The best of the north is now down under for a series of mouth watering test matches. Can Ireland pull off the improbable and beat the All Blacks? We ask Les Kiss and Ronan O'Gara exactly that question. England take on the Wallabies in Perth and we look back at the Springboks v Wales clash. IN DEPTH ANALYSIS Inspired by a rucking incident in the England v Australian Barbarians game. Is it possible to ruck without using your boot? We look at alternatives to rucking and the evolution of the breakdo...
Jun 10, 2010•1 hr 3 min
As the show title suggests we look at the finals across the globe that decided the Magners League, Guinness Premiership, Top 14 and Super 14. This is the honour roll for 2010 and it makes for impressive reading. Heineken Cup - Toulouse Magners League - Ospreys Guinness Premiership - Leicester Top 14 - Clermont Super 14 - Bulls Les Kiss was on hand for the Ospreys win in Dublin and we look closely at the fallout from all the results. The invasion of the south is underway and we check in with the ...
Jun 02, 2010•1 hr 9 min
RuggaMatrix returns to England this week with a feature interview with England and Bath prop David Flatman. If you've never listened to a David Flatman interview ... you've missed out because not only is he hilarious he's brilliant on the finer points of the game. We discuss the Guinness Premiership in depth with David, the scrum and the England tour squad which is heading down under next week. Ewen McKenzie covers all things Top 14, Heineken Cup and Super Rugby while Les Kiss gives us a final r...
May 26, 2010•1 hr 3 min
The team has called in some heavyweight support to help predict the outcome of some massive matches in our global wrap in show 75 of RuggaMatrix. Wallaby and 2009 Leinster hero Rocky Elsom looks at the Heineken Cup decider this weekend between Toulouse and Biarritz just for starters. The final two have been decided in the Magners League, Top 14 and Guinness premiership but we're still waiting on the Super 14 to purge two more teams in that series. If you're vaguely interested in any rugby around...
May 19, 2010•1 hr 14 min
The finals are upon us in the northern hemisphere and in Super Rugby the last round will decide who will play in the semis. The Bulls at the time of publication were reportedly set to rest up to 13 players for their match against the Stormers but whatever they decide it's a great talking point and we discuss the issue in depth with the panel and our special guest from South Africa Bob Skinstad. It's fired up some of our listeners who say nothing less than the Bulls full strength team will do. Wh...
May 12, 2010•1 hr 9 min
We have our finalists and this week we speak with the underdogs Biarritz. Jack Issac, backs coach for Biarritz, is our special guest he gives us a fascinating look inside the Basque club. It will be an all French final after Biarritz accounted for Munster and Toulouse downed Leinster. Les Kiss is back and he runs an expert eye across both semi-finals of the Heineken Cup and the closing stages of the Magners League. Ewen McKenzie talks Super 14 and just how tight the race is for the playoffs. IN-...
May 06, 2010•1 hr 15 min
This week Peter Hewat fills in for Les Kiss to talk all things Guinness Premiership and Heineken Cup. Who will prevail between Leinster and Toulouse in Saturday's semi and who will finish on top in Sunday's semi-final between Biarritz and Munster? Peter gives us an expert call on the final four. In Super 14 the Queensland Reds continue to win more fans each week the world over and we're once again please to have their super coach on board Ewen McKenzie. The Reds face the Brumbies this week who a...
Apr 28, 2010•1 hr 10 min
This is one of our special panel only shows and we have a lot to cover with our experts Ewen McKenzie and Les Kiss. We cross to Les after giving him the night off last week and cover all things Magners League and Guinness Premiership as both competitions near the end game. The story of the Super 14 is the resurrection of the Queensland Reds under super coach McKenzie. How is he doing it? We do a little probing this week. IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS - THE CHIP KICK
Apr 21, 2010•1 hr 3 min
What a weekend of Heineken Cup quarterfinals and that's our main focus this week. Former Leinster hero and current Wallabies captain Rocky Elsom gives us his view of the final 8 matches and what he thinks will happen in the semis. As usual it's raw Rocky with some interesting thoughts on Leinster and the other teams. We also look inside the Brumbies and the Super 14. Les Kiss has the night off ... we'll catch him next week but we happily welcome back Ewen McKenzie fresh from a successful tour of...
Apr 15, 2010•1 hr 6 min
Who can stop Leinster? Munster failed last week in the big Magners League local derby at Thomond Park. This weekend though the champions of Europe face a quarterfinal challenge worthy of respect in Clermont Auvergne at the RDS. So who better than Shaun Berne to take us through what the Leinster mob are up to at this late stage of the season. Berne has been a critical figure off the bench for Leinster and his experience will count as the European competition comes to an end. Aside from all that h...
Apr 07, 2010•1 hr 6 min
Julian Huxley is one of sport's great stories. 2 years ago he had a tumour removed from his brain and now he's back playing for the Brumbies and he's got a real chance of winning back his Wallaby jersey too. Last week he came on earlier than expected in the match against the Chiefs and he won great praise for his courage and inspirational play. This week on our show Julian talks openly about his illness and his road back to elite rugby. It's been a long hard journey and he reveals much of it to ...
Mar 31, 2010•1 hr
Vive le France! The Grand Slam 6 Nations champions are France and this week we look back at the 2010 tournament with our special guest from Italy, Craig Gower. Craig joins us from France where his club Bayonne is facing tough match against Top 14 ladder leaders Castres this weekend. We get a first hand account of the strengths of the different teams during this year's championship and Craig gives Scotland a better than expected assessment over England. The former Australian rugby league rep play...
Mar 25, 2010•1 hr 20 min
The 6 Nations is about to be decided and there's a remote chance Ireland could steal it but France is the hot favourite to not only win but claim another Grand Slam. Ireland need to beat Scotland, a tough opponent, by a large margin and hope England can do the same to France (well not as well). But there's controversy brewing with the last minute implementation of the new law interpretations that have already been championed and adopted by SANZAR. Les Kiss reveals on this week's show that the Ir...
Mar 17, 2010•1 hr 20 min
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 we...
Mar 10, 2010•1 hr 6 min
France is in the box seat for 6 Nations glory but we talk about what happens if the French choke and the door opens again for the others. It could be a mad dash for the title. Les Kiss takes us through that epic win by Ireland over England at Twickenham. We look at the Magners League and touch on the Guinness Premiership. The Super 14 is up to round 4 and we look at the progress of the Bulls and Waratahs plus we discuss the troubles the Sharks are going through. Our In-Depth Analysis this week l...
Mar 04, 2010•1 hr 7 min
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...
Feb 25, 2010•1 hr 6 min
Les Kiss is in vintage form for this week as he expresses firm views over the southern hemisphere's law interpretation to promote more attacking rugby. While fans, players and commentators speak in glowing terms about week one of super rugby we flesh out the issue a little deeper with one of the best thinkers in the game. Let's just say he's not a fan! Our In-Depth Analysis is ROLL AWAY TACKLER. The new law interpretation at the tackle has definitely improved the quality of attacking ball in Sup...
Feb 19, 2010•1 hr 18 min
The Six Nations is underway and we review weekend one and look forward to week two. Ireland v France is the pivotal match of the tournament and we go direct to Les Kiss in camp with the Irish in Paris. Ewen McKenzie gives us an unbiased view on the Six Nations, unlike Les, and he's impressed with England. We farewell George Smith from Test Rugby and speak to the man himself and Wallabies coach Robbie Deans. Our In-Depth analysis looks at LINE SPEED. Is it all about speed? Once again there's more...
Feb 12, 2010•1 hr 11 min
It's Six Nations time again and we have the latest news from the defending title holders. Donncha O'Callaghan is our special guest. The Muster and Lions squad member gives RuggaMatrix the inside word on his knee injury and when he expects to be back. Donncha is also an ambassador for Unicef and he's been working hard in helping to raise awareness for the devastation in Haiti. We have a full Six Nations preview and talk Super Rugby with Ewen McKenzie. Our In-Depth analysis looks at MAN DOWN. What...
Feb 05, 2010•1 hr 1 min
RuggaMatrix looks at a controversial round of Heineken Cup .. another replacement blunder has marred the quarter-finals make up. Top 14 ploughed on while most other comps have a rest heading into the 6 Nations. Les Kiss joins us from Ireland's camp and he gives an up to date form guide on this year's combatants. Super Rugby trials continue and Ewen McKenzie details how the refereeing of the breakdown will open the game up in 2010. We also hear from Justin Harrison. He plays his first match for t...
Jan 29, 2010•1 hr 7 min
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...
Jan 22, 2010•1 hr 16 min
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.
Jan 15, 2010•50 min
This is our Christmas Show with special guest Lote Tuqiri and Peter Hewat like you've never heard them before. It's our last show for 2009 but we'll be back in two weeks to tackle the all the big issues of 2010. Ewen McKenzie and Les Kiss take a well earned rest while we engage in some serious but mostly light-hearted banter between Lote and Pete. It's Lote's most extensive interview since taking up his contract with Leicester so hear what he has to say about playing for the Tigers, eye gouging,...
Dec 23, 2009•59 min
Well this is it .. our anniversary show. RuggaMatrix turns 1 this week and we have a special guest to celebrate it with us. Former Wallabies lock Daniel Vickerman, fresh from leading Cambridge to victory over Oxford in the annual varsity match, gives us a special insight into that game and his life post test rugby. Is it all over? Well not quite, Dan hasn't closed the door yet on once again playing for Australia. It might be our anniversary show but we still get down to business and the Heineken...
Dec 18, 2009•1 hr 5 min
The Heineken Cup is back and we have a full expert preview with our panel. Our special guest star is All Blacks lock Ali Williams. Ali has just released a pretty funny book about life as a touring All Black. It's called Ali's Book of Tall Tales. He's also on the comeback trail from injury and has resumed training with the Auckland Blues. You can hear his thoughts on the All Blacks plus current and future trends in the game.
Dec 09, 2009•1 hr 12 min
This week we revisit the laws of the game with none other than Eddie Jones, coach of Suntory and former Wallabies, Saracens and Brumbies mentor. It's a burning issue at the moment but Eddie forces us to take stock and really examine the game closely to the point where you ask yourself... Should we blame the laws or other factors?
Dec 04, 2009•1 hr 20 min
It was a classic Test at Croke Park between Australia and Ireland and this week Rocky Elsom and Les Kiss look at the match from opposing viewpoints. The Grand Slam dream is over for the Wallabies and Ireland’s unbeaten run stretches to nine. Although both camps disagree about who should have won, they both concur that Wycliff Palu’s hit on Rob Kearney was a legitimate tackle. Ewen McKenzie reviews the other big test matches across Europe including France’s upset win over South Africa which he fo...
Nov 18, 2009•1 hr 22 min
We look at England with Les and Ewen McKenzie and see if there are positives to come out of their first up defeat. The return of Jonny Wilkinson is certainly one. The French take on the world champion Springboks and the All Blacks hit the catwalk in Milan.
Nov 12, 2009•1 hr 13 min
It’s another grand weekend of International Rugby but at Croke Park we’ll see the Tri Nations Champions South Africa take on the Six Nations Champions Ireland in the unofficial North-South face-off. 1995 World Cup hero Joel Stransky is our special guest star and he’s got some good and bad news for the Irish. He also puts his faith in Robbie Deans despite the Wallabies troubling defeat to Scotland and we get an insiders point of view for the upcoming Clint Eastwood film, Invictus, the story of th...
Nov 06, 2009•1 hr 12 min
The Autumn Internationals are upon us and we look at the two big Tests - Wales v New Zealand and England v Australia with our special guest star Wallabies legend John Eales. Fresh from launching a another important sporting programme, THE CAPTAINS' FORUM, he spends some meaningful time with the RuggaMatrix team. From leadership to the detail of the second-row, John Eales is a MUST LISTEN. Les Kiss joins the show direct from the Irish camp and talks about the pressure to perform against the south...
Nov 05, 2009•1 hr 4 min
