Elite Rugby Banter

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 @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

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 team of the tournament.

Thanks for listening as always!

Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

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 Rankings. The Springboks' World Cup legend goes on and we could not be prouder. For England, a case of what would've been.

Some local news and the future shape of the All Blacks is also discussed, as they dispatched Wales in the 3rd/4th Place Play-Off.

For those new to the pod, the discussion about the final begins at 42:58.

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 Japan, where he was at the South Africa-Wales semi-final.

Intro music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show

Japanese music sample by Cee-Roo, Feel the Sounds of Japan (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gR7a9xUFblg)

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 failed splicing! This has now been rectified!

Thanks for listening!

Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

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 France even field a full XV against Wales and will Michael Cheika tell everybody, "I told you so" (spoiler alert: probably not?).

This is likely the last ERB World Cup Weekly given the games are drying up but you never know. We also look forward to Philled in with Phil...in Japan.

Thanks for listening!

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 @monstroid, 80s TV Show

The Rugby World Cup is heading towards its business end but there is some loose endsto wrap up first. Ant joins Ben and Adam to discuss the weeks games thus far, and those coming up, including arguably the biggest game of them all: Canada vs Namibia, plus the small matter of Japan vs Scotland. South Africa's trouncing of Canada is covered too, as is the pod's running loss, Ant doing the Cape Epic, and reportedly, ERB being among the most listened to South African-homegrown sports podcasts around...we think...

Also, big thanks to you, our listeners! Couldn't do it without you!

It's our 100th episode, and in classic ERB style, we completely forgot about it. Have no fear, because Matt, Alex and Adam chat about Joe Moody's middle name, confuse him for Owen Franks, wonder who was the most chuffed Springbok to see Damian Willemse and cover the happenings and comings at the Rugby World Cup thus far. The business end is near by, it is the calm before the storm, and in Matt's case, he survived another harrowing night out. Adam curses early, while Alex regales Namibia, and tales of when he used to play rugby, and according to himself, not be good at all.

Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show