Elite Rugby Banter

Episode 312 - Italy and Scotland Prevail Against the Odds

The lads unpack a massive rugby weekend featuring Super Rugby chaos, Blitzboks success, and one of the most entertaining Six Nations rounds in years. We start down south with a Super Rugby check-in after four rounds: the Chiefs quietly looking strong, the Brumbies stumbling late against the Reds, the Crusaders flirting with panic mode, and the Force discovering that scoring points is easy… defending them is not. We also touch on Rugby Australia’s latest league convert and what the looming World Cup might mean for player movement. A quick pit stop through Sevens (with the Blitzboks topping the standings) leads into the big news from New Zealand: Dave Rennie vs Jamie Joseph for the All Blacks job and what each candidate could bring to a slightly messy Kiwi setup. A special word for the Lions - 25/26 South African Shield Champions! What an achievement. Then it’s time for the main course: Six Nations madness. • Italy shock England for the first time as selection roulette, brain-dead penalties, and general chaos sink Borthwick’s men. • Scotland produce one of their best performances in years to hammer France before a late French fightback. • Ireland grind past Wales while Wales continue their slow rebuild. Along the way we discuss the brilliance of Menoncello, the resurgence of Kyle Steyn, whether Ireland have quietly regressed to “occasionally good” territory, and why England’s selection decisions might have cost them the tournament. Finally, we preview a wild final weekend where France, Ireland, and Scotland can all still win the Six Nations—and we ask the real question: is there still a way England could somehow end up with the wooden spoon? Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

Episode 311 - Clear & Obvious (Unless You’re the TMO)

Ant is back from faraway lands with a scouting report from Georgia (spoiler: they don’t know much about SA rugby… except that we’re good), and the boys dive into a proper Six Nations mid-tournament temperature check. We unpack three weeks of Six Nations chaos: France looking like the only adults in the room, Ireland nearly getting Italy'd in Dublin, Scotland doing Scotland things (again), and England discovering that a 12-game streak doesn’t stop you getting put to the sword. Along the way we argue about drifting passes, TMOs who simply can’t help themselves, and whether gold boots are basically a cursed captaincy announcement. Then it’s a quick whip around the globe: SA’s new U20/U23 Currie Cup bridge (and the return of curtain-raiser nostalgia), early Super Rugby weirdness (Brumbies statement win, Crusaders in the mud, and the usual “it’s early” cop-outs), URC’s return, and Varsity Cup’s latest mad-scientist scoring rule. Also the Lions did the double over the Sharks! Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

Episode 310: Six Nations Previews

After a quick detour to the URC, Ant, Phil and Andy preview the upcoming Six Nations. Will England and Italy's rises supersede Ireland and Scotland's golden (yet greying) generations? Will Dupont carry France or will he be lost to the Winter Olympics? And will Wales...nah, they won't. That and more in this week's episode. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

Episode 309: New Year's Rassielutions

Phil, Ant, and Andy are back after a festive break to review the state of play in the URC and European Cup rugby. Also, what's going on in New Zealand and when is Razor going to swap Christchurch for Durban?? They also play adjudicators for the SA Rugby Awards after the shortlists were released this week. Who is the ERB SA Player of the Year? Moment of the Year? Coach? Have a listen and find out. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

Episode 308: The Dezemba Episode

It's the festive season, which is when we find out who has been naughty or nice, or in ERB's world which teams had good years, average years, and a season to forget. Ant, Phil, and a returning Andy have a look at standout players and moments for each of the top 12 sides. Oh, yes, we also address the extremely disappointing Eben incident and the needless Wales rout, while also touching on a tremendous Stormers result and a surprising Jukskei derby. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.