Elite Rugby Banter

The Rugby World Cup is heading towards its business end but there is some loose endsto wrap up first. Ant joins Ben and Adam to discuss the weeks games thus far, and those coming up, including arguably the biggest game of them all: Canada vs Namibia, plus the small matter of Japan vs Scotland. South Africa's trouncing of Canada is covered too, as is the pod's running loss, Ant doing the Cape Epic, and reportedly, ERB being among the most listened to South African-homegrown sports podcasts around...we think... Also, big thanks to you, our listeners! Couldn't do it without you!

It's our 100th episode, and in classic ERB style, we completely forgot about it. Have no fear, because Matt, Alex and Adam chat about Joe Moody's middle name, confuse him for Owen Franks, wonder who was the most chuffed Springbok to see Damian Willemse and cover the happenings and comings at the Rugby World Cup thus far. The business end is near by, it is the calm before the storm, and in Matt's case, he survived another harrowing night out. Adam curses early, while Alex regales Namibia, and tales of when he used to play rugby, and according to himself, not be good at all. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show

Alex and Ben steer the World Cup ship this week, in two parts! The Rugby World Cup is meandering towards the quarterfinals once more after the busy weekend, but much rugby is discussed. Scotland's thrashing of Samoa, France's hot and heavy defeat of the USA and New Zealand dispatching Canada with all the Barretts are discussed, along with the coming games, including South Africa v Italy, England v Argentina and the big one, New Zealand v Namibia.

Predictive analytics are playing a bigger role in sports, and some South Africans decided to get into the action by designing their own predictive tool that is targeting this year's Rugby World Cup: Ruggerbot.com. Adam "sat down" with Thomas Davies, of re:source design, the minds behind Ruggerbot.com, to find out how it works. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

What a Rugby World Cup so far! Chris Lee joins Alex, Matt, Ben and Adam as he gives the Irish view of their epic defeat to Japan. The gang also chat about all the other World Cup action, including SA's meh victory over Namibia and Wales win over Australia (including some controversial refereeing!). To add some brains to this week's pod (Chris excluded), Adam sat down with Thomas Davies of re:source, the masterminds behind Ruggerbot.com, to find out how they went about building their predicative tool. The best part? Referee data was too inconclusive...classic. You'll find this from about 1 h 45 m. Sorry for the extra long episode. The hope is to rein them in going forward...we hope... Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

Ben and Adam sprint through the happenings on the field in the Rugby World Cup thus far, noting now Uruguay as it stands have a shot at the quarterfinals, recounting what's like when their high school team faces an opponent they have no right facing, and wondering about the teams only just beginning their campaign. Also, Schalk Brits has been named to play at 8 for the Springboks versus Nambia??

The Phil and Ant Stats Show returns, as the two number maestros dig into the numbers from the All Blacks' and Springboks' epic clash at Yokohama. It's not all doom and gloom for South Africa, but there is work to do! Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show. Follow Phil on @superbpippo. Ant...not sure he is on Twitter?

The Rugby World Cup is now underway, and Ben, Matt and Adam in chilled-out fashion discuss the week's games, including New Zealand's hard fought but deserved win over South Africa, Australia's good victory over Fiji, Rob Howley's betting habits, the haka and its "status", other World Cup niceties and the usual too-ing and fro-ing. Alex is off in the Eastern Cape somewhere but posting popular tweets apparently? Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show. Follow Alex via @alexthetarr, Ben at @Ben_from_Tax, and Matt at @Ogre_Ugqwetha.

The 2019 Rugby World Cup is days away in Japan and ERB are here to preview (badly at times, and other times well) the weekend's games, plus Wales and Georgia on Monday. Adam, Ben and Alex kick off the first of ERB World Cup Weekly, which will run through the entire tournament. Today's major focus is dedicated the Springboks' clash against the All Blacks on Saturday.

The Rugby World Cup is just around the corner, and ahead of kick-off, Nicola joins Ant, Matt and Adam to see whether the three of them know the Laws (not Rules!) of Rugby. Ant and Matt pass with flying colours, though rucks appear to confuse the kak out of Adam (this is not surprising). Prior to chatting about the game and its troves, Gareth Thomas' brave admission, SBW's possible not-injury, Adam being pranked and still not getting it, Os du Randt's admission in the Hall of Fame and the Sharks signing everyone is discussed. On Wednesday, our ERB World Cup Weekly will kick off, to in theory run through out the tournament. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

The Rugby World Cup begins in a week...you heard us right, a WEEK! All the squads have been chosen, typhoons (mostly) avoided and 20 nations will be competing for the Webb Ellis Trophy. But, are all the players selected from their country of origin? Do they know the local party song? If, for example, they aren't Scottish, do they even know what haggis is? This is the subject of Phil and Ant's forced lightning discussion (all will be revealed), as they tackle World Rugby's eligibility rules and the origins of the different World Cup squad. Also, this should've gone out on Wednesday but Adam cannot be trusted...this is known. Classic ERB.

The Rugby World Cup is but weeks away and Alex, Ben and Adam are here to finish up their previews ahead of the global showpiece in the Land the Rising Son. In classic ERB fashion, there is a foul up when it comes to the New Zealand preview, Adam is willing on the briyani he had for breakfast to deal with the previous night, Ben gets tired playing golf in windy Mauritius, and Alex - serene and pure for most of the pod like driven snow - gets triggered by the name of Frans Steyn and "reserve flyhalf" being mentioned in the same sentence. Between it all, the gang chat about Steve Hansen telling the Six Nations to suck it, the passing of Springbok great Chester Williams, South Africa squaring their record against Japan and Russia's path to the World Cup. Matt is lost somewhere in Korea. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

Ben, Alex and Adam return, and they are joined by Michael who helps the gang break down the threat Eddie Jones' England pose to other Rugby World Cup aspirants. Prior to the previews, Aphiwe Dyanti's doping news is discussed - and disappointment shared - as is Eben Etzebeth, his family, striking referees and the kak people that abuse them, the Human Rights Commission, along with some actual rugby (Currie Cup and Wales being dethroned as World No. 1s). So, pretty standard stuff. Also, Ben maybe finds a new friend! (cue Step Brothers GIF). Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show. Check us out on Twitter or find us on Facebook.

Phil, Ant and Alex get together to briefly (lol) discuss the different journeys taken by the South African, New Zealand, and Australian World Cup squads since the last World Cup and which players have fallen by the wayside (sorry Owen Franks...we knew you well). The interesting topic of cap retention forms part of the discussion. Ale'x recording is reportedly of sub-optimal quality (he bought a new mic apparently) with some echo, for which we apologise for. This is what happens when guys have a side podcast on the side. The boys (there is only one "gang" in the ERB universe) only discover this at the end! Enjoy! Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

The Rugby World Cup gets ever closer, and Elite Rugby Banter is here to keep the good times rolling (slowly). Matt and Ben (plus Adam who surprises by being quietly around) are joined by Gavin Mrphy, who does his best to not be glum following Ireland's big defeat to England, while delivering a cracking preview for Ireland's World Cup campaign. Another massive assist is received from Morris Fuller, who gives us the low-down on the USA Eagles' chances in Japan. Matt and Ben, who do Tonga and France respectively, take note of our guests' excellent contributions thus far. Adam wasn't prepared at all! Some other stuff is also discussed, including Aphiwe Dyanti's positive test, Australia's World Cup squad (mostly at the end), wrestling, Dota 2 and some Currie Cup. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show

Another week passes, and the Rugby World Cup gets ever closer! Matt, Alex and Adam are joined by ERB group grandee Mitch Evans, who classes up the joint as Bledisloe II (with Mitch having wiped away the tears), Mehdisloe in Pretoria between SA C and Argentina B and the state of the game are discussed. Mitch alludes on Australia's chances at the World Cup, Matt talks about Icarus and recites fellow ERB grandee Lado Tsulukidze's lekker preview of Georgia, Adam covers Wales without Ben-level trigger warnings, and Alex speaks about his homeland, Namibia and their low population density. Also, there might be another stats episode this week. Adam really has no idea when those come in. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show. Thanks for listening! RWC previews will continue as we approach kick-off.

They ain't special no more (and by this we mean it has gone past the point of being a Special...rather they just make a lot of sense). Phil and Ant return to chat about all things hemispheres, and how different sides of the globe approach their....approach to the Game Played In Heaven. They also address Bledisloe 1 where the Aussies caned New Zealand and England's World Cup warm up win over Wales. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show. Thanks for listening guys!

It's a rare two-man show this week as Ben and Adam talk about the All Blacks being humbled by Australia, and the Springboks claiming their first Rugby Championship title as the World Cup approaches. In between a rather analytical episode (for Ben and Adam anyway...they aren't Phil or Ant), twisted ankles, Alex's ratings, a wobbly New Zealand and what it must be like to have RG Snyman as a mate at a club are all discussed. Also, the Boks' huge pack! Next week, we will continue with our World Cup previews. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

Ant and Phil take constructive rugby discussion to new heights (off the rest of the gang's low base it should be said), as the ERB Stats Office invite Alex along for a wild mid-week joyride on the Stats Train. They discuss the position battles at tighthead prop, blindside flank and wing for the Springboks, based on Super Rugby number crunches. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show (At this rate Phil and Ant will need their own intro right?)

Ben hosts for the first time! While Adam's liver rots away, Ben steers the ship, sailing through the two hour mark like it isn't even there. He is abetted by Matt, Alex and Phil, as they battle through blenders, blunders and a dodgy Internet connection to discuss Currie Cup results and the odds of Japan beating Scotland out of the pool along with previews for Samoa and the Springboks, finishing with a novelty XV of backs as forwards and forwards as backs. The entire population of Great Britain is antagonised at one point or another. So, standard. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show