Elite Rugby Banter

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 oth...

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...

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 (...

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 right...

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 poi...

It's the beginning a new era, with Ben, Alex and Adam chatting about what to do about substitutions in rugby, referees firing captains, Jaco Kriel (maybe??) returning to the Lions and lamenting on their choices following the ERB draft on Saturday. Also, Ben puts it on the record that he's willing to fight Ben Stokes at a place of Pod Ben's choosing in Mauritius. So, just a normal Monday in ERB Lan...

In probably the most professional thing the pod has ever recorded, we elaborate, briefly, on what the future shape of the pod is going to look like. We aren't going anywhere, but, as they say, a change is as good as holiday. Thank you for your continued support! Catch you at our next episode. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show

It's a two man pod with Ben and Adam chatting about Saracens being relegated from the English Premiership, Lions 2021 tickets, Alex's baby's name and finishing up their Super Rugby previews for the coming season. Matt and Alex, while not present, send in their previews for the Sunwolves and Stormers repsectively. Matt is too the point and Alex's represents a Magnum Opus (which Adam pronounced wron...

Super Rugby is less than a month away, with Adam back taking the wheel this week as he is joined by Matt (recovering from a bender two days prior), an initially sleepy Phil and a mellow Ant. They discuss Joseph Dweba's looming move to France, preseason results and some other news before previewing the Bulls, Sharks, Highlanders, Jaguares (Matt fights off the fatigue here) and Crusaders. While prev...

The new year has rolled round - Happy 2020 everyone! - and Super Rugby is less than a month away. Alex, Ben and Matt kick things off with previews of some of Super Rugby's finest and not so finest teams, particularly the Rebels, Blues, Lions, Hurricanes and the Brumbies. Adam also arrives late to not add much value. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show

That's a wrap! With Christmas just around the corner, the gang (sans Matt...he's in the grips of winter from what we hear?) in 20 minutes - a record - chat about what they want for Chirstmas/the Festive Season ahead of the 2020 season. Thanks to all our listeners this year! It's been a great year but we are going to recharge for a few weeks and come back better than ever for the 2020 season. If yo...

It's the second last episode of the year, which was totally recorded on December 15, we swear...kind of. Matt and Adam start off things politely before Alex comes in and starts getting rather technical (as is his want), noting the contrasts between Northern and Southern Hemisphere rugby. Either way, the gang are very happy England did not win the Rugby World Cup. Ben is off on a catamaran or somet...

Alex and Ben sit down to have a quick chat about Sevens, where the Blitz Bokke won in Dubai for the umpteenth time to kick off their World Sevens Series with a bang. More importantly, a listener got in touch with us regarding a previous comment made on the pod regarding religion which missed the mark. The comment is addressed in the pod and thanks to the listener - who we won't mention by name - f...

As the year draws to a close, Adam, Matt, Ben and Alex chat about how the gap can be closed between the 1st tier of world rugby, and those bubbling under (including Italy, who for all intents and purposes are really 2nd tier). Beyond the normal "intelligent discussion", there are some usual side paths taken. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show

As the 2019 comes closer to turning into 2020, Phil, Matt, Ben and Adam look at their highlights for the year, lowlights, top moments, and spend much time discussing the Crusaders' new logo. Alex then wonders into the pod through his hung-over induced haze to drop some wisdom, in what is likely the greatest assembly of rugby gentlemen since the Springboks won the Rugby World Cup in 2019. Also, it'...

The Rugby World Cup glow has faded and the holidays are approaching but Alex, Ben and Adam are here to chat about Dad stuff (it seems?) and where Australia, New Zealand and South Africa now that new coaches (apparently in South Africa's case) are taking the wheels. The time of Michael Cheika, Steve Hansen and Rassie Erasmus (?) have come to an end, and the future is unknown. The gang - Matt is at...

The year is winding down but Elite Rugby Banter is here to keep the rugby fire burnings. The World Cup celebrations have faded away by Alex, Adam and Matt chat about Damian Willemse's future position, Treven Enoch and then announce the winners for the prestigious ERB Awards, including Alex going to the mat for Captain Lappies. Much other nonsense is discussed in between, as usual. Music by @monstr...

The razzle dazzle of Rugby World Cup 2019 is over. The Springboks are touring South Africa lapping up the platitudes but have no fear, Elite Rugby Banter is here. The gang, in all their glory, chat about Saracen's hand being caught in the proverbial till, Beast's new book, Flouw's retirement, reveal their embargoed RWC 19 predictions - which were made before the first game - and go through their t...

What a performance! It's a great day to be South African as Adam, Alex, Ben and Matt wax lyrical about the Springboks' outstanding Rugby World Cup final display that dispatched England, and put smiles on millions on faces. The gang break down the game in Yokohama to its key moments and run the rule over the game's different aspects which led to South Africa leaping to the top of Rugby World Rankin...

After a tantalising wait, here is this week's pod! It's all about the Rugby World Cup semi-finals as Alex, Ben and Ant go mental (yet there is some disquiet) about South Africa making the Rugby World Cup final for a third time, and heap praise on England's excellent performance to eliminate the Mordor of Rugby, the All Blacks. Faf's fabulous hair, kicking - so much kicking - and Phil reports from...

With Phil in Japan, Ben joins Ant to talk about the respective records of Jérôme Garcès and Nigel Owens heading into this weekend's World Cup semi-finals. There is also some mild banter, and much insight (we'd argue anyway). They conclude that the Springboks have nothing to worry about apart from themselves. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show. Thanks for listening!

For the first time ever, it's a one man show. Adam steers the ship and is joined by Phil, who reports in from Japan. This is arguably the least bantery episode ever. But hey, we serve the People! Adam goes through the quarterfinals that have just taken place at the Rugby World Cup, and while irritated with South Africa, the second half promises better things for next week. Edit: Apologies for the...

It's the calm before the storm as Ant, Ben and Alex (Adam still hasn't recovered from the glass of wine apparently while Matt is sleeping...I mean, he's right there!) look over the looming quarterfinals. Will Japan continue their fairy tale against the Springboks (and will Brighton 2015 be mentioned five or 10 times)? Can Ireland stop the might All Blacks with only one avenue of attack? Will Franc...

Alex and Ben are joined by Phil to talk about his upcoming trip to Japan for the playoffs! The gang discuss the French Revolution, Asian geography and other news before diving into the final reviews of the group stages and the legacy of Typhoon Hagibis and a RWC XV (so far) is proposed. They also lament the cancellation of the game the world will no longer get to see: Namibia v Canada. Music by @m...