Elite Rugby Banter

Another day, another dollar amirite? Matt, holding the fort for Adam (bar the temptation of imperialism) is joined by Ben, Alex and later Ant as the gang await the return of action onto the field. They chat about, well, imperialism, AJ Venter and the future's past of contract shenanigans, the Sunwolves' fate and round out the episode the a Centre XV. In classic ERB style, the episode is a bit disjointed. What more could you ask for?

After the roaring success of the NRC 2020 Draft the boys are back at it again, this time it's the Mitre 10 Cup's turn. Listen as all your favourite New Zealand stars are divided up amongst our six top level managers, and follow along on our YouTube channel to see the games played out in a hyper realistic simulation.

The SA transfer season has just closed in rugby terms, but the landscape keeps changing with SA players still changing teams, while three Australian players say cheers to the Queensland Reds. Adam returns, a newly minted dad and evidently barely keeping it together, with Ben and Matt joining him as they chat about Jake White's Bulls, Warrick Gelant, Wandile Simelane, the situation in Brisbane, and other matters plus rolling out the lock XV! Also, apologies for Adam's poor sound! Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

Today Matt is back at the helm (sorry) and he is joined by Ben and Phil. The three of them briefly discuss several things all of which is in the title, with some bonus headlines. Enjoy.

As a follow up to our hugely successful Currie Cup draft and simulations, the guys are back and it's the Australians turn. Same rules as before with our Currie Cup draft, but now we're tackling a world where the NRC teams get to draft any of the available players that their hearts "desire". As always music is by Monsteroid.

It's a five man pod this week, with Ant joining Ben, Matt, Alex and Adam as they chat about the return of Super Rugby (Adam botches the name even though he prepared for it), SA player movements to and from South Africa, Australia getting us all hot and sweaty with talk of a combine, World Rugby's official match guidelines (with Ben triggered by the administrators) plus the long-awaited 8th man XV. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

The gang are in the house and Bll Beaumont has maintained his grip on the World Rugby hot seat. This, plus Mannie Libbok being given the old heave ho by Jake White, the Lions tour being possible delayed, Super Rugby saying that their tournaments will see everyone participate by themselves, Pieter Steph du Toit's desire to be a tractor and Adam inadvertently killing Coenie Oosthuizen in the gang's SA team draft. So, just another Monday in the Elite Banter Universe. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show

It's been such a big week of news in the rugby world that we didn't even make it to the novelty XV this time. The gang discuss the World Rugby election, Raelene Castle's ouster as Rugby Australia boss, SA Rugby's plans to get the game through 2020 and oil barrels becoming spectators at Loftus, plus quite a bit more. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

Another week has passed in the rugby world with no footy insight, but thankfully, we have the World Rugby elections coming up, which gives Ben, Matt and Adam reason to rage, scoff, argue and mull over the choice facing the haves and the have nots. Further pay cuts are underway in New Zealand, while the Australias post-pod strike a deal. Economics also come up for discussion, while Matt's neighbour's bike can be heard. To round it all out, Ben takes the gang (with Alex contributing remotely) through the Hooker XV. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

As we await rugby to return to the field, anywhere really, the gang discuss the upcoming World Rugby election, rugby's inability to have a high class game in a moment when people are stuck at home, Australian shenanigans, with Adam dropping the P-word (parochial) and the thoughts of former Springbok no living in Costa Rica. Ben also tells us about Mauritius, his best friend Krishna, Big Dan is heard giving Alex pod advice while Matt can't see the mountain. Alex also takes us through his Scrumhalf XV. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show

It's another two man pod, with Adam engaged in a work activity (on a Monday!) and Alex doing the dad thing. With Matt and Ben left to themselves, they talk about the Crusaders busting curfew, and the USA going bankrupt (the rugby union that is) and the ultimate novelty XV, the Prop XV! We hope everyone is staying in doors and keeping safe in these difficult times. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

It's lockdown time in the Elite Rugby Banter universe as Ben, Matt and Adam really start to feel rugby withdrawal. Thankfully, there is a fair amount of news to discuss (most of it COVID-19 related), to do with pay cuts, fist bumps and much derision thrown at those arm chair experts who claim to know something, but actually, not much. We also check up on Alex on Twitter as he ventures forth into an empty mall. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

It's a full house at ERB headquarters (Alex does arrive a little bit late), as the gang talk about the very crazy world we live in right now, Jamie Robert's winning the corona game, what it must be like for a WWE superstar wrestling in front of non-existent crowd, Australia trying to do a new competition, pay cuts, English season closures and to top it all off, a novelty XV focused on adult cartoons. To paraphrase Steve Rogers, "We can do this all day"

COVID-19 is all the rage, but thankfully, Elite Rugby Banter has been preparing for a world of social distancing, self isolation and toilet roll shortages since day one (bar that one time). With Adam away, Matt (on his SA return!), Ben and Alex will play. They chat about the likely last weekend of Super Rugby, the virus' impact on the game, a Sitcom XV, Marler Watch and a mystery Lions player, plus different bits and bobs. The rugby is gone but we aren't going anywhere! Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

With Matt still getting used to life back in SA, and Alex in a pit of despair over his Draft performance, Ben and Adam steer this week's pod, with Joe Marler looming large in this week's discussions. Thankfully, lots of rugby also took place over the weekend, with Ben and Adam chatting about the Highlanders' awful form (and player recruitment), the Bulls and Lions looking down the barrel, plus other smatterings about the game played in heaven. Alex does send in his thoughts, and in the style we've come to know and love (except with a flavouring of resignation), he gives us his thoughts on this week's talking points. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show. Thanks for listening!

Ben is away on a golf tour while Matt is preparing to leave Korea, leaving Alex and Adam to steer the ship. In it, they discuss the coronavirus making a mockery of the Sunwolves' fixture schedule, the greed of the Northern Hemisphere (an old hobby horse of Adam's), the Stormers playing very badly (Alex rages), the resurgence of the Blues, the Sharks being arguably SA's best side, the resurgence of Australia (albeit for now) plus a few other bits and pieces. Naturally, there is much sadness over their respective draft weekends too. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

It's a two man pod this week, and Ben and Adam shoot the breeze and chat about Ardie Savea's sudden desire to play the kak version of rugby, the RFU sneakily agreeing to cut their cut, mental health, weight class club rugby comps, Makozole Mapimpi being a swell guy over the tryline, rotation policies, how the Wallabies are shaping up in 2020 and some disappointing players. Also, much Draft bants (Sorry...we can't help ourselves). Thanks for listening as always! Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

It's a full house at ERB HQ, with Matt, Ben, Alex and Adam discussing the looming demise of England's second tier, the (folly?) of the All Blacks rest weeks, Mako Vunipola having no regrets about taking the money, Wilco Louw heading overseas, Pacific eligibility and a summation of where the different conferences are. Also, Matt will soon be home! Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

Matt and Alex, in surmising-considering-discursive-yet-intrigued mood chat about what has been a busy week in the rugby world (...in the Southern Hemisphere anyway). They speak about the notion of doing a draw for the World Cup in 2023 in 2020, the rumours that South Africa are going to up sticks and throw in their lot with the north (unlikely for now!), how Australia find themselves in a TV rights pickle of their own creation, and naturally, action taking place on the field for Round 2 of Super Rugby. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

Edit: Apologies for Alex being so soft. Adam pawned it. He has one job of recording the recording and were it not for Alex not trusting Adam, there wouldn't have been a recording #detailsfortheloss Super Rugby is here and not a moment too soon. Adam, Matt, and Alex chat about penalties to start a game, the rise of America, Israel Folau being a unifier of people (against him), plus some talking points from the weekend. How far can the Stormers go? Will the Hurricanes be so shit ever again? Who will stop the Crusaders? Is Garth April the next number 10 super star? All this, and more, in a magnificently timed hour. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.