Published by ESPN AU/NZ
ESPN Australia's Sam Bruce is joined by Christy Doran to discuss the biggest talking points in southern hemisphere rugby, from the action on-field to the latest storylines around the game.
Listen on Apple PodcastsBrittany Mitchell and Christy Doran sit down for a special edition as they breakdown Les Kiss's first ever Wallabies squad as coach, discussing the build of the group, the not-so-surprising recall of a haulking lock, the introduction of a Reds centre and look at what Kiss had to say at his first press conference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Brittany Mitchell and Christy Doran say farewell to Joe Schmidt as they analyse his legacy with the Wallabies and determine whether his tenure was a success, they heap praise on the Wallabies' big win over Italy, and look at the changes Les Kiss might make, before they discuss the All Blacks' win over Ireland and who Dave Rennie could turn to for the upcoming Greatest Rivalry tour, and rate the success of the Nations Championship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Brittany Mitchell and Christy Doran dissect the Wallabies' loss to France, including their worrying capitulation, before they discuss what legacy Joe Schmidt will leave behind and who he might turn to in Perth, they look at Will Jordan's incredible record-breaking feat over Italy, and admonish the TMO. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Brittany Mitchell and Christy Doran gush about the opening weekend of the Nations Championship, they discuss what went right for the Wallabies and what went wrong, debate if they'd make changes to for this week's line-up, analyse the incredible All Blacks-France Test and what Les Bleus could bring to Brisbane, before they touch on the Super Rugby Women's finals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Brittany Mitchell and Christy Doran are back ahead of the Nations Championship opener discussing Joe Schmidt's selection calls, including the end to Jock Campbell's 1316-day exile, while Dave Rennie has named his maiden All Blacks line-up with a big ommission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Brittany Mitchell and Christy Doran discuss Dave Rennie's maiden All Blacks squad including the embarrassment of riches in depth, some shock omissions and questions whether it's the beginning of the end for Beauden Barrett. They look ahead at what Joe Schmidt's legacy looks like after the Nations Championship, before they review the Hurricanes' record-breaking season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sam Bruce and Christy Doran react to Joe Schmidt's final Wallabies squad, including the shock omission of Lukhan Salakaia-Loto. They assess the trio of uncapped rookies, the Giteau Law picks, and how Schmidt may have to do a U-turn on his previous selection criteria. They then turn their attention to the Super Rugby Pacific Grand Final between the Chiefs and Hurricanes, and discuss the controversial Team of the Year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sam Bruce and Christy Doran wrap up a forgettable weekend for Australian rugby, as the Brumbies and Reds bow out of Super Rugby Pacific for 2026. They heap praise on the Hurricanes and discuss how many Test teams they might beat; they look at the competition format and how it might change next year, discussing the balance of appeasing broadcasters but not conceding tournament integrity. They then turn their attention to the victorious Aussie sevens, some key Australia Under 20 news, some changes at the Waratahs, and some other contract moves. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sam Bruce and Christy Doran wrap up the final regular season round of Super Rugby, before looking ahead to the finals. They question whether either the Reds or Brumbies are capable of advancing beyond the qualifying finals, before lamenting another failed Waratahs season and just what must change in Sydney. They also discuss which Moana Pasifika players are hot property, before turning their attention to Super Rugby's all-time XV. They then name their Wallabies 23s to face Ireland and debate some wider squad calls, before celebrating Australia's clean sweep at the Valladolid Sevens. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sam Bruce and Christy Doran run the rule over Round 15 of Super Rugby Pacific and then look ahead to the final weekend of the regular season; they analyse where the Reds are really at, if the Brumbies are back to their best, and what 2027 might hold for the Waratahs and Force. They then turn their attention to the wider rugby world, looking at a Club World Cup, Asia Pacific Championship and the proposed Anzac Test, while also revealing some France-based players could represent Australia at the Under 20 World Cup; they then discuss the Melbourne Rebels-Rugby Australia court case. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sam Bruce and Christy Doran react to the Waratahs' shock win in Fiji, highlighting the performances of several young guns and the selection Dan McKellar might have moving forward; they then discuss the Force's win over the Reds and lament Queensland's lineout, before looking ahead to the Roun 15 action. They also talk Treyvon Pritchard's future, the Rugby World Cup and where Australia's collective playing cohort can add up to more than sums of its current parts for the Wallabies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sam Bruce and Christy Doran dissect the controversial Reds-Chiefs thriller, reviewing the performance of referee Marcus Playle and the wider officiating team, they then dig into some individual performances and concerns around the broader Australia set-piece, talk contract moves for local and overseas players, debate the merits of a Lonergan-Gordon halves pairing, and then react to Dave Rennie's All Blacks media conference and a growing problem for New Zealand rugby. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sam Bruce and Christy Doran wrap up Round 12 of Super Rugby Pacific, starting with the Western Force's win over the Waratahs. They break down NSW's woes, whether Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii needs a position shift and if coach Dan McKellar is under pressure, before heaping praise on the Force's turnaround and the play of Ben Donaldson and Dylan Piestch. They then analyse the Reds' win over the Brumbies, talk some Wallabies selections, the Nations Championship, laws and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sam Bruce and Christy Doran review a banner weekend for Super Rugby Pacific, the hugely successful Super Round in Christchurch. On the ground in New Zealand, Christy details the atmosphere and build-up, before they both ponder the concept's future. They also review the on-field action, lamenting three trans-Tasman defeats for the Aussies, while shining a light on some positive individual performances, before turning their attention to talk of an Anzac Test match, the Wallaroos' loss to the Black Ferns, and Rugby Australia's incredible financial result. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sam Bruce is joined by Super Rugby Pacific chief executive Jack Mesley, who discusses Moana Pasifika's likely exit, competition scheduling, recent growth metrics, cross-border eligibility, future expansion, Super Round, the global season and club World Cup, stadia, his wishes for the competition, and why he believes the tournament can not just survive but thrive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sam Bruce and Christy Doran rev up the Royal Family ahead of Prince Harry and Megan's visit to the Waratahs-Moana game, they review Round 9 of Super Rugby, paying tribute to the fight of the Reds and Brumbies, they ponder what name a mythical trophy should be for a potential ACT Kiwi sweep, lament another narrow Force loss, then turn their attention to Rugby Australia's Giteau Law clarification, look at some overseas Wallabies and some Test bolters, and answer your questions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sam Bruce and Christy Doran break down the Easter weekend of Super Rugby Pacific, declaring the Force's win over the Reds their best for a decade; they heap praise on Ben Donaldson and Franco Molina and ponder whether there is a formal pipeline to be struck with Argentina, before turning their attention to the Reds' woes and how concerned Wallabies fans should be about Les Kiss; they then recap the Waratahs' loss to the Chiefs, discuss some overseas-based Wallabies, and look ahead to Super Round. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sam Bruce and Christy Doran recap Round 7 of Super Rugby Pacific, heaping praise on the Waratahs and youngsters Sid Harvey, Miles Amatosero and Ethan Dobbins; they debate where exactly the Brumbies are at; before turning their attention to the Reds' horror afternoon in Wellington, followed by another Force near miss; they then react to news that uncapped Reds prop Massimo de Lutiis has been tabled a huge offer by Ireland, and then discuss Will Skelton's reported torn Achilles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sam Bruce and Christy Doran run the rule over Round 6 of Super Rugby Pacific, featuring wins for the Brumbies and Reds; they laud the performances of Declan Meredith and Harry McLaughlin-Philips and discuss the Reds fly-half stockpile while also pondering Wallabies halves combinations; they then dig into the Waratahs' woes following their disappointing loss to the Blues, wondering where the key issues lie for NSW rugby. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sam Bruce and Christy Doran dive into the gripping conclusion to an extraordinary Six Nations, picking apart a classic France-England clash and reflecting on the tournament as a whole. They then look at England's woes and ponder whether Michael Cheika could be a shock candidate to replace Steve Borthwick, before shifting attention to Super Rugby Pacific Round 5; the Reds-Waratahs derby, the TMO controversy, the Brumbies' defeat in Fiji, and a dangerous tackle that should have seen red. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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