Episodes
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You wanted more so we delivered. Whilst the Welsh carninval has left town, a fresh opponent arrives on our shores in the form of Georgia. They are next up on the Wallabies' schedule in what will be their first test in Australia since the 2003 Rugby World Cup.
In a quirk of fate, their director of rugby, Rama Chand is well-known in Australian rugby circles, having worked across a number of roles at the Queensland Reds before uprooting his young family to Tbilisi.
Rama tells us all about the various competition structures they are involved in, the hopes at club and national team level and does some mythbusting on the Georgian's love of the scrum.
Credit to John Anderson for arranging Rama's appearance, and to Cameron McFarlane for the episode graphics.
Learn more about the Rugby Club of Victoria: https://www.rugbyclubvic.com/
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The episodes are dropping thick and fast now. In today's episode we chat to Welsh & British Lion superstar Jamie Roberts, who also comes with unique qualifications as a Cambridge graduate and trained doctor.
Jamie is an excellent advocate for the modern player, speaking eloquently but also openly and honestly about the challenges they face, along with the game itself.
He also takes us through some fond memories playing for the Lions and some big Welsh victories over England.
Believe it or not, we have more content coming for you. The Welsh team move on to their next destination but in comes Georgia for their first bilateral tour to Australia and we have a great guest lined up from the Georgian Rugby Union to tell us about it.
Credit to Abi Tierney and John Anderson for arranging Jamie's appearance, and to Cameron McFarlane for the episode graphics.
Learn more about the Rugby Club of Victoria: https://www.rugbyclubvic.com/
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In today's episode, 1991 RWC winning backrower Simon Poidevin joins the show to talk about his view of the Welsh rivalry prior to the World Cup era, the game's transition into the professional era and it's future through the eyes of his son who plays professionally in the United States.
Poido's post-playing career has been even more remarkable, not only being in the in the broadcast booth for Channel 7 in the Wallabies' other RWC final victory (in 1999) but also leaving a significant impression on the Australian corporate sector, a rarity for a high profile athlete.
After that chat, we check in quickly with RCV president John Anderson about the phenomenal response to this series, but also to demystify the organisation somewhat and learn more about its goals going forward.
Episode 4 will feature Welsh & British Lion superstar Jamie Roberts, who also comes with unique qualifications as a Cambridge graduate and trained doctor.
Credit to Peter Grigg and John Anderson for arranging Simon's appearance, and to Cameron McFarlane for the episode graphics.
Learn more about the Rugby Club of Victoria: https://www.rugbyclubvic.com/
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In today's episode, we get the Welsh perspective on the upcoming series directly from the Chief Executive Officer of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), Abi Tierney, who is accompanying the team on tour and bringing her family for their first trip to Australia.
Abi started with the WRU in January 2024, following a distinguished in public service in the United Kingdom, which included ensuring passport renewal kept pace with demand in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
She shares her early thoughts on the administrative side of rugby, tells us what makes each of the Welsh regions so special, as well as the gameday experience under the roof of the famed Millenium - now Principality - Stadium and gives an insight into the personal of Wales' legendary coach, Warren Gatland.
DON'T MISS: Wallabies v Wales preview dinner with special guests, Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt & Wales coach Warren Gatland. 10 July at the Olympic Room, Melbourne Cricket Ground.
https://www.rugbyclubvic.com/event-details/wallabies-v-wales-test-match-preview-dinner
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Our first guest is Ewen McKenzie, who boasts the rare distinction of being both Victorian-educated and a Wallabies world cup winner.
Ewen talks us through his time in the Scotch College rugby program, how he was picked for Victorian schoolboys rugby honours and even representing Harlequins in the Dewar Shield.
Later we reflect on 1991, the big group stage win over Wales at Cardiff Arms Park, the charm of the stadia in the Welsh regions during the group stages and the successive victories over Ireland, New Zealand and England to take the crown.
We finish off hearing about the relief of finally getting one over the Crusaders in the 2011 Super Rugby final.
Our next guest will be Welsh Rugby Union CEO Abi Tierney, who has a fascinating backstory and tells us about the uniqueness of the Welsh regions, the passion of a full house at Millenium Stadium and the charm of head coach Warren Gatland.
DON'T MISS: Wallabies v Wales preview dinner with special guests, Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt & Wales coach Warren Gatland. 10 July at the Olympic Room, Melbourne Cricket Ground.
https://www.rugbyclubvic.com/event-details/wallabies-v-wales-test-match-preview-dinner
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Ahead of RWC 2023, we take a closer look at the teams you won’t know so much about.
Our second episode focuses on rugby in Africa, which will be represented by defending champions and direct qualifiers, South Africa, as well as their neighbours Namibia, who won the 8-team qualification tournament last year.
Our guests today are the captain of the Ugandan national team, Magomu Ivan, and Harry Jones, who talks us through Namibian rugby, as well as what is holding the rest of the continent back when it comes to qualifying for rugby world cups.
Special shout-outs from our chat with Magomu go to Namilyango College, St Marys College Kisubi (aka SMACK) and Pirates Rugby club, as well as his fierce opponents, Heathens and KOBs Rugby Club.
NOTE: Outside Centre Enterprises will be in France for part of the tournament, so if you are looking to create or partner up for audio content around the event, get in touch via one of the below methods.
Episode highlights:
[2:00] Magomu Ivan, Captain – Uganda mens’ XVs national team
[20:00] Harry Jones, contributor – The Roar
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Email the show: [email protected]
Follow Magomu on Twitter/X: @ivan_magomu
Follow Harry on Twitter/X: @haribaldijones
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We’re back!
Ahead of RWC 2023, we take a closer look at the teams you won’t know so much about.
Our first episode focuses on rugby in South America, which has exploded in this World Cup cycle, despite all the challenges of COVID-19. The establishment of the first franchise-based, professional rugby competition in the region, Superliga Americana de Rugby, subsequently rebranded as Super Rugby Americas, directly led to the strengthening of Chile such they qualified for RWC 2023 directly.
This cycle also saw the emergence of Colombia as a force in women’s rugby by earning a place in the inaugural WXV competition whilst Brazil continued its status on the 7s circuit.
Our guests today are the CEO of the Brazilian Rugby Union (CBRu), Mariana Miné, and Paul Tait, co-founder of leading English-language digital publication, Americas Rugby News.
NOTE: Outside Centre Enterprises will be in France for part of the tournament, so if you are looking to create or partner up for audio content around the event, get in touch via one of the below methods.
Episode highlights:
[1:45] Mariana Miné, CEO of Brasil Rugby (CBRu)
[19:15] Paul Tait, co-founder, Americas Rugby News
Follow/connect with us on Instagram: @outsidectrpodcast
Follow/connect with us on Twitter/X: @outsidectrpod
Follow/connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/outside-centre-enterprises/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_search_srp_all%3BCW1ODyb0S9W1UFyIaLIzVw%3D%3D or search “Outside Centre Enterprises”
Email the show: [email protected]
Brasil Rugby: https://brasilrugby.com.br/
Americas Rugby News: https://www.americasrugbynews.com/
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This week we are fortunate to speak with leading global 7s referee Paulo Duarte just before his departure to Los Angeles for the final stop of the HSBC 7s World Series for 2021-22. Paulo’s face will be instantly recognisable to 7s fans, with career highlights including the 2020 Olympics held in Tokyo in July 2021, the world tour and many European events.
We speak to Paulo about life on the refereeing circuit, his experiences in dealing with less experienced players and countries, with referee criticism and his advice for aspiring referees too! And we de-bunk some of the myths and mysteries of the differences between 7s and XVs!
NOTE: Next week we are scheduled to speak with a prominent lawyer connected to rugby. Contact the show with any questions or suggested topics via the various handles below!
Key Segments:
[4:30] Getting his start in rugby
[7:15] Learning the rules of rugby and the differences across regions
[17:15] The refereeing fraternity and the challenges of criticism and feedback in the modern era
[25:00] The weird and wonderful differences of 7s and XVs
[34:45] Paulo’s career highlights including the Olympics and the world tour
[41:45] Some fun questions to get Paulo’s vision for the game
[52:00] Paulo’s advice for aspiring referees
Follow us on Twitter: @OutsideCTRpod
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Connect with us on LinkedIn: “Outside Centre: Rugby’s new territories”
Email: [email protected]
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This week we complete our chat with Chilean-based rugby journalist and photographer, Matías Matus Acebo, who helped us preview their decisive RWC win over the United States. Three weeks on, ‘Matt’ tells us the impact the surprise victory has had on the ground in Chile, the opportunities stemming from it and the challenges which lie ahead.
We also check in with his preparations for the imminent World Rugby 7s Challenger series event in Santiago, get his perspective on the trajectory of Latin American rugby and close out with a vivid description of the famed URBA amateur club competition in Buenos Aires province that has produced so many Pumas over the years and where our ‘porteño’ heralds from.
Key Segments:
[4:00] The local impact of Chile’s surprise qualification for RWC 2023
[19:15] The upcoming World Rugby 7s Challenger Series event in Santiago
[22:45] The bigger picture of Latin American rugby at the moment
[36:45] URBA: the famed Buenos Aires club competition, Puma nursery and which Matt grew up following
Follow us on Twitter: @OutsideCTRpod
Follow us on Instagram: @outsidectrpodcast
Connect with us on LinkedIn: “Outside Centre: Rugby’s new territories”
Email: [email protected]
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This week we venture to Hong Kong, catching up with Sports Editor of the South China Morning Post, Josh Ball, in the wake of their RWC 2023 qualifying defeat to Tonga which sent the Pacific Island nation through to the final tournament in France.
Luckily Hong Kong have another chance to qualify, but we don’t waste the chance to hear about the toll of COVID on professional sport on the island, learn more about what makes the famed HK 7s event tick and get the full picture on the rather impressive grassroots rugby structure they have in place.
Key Segments:
[3:00] Professional & semi-pro sporting landscape in Hong Kong
[5:15] The famed Hong Kong 7s
[12:30] COVID-19 and the full magnitude of it’s impact on sport on the island, and the full grassroots structure of rugby in Hong Kong, as well as the big clubs and the standard of facilities
[22:15] Women’s rugby in Hong Kong
[24:00] Hong Kong’s qualification campaign for RWC 2023, including the narrow defeat of South Korea and the competitive effort against Tonga last weekend
[35:30] Looking ahead to the final repechage competition, and Josh’s thoughts on global game development
Follow us on Twitter: @OutsideCTRpod
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Connect with us on LinkedIn: “Outside Centre: Rugby’s new territories”
Email: [email protected]
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In a real treat for 7s fans, we get Dallen’s thoughts ahead of the upcoming HSBC series finale in Los Angeles, the RWC 7s World Cup in Cape Town and the Commonwealth.
Prior to that, we quiz our man on his experiences in Japan in 2019 as well as his thoughts on some other key structural issues in world rugby and some specific to the USA.
To close the show, our host downloads his observations after the European qualifiers for the RWC 7s were confirmed in a qualifying tournament in Bucharest last week.
Key Segments:
[1:15] Dallen’s reflections of calling matches at RWC 2019 in Japan, and we quiz him on some other vital structural issues affecting the game at the moment.
[16:30] Dallen tells us about the PR 7s circuit in the USA, and looks ahead to the HSBC Series final event in Los Angeles in August, as well as the RWC 7s in Cape Town and September and the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
[29:15] Stick around at the end, our host provides some reflections on the recent European RWC 7s qualifying series in Bucharest, and closes out with some shout-outs and previews next week episodes.
**In the show we reference Unofficial Parther, a sports B2B brand who produce some great content of their own and have been very supportive of the program. If you’re into Outside Centre, you’ll love the Unofficial Partner podcast series. We’ll circulate a couple of their rugby-focused interviews with the release of this episode on Twitter & Instagram, but you should also look at their website (https://www.unofficialpartner.com/)**
Follow us on Twitter: @OutsideCTRpod
Follow us on Instagram: @outsidectrpodcast
Connect with us on LinkedIn: “Outside Centre: Rugby’s new territories”
Email: [email protected]
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This week our guest is leading broadcaster Dallen Stanford, who calls RWC and HSBC Series 7s matches for World Rugby, as well as Major League Rugby and USA Eagles fixtures.
In this first part, we recap last week’s big return bout between USA and Chile which saw Los Condores qualify for their first ever RWC appearance (and which Dallen called live from Colorado); we also cover the state of play in American rugby including the MLR and debunk some of the myths about the relationship between the USA’s professional men’s XVs competition and the results of the men’s national team.
Don’t forget, you can catch Dallen’s work on Twitter and Instagram, as well as the Rugby Hive website (www.rugbyhive.com).
**In the show we reference a documentary series called RugbyTown USA, which you can find on YouTube and – in some cases – via your local cable broadcaster**
Key Segments:
[4:45] Dallen’s review of the match – and the occasion – in Colorado, from his bird’s eye seat in the broadcast booth.
[14:15] A few of the challenges being navigated by World Rugby to get qualifying matches played in this current cycle (scheduling, formatting and access to broadcast coverage).
[19:00] The focus on American rugby, in particularly the MLR, and Dallen’s life as broadcaster in the pandemic era.
Follow us on Twitter: @OutsideCTRpod
Follow us on Instagram: @outsidectrpodcast
Connect with us on LinkedIn: “Outside Centre: Rugby’s new territories”
Email: [email protected]
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Yes, that just happened! Chile are now in group D for next year's Rugby World Cup in France, alongside England, Japan, Samoa and their neighbours, Argentina, after defeating the USA over 2 legs.
To celebrate, we've pulled together the highlights of our three South American rugby experts to appear on the show this year, and re-cap their thoughts on Chilean rugby and their expectations going into that match.
Key segments:
[4:45] Ignacio Chans, El Observador, Uruguay, March 2022
[7:10] Victor Ramalho, now Head of Media & Comms, Brasil Rugby, June 2022
[12:00] Matias Matus Acebo, freelance journalist, Chile, July 2022
Follow us on Twitter: @OutsideCTRpod
Follow us on Instagram: @outsidectrpodcast
Connect with us on LinkedIn: “Outside Centre: Rugby’s new territories”
Email: [email protected]
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This week, Chilean-based Argentine sports journalist and photographer Matías Matus Acebo reports in on last week’s first leg of the RWC qualifier between Chile and USA in rainy Santiago as well as previewing the return bout this weekend in Glendale, Colorado.
He also provides his take on the early success of Selknam in the Superliga Americana de Rugby (SLAR) and the exciting news this week of the revival of the World Rugby Challenger series for emerging 7s countries, for which Chile will host the first match-round.
Follow us on Twitter: @OutsideCTRpod
Follow us on Instagram: @outsidectrpodcast
Connect with us on LinkedIn: “Outside Centre: Rugby’s new territories”
Email: [email protected]
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In a bit of a bonus drop, our host takes a quick pause from a summer holiday to bring you all the latest happenings with our emerging nations and their Rugby World Cup aspirations, with this upcoming weekend – and the next one – being critical for qualifying.
Key Segments
[0:00] Americas region qualifying: Chile vs USA this weekend in Santiago (followed by a return leg in Glendale, Colorado on July 16. (Check out Ep 4 for a profile of the USA’s prospects, and Eps 1 & 10 to get an understanding of Chilean rugby).
[2:45] Asian region qualifying: Korea vs Hong Kong this weekend, one-off match. Winner will play Tonga on the Sunshine Coast later in July. (Check out Ep 9 for a profile of Korea’s prospects)
[4:30] Miscellaneous updates: update on Uruguay’s preparations against Japan and Romania, in turn Romania’s direct qualification and Portugal’s upgrade to the repechage tournament (all thanks to Spain’s disqualification) and Samoa, Fiji and Tonga’s efforts in the Pacific Nation’s Cup (Check out Ep 1 to hear about Uruguay, Ep 2 for Spain, Romania and Portugal and Ep 8 for Fiji and the Pacific)
[9:00] African region qualifying: Rounds 1 & 2 of the Rugby Africa Cup. Namibia and Kenya to play in the final on Sunday, July 10 (Ugandan rugby profiled in Ep 3, Kenya in Ep 5).
Follow us on Twitter: @OutsideCTRpod
Follow us on Instagram: @outsidectrpodcast
Connect with us on LinkedIn: “Outside Centre: Rugby’s new territories”
Email: [email protected]
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Here we threw a few miscellaneous topics at our man to get the Latin American perspective on the growth of the game and how the national teams of Chile & Uruguay (Los Condores & Los Teros) are shaping up ahead of some big upcoming fixtures.
Key Segments
[0:00] USA vs Chile, preview of RWC 2023 qualifiers in July (and comparison in standard between MLR & SLAR)
[5:15] Los Teros of Uruguay, how are they looking for RWC 2023 and their upcoming test series against Japan
[9:15] Spain’s potential expulsion from RWC 2023 and the issue of naturalised players in new territories.
[13:30] Potential expansion of the Rugby World Cup to 24 teams, and the possibility of the mooted global nations tournament.
Follow us on Twitter: @OutsideCTRpod
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Connect with us on LinkedIn: “Outside Centre: Rugby’s new territories”
Email: [email protected]
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Victor called the title decider for ESPN Brasil and tells us the story of how it all went down in this short re-cap. Plus we revisit the pre-tournament prediction of our inaugural guest, Ignacio Chans. Follow us on Twitter: @OutsideCTRpod
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Connect with us on LinkedIn: “Outside Centre: Rugby’s new territories”
Email: [email protected]
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This week we journey back to where it all started, in South America, to speak with Victor Ramalho, of Portal do Rugby and matchday caller for ESPN Brazil, in his final days as an ‘outsider’ before commencing a new role within Brasil Rugby. With season 2 of the Superliga Americana de Rugby (SLAR) having just concluded, we get an update on the state of play there in the wake of a season that featured some surprising outcomes, as well as what other progress is being made in places like Peru and Bolivia.
We also get a picture on the evolution of women’s rugby (spoiler: it’s a different hierarchy to the males) and the role of multi-sport events such as the Pan-American Games in growing rugby in the region. In the second part of the show, we discuss rugby in Brazil, including the Olympic legacy, the continental dominance of Brazil’s women and the progress of the country’s predominant professional side, Cobras XV.
Key Segments
[5:30] Intro to Victor, how did he get into rugby and how he built his digital business, Portal do Rugby.
[10:45] Victor’s big-picture review of season 2 of SLAR, and what it means for South American Rugby going forward, as well as his vision for the future.
[25:00] Peru and the other non-SLAR countries, their place in the landscape, and the role of the Pan-American games in growing and spotlighting rugby.
[29:30] The role of 7s rugby in South America and the importance of Olympic funding towards game development.
[33:30] Rio 2016: the Olympic legacy in Brazil.
[36:30] Women’s rugby in Brazil, going from strength-to-strength and great opportunity to qualify for RWC 2025.
[42:30] The story of Brazil’s best women’s team, Melina Rugby Clube.
[45:30] Cobras XV, Brazil’s main professional side, their progress in SLAR and the unique challenges of the local structure.
[54:45] Brazil in the Rugby World Cup one day?
Follow us on Twitter: @OutsideCTRpod
Follow us on Instagram: @outsidectrpodcast
Connect with us on LinkedIn: “Outside Centre: Rugby’s new territories”
Email: [email protected]
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In the second part of this interview, Andre starts by updating us where women’s rugby is at Korea and what would be necessary for it to succeed. We then hear the story of Korea’s participation in the Tokyo Olympics, the whirlwind of being outsiders to qualify to matching it on debut with the mighty New Zealand All Blacks 7s team in the unique environment of crowdless stadiums (due to COVID-protocols).
Finally, we hear about Korea’s upcoming attempts to qualify for the holy grail, the Rugby World Cup 2023, starting with a knock-out match against Malaysia in June 2022.
Key Segments
[1:00] Korean women’s rugby
[5:00] The Olympic experience
[15:00] The future of Korea 7s, starting with this year’s RWC 7s in Cape Town, South Africa, which Korea has already qualified for
[25:15] Korea’s campaign to qualify for the RWC 2023, starting in early June (against Malaysia).
Follow us on Twitter: @OutsideCTRpod
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Email: [email protected]
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In the first part of this interview, Korean-born, American-raised Tokyo Olympian Andre Jin Coquillard tells his incredible story. From getting into rugby in high school, playing collegiate-level and even professional rugby on the west coast of the United States (for Berkeley & the Seattle Seawolves respectively) to coming back to his homeland and spearheading a 7s program that has resulted in qualification for two of the sport’s biggest competitions. He also walks us through the establishment of Korea’s first professional competition, the OK Savings Korean Rugby Super League and his unique multi-faceted role in bringing it to life.
Articulate, well-spoken, multi-lingual and with a phenomenal knowledge of the game, Andre is a talent to watch out for in rugby and will be pivotal in growing the sport in an enticing market like Korea.
Key Segments
[8:00] Andre’s start in professional rugby, in the USA, and his views of their hosting of the 2031 (M) and 2033 (F) Rugby World Cups.
[13:15] Andre’s introduction to Korean rugby and responsibilities off the playing field (broadcasting and player advocacy via the Asia Rugby Players’ Council), and the challenges facing Asian rugby in the wake of COVID-19.
[28:15] Korea’s very first formal rugby competition, the OK Savings Bank Korea Super League
Follow us on Twitter: @OutsideCTRpod
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Email: [email protected]
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