It’s our final episode of the year, and we’re sending 2025 off with The Rivals Awards Show, breaking down the Best, Worst and Most WTF Moments from a massive season of rugby.
We’re handing out our end-of-year awards, including:

🏆 Player of the Year
🟥 Worst Red Card of the Year
🌍 Team of the Year
🚀 Future Superstar Award
⏪ Team in Reverse Award
🤯 Moment of the Year
🔧 The One Thing Rugby MUST Change Next Year
🧠 Coach of the Year

Plus a full recap of the weekend’s international action and all the chaos, controversy and brilliance that defined rugby in 2025.

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We're back for another big episode of Rugby Rivals.
John Kirwan tries to make sense of the All Blacks’ latest stumble… Victor can’t get through 80 minutes without seeing red, and Trimby relishes in Ireland's whalloping of Australia.

In this episode we cover:
– What’s REALLY going on with the All Blacks right now
– The Springboks’ red-card problem and how it’s costing them
– Why Australia can’t catch a break
– The biggest performances, turning points and tactical shifts from the weekend

Watch, comment, and tell us your take below.

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The Springboks reminded everyone why they’re the best in the world - overcoming France in Paris with only 14 men.

Meanwhile, Damian McKenzie delivers another clutch moment to save the All Blacks in a thriller that had fans on edge till the final whistle in Scotland.

Sir John Kirwan, Victor Matfield, and Andrew Trimble break down all the big moments from action packed weekend in world rugby.

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The Northern Tour served up another weekend of drama - starting with Tadhg Beirne's red card. Did the call ruin the match, or was it the right decision?

JK, Victor Matfield and Andrew Trimble dig into all the big talking points, including the Springboks–France rivalry and why Victor is worried about what the French are building.

We also chat Scotland - are they finally turning the corner, could they beat the All Blacks?

If you’ve got a take on the red card, drop it in the comments – we want to hear it.

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The Northern Hemisphere tour has officially kicked off, and the North vs. South rivalry is alive and well.

Australia opened their campaign with a narrow win over Japan, and now the rest of the Southern giants head north. Sir John Kirwan, Victor Matfield and Andrew Trimble go head-to-head as they break down what’s ahead, who’s in form, and which hemisphere really holds the power in world rugby right now.

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#RugbyRivals #Springboks #AllBlacks #RugbyChampionship #VictorMatfield #JohnKirwan

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The Rugby Championship is done and dusted - and the Springboks have gone back-to-back

In this episode, Sir John Kirwan and Victor Matfield break down all the key moments from the tournament, what set the Boks apart, and how the All Blacks, Wallabies, and Pumas will be feeling heading into the next phase of the international season.

The guys also look ahead to upcoming fixtures, coaching moves, and what each side needs to do before the end-of-year tours.

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#RugbyRivals #Springboks #AllBlacks #RugbyChampionship #VictorMatfield #JohnKirwan

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In this week’s Rugby Rivals, JK, Victor Matfield, and Ric Salizzo return with a hard-hitting unpack of the latest Rugby Championship drama.

They cast a critical eye over South Africa’s masterclass against Argentina, and dissect how the All Blacks scraped through against a determined Wallabies side.

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The pressure is mounting on the All Blacks as they prepare for the Bledisloe Cup — with fans and critics questioning whether they can deliver when it matters most. At the same time, women’s rugby is set for a historic showdown with the Rugby World Cup Final promising to be one of the biggest spectacles the sport has ever seen.

Sir John Kirwan and Victor Matfield bring their expert insights and hard-hitting opinions on:

• Why the Bledisloe clash is make-or-break for the ABs

• What Razor and the coaching staff need to get right

• The key storylines heading into the Women’s Rugby World Cup Final

• The impact these matches could have on the future of New Zealand rugby

Don’t miss JK and Victor’s breakdown of one of the biggest rugby weekends of the year.

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The Rugby Championship has been blown wide open after the Springboks stunned the All Blacks in dramatic fashion. On this week’s Rugby Rivals, Sir John Kirwan and Victor Matfield break down how South Africa’s victory has shifted the momentum - and whether it has derailed New Zealand’s hopes of taking control of the competition.

We’ll unpack what Razor Robertson’s next move needs to be, how the All Blacks can respond, and why every team still has a shot at the title. With the table locked up and the stakes higher than ever, the road to Rugby Championship glory is anyone’s to win.

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The Rugby Championship is heating up, and who better to break it down than All Blacks legend Sir John Kirwan and Springbok great Victor Matfield?

In this week’s episode of Rugby Rivals, JK and Victor dive into:

• The All Blacks’ gritty 24–17 win over South Africa at Eden Park

• Standout performances from Emoni Narawa, Will Jordan, and Quinn Tupaea

• Ardie Savea’s 100th Test milestone and game-saving turnover

• The Springboks’ fightback through Malcolm Marx and Cobus Reinach

• What this result means for the Rugby Championship table

• Can South Africa rally in next weekend’s rematch in Wellington?

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