Elite Rugby Banter

Heads up everyone. Instead of just disappearing in the middle of the episode somewhere, Adam has finally taken the plunge and left Alex, Ben and Matt run the show while he's off enjoying his holiday. Someone talks about rugby at one point during the podcast, but for like no longer than 10 minutes.

It's a birthday edition of ERB! Adam turns [insert age here] and received courtesy of SANZAAR, the Sunwolves being kicked out of Super Rugby (they will not be missed). Alex's rant on this topic, Ben reflects on his existential angst regarding his career choice, and Matt shows rare flashes of anger when speaking of the Sunwolves. He needs a new team...a competition will be held. Between all this action, the gang cover the latest round of Super Rugby (including SP Marais's awful, awful, awful defence), suggest possible names (tongue firmly in cheek) for the Crusaders, don't blame Adam for once, and when he has to wander off to deal with some admin, discuss Egyptian and Lebenese barbers. We are Stitcher, iTunes, Spotify, acast and Spotify. That's right...all the social media! Music from @monstroid, "80s TV Show".

An Alex-less ERB crew tackle the awful events of Christchurch, the Greatest Rugby Company in the World (and wonder if the pod should carry the same weight?), whether Jake White is the coaching version of a Cross Fitting-Vegan, and wonder aloud about Jack Maddock's bootylicious booty. They also chat about some Super Rugby rugby, the latest update to the World League, Adam rants about commentators and kak fans, Ben lives the dream as a double-doing Dad while Matt seems to not notice tanks coming down the road in South Korea. Also, Alex's new cat could be called Cat Lambie in this week's poll. Stay strong! We are on Soundcloud, Spotify, Stitcher, iTunes and acast #worldwidebutnotlikepitbull Music from @monstroid, "80's TV Show".

Adam returns in his quest to keep Alex, Matt and Ben to an hour and a half...and fails miserably. But the #bants! The boys are on form, as they are every week depending on who you ask, as they chat about South American rugby, further World League news, dodgy Wallabies, the meat grinders that are the Saders, paint fumes, Lions 2.0 and explore the potential of their selected Dickheads XV. Matt also cracks a standard Izzy joke. Music from Cape Town's @monstroid. Title track is "80s TV Show". We are on all the social media (mostly) but if you are just listening, thanks! Much love

Ding Dong, the Witch is Dead! The gang, without Adam around for disaster control, takes aim at the two hour milestone and discuss Robbie Fleck's long overdue departure from the Stormers (just as his team was starting to come right...it just doesn't make sense). Other topics include the brewing Infinity War between World Rugby and the Tier 2 nations, whether Marika Koroibete is the most over-hyped player in the world (yes) and if the Blues can break their losing streak against the Sunwolves (no). Opening theme: "80s TV Show" by https://soundcloud.com/monstroidfuzz

Well, that was close. Matt came to the rescue with the file so here we are! Sorry for the late episode. It's Adam's fault (as usual). This week, the gang chat about SA Rugby's new contracting model, a rather meh round of Super Rugby (I mean, look at this lot here) where the game of the week turned into a stomping, the novelty XV of SA sports persons who didn't play rugby (professionally), picks and Blame Game, all while Adam is made to sweat by Ben, Alex and Matt because he has some pressing engagement. As Ben says, "Plan your life better". So, just another week in the ERB Universe. Music from Cape Town outfit, Monstroid, "80s TV Show". Check them out on Soundcloud here: https://soundcloud.com/monstroidfuzz

Super Rugby is finally here and Alex - aka The Prince of Rants - pretty much goes off the deep end when the gang discuss the Bulls battering of the Stormers. All the other weekend's games are discussed, with Japan slated for not caring about Super Rugby, the poor standard of kicking in round 1, and how Quade Cooper is making the Rebels a better side. Beyond that, the Stormers were so terrible, the pod draft their players to other SA franchises, Ben has little time for those who don't hire a IP lawyer and Adam and Matt are actually recording in the same room (!). Music from Monstroid, "80s TV Show". You can find them on Soundcloud.

Alex and Adam take the reins this week, and they are joined by Cargie from Draft Rugby after the news to chat all things draft rugby. They catch up on what draft is all about, Draft Rugby's progress with their own platform, Fantasy XVs of all time and also, a novelty XV focused on American presidents. It's a long one...apologies. We lost track of time. :/ Music from Monstroid. Track: 80s TV Show. You can find them on Soundcloud.

Super Rugby is but two weeks away and Ben, Matt and Adam chew the cud over the Hurricanes, Sharks and Rebels this week (Alex's plush podcast studio has been invaded by family so is on a bye). Before that, Adam grabs the title of Viscount of Rants over the Six Nation's anger regarding promotion-relegation for the proposed World League, Ben gets offended by the word "commoner" and speculates about looming code switches, and Matt has another crack at the Sharks preview (chose Tyler Paul as our pic just for Ben) after his turn on Draft Rugby (lekker show...give it a listen). We are now on Stitcher (!), Spotify (!), iTunes, Soundcloud and acast. Intro music: 80s TV Show by Monstroid

The gang are back and Super Rugby is one week closer. Yes please. Adam continues his Mortal Kombat-style winning streak of Blame Game titles, but before throwing it all away, Alex, Ben and Matt are mildly cooperative as they chat about concussion, a certain offspring, look at the Lions, Stormers and Bulls' chances in Super Rugby this year, and attempt to look at the 6 Nations (badly). Also, new theme! Thanks to Cape Town outfit Monstroid for lending us their good vibes. You can check them out here: https://soundcloud.com/monstroidfuzz

Super Rugby is one week closer and the gang, with Ben a bit more tired than usual for good reason, get into the prospects for the Waratahs (Ben was meh), Crusaders (Matt was bitter) and Chiefs ahead of kick-off 2019. Before then, they chat about Pat Lambie's retirement, give Draft Rugby an early shout out and discuss whether DDA will be in the first 24 picks of the draft. Also, the #10YearChallenge (not to be trusted) inspired this week's poll (to be trusted). Music from bensound.com.

The chat from Ep.62 about transformation in South African rugby, separated for your listening pleasure. The file has been reloaded to cut out sound at the end. Music from bensound.com.

For the first time ever, Elite Rugby Banter features its own tight five, with Jam Jam joining the gang to lift the level of conversation amid the odd technical glitch. This week, Eddie Jones’ high injury record is discussed, the Jaguares, Brumbies and Reds are preview, and after much teasing and waiting, the gang talk about transformation. That discussion is particularly long, so we will also post that separately, given its uncharacteristic maturity…Ben had to leave early, so maybe that’s why? Again, apologies for the poor sound at times. Seek to be better next week

It's a new year but the same old consistent, amazing (sort of) podcast about rugby. The gang chat concussions, school poaching, begin their Super 15 team previews with the Blues, Highlanders and Sunwolves ahead of Kick Off Day, drop a poll and deal with a member of the team going AWOL due to a murderous cat. So, as stated, same old pod. Happy new year! Music from bensound.com.

2018 is almost a wrap, but we here at Elite Rugby Banter have made sure that you will ride out the year in style. Adam returns from the coast calmer, as he, Ben, Matt and Alex get to grips with Christmas food, the Jaguares 2019 Super Rugby squad, Springbok New Year resolutions, the pod's own 2019 resolutions, along with the latest Stop, Drop and Poll. Thanks for listening and have a lekker New Year! See you in 2019. Music from bensound.com.

Adam is back and gets his hand caught in the cookie jar, as the gang chat about the week's news, how different Springboks would fare in the Game of Thrones universe (books, not TV... so says Alex), and as episodes go, it is certainly certainly filled with banter. Questions are asked of Cheslin Kolbe, Ben insults the rugby prowess of a beloved Sharks legend, Matt keeps pointing out Adam lives in Pretoria and Adam sighs...a lot. Thanks for listening! We will be back with another episode next week. Music from bensound,com.

Adam is away in Pietermaritzburg (i.e. a very humid town) so Alex steers the ship with the rest of the gang, and chaos ensues. Amidst it all, they chat about the looming post-RWC coachpocalypse, the looming shape of the Boks post-RWC and the looming news from the week. So, pretty standard ;) Apologies for the late episode too! Music from bensoud.com

That hot air you are feeling through your window is the rugby dry season, but have no fear, the Elite Rugby Banter crew are here to help fill the chasm. A sleepy Alex, hammock-ing Ben, chilled Matt (what else?) and humid Adam chat about the pending possible return of Super Rugby, the Pacific Island's failed attempt at a Super Rugby franchise, the South African 7s jersey and why other jerseys can't be as awesome, along with a quick view across the North v South spectrum. Thanks for listening as always! Music from bensound.com.

It's the Elite Rugby Banter Awards Show, and we do not disappoint (or hope we don't). The gang are in studio in four different locations as always as they chat about Nake Drotske and Os du Randt following Thursday's attack, Brexit's impact on the English Premiership, the Barbarian's come-from-behind victory over Argentina, and a few other bits and pieces before concluding with the fabled ERB Awards (like World Rugby's except more Elite), including ERB Podcaster of the Year, which produces some 'heated' action. Music from bensound.com.

The End of Year Tour has finally come to a merciful end, particularly for Owen Farrell's shoulders, which can't seem to stay away from the lime light. The gang slam some news, review Fiji's epic win over France, England beating Australia, the new Blame Game, who should be playing for who, the Springboks' disappointing performance against Wales and we grade Rassie's men out of 10 for the EOYT. Also, Adam goes off the deep end. Next week, it is the ERB Internationals Awards. Like World Rugby's awards, except better. Music from bensound.com.