

    03/12/2025

    All Blacks Season Review w/ Jamie Wall - Episode 69

    Episode 69 of the podcast features an insightful conversation with rugby journalist Jamie Wall, renowned for his deep knowledge and years covering the All Blacks and global rugby. Jamie shares his journey into rugby journalism, highlighting his work covering the All Blacks since 2017 and dives into the All Blacks’ complex and often scrutinized 2025 season, analyzing coaching challenges, standout players, and pivotal tactical decisions. We also unpack the debates around the World Rugby Player of the Year awards, examining fairness in selection and overlooked players. Lastly with the 2027 Rugby World Cup pools announced just yesterday, Jamie provides expert analysis on New Zealand’s draw, the expanded 24-team format, and the strategic path the All Blacks must follow to win the tournament. This episode offers a compelling mix of career insights, current rugby analysis, and forward-looking World Cup preview that any rugby fan will appreciate.

    54 min
  4. EOY Tours Squads Announced!! Ep 68

    16/10/2025

    EOY Tours Squads Announced!! Ep 68

    We catch up with Rob "The Hammer" Hammerschmidt (The Rugby Rant) to discuss the EOY tour squads for: All BlacksWallabiesAll Blacks XVWe have included a sneak peak into the Rugby Rant's Podcast where we spoke about R360...a new and bold competition full of innovation. Is this new competition promising or a pipe dream??

    49 min
  5. USA Qualify For RWC 2027 | Ep 67 w/ Jason Emery

    25/09/2025

    USA Qualify For RWC 2027 | Ep 67 w/ Jason Emery

    Jason Emery (Maori All Blacks, Old Glory DC) joins the show to chat about USA Rugby qualifying for the RWC in 2027, The upcoming Bledisloe Cup tests in the Rugby Championship & the Women's RWC finals.

    35 min
  6. Ep 66 - Cup Fever: Grabbing Glory on Every Continent

    30/08/2025

    Ep 66 - Cup Fever: Grabbing Glory on Every Continent

    This episode is dedicated to the passing of my dad Steve. We are chatting about all the cups that are up for grabs: Pacific Nations CupThe Rugby ChampionshipWomen's Rugby World Cup

    46 min
  7. Episode 65 - Test Match Footy Is Back

    17/07/2025

    Episode 65 - Test Match Footy Is Back

    This weeks episode were chatting about: All Blacks vs FranceBritish & Irish Lions vs WallabiesKalyn Ponga to union!??

    40 min
  8. Episode 64 - Chiefs OR Crusaders!!??

    19/06/2025

    Episode 64 - Chiefs OR Crusaders!!??

    We unpack a lot on this weeks podcast. Super Rugby Pacific Finals (Chiefs vs Crusaders)British & Irish Lions vs ArgentinaWallabies SquadArdie Savea off to Japan in 2026Premiership vs Super Rugby You wont wanna miss this one!!

    46 min
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About

A transpacific rugby podcast connecting New Zealand’s elite game with the rise of rugby in the United States. Expect detailed breakdowns, tactical insight, and honest analysis across Super Rugby, the All Blacks, and MLR.

Information

  • Creator
    Tj Olsen
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    74
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Tj Olsen
  • Show Website
    The Bonus Point