Elite Rugby Banter

We review each of the 12 top-ranked men's international sides and their performances in 2022 with an eye to the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Gats and Borthwick are against the clock, Fozzie and Aussie need to find some consistency, and Wales are just shit. Is it all coming together for the Boks? Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show

The Boks put the English pretenders to the sword as Phil and Ant discuss the emphatic victory while checking in on Wales and Australia attempting to have a worse year than each other, and discussing the woes of the Sharks in the URC. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show

No, they're not talking about the decision to ban Rassie from social media, but rather the exclusion of a certain Southern Hemisphere duo from the official team of the year. In a rare turn of events, South Africa is the one shining light for the southern hemisphere, primarily because they know what necks are, and how not to touch them. Music: "80s TV Show" by @monstroid

Another week, another close defeat for the Springboks on tour. The disappointed yet still hopeful panel closes out the Women's Rugby World Cup, does their best to defend Pieter-Steph ahead of his disciplinary hearing, debates modern rugby hairstyles, and go full Dan Brown on the French TMO or the lack thereof. Music: "80s TV Show" by @monstroid

Ant, Phil, and Andrew review the bumper weekend of international rugby, covering the semifinals of the Women's Rugby World Cup (which year is it?), the 7s, and the Test matches. Catharsis and verbal therapy (read-Bok bashing) are met by talking up Italy, despairing about Scotland despite a victory, celebrating Argentina's renaissance, and taking a token shit on Wales (thanks, Ben). Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

With so much to cover, Phil and Ant ditch Andrew to fly through the various goings-on from the last week in the world of rugby, including, but not limited to Henco not knowing he's made the Bok Squad, and the All Blacks continuing to climb the red card tally. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

Phil shits on Bafana Bafana, NZRU are more All Blacks than Black Ferns, Jack Dempsey is not Scottish (and does Charles Piutau have tattoos?), and a URC wrap. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

World Cup heartbreak, Jantjies yanked, and Ant calls Evan Roos a flat track bully (but not to his face). Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

Ant makes a welcome return to the pod as the team discusses whether Steven Kitshoff is better off assimilating with other redheads through his current move to Ulster or at the Auckland Blues, the eerie and magnificent Black Ferns' haka at the opening round of the World Cup, and the latest in South African dominance, Welsh capitulation, and Irish petulance in the URC. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

Adam, Phil, and Andrew dissect the latest round of United Rugby Championship action and preview what lies in store for the Springbok Women at the Rugby World Cup 2021 (sic). Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

Phil and Andy run the rule over the last round of the Rugby Championship and the second round of the URC, and end by selecting their Team of the Tournament for the former. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

The team dissect the tribulations of the Sevens World Cup while paying tribute to Neil Powell, debate the Bleddy ref, and waste time on disclaimers attached to the upcoming Boks v Argentina fixture (penalty). Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show. Sorry this is a week late - Matt

The team, assisted by our Aussie correspondent, discusses the mixed results from the SA vs Aus series, selection issues, and whether Elton Jantjies is better than Tane Edmed. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

The pod team looks over some of the interesting selections for the week. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

The only thing standing between us and a lot of humble pie, was the plethora of "buts" we threw out last week. Who was the real villain of the week, Paul Williams, Nienaber or Nic White's moustache? Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

Another week another Springbok lineup. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

So the Boks lost, the world is coming to an end and you are welcome to join us for the post-mortem. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

Following a fine victory by the Springboks over the All Blacks at Mbombela Stadium, the Young Guns are joined by Adam (who still doesn't listen *sigh*) to run the rule over the weekend's Rugby Championship action. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

This week the Young Guns are back and are joined by Matt. Join them as they chat about the opening round of this year's Rugby Championship. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

And we're back, with a batch of familiarish and not so familiarish faces. Join Ant, Phil, and Andrew as they dive deep into the mid-year Rugby International Tours. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.