Elite Rugby Banter

Elite Rugby Banter

Elite Rugby Banter - the rugby pod where the commentary is as unpredictable as the bounce of the ball. Join Phil, Ant, and Andrew, three rugby nerds and fantasy draft managers, as they give their biased and unqualified but never dispassionate opinions on all things rugby related. Andrew: Rugby claim to fame: length of the field try against Bishops for the u12 C team Teams supported other than the Springboks: Stormers, Scotland Favourite rugby moment: every Breyton Paulse flick-flack Ant: Rugby claim to fame: Lightest hooker to play senior rugby for UCT Teams other than the Springboks: Sharks, Giltinis (RIP), Nambia Favourite rugby moment: any Frans Steyn 50m kick, or Louis Carbonel pointing and laughing at the english before slotting a conversion, or RG fighting the whole Aussie team Phil: Rugby claim to fame: Smashed through a whole a Kingswood team to score a magical try (twice) Teams other than the Lions: Springboks, England, Cheetahs Favourite rugby moment: Lions comprehensive win over the Sharks in the 2011 Currie Cup final You can find them on Spotify, iTunes, Soundcloud, and Acast.

  1. Aug 5

    Episode 323: South Africa becomes the Land of the Long Black Cloud

    The All Blacks are here! Confirmed by Ant in a plush Cape Town Virgin Active, the Kiwis have landed are preparing hard for the opening game against the Stormers this week. While the ABs sip cocktails in Clifton, a 26-strong Bok squad is quaffing Malbec in Buenos Aires, readying for their warm up against Argentina. There’s more antici…pation than a Rocky Horror number and more hype than an NZ rugby journo’s X account as we gear up for the Greatest Rivalry (TM CC LTD PBO). Ant, Andrew, Phil and Dick dive into the build-up to the first test, discussing whether the famous rivalry still deserves its billing and why these fixtures continue to stand apart from every other contest in international rugby. From history and respect to contrasting styles of play, the panel explores what makes South Africa versus New Zealand the benchmark by which every other rivalry is measured. Attention then turns to the rugby itself. Are the Springboks entering the series as deserved favourites? Has Rassie's side reached another level over the past year? And while Dave Rennie's All Blacks have shown encouraging signs, can they tighten up defensively against the most complete team in world rugby? The boys also discuss the contrasting approaches of Super Rugby and test rugby, the role of South Africa's franchises in preparing the All Blacks for what's to come, and why this series feels like a genuine measuring stick for both teams heading into the remainder of the international season. Plus predictions for the series, a look at the key individual battles, and why even in an era of expanded competitions and global tournaments, some matches simply matter more than others. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

    Episode 323: South Africa becomes the Land of the Long Black Cloud
  2. Jul 15

    Episode 320: Petition to get Ant on SuperSport (or Let's Kick Ireland Out of Rugby)

    While referees and commentators stumble over the interpretation of the laws and player roles, our panel of three gives more daylight on the latest rugby than Paul de Villiers in a Bok turnover. From the Baby Boks to the B-team, it was an action packed weekend of international rugby. This was a bumper episode - make sure to use the full shot clock to get it all in. We unpack South Africa's victory over Scotland and Rassie's post-match suggestion that the Scots could now be the third-best side in the world. Is there really a changing of the guard happening at the top of international rugby? Or are people suffering from remarkably short memories after the Springboks comfortably dispatched both France and New Zealand the last time they met? Elsewhere, Ireland's trip to "Japan" sparks one of the biggest off-field talking points of the tournament. Why were Japan forced to give up a home fixture? Should teams be allowed to dictate where they play? And after yet another compromise in the competition's opening year, the panel jokingly arrives at one obvious solution: kick Ireland out of rugby. Australia once again show flashes before fading against a stacked French side, prompting discussion around Joe Schmidt's tenure, whether Dave Rennie deserved more time, and just how frightening France's depth has become. With Jalibert, Ntamack, Dupont and a seemingly endless conveyor belt of talent, are Les Bleus now the only nation capable of matching the Springboks for squad depth? And why does Ant love the Wallabies so much? Plus the All Blacks' "pump and dump" approach to player selection, foreign-born internationals popping up in unexpected places, and why having too many good players isn't always the worst problem to have. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

    Episode 320: Petition to get Ant on SuperSport (or Let's Kick Ireland Out of Rugby)
5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Elite Rugby Banter - the rugby pod where the commentary is as unpredictable as the bounce of the ball. Join Phil, Ant, and Andrew, three rugby nerds and fantasy draft managers, as they give their biased and unqualified but never dispassionate opinions on all things rugby related. Andrew: Rugby claim to fame: length of the field try against Bishops for the u12 C team Teams supported other than the Springboks: Stormers, Scotland Favourite rugby moment: every Breyton Paulse flick-flack Ant: Rugby claim to fame: Lightest hooker to play senior rugby for UCT Teams other than the Springboks: Sharks, Giltinis (RIP), Nambia Favourite rugby moment: any Frans Steyn 50m kick, or Louis Carbonel pointing and laughing at the english before slotting a conversion, or RG fighting the whole Aussie team Phil: Rugby claim to fame: Smashed through a whole a Kingswood team to score a magical try (twice) Teams other than the Lions: Springboks, England, Cheetahs Favourite rugby moment: Lions comprehensive win over the Sharks in the 2011 Currie Cup final You can find them on Spotify, iTunes, Soundcloud, and Acast.

You Might Also Like