Episodes
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During the Covid-19 lockdown, a lot has been going on behind the scenes around a future Global Season for Rugby. Episode 19 of the Players Podcast talks to our very own International Rugby Players CEO, Omar Hassanein, who's been involved in the discussions with Rugby's power brokers since the Rugby came to a shuddering halt in March 2020.
This episode comes as Rugby marks it's 25th anniversary of professionalism and so we look back on what professionalism has brought us - good and bad - and what we can learn for the future. Have a listen and check out rugbyplayers.org for more! -
Fresh from negotiating and agreeing one of the most high-pressure deals in sport, NFL Players’ boss DeMaurice Smith joins us for Episode 18 of the Players Podcast.
A former trial lawyer, Smith talks candidly about the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between players and owners and how it’s one of the most stressful deals he’s ever done.
He also talked about the resistance from some players to adding an extra game to the season, the impact of social media on the deal and how players were split on other aspects of the CBA.
In a wide ranging chat with host Eoin McHugh, concussion in the sport, politics and the impact of Covid-19 was also covered.
Enjoy and check us out on rugbyplayers.org for much more! -
Missing episodes?
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Conrad Smith knows a thing or two about winning Rugby World Cups - the former All Black centre was part of the team that claimed the William Webb Ellis trophy in 2011 and again in 2015.
In conversation with Eoin McHugh, the Taranaki native talks about the dark days in the aftermath of New Zealand’s early exit from RWC 2007, rebuilding the squad, the pressures of playing in a World Cup on home soil...and doing it all over again in 2015.
But his main message to those wanting to win a Rugby World Cup? Deal with the unexpected.
Enjoy, share with your mates and check out rugbyplayers.org for more! -
One of the boldest moves made by South Africa's Rugby World Cup winning coach Rassie Erasmus was to include the head of the country's players association in his management team for Japan 2019. Eugene Henning, CEO of MyPlayers, was appointed player affairs manager and helped make sure the schedule was manageable, the environment was positive and that the squad were treated as "humans first". Eugene told the Players Podcast about his time with the RWC winners, his role... and how it could set the trend for putting the player front and centre in international rugby. Check it out!
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Steve Hoiles grew up learning from the Australian greats in Randwick before going on to win over 100 Super Rugby caps with the Brumbies and a Super Rugby championship with the Waratahs along with the Wallabies.
Always a straight shooter, Steve spoke to Eoin McHugh about the state of Aussie Rugby, their chances in the upcoming RWC and what he’s been doing since retirement. -
Episode 14 of the Players Podcast is all about the Laws of the Game.
Ahead of a major Law Reviews meeting in London last week, International Rugby Players got the views of our top players from the Men's 15s and 7s game.
After the forum, we spoke to player reps David Quinlan and Rachael Burford who represented our 15s & 7s players, to dive deeper into the discussion about the current laws and some proposals to make the game safer.
From the 50:22 rule to tackles above the waist, there's lots to discuss here so get comfortable... and give us your feedback! -
In Episode 13 of the Players Podcast, we hear from former Saracens team-mates Chris Wyles and Alistair Hargreaves who set up Wolfpack Lager. As they were coming towards the end of their playing days, where they won both European and English premiership silverware, they started to look at business opportunities and started selling beer - something they were both passionate about!
From selling pints out the back of a bus, to now having their product in 250 to 300 bars around the UK and the pair have big plans for Wolfpack. A great listen for those interested in not only rugby, but those interested in the entrepreneurial spirit! -
In episode 12 of the Players Podcast we speak to the head of World Players Association, Brendan Schwab.
World Players is a group that advocates for the rights of players and athletes and brings sports together to knowledge share and learn from one another.
Brendan, an Australian who is passionate about Players Rights, previously worked with the international football players union (FifPro) and is now taking on the challenge of everything from the rights of athletes to challenge governing bodies, the “old fashioned” International Olympic Committee, WADA and anti-doping and the recent “Save Hakeem” campaign to rescue a football player from detention in a foreign country.
A fascinating discussion and a must-listen for anyone interested in players' rights and the global business of sport! -
In a Rugby World Cup year, the focus is on match officials more than ever. Big calls, controversial cards, TMO decisions, offside lines…they’re all under the microscope.
The man in charge of those officials is Alain Rolland, who joins us for Episode 11 of the Players Podcast.
A former player turned referee, Rolland took charge of a Rugby World Cup final, 3 European Cup finals and many other massive games – before taking over as World Rugby Referees manager for the 15s game.
On the Podcast, the Irishman talks candidly about his career, how he “accidentally” got into refereeing, his controversial call to send off Sam Warburton off at RWC 2011, clarity around tackles in the air and much more.
Have a listen and check out rugbyplayers.org for more! -
Episode 10 of The Players Podcast speaks to a South African man that ended up playing for Wales before having to retire from a rare and cruel illness called Isaacs Syndrome.
Andries Pretorius has since gone on to run the Welsh Rugby Player’s Association but his story starts working as an electrician in the mines in rural South Africa, before playing for Cardiff Blues, Worcester and getting capped for Wales at international level.
A fascinating story that shows resilience and bravery and the struggle of dealing with a rare disease along with getting the Welsh Rugby Players Association off the ground. Check out wrpa.co.uk for more of the work Andries does or head to rugbyplayers.org for more! -
Our guest on Episode 9 of the Players Podcast is one of the foremost sports scientists and researchers in Rugby...and a man with a lot of views on the mechanics and politics of our game.
Dr.Ross Tucker is a sports scientist and researcher, currently working alongside World Rugby on how to reduce concussions, head impacts and the possibility of reducing the tackle height.
In a fascinating chat, Ross discusses his work, the various issues around doping and WADA, concussion and head injuries, player training load and much more.
One of the main messages from Tucker was that player welfare problems won't be solved overnight.
"We're trying to change the culture around training and load, we're trying to change the culture around the intensity of contact, around head injuries and head impacts and concussions. And that's going to take two or three generations. We have to buckle-up for the long haul because you can't flick a switch and solve the problems."
The Cape Town based researcher also argued that many of the problems with injuries around player load come from coaching philosophies that need to be updated.
Check out this great discussion on the Science behind the game and visit rugbyplayers.org for more! -
With 111 international caps, Marco Bortolami is one of the true legends of Italian Rugby.
The former second row, who played his club rugby across Italy, France and England, was Italy's youngest ever captain at just 22, scoring a famous intercept try against the All Blacks.
With strong views on how Italy can grow the game, Marco spoke to the Players Podcast about the challenges for the Italians, where they can go and the need for belief among players.
He also lists the toughest players he's faced and the coaching tips he picked up in New Zealand. Have a listen and check out rugbyplayers.org for more! -
Rugby League often battles Rugby Union in Australia for audience and fans, TV ratings, sponsorship and newspaper column inches in one of the most competitive sporting markets in the world.
In Episode 7 of the Players Podcast, we speak to Ian Prendergast, CEO of the Rugby League Players Association.
Often on the front pages as much as the back pages, we spoke to Ian – a former AFL player – about the challenges faced by his Players Association, the growth of the International game in League, what Union can learn from League…and vice versa.
We started by chatting about Ian’s background, how he became one of the leading voices in League and built up their Players Association.
Remember to check out rugbyplayers.org for more on all our podcasts! -
New Zealand's Melodie Robinson is one of the legends of women's Rugby and since she hung up the boots in the early 2000s, she's made a name for herself on TV, broadcasting pitchside for Sky NZ at International matches and Super Rugby games.
But it wasn't always easy - Mel faced fierce hostility as she attempted to break into the male-dominated world of Rugby coverage.
Speaking to the Players Podcast, Melodie outlines her hopes for the women's game and her ideas for marching it forward over the next 10 to 20 years.
Check out Episode 6 of the Players Podcast and let us know your thoughts! -
If a picture speaks a thousand words, INPHO's Dan Sheridan has told millions of stories.
One of the world's top rugby photographers, he has travelled the world with Ireland and the British and Irish Lions, capturing some of the classic moments in the modern game.
The affable Dubliner, who was brought into the job by INPHO boss Billy Stickland, has built a camaraderie and rapport with some of the top names in the game, allowing him the best access behind the scenes to capture the candid realities of modern day professionalism.
Dan won an award for the one particular photo, taken in the dressing room after a match on the 2017 British and Irish Lions Tour in New Zealand, featuring four energy-sapped forwards.
"Even though they won, the (players) are wrecked. They wouldn't want just anyone coming in taking a picture of them. I'm hiding under tables, behind bins...I'm not in their face and that's the key. When you understand that and can get that relationship, you can get phenomenal things.
"To show that they don't mind that, they all messaged me after that award, congratulating me. For me that is the prize - to get praise from people like that is what's it's all about for me."
As well as Rugby World Cups and Olympic Games, Dan covered Lions Tours in 2009, 2013 and 2017.
"There was a great image from the 2009 Tour with Drico (Brian O'Driscoll) and a little girl in a township in South Africa. He's brilliant with kids and brilliant with interaction; I've never seen a more professional person the way he does that. He doesn't shy away...he soaks it in.
"There were loads of photographers around, because he's Brian O'Driscoll of course, and I sat back and watched it. When they dispersed to other players, I asked him to put this little girl up on his shoulders. You should have seen the light in her eyes...they just lit-up. She put her hands and feet out over his shoulders - it's one of my favourite pictures from the 2009 Lions Tour."
In the fifth episode of the Players Podcast Dan speaks passionately about the business of sports photography and it's a must-listen for players, fans and budding photographers everywhere. Check it out! -
"A professional rugby player is what you are...not who you are"
It's not all champagne and limos for professional players and Australian flanker Beau Robinson is living proof.
The blonde back-rower never had it easy and had to fight for everything he's earned. He's as straight up in his interviews as he was with ball in hand and has no problem calling it like he sees it.
Winning one cap for the Wallabies along with claiming a Super Rugby title with the Queensland Reds, Beau now spends his time teaching businesses the life lessons from sport. He has quite the story...check it out! -
One of the legends of the game, Isa Nacewa's career spanned almost every position in the backline as well as both hemispheres.
Now busy in the finance industry in Auckland, Isa talks about the lessons he's brought into his working life from Rugby, looks back on his career, talks about the messages he has for young players coming into the game, the many benefits of Players Associations and the best players he's lined out beside.
In Episode 3 of the Players Podcast, Isa even tells us about the ol-skool gangsta rap he listened to on the way to the game!
Listen, share, give us your feedback and check out rugbyplayers.org for more! -
Rob Vickerman is one of the game's colourful characters - the Yorkshire man played the 15s and 7s version of the game, leading England 7s at one stage, but was forced to retire through injury at the age of just 29.
As well as Rugby commentary, Vickerman now puts his efforts into workathlete.com where he uses his experience from sport to help businesses develop their staff for high performance.
In Episode 2, Rob talks about getting his start in the sport, playing 15s and 7s, the future of the sevens code...and some of the toughest guys he's played against! Listen, share and give us your feedback and check out rugbyplayers.org for more! -
Blaine Scully is our guest on the first episode of the Players Podcast, which looks at the stories behind our players.
Blaine is not only the captain of the USA National side but is also the Chairman of their Player's Association. He has some interesting thoughts on what it takes to grow the game in America, creating pathways for the next stars of the sport but also how he'd like to change the term "Tier 2".
Blaine is a great advocate for the sport in the USA so tune in and listen to a great chat with the California native who's currently playing on the wing for the Cardiff Blues in Wales.
