Sam Bruce is joined by a weary Christy Doran, who reflects on his first Hong Kong Sevens. The team then addresses the ongoing Wallabies coaching saga, trying to work out why a decision is still to be made; they discuss whether Stuart Lancaster could actually be a chance; before they then rip into Round 7 of Super Rugby Pacific, pondering where it went wrong for the Waratahs and whether the hip-drop tackle should be outlawed; they also analyse the Brumbies' and Reds' wins and look ahead to Round 8. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sam Bruce and Christy Doran wrap up a jam-packed weekend of rugby, from Super Rugby Pacific to the Six Nations; they discuss the three big upsets from the Brumbies, Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika, asking what the win might do for Stephen Larkham's side; they then turn their attention to the Waratahs and the performance of Max Jorgensen and debut of Lawson Creighton, and round it all out by looking at the Reds-Crusaders clash; they then ponder Fraser McReight's contract scenario, and how the delay in announcing the Wallabies coach might be affecting the situation, discuss the merits of a Club World Cup, and then wrap up Ireland's defeat and what it means for the British & Irish Lions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sam Bruce and Christy Doran wrap up Round 3 of Super Rugby Pacific; they analyse where the Waratahs are at and where the improvement needs to come; they discuss the Brumbies' early season issues; break down the Reds' last-gasp win over the Force; they then look at some of Joe Schmidt's Wallabies headaches, discuss some of the inconsistencies in the head contact incidents and update which Wallabies may or may not be heading offshore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sam Bruce and Christy Doran wrap up another thrilling weekend of Super Rugby Pacific, discussing the changes the competition has made to produce a better product; they heap praise on the Force after another clutch win and debate whether this is the year the franchise finally delivers; they look at the Brumbies' struggles and how badly they are missing Rob Valetini and then turn their attention to the rest of Round 2. They also react to the sighting of Michael Cheika with RA boss Phil Waugh and why it's hard to see the former Wallabies coach in the frame to replace Joe Schmidt; they then look at the Six Nations and ponder the Lions' options at No. 10. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sam Bruce and Christy Doran wrap up the opening round of Super Rugby Pacific, praising the administrators for a smart draw; they review each of the three Australian wins and name their standout players; before they discuss James O'Connor's Crusaders debut and ponder whether he still has something to offer the Wallabies; they then turn their attention to Joe Schmidt's decision and look at some of the options to replace him. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sam Bruce and Christy Doran fire off the first podcast of 2025, in what is a mammoth year for Australian rugby. They update the Joe Schmidt situation and explain how the drawn out contract saga is having knock-on effects ahead of the season kick-off; they then run the rule over all 11 Super Rugby Pacific sides and rate their finals chances, while also pondering whether the reduction to four Australian teams will improve their collective competitiveness and deliver increased competition jeopardy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sam Bruce and Christy come together for [probably] the final time in 2024, wrapping up Australia's 22-19 defeat by Ireland; they break down that loss and why it came about, but also reflect on the team's broader improvement under Joe Schmidt and how they can kick on next season; they also look ahead to the British & Irish Lions series and next yea's Super Rugby Pacific season, before heaping praise on sevens star Maddison Levi following her record-breaking effort in Dubai. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sam Bruce and Christy Doran break down Australia's loss to Scotland, analysing where it went wrong and the impact of the selection decisions and late withdrawals; they look ahead to this weekend's final Test against Ireland in Dublin and its multiple catch points; they look ahead to next year's British & Irish Lions Series and discuss whether Will Skelton should be in the Wallabies starting side; they then wrap up the rest of last weekend's Test action and react to the World Rugby Award winners. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sam Bruce and Christy Doran break down Australia's 32-point thrashing of Wales, lauding the performances of Matt Faessler, Tom Wright and Noah Lolesio; they analyse Will Skelton's effect on the maul and discuss Samu Kerevi's red card; they also zero in on Joe Schmidt's future as Wallabies coach and how Rugby Australia might attempt to keep him; before they then turn their attention to the other week 3 autumn internationals, the World Rugby award nominations and whether a breakaway league funded by private equity is any chance of getting up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sam Bruce and Christy Doran analyse Australia's drought-breaking win at Twickenham, lauding the collective team performance that was the best in recent memory; they isolate the players who showed the can be world class and heap praise on the incremental improvements the team has made; they laud Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii's professional rugby debut and marvel at Marcus Smith's game for England, but question whether Steve Borthwick is missing Owen Farrell; before they wrap up the rest of the week 2 November internationals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sam Bruce and Christy Doran review the All Blacks' thrilling win over England, analysing where it went wrong for the hosts, before they look ahead to the Wallabies' clash with the Auld Enemy; they discuss what needs to happen for Australia to win at Twickenham and if Samu Kerevi holds the key; before they turn their attention to the remainder of the week two November series action and heap praise on breakout New Zealand star Wallace Sititi. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sam Bruce and Christy Doran return from a brief break to run an eye over the Wallabies' spring tour squad, analysing just where Australia's wins might come from up north; they break down Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii's selection and discuss his immediate off-field impact; they look across some of the other key November fixtures including this weekend's clash between England and New Zealand; and then discuss a succession plan should Joe Schmidt decide not to continue with the Wallabies beyond next year's Lions series. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sam Bruce and Christy Doran review the Wallabies' Rugby Championship campaign, including the weekend's loss in Bledisloe II, handing out grades across the key markers; they then turn their attention to the looming spring tour, analysing who Joseph Suaali'i should tour with and where Tane Edmed might fit in; before they give their impressions of Super Rugby Pacific chief executive Jack Mesley and how the competition can better operate moving forward; they then wrap up a big Wallaroos win in WXV2. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sam Bruce and Christy Doran break down Saturday's Bledisloe thriller in Sydney, reacting to Joe Schmidt's 'no water in the glass' comments regarding his side's progress -- or lack thereof -- they look ahead to Wellington and what changes might be made, also gazing further ahead to the spring tour; they then turn their attention to the Pumas' upset win over the Springboks and their growth under new coach Felipe Contepomi. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sam Bruce and Christy Doran are joined live in the Schmidthouse by the Rugby Direct team of Liam Napier and Elliot Smith to look ahead to Bledisloe I at Sydney's Accor Stadium. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sam Bruce and Christy Doran break down the Wallabies' record Test loss after Australia shipped 67 points to a rampant Pumas; they run the rule over the performance and debate the future of some senior players; before they turn their attention to the Bledisloe Cup and what changes Joe Schmidt might be able to make; they then review another Springboks-All Blacks thriller and discuss the likely onset of tours between the two nations, how that may affect Australia and the future of The Rugby Championship on the whole. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sam Bruce and Christy Doran wrap up a wild weekend in The Rugby Championship, headlined by the Wallabies' last-gasp victory in La Plata; they break down that 20-19 win, heap praise Carlo Tizzano, Angus Bell and Len Ikitau; they analyse where the improvements came in attack and then debate the final penalty and shock clock drama; they then turn their attention to the thriller in Johannesburg and wonder how Bongi Mbonambi's try stood; and review the club rugby finals in Sydney and Brisbane. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sam Bruce and Christy Doran wrap up the Wallabies' second straight defeat by the Springboks, they discuss the chief problem areas and how Joe Schmidt might address them, they then analyse the changes to the squad for the tour of Argentina and how they line up against the Pumas, before they recap New Zealand's bounce back win in Auckland. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sam Bruce and Christy Doran break down the Wallabies' 33-7 hammering by the Springboks and ponder whether there is a way forward this week in Perth; they discuss Australia's lack of size and how much of an issue that is, while also heaping praise on the Springboks' evolution; before they then turn their attention to the Pumas' shock win over the All Blacks, the issues Scott Robertson has on his hands, and whether an unlikely Blues replacement can steady the ship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sam Bruce and Christy Doran look ahead to the Wallabies' opening Rugby Championship Test against the Springboks, pondering if an upset might be possible; they break down the additions to Australia's squad and question the selection of teenager Max Jorgensen; before they turn their attention to the Waratahs' big week of signings and coaching news; they then wrap up Australia's Olympic sevens campaign and look to the future of both the men's and women's programs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices