Afleveringen
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Michael Cheika was the head coach who guided Leinster to their first European crown in 2009. Now, coaching Leicester Tigers, he squares off against Irish opposition with Ulster travelling on Saturday night.
Alongside Gordon D’Arcy, who Cheika coached, The Counter Ruck looks back on the Australian’s time in Dublin. How did he convince the top Leinster brass to take a punt on an unproven coach? Did the Leinster players need a good kick up the backside? Are there parallels between Leinster then and Leicester now? Why is Cheika seen as ’the turnaround man’, the coach to call when a side needs an upturn in fortunes?
Produced by John Casey.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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No provincial men’s rugby took place this weekend but Ireland U20s did play their final warm-up match before their Six Nations campaign gets underway in a few weeks’ time. Playing against a Leinster Development XV in Donnybrook, we got a chance to see how Ireland are shaping up under new coach Neil Doak.
Nathan Johns and John O’Sullivan both attended Saturday’s game and run through the talking points. How does this crop compare to other years? Who are the young players to watch out for? Who will most likely go on to have strong professional careers? What to make of the latest young outhalf talent?
Produced by John Casey.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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Harry Byrne recently caused a bit of a shock by moving from Leinster to Bristol on a short term loan. On paper, the move makes sense, given Byrne’s lack of game time in the 10 shirt. But why don’t we see more players taking short term punts with a view to returning home an improved player? Should game time not be the primary concern? Have players become too comfortable being squad players in their home environment?
Will Byrne’s move open the floodgates as a model for staying affiliated to your home side while also earning game time, or is this a once off move which only works in these particular circumstances? Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to pick through the transfer news and its implications for the wider Irish rugby system.
Produced by John Casey.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Munster defence coach Denis Leamy recently described Leinster as ‘brilliantly boring’ due to their current style of play. After watching the weekend’s festive interpro where Leo Cullen’s side secured a dominant 28-7 win, it’s hard to disagree. As South African World Cup-winning coach Jacques Nienaber spends more and more time working with the province, a clear plan focusing on set-piece dominance, power up front and a strong kicking game is starting to emerge.
But are Leinster now too brilliantly boring? The power game is good enough to beat injury-hit sides such as Munster, but can they also show the required flashes of creativity to beat better teams? Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to pick through Leinster’s current development, as well as the issues which prevent sides like Munster form keeping pace with their provincial rivals.
We also chat through Ulster’s shock win over Connacht. Have they turned a corner, or did they simply come up with a one-off game plan which cannot be replicated in the coming weeks?
Gordon also tells us about the difficulties of being a player over the Christmas period, while he compares the differing, but no less complex challenges of running through Munster defences to keeping children asleep for Santa.
Produced by John Casey.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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When news of Leinster's signing of All Black Jordie Barrett broke back in April of this year, opinion was split. Was it a fair reflection of the dominant province flexing their muscle, or an unfair benefit of the IRFU paying their best players via national contracts?
This season, 10 Leinster players have their salaries paid by the governing body via central contracts, the other provinces combined have three. Is this a cycle of dominance, or a worrying portend of Leinster pulling ahead and destroying competitive balance in the provinces?
Gordon D'Arcy joins Nathan Johns to discuss the issue, how we got here and what can be done about it.
This episode was first published in April 2024.
Produced by John Casey.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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We may only be halfway through the rugby season, but the end of the calendar year presents an opportunity to reflect nonetheless. Ireland won a Six Nations, qualified for a women’s World Cup, competed at the Olympics, beat the Black Ferns and won three out of four in November, so was this a successful year? Does the country continue to punch above its weight, and have we become spoiled as rugby fans? Or are we at a stage now when more is needed, especially at provincial level in terms of silverware?
Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to look back on the year that was, while also pointing to what needs to improve for 2025 to bring more success to Irish rugby.
Produced by John Casey.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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The Ireland women’s team is riding on the crest of a wave after World Cup qualification and a victory over New Zealand in 2024. How does the game look below international level, how are things under the hood? There are a number of moving parts within the domestic structure, including the AIL, provinces and Celtic Challenge. The AIL, though, remains the entry point for many women into rugby.
Joining Nathan Johns to review the women’s game in 2024 is Fiona Reidy, a former international and current director of rugby at AIL champions UL Bohemian, and John Cronin, a senior coach at Railway Union. As women’s rugby looks to expand and introduce more professionalism, what needs to happen at domestic level to ensure the current national success continues?
Produced by John Casey.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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This weekend, Sharks head coach John Plumtree made headlines for outlining the unsustainable nature of South African sides trying to compete in European competition. Both the Sharks and the Stormers sent rotated teams north to the UK and both were well beaten. This comes as Bath sent a rotated squad to Treviso and lost, Munster left behind a few regulars to take on Castres and came up short while Ulster’s policy of resting some frontliners last week failed to pay off as they lost this time around to Bordeaux. Even some of the French teams lost their home matches, ones which they are in theory supposed to take more seriously.
All of which begs the question, is the Champions Cup on its last legs? Why should TV companies pay for the rights and fans pay for tickets if the early stages of the tournament only matter to a handful of teams?
Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to talk through the ramifications, as well as this weekend’s provincial and club rugby action.
Produced by John Casey.
Clips: A charging deer takes out a player / A razzle dazzle chip and chase for St Marys.
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Rob Henderson played for Munster, Ireland and the Lions. He was Brian O’Driscoll’s centre partner both during his infamous Paris hat-trick and the 2001 Lions tour of Australia. In 2002, he played twice for Munster against Castres on the province’s ultimately unsuccessful run to the final of the Heineken Cup. He was part of the group which eventually broke the European duck in 2006.
With Munster returning to Castres this weekend and another Lions tour down under approaching, Henderson joins Nathan Johns and John O’Sullivan. From exorbitant room service bills to praise for The Counter Ruck’s very own Gordon D’Arcy, Henderson recounts the best bits of a storied career which led up to Irish rugby’s modern era of success.
Produced by John Casey.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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As this year’s European action kicked off with a mostly positive weekend for the provinces, one difference between Irish sides and those they squared off with became apparent: pace. For some time now, Ireland has not produced game-breaking wingers with top end speed. Why is this the case?
Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join host Nathan Johns to pick through this issue which could become all the more pressing. One Irish wing did stand out from the weekend. Connacht’s Chay Mullins finally debuted after a lengthy stint playing Sevens. Could he be the answer?
The panel also discuss how Europe no longer comes with the fanfare of years gone by, the quality of officiating from the weekend as well as the best of the provincial action.
Produced by John Casey.
Clips: A worldie from Shane Daly / Genius from Brian O’Driscoll / Lightning pace from Louis Bielle-Biarrey.
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When Leinster square off against the Bristol Bears, Pat Lam, once in charge of Connacht but now bedded in with the Premiership side, once again finds himself in the Irish rugby bubble. Lam was an immensely popular figure during his time with Connacht, guiding them to a stunning Pro12 victory back in 2016.
Famous for his attack-heavy philosophy, Lam’s teams are always fun to watch, with the man himself saying those tuning in this weekend can expect to see a lot of similarities between Bristol and his Connacht side. In a wide-ranging interview on The Counter Ruck, Lam explains his rugby philosophy and why he thinks it will ultimately bring Bristol trophies, reminisces on his time with Connacht including the signing of Bundee Aki, while he also looks back on his friendship with Anthony Foley, the former Munster coach who tragically died back in 2016.
Produced by John Casey.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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After a narrow win over Australia wrapped up a mix bag of an Autumn Nations Series, The Counter Ruck pores through where Andy Farrell’s side finds itself heading into the new year. How can the attack return to its world leading status? Are Ireland evolving to stay in the pack? What is the latest in the current outhalf debate? Does Jack Crowley once again have the upper hand?
What are Ireland actually doing differently, and are enough young players being blooded to ensure exciting times are ahead? All these questions and more are answered by Gordon D’Arcy, John O’Sullivan and Nathan Johns. We also look at the mental challenges of being involved in what promises to be a never-ending outhalf debate, while delving into the worrying financial picture currently facing the sport.
Produced by John Casey.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Former Leinster and Ireland boss Joe Schmidt looks to have begun a miraculous turnaround with the Wallabies. From failing to get out of their poor group at last year’s World Cup and finishing bottom of the Rugby Championship, Schmidt has taken his side to the Northern Hemisphere this November and earned wins over England and Wales.
But are his methods conducive to long term Australian success? Towards the end of his time on these shores, he became renowned for prescriptive rugby, for instructing his players to minimise risk. Does this chime with the historical Aussie penchant for attacking flair?
Gordon D’Arcy used to play under Schmidt at Leinster and Ireland. Alongside Nathan Spooner, the former Leinster and Australia outhalf, we talk through Schmidt’s philosophy. Is he as one-dimensional a coach as people might think? Can he adapt his own methods to stay ahead of the game? What is Schmidt doing differently with Australia to what he implemented with Ireland? Does rugby’s move to a more unstructured game plan suit Ireland or Australia better?
We also look back at the 2001 Celtic League Cup final, where D’Arcy and Spooner combined in the Leinster backline to secure a famous victory over Munster at Lansdowne Road.
Produced by John Casey.
Email the pod on [email protected].
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Ireland put in their best display of this November window with a 52-17 thumping of Fiji. Was this a return to the good form of old or was it a case of achieving the bare minimum against a Fijian side which flattered to deceive? Was Sam Prendergast fortunate to not be sent off? Where does his display leave the ongoing outhalf debate? Host Nathan Johns is joined by Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan to pick through the positives of Ireland’s performance.
Andy Farrell was largely vindicated in his squad rotation, but what does that mean for the matchday squad ahead of the final match of this window? What is the Joe Schmidt effect of next Saturday’s visit of the Wallabies?
Produced by John Casey.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Everyone seems to love to watch Fiji, but what is it about the Pacific Island nation that is so endearing?
Is it their thrilling style of play, nostalgia for larger than life characters of years past, or simply the fact that they have improved to be a genuine threat at rugby’s top table?
Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to chat through their memories of Fijian rugby. Gordon recalls a difficult day marking Sevens legend Waisale Serevi, while John points out his fondness for a number of Fijian payers he has covered.
The panel also analyses Fiji’s structural improvement under former Leinster assistant coach Mick Byrne. Are they now a genuine threat to beat Ireland for the first time in their history?
Produced by John Casey.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Ireland won ugly against Argentina while England once again produced an at times scintillating performance, only to lose to South Africa. Whose camp would you rather be in?
Host Nathan Johns argues that England’s superior attacking game means it’s more likely everything else will click in time, while former Ireland international Gordon D’Arcy prefers to be developing a winning habit, even if it isn’t pretty.
Who is right will become evident during next year’s Six Nations. For now, Nathan, Gordon and John O’Sullivan pick through Ireland’s win over Felipe Contepomi’s Argentina. Why is the formerly potent attack stalling? Are the forwards providing enough ballast? What to make of the ongoing outhalf merry-go-round? Will widespread changes be made for the visit of Fiji?
Produced by John Casey.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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In a wide ranging chat, Contepomi joins host Nathan Johns and former teammate Gordon D’Arcy to look back at their time playing together at the RDS, Contepomi’s relationship with Michael Cheika - who he worked with at both Leinster and Argentina - and reflect on how the sport has evolved, both for the better and the worse, since his playing days.
Now in the middle of their November tour of Europe, the former Leinster outhalf has called on his charges to back up last week’s thumping win over Italy with another stellar performance at the Aviva Stadium on Friday night.
Produced by John Casey.
Clip: Felipe’s delightful chip and chase against Munster.
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How worried should Irish rugby be after a disheartening defeat to the All Blacks? Is it time to make significant changes to the team? Are sides starting to figure out Ireland’s famed attack? Does this result already render the November window a disappointment?
John O’Sullivan returns to The Counter Ruck alongside Gordon D’Arcy and host Nathan Johns to conduct the post mortem on what was a bitterly disappointing Friday evening. Featuring reaction from Ireland head coach Andy Farrell, the panel looks at what can change ahead of the visit of Argentina.
Produced by John Casey.
Clip: Fiji’s Josua Tuisova with a handoff for the ages (from 3.53).
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Andrew Mehrtens was the New Zealand outhalf before Dan Carter. A 70-cap All Black, he joins Nathan Johns and Gordon D’Arcy to preview Ireland’s clash with New Zealand.
We look back at when Mehrtens played in Lansdowne Road in 2001, swap debut stories and tales of jersey hunting while previewing where Friday night’s clash will be won and lost.
Produced by John Casey.
Clip: Some Mehrtens magic against Ireland at Lansdowne Road in 2001 (from 48.15).
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It’s All Blacks week. At the beginning of his career, Gordon D’Arcy never felt like Ireland could get close to New Zealand. Towards the end, Joe Schmidt’s Irish side began to see themselves as equals. Regardless, the last chance for a number of Ireland players, including D’Arcy, O’Driscoll and O’Connell, ended in an agonising defeat.
Joining host Nathan Johns on The Counter Ruck is D’Arcy himself as he looks back on the emotion of coming so close to turning New Zealand over. Featuring tears, defensive mistakes and shaved beards, stories of Ireland and the All Blacks will never be short of intrigue. We also look back on New Zealand’s narrow win over England, picking apart what Ireland can learn ahead of Friday night’s showdown.
Produced by John Casey.
Clip: Adam Hastings with the outrageous backdoor pass.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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