Grading Les Kiss' first Wallabies block

Sam Bruce and Christy Doran dive into Australia's disgraceful showing against England, pondering how they could be so bad when they had been together for weeks, and it was England who were playing the first game of their season. They analyse just what is going wrong with the Wallabies' defence, why the attack appeared so lacklustre, and why the time for changes is now. They then heap praise on England and the flow in their game, react to former England winger Chris Ashton's take on Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, and then look ahead to the clash with Scotland. Finally, the guys whip around the other Tests from the opening weekend, and the end of an emotional week for the All Blacks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sam Bruce and Christy Doran return to break down all the big issues on, and off the field in Australian rugby. They break down the Wallabies' Nations Championship squad, the poor management that saw Hunter Paisami's late withdrawal and the resulting Kurtley Beale callup, before then looking ahead to the Test with England at Twickenham. They look at some potential Wallabies changes and discuss England's own challenging year, before turning their attention to the pay dispute with Rugby Australia, NZ Rugby's Super Rugby and the recent Rugby Australia awards. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sam Bruce and Christy Doran dive into Bledisloe II, won by the All Blacks 43-21. They lament the poor skill execution and decision-making from the Wallabies inside the first quarter, before marvelling at the All Blacks' first-half try-scoring blitz. They then turn their attention to Australia's defensive structure and attacking "DNA" and discuss whether a new game plan is required after a 13thr straight loss. They also discuss Mark Nawaqanitawase's international future, the Australia A tour, and the Wallaroos' big win over Scotland. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sam Bruce and Christy Doran reflect on some misplaced optimism as they pick apart the All Blacks crushing victory in Bledisloe I. They look at where it went wrong for the Wallabies -- including one key moment after halftime -- how New Zealand turned their Springboks blueprint against them, and dominated the key fundamentals of rugby. They also lament the Test match's timing, look ahead to Game II in Sydney, and ponder what changes Australia can and should make. They also discuss Rob Valetini's hip-drop tackle, and why it went unsanctioned, before turning their attention to the stalled CBA negotiations and the Australia A squad named to tour the U.S. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sam Bruce and Christy Doran preview Bledisloe I, including news that Len Ikitau is firming to take his place in the Wallabies backline, albeit in a rejigged midfield pairing. They ponder the Springboks' series win over New Zealand and what lessons Australia can take from it, and then discuss some of the key storylines including some All Blacks' absences, the return of Richie Mo'unga and Dave Rennie's first Bledisloe as New Zealand coach. They then mark the one-year countdown to Rugby World Cup 2027 and play a game of "Cup or Nup? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sam Bruce and Christy Doran break down one of the most extraordinary Test matches ever seen, with Australia defeating South Africa 42-38. They analyse some sparkling Wallabies play, ponder the Springboks' much-changed lineup, but not before they tear shreds off the TMO shambles for which the game will be remembered. They also look ahead to the Bledisloe Cup, discuss the Wallaroos' win over Scotland, and then update the latest Super Rugby news after New Zealand's "Rugby summit". Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sam Bruce and Christy Doran discuss a seismic period for New Zealand and Australian rugby, as further reports emerge about a potential move away from Super Rugby by the Kiwis. They address the looming rugby summit in New Zealand, Australia's CBA negotiations and how the game in this part of the world could be shaped over the coming weeks. They also preview the Wallabies-Springboks clash, and review a wild Wallaroos-France game and the second round of Super Rugby Aus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sam Bruce and Christy Doran dive into the fourth and final Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Test in Baltimore, which saw the Springboks round out a 3-1 series win over the All Blacks. They laud South Africa's depth and the longevity of some of their outstanding veterans, and ponder whether Rassie Erasmus will see out his contract to the return series in New Zealand in 2030, and then look at what the All Blacks need to fix to turn things around by the World Cup. They also debate the role of the TMO and whether it was used correctly in Baltimore, before reacting to the Wallabies' latest squad, which sees the return of Jordan Petaia and a maiden callup for Harry McLaughlin-Phillips. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sam Bruce and Christy Doran review the Wallabies' tour of Argentina, giving Les Kiss a grading for his first four Tests in charge. They review the 28-draw in Mendoza, debating whether the series win should be looked through a glass half-full or half-empty lens; lament Carter Gordon's latest injury and ponder the fly-half the Wallabies should bring in; and then look ahead to the Springboks and Bledisloe Cup contests. They then turn their attention to South Africa's win over New Zealand and the broader Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series, and ponder what it means for the World Cup. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sam Bruce and Christy Doran front up after their main podcast suffered irreparable IT issues, offering up an apology for the lack of content earlier in the week. But then they look ahead to Australia's second Test with the Pumas, discuss the team changes and growing depth, before dropping their tips and also finding a winner in the third Springboks-All Blacks clash. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices