Elite Rugby Banter

Adam returns in his quest to keep Alex, Matt and Ben to an hour and a half...and fails miserably. But the #bants! The boys are on form, as they are every week depending on who you ask, as they chat about South American rugby, further World League news, dodgy Wallabies, the meat grinders that are the Saders, paint fumes, Lions 2.0 and explore the potential of their selected Dickheads XV. Matt also cracks a standard Izzy joke.

Music from Cape Town's @monstroid. Title track is "80s TV Show".

We are on all the social media (mostly) but if you are just listening, thanks! Much love

Ding Dong, the Witch is Dead! The gang, without Adam around for disaster control, takes aim at the two hour milestone and discuss Robbie Fleck's long overdue departure from the Stormers (just as his team was starting to come right...it just doesn't make sense).

Other topics include the brewing Infinity War between World Rugby and the Tier 2 nations, whether Marika Koroibete is the most over-hyped player in the world (yes) and if the Blues can break their losing streak against the Sunwolves (no).

Opening theme: "80s TV Show" by https://soundcloud.com/monstroidfuzz

Well, that was close. Matt came to the rescue with the file so here we are! Sorry for the late episode. It's Adam's fault (as usual).

This week, the gang chat about SA Rugby's new contracting model, a rather meh round of Super Rugby (I mean, look at this lot here) where the game of the week turned into a stomping, the novelty XV of SA sports persons who didn't play rugby (professionally), picks and Blame Game, all while Adam is made to sweat by Ben, Alex and Matt because he has some pressing engagement. As Ben says, "Plan your life better".

So, just another week in the ERB Universe.

Music from Cape Town outfit, Monstroid, "80s TV Show". Check them out on Soundcloud here: https://soundcloud.com/monstroidfuzz

Super Rugby is finally here and Alex - aka The Prince of Rants - pretty much goes off the deep end when the gang discuss the Bulls battering of the Stormers. All the other weekend's games are discussed, with Japan slated for not caring about Super Rugby, the poor standard of kicking in round 1, and how Quade Cooper is making the Rebels a better side.

Beyond that, the Stormers were so terrible, the pod draft their players to other SA franchises, Ben has little time for those who don't hire a IP lawyer and Adam and Matt are actually recording in the same room (!).

Music from Monstroid, "80s TV Show". You can find them on Soundcloud.

Alex and Adam take the reins this week, and they are joined by Cargie from Draft Rugby after the news to chat all things draft rugby. They catch up on what draft is all about, Draft Rugby's progress with their own platform, Fantasy XVs of all time and also, a novelty XV focused on American presidents.

It's a long one...apologies. We lost track of time. :/

Music from Monstroid. Track: 80s TV Show. You can find them on Soundcloud.

Super Rugby is but two weeks away and Ben, Matt and Adam chew the cud over the Hurricanes, Sharks and Rebels this week (Alex's plush podcast studio has been invaded by family so is on a bye).

Before that, Adam grabs the title of Viscount of Rants over the Six Nation's anger regarding promotion-relegation for the proposed World League, Ben gets offended by the word "commoner" and speculates about looming code switches, and Matt has another crack at the Sharks preview (chose Tyler Paul as our pic just for Ben) after his turn on Draft Rugby (lekker show...give it a listen).

We are now on Stitcher (!), Spotify (!), iTunes, Soundcloud and acast.

Intro music: 80s TV Show by Monstroid

The gang are back and Super Rugby is one week closer. Yes please. Adam continues his Mortal Kombat-style winning streak of Blame Game titles, but before throwing it all away, Alex, Ben and Matt are mildly cooperative as they chat about concussion, a certain offspring, look at the Lions, Stormers and Bulls' chances in Super Rugby this year, and attempt to look at the 6 Nations (badly).

Also, new theme! Thanks to Cape Town outfit Monstroid for lending us their good vibes. You can check them out here: https://soundcloud.com/monstroidfuzz

Super Rugby is one week closer and the gang, with Ben a bit more tired than usual for good reason, get into the prospects for the Waratahs (Ben was meh), Crusaders (Matt was bitter) and Chiefs ahead of kick-off 2019. Before then, they chat about Pat Lambie's retirement, give Draft Rugby an early shout out and discuss whether DDA will be in the first 24 picks of the draft. Also, the #10YearChallenge (not to be trusted) inspired this week's poll (to be trusted).

Music from bensound.com.

The chat from Ep.62 about transformation in South African rugby, separated for your listening pleasure. The file has been reloaded to cut out sound at the end.

Music from bensound.com.

For the first time ever, Elite Rugby Banter features its own tight five, with Jam Jam joining the gang to lift the level of conversation amid the odd technical glitch.

This week, Eddie Jones’ high injury record is discussed, the Jaguares, Brumbies and Reds are preview, and after much teasing and waiting, the gang talk about transformation.

That discussion is particularly long, so we will also post that separately, given its uncharacteristic maturity…Ben had to leave early, so maybe that’s why?

Again, apologies for the poor sound at times. Seek to be better next week <3

Music from bensound.com.