Elite Rugby Banter

Ben, Alex and Adam return, and they are joined by Michael who helps the gang break down the threat Eddie Jones' England pose to other Rugby World Cup aspirants. Prior to the previews, Aphiwe Dyanti's doping news is discussed - and disappointment shared - as is Eben Etzebeth, his family, striking referees and the kak people that abuse them, the Human Rights Commission, along with some actual rugby (Currie Cup and Wales being dethroned as World No. 1s). So, pretty standard stuff. Also, Ben maybe finds a new friend! (cue Step Brothers GIF).

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Phil, Ant and Alex get together to briefly (lol) discuss the different journeys taken by the South African, New Zealand, and Australian World Cup squads since the last World Cup and which players have fallen by the wayside (sorry Owen Franks...we knew you well). The interesting topic of cap retention forms part of the discussion.

Ale'x recording is reportedly of sub-optimal quality (he bought a new mic apparently) with some echo, for which we apologise for. This is what happens when guys have a side podcast on the side. The boys (there is only one "gang" in the ERB universe) only discover this at the end!

Enjoy!

Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

The Rugby World Cup gets ever closer, and Elite Rugby Banter is here to keep the good times rolling (slowly). Matt and Ben (plus Adam who surprises by being quietly around) are joined by Gavin Mrphy, who does his best to not be glum following Ireland's big defeat to England, while delivering a cracking preview for Ireland's World Cup campaign. Another massive assist is received from Morris Fuller, who gives us the low-down on the USA Eagles' chances in Japan. Matt and Ben, who do Tonga and France respectively, take note of our guests' excellent contributions thus far. Adam wasn't prepared at all!

Some other stuff is also discussed, including Aphiwe Dyanti's positive test, Australia's World Cup squad (mostly at the end), wrestling, Dota 2 and some Currie Cup.

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Another week passes, and the Rugby World Cup gets ever closer! Matt, Alex and Adam are joined by ERB group grandee Mitch Evans, who classes up the joint as Bledisloe II (with Mitch having wiped away the tears), Mehdisloe in Pretoria between SA C and Argentina B and the state of the game are discussed. Mitch alludes on Australia's chances at the World Cup, Matt talks about Icarus and recites fellow ERB grandee Lado Tsulukidze's lekker preview of Georgia, Adam covers Wales without Ben-level trigger warnings, and Alex speaks about his homeland, Namibia and their low population density. Also, there might be another stats episode this week. Adam really has no idea when those come in.

Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

Thanks for listening! RWC previews will continue as we approach kick-off.

They ain't special no more (and by this we mean it has gone past the point of being a Special...rather they just make a lot of sense). Phil and Ant return to chat about all things hemispheres, and how different sides of the globe approach their....approach to the Game Played In Heaven. They also address Bledisloe 1 where the Aussies caned New Zealand and England's World Cup warm up win over Wales.

Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

Thanks for listening guys!

It's a rare two-man show this week as Ben and Adam talk about the All Blacks being humbled by Australia, and the Springboks claiming their first Rugby Championship title as the World Cup approaches. In between a rather analytical episode (for Ben and Adam anyway...they aren't Phil or Ant), twisted ankles, Alex's ratings, a wobbly New Zealand and what it must be like to have RG Snyman as a mate at a club are all discussed. Also, the Boks' huge pack!

Next week, we will continue with our World Cup previews.

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Ant and Phil take constructive rugby discussion to new heights (off the rest of the gang's low base it should be said), as the ERB Stats Office invite Alex along for a wild mid-week joyride on the Stats Train.

They discuss the position battles at tighthead prop, blindside flank and wing for the Springboks, based on Super Rugby number crunches.

Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show (At this rate Phil and Ant will need their own intro right?)

Ben hosts for the first time! While Adam's liver rots away, Ben steers the ship, sailing through the two hour mark like it isn't even there. He is abetted by Matt, Alex and Phil, as they battle through blenders, blunders and a dodgy Internet connection to discuss Currie Cup results and the odds of Japan beating Scotland out of the pool along with previews for Samoa and the Springboks, finishing with a novelty XV of backs as forwards and forwards as backs. The entire population of Great Britain is antagonised at one point or another.

So, standard.

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It's a special episode! After months of frustrations at being referenced, but not included, Phil and Ant have taken it upon themselves to deliver a statistically minded soliloquy, with this being the first ever episode that none of Ben, Alex, Matt or Adam take part in. Hence, the quality is probably up?

Phil and Ant, in all their stats-minded glory, examine the match statistics from the last three meetings between the All Blacks and the Springboks.

With a total points tally standing at 82-82, the pair try to make sense of which side is trending more positively towards their next meeting, in Yokohama on 21 September – a match most likely to determine the winner of Pool B (concerns about Italy aside) and even possible World Cup glory!

We hope you enjoy!

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What a great day to be alive! The Springboks snatch a winning draw against the All Blacks in New Zealand, and all is well! Alex, Matt and Adam (Ben is at a baptism/christening) run the rule over the weeks' news but most importantly, Australia v Argentina and New Zealand v South Africa. The vast majority of time is spent chatting about the Boks' performance against the All Blacks, particularly Our Lord and Saviour Herschel Jantjies, but there is also time to mention some Afrikaans expletives, Adam having a sulk and someone close to Alex being 'that person' who looks at their phone during the movies.

Rugby is great isn't it?

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