All Black Legend Sir John Kirwan and Springbok Legend Victor Matfield go head to head on all things rugby just as you'd expect an All Black Winger and a South African Forward to do battle. Bringing in their friends and rivals from all over the Rugby world for a truly Global perspective. Refereeing in the middle is NZ media legend Ric Salizzo . And as all of them are well in the second half of their lives, Sir JK has some well meaning wellness advice to help them extend their lives and therefore the life of this podcast
All Blacks & Springboks Squads REVEALED: The Shock Selections
Sir John Kirwan and Victor Matfield react to Dave Rennie's 44-man All Blacks squad for the Greatest Rivalry Tour of South Africa and Rassie Erasmus' 43-man Springbok group, as the two greatest rivals in world rugby prepare to collide in a four-Test series. In this episode: - The uncapped trio - Siale Lauaki, Josh Jacomb and Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa - injecting young talent into the touring squad - Rieko Ioane and Fabian Holland recalled - Rassie's big guns return: Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi, Handré Pollard and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu all back from injury - The men who won't be there - Kwagga Smith and RG Snyman ruled out for the season - The first full All Blacks tour of South Africa since 1996 - eight matches, four Tests, one unforgettable series Rugby Rivals is proudly brought to you by Klipdrift
All Blacks Run Riot & The Boks Stay Perfect!
The All Blacks ran riot at Eden Park! Sir John Kirwan and Victor Matfield break down a massive weekend of Nations Championship rugby - starting with New Zealand's six-try demolition of Ireland that stretched the Eden Park unbeaten run to 53 matches. JK explains why Dave Rennie's side is starting to click, and what this performance tells us about where the All Blacks are heading. Then it's over to Durban, where Victor's Springboks shut out Wales 43-0 - seven tries, three wins from three, and maximum log points from the home leg of their campaign. Is anyone stopping the Boks right now? Plus, the boys look at the state of the Southern vs Northern Hemisphere ledger after three rounds = and with Rugby's Greatest Rivalry looming, the big question: who's really the best team in the world? Proudly sponsored by Klipdrift.
Did Scotland Just Expose The Springboks?! Will Jordan Makes History!
The world champions got a fright! Victor Matfield and Sir John Kirwan break down a wild weekend of Nations Championship rugby - starting with the Springboks being pushed all the way by a fearless Scotland side in Pretoria. Two-nil up in the championship, but should Rassie be worried by 46 missed tackles? Meanwhile in Wellington, the All Blacks ran in seven tries against Italy as Will Jordan made history - a hat-trick to become the All Blacks' greatest ever try scorer in test matches. JK gives his verdict on the new-look side under Dave Rennie and whether they're ready for Ireland at Eden Park. Plus: the big calls, the standout performances, and who's looking dangerous heading into Round 3. Rugby Rivals is proudly sponsored by Klipdrift.
Rennie's New All Blacks & Rassie's Ruthless Springboks | Nations Championship Reaction
Is this the new age of rugby? Sir John Kirwan and Victor Matfield react to the opening weekend of the inaugural Nations Championship. The All Blacks edged France 34-32 in a Christchurch thriller in Dave Rennie's first Test in charge, with Ardie Savea leading the side as captain and a new-look backline featuring Ruben Love. Meanwhile, the Springboks dismantled England 45-21, running in seven tries and reminding the world why they're champions. JK breaks down what Rennie's selections tell us about where this All Blacks team is heading, Victor explains why the Boks' depth is scarier than ever, and the boys debate the big one: is the gap between these two rivals growing or closing? New episodes of Rugby Rivals every week, thank you to Klipdrift for supporting the show!
"Sir John Kirwan REACTS: Dave Rennie's FIRST All Blacks Team Named! | Rivals Special"
Dave Rennie has named his first ever All Blacks squad, and it's a massive one — the test against France kicks off this Saturday. Sir John Kirwan joins Rivals to break down every selection, the big calls, the surprises, and what it means for the new coach's tenure. Subscribe for more Rivals specials and expert reaction as the All Blacks season unfolds. #AllBlacks #DaveRennie #SirJohnKirwan #Rugby #Rivals #AllBlacksvFrance
The Weekend That Decides #1 in World Rugby?
This weekend, world rugby gets serious. The All Blacks face France and the Springboks take on England - and with the world rankings tighter than ever, both results matter. Sir John Kirwan and Victor Matfield go head to head on both matchups: who wins, who surprises, and who's genuinely the best team on the planet right now. Subscribe to Rugby Rivals and make sure you never miss an episode. Thank you to Klipdrift for supporting the show.
All Blacks Squad Shock! Bulls Disappointment & Boks Season Begins
The All Blacks squad has been named... and JK and Victor have some thoughts. Sir John Kirwan and Victor Matfield break down the selections, debate who deserved to be in and who got left out, and ask whether the Hurricanes are the best club side on the planet right now. Plus - the URC Final and the Bulls' defeat, and the Springboks kick off their season, Victor weighs in on what to expect from his former side! 🎙️ Rugby Rivals is proudly sponsored by Klipdrift - Legendary Taste. Legendary Times.
Rugby Finals Week: URC & Super Rugby Predictions
Finals week is here - and Victor Matfield and Sir John Kirwan are breaking down both the URC Final and the Super Rugby Pacific Final with their picks, predictions, and tactics. Victor makes the case for the Bulls to strangle Leinster up front - scrum dominance, a physical maul game, and keeping the ball off their dangerous backs. JK sees Leinster's quality in the backs as the difference. Then it's the Chiefs - can they finally get over the line and claim the Super Rugby Pacific title they've been knocking on? Rugby Rivals is proudly sponsored by Klipdrift.
JK and Victor Clash Over Tony Brown’s All Blacks Return
Tony Brown is BACK with the All Blacks… but should New Zealand rugby be looking wider than just coaches? In this week’s Rugby Rivals, JK and Victor Matfield go head-to-head over Tony Brown’s return and ask a provocative question: if rugby is happy to bring in overseas coaches, why not overseas players? The boys also break down a huge weekend of rugby as the Bulls charge into the final, while JK’s Blues somehow sneak their way into the Super Rugby semi-finals. Then there’s the Nations Cup… once JK and Victor finally work out what it actually is. Plus: Will Rassie Erasmus use the upcoming Rugby Championship and Rivals tour to experiment? What does it really mean for an All Black to tour South Africa? And has New Zealand Rugby missed a massive opportunity by letting one of its brightest talents shine offshore? Big opinions. Strong disagreement. Plenty of laughs.
John Kirwan & Victor Matfield Reveal The Greatest Game They Ever Played
What happens when two rugby legends reveal the one game they’ll never forget? In this special bonus episode of Rugby Rivals, Sir John Kirwan and Victor Matfield look back on the greatest game they ever played — and the choices may surprise you. From epic All Blacks vs Springboks battles to unforgettable clashes involving Auckland and the Bulls, JK and Victor relive the pressure, the moments that changed everything, and the memories that still stay with them today. But this goes deeper than the final score. You’ll hear untold stories from inside the dressing room, what really happened after the final whistle, and how those defining moments shaped their lives long after rugby. If you love rugby history, rivalry, and the stories fans never normally hear — this one is special.
Sacha OUT for the Boks?! URC Semis + Super Rugby Playoffs | Remembering Jonah
JK and Victor are back to break down a massive week in world rugby. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu limps off scoring a try against Cardiff — and the prognosis isn't good. Is the Boks' brightest young playmaker about to miss a chunk of the season just weeks out from the England Test? Rassie's injury list is getting ugly. Plus: the URC semis are locked in, the Super Rugby Pacific playoffs are heating up across both sides of the Tasman, and the boys dig into the legacy of Jonah Lomu — including a special interview you won't want to miss.
JJK and Victor react to Champions Cup thrashing!
JK and Victor are back — and this week's Champions Cup served up chaos. Bordeaux dismantled Leinster, and we're breaking down exactly why defensive structure can be the difference between glory and embarrassment. Plus: New Zealand's overseas player eligibility debate — where do JK and Victor stand? We name the form players in both NZ and South Africa right now, and make our calls on who's winning the URC quarter-finals. And Victor Matfield — a man who scored some of the most outrageous tries in rugby history — takes us inside the chip and catch. How do you actually execute it at the highest level? He should know. All that and more on Rivals.
Why The Boks Are in Camp & Richie Mo'Unga Will Be on The Rivalry Tour + Champion's Cup Predictions!
We are back for a brand new season of Rugby Rivals, with Sir John Kirwan and Victor Matfield. JK and Victor open with a personal tribute to Scott Hastings, the legendary Scottish midfielder who passed away this week. Then we're straight into Champions Cup final predictions, the Springboks alignment camp ahead of this year's All Blacks tour, and why Richie Mo'Unga WILL be in South Africa... JK is certain. Subscribe wherever you watch or listen to make sure you never miss an episode!
Is the Six Nations the Best Rugby Competition on the Planet?
The Six Nations is done. And if you watched it, you'll know it was something special. JK, Victor Matfield and Andrew Trimble are back to break down what was one of the most compelling Six Nations in recent memory, and ask the question that's going to rile a few people in the southern hemisphere: is the Six Nations now the best rugby competition on the planet? Whether you're a diehard northern hemisphere fan or a Springbok supporter ready to fight back in the comments... this one's for you. Subscribe to make sure you never miss an episode!
England and France need more South Africans ?!
France and England were supposed to be the heavyweights of this year's Six Nations... so what on earth happened this weekend? Sir John Kirwan and Victor Matfield react to the shock results, break down what went wrong for two of Europe's biggest rugby nations, and give their take on what it means for the rest of the tournament. Subscribe to Rugby Rivals so you never miss an episode!
JK & Victor REACT to Dave Rennie as New All Blacks Coach!
Dave Rennie is the new All Blacks head coach — and the rugby world is reacting. On this episode of Rugby Rivals, Sir John Kirwan (All Blacks legend) and Victor Matfield (Springboks legend) give their immediate reaction to the appointment of Dave Rennie as the next All Blacks coach. What does Rennie bring to the role? How will his coaching style shape the next era of the All Blacks? And what challenges will he face leading one of the most scrutinised teams in world sport? JK and Victor break down Rennie’s track record, what his appointment means for New Zealand rugby, and how the rest of the rugby world — especially South Africa — will be viewing the decision. Subscribe to Rugby Rivals for weekly insights into the biggest stories in rugby.
Ireland back on top! Should Someone Be Relegated?!
Ireland go to Twickenham… and suddenly everything changes. Just weeks after talk of “crisis,” Ireland deliver a world-class performance against England. So, are they back on top of the world? Or was it just one emotional afternoon? This week on Rugby Rivals: Ireland’s statement win at Twickenham - turning point or overreaction? The promotion and relegation debate — should the Six Nations introduce jeopardy? Henry Pollock: impact weapon or future starter? Italy’s rise - best scrum in the Six Nations? All Blacks coaching update... what’s really happening behind the scenes? And finally… are South Africa still the best team in the world? Subscribe to us wherever you get podcasts, so you never miss an episode!
England Exposed? Scotland Run Riot | Six Nations Verdict
Was this just a loss — or a reality check? Victor Matfield and Sir John Kirwan dissect a Six Nations weekend that sent shockwaves through the tournament: Scotland overpower England. France look unstoppable. Ireland bounce back. Super Rugby begins. JK admits he misses South Africa from Super Rugby. Are England regressing? Is France already in a different tier? And what does this mean heading toward the business end of the tournament?
Ireland’s 'Golden Era' Ending? France Delivers a Reality Check - Rugby Rivals
Rugby Rivals is BACK - with a recap for all the Six Nations action over the weekend. Sir John Kirwan, Victor Matfield, Andrew Trimble and producer Ric Salizzo break down all the biggest stories - and ask the question... Is this the end of Ireland’s golden era? Are France the best team in the world right now? England’s huge statement win after crushing Wales Italy’s rise continues with an upset 18–15 victory over Scotland . A massive opening round of the Six Nations - and the tournament already feels wide open.
Who’s the Next All Blacks Coach? JK & Victor Debate! (Special Episode)
In this special episode of Rugby Rivals, JK and Victor break down the shock decision to move on from Scott “Razor” Robertson as All Blacks coach - what went wrong, whether it was inevitable, and what it says about the pressure of leading New Zealand rugby. They discuss who’s next in line for the All Blacks job, whether Tony Brown could be tempted away from the Springboks setup, and the other international coaches who could be in line for a call up. We cast an eye ahead to the Six Nations and preview the All Blacks vs Springboks tour at the end of the year, and Victor's got a bold take... Get closer to the show and have your voice heard in our private community, The Rivals Rugby Club - join here: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/17nhQTangN/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Producer's note
Steal the structure. Not the show.
Keep the useful structure, then change the audience, point of view, and voice until the idea is unmistakably yours.
