Author: Steve Timms

Gagger and Mr Timms have a chat with Richard ‘Woody’ Graham about what happened in Auckland, among other things. They also wang on about the coming Tri Nations Tests and some of the other happenings in Aussie rugby. Some topics we cover: Why did the All Blacks win on the weekend? Is there a Wallaby game plan? Did he buy the Saffa injury story? Who else does he have left to sign for the Force? The theme song for this show is a request from Shiggins, The Offspring’s ‘Leave It Behind’, because let’s face it, what happened on the weekend…

Sitting in the bar of the hotel in Auckland after Bledisloe 1, I bumped into James Horwill as the team was heading out for a quick dinner before jumping straight on the plane to Africa. Needless to say he was gutted, and not just because they had missed out on a golden opportunity to stick a psychological blow on the Kiwis. The overwhelming feeling I got was that they were acknowledging the disappointment of the result, but seeing the chance for redemption in the form of some silverware. Kev stated that the team was still in a strong position to claim…

Gagger, Barbarian and Mr Timms have a chat about the coming Bledisloe Test. We also welcome back the first guest we ever had on the show: James ‘Big Kev’ Horwill. Some topics we cover: Who coaches what in the Wallaby camp? The finer points of lineout calling. His facial massaging technique. Why a Tight Five dinner is no place for the timid. The musical accompaniment is the theme from The Sound Of Music, a reminder of the Flying Nuns. You can listen directly here: Podcast Powered By Podbean Download this episode (right-click and save)

While the starting team performed considerably better than the one that took to the field last week, there was a worrying drop in precision and intensity when the bench was emptied. This allowed the Bokke to make the score look a little more flattering than it should have. But the analysis is for another post. Here are the player ratings: Player Rating Comment Kurtley Beale 8 Another good outing from the back. Having KB running kick return with Quade and JOC is enough to give defence coaches nightmares. He seemed to enjoy the full focus not being on him after…

Join us tonight as we watch the Wallabies kick off the 2011 Tri Nations again South Africa in Soggy Sydney. Can Rocky Elsom: Leader of the Wallabies lead the boys to triumph, or will they be bogged down and allow the Boks to Spa-riiiing past them? Head over to our Live page and join in the wanging-on. https://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/live

Gagger, Lance Free and Mr Timms have a chat about what happened on the weekend, and decide it’s best to just look forward to this weekend when the Tri-Nations kicks off with Wallabies meeting South Africa. We also have a chat with Waratah and Wallaby wing Drew Mitchell. Some topics we cover: How is the foot coming along? What is the difference between 11 and 14? (yes, Lance points out 3) Who wants to defend at 10? How has he changed as a player? The theme song is ‘I still haven’t found what I’m looking for’ from U2, as we…

In the Queensland Premier Rugby match on the weekend between University and GPS, Uni hooker Halley Appleby was involved in a serious accident and unfortunately has lost his fight for life. I was given this note by Catriona, a Sports Trainer and Medic with the Uni team. I think it sums it up well: Uni vs GPS games are always hard-fought, tough encounters played in the sprit that rugby is intended. Like so many of the Premier teams throughout Brisbane players on both sides went to school together, played club football together, and know the same people. In short, they’re…

The Wallabies started out 2011 in a less than inspiring manner going down to Samoa in the first test of the year. Australia 23 (Try: Ioane, Giteau Con: Giteau (2) Pen: Giteau (3)) def by Samoa 32 (Try: Tuilagi, Williams, Thompson, Pisi Con: Pisi (3) Pen: Pisi (2)) Not sure if it is a good omen or not, but the Wallabies did similar against Samoa in 1991, and that worked out alright…

As you have probably seen from Gagger’s video, we had quite a night Saturday night. So did the Reds. As I re-watched, I cut a highlights video, here it is. The cut is rough as I did it between work and podcasts, and the soundtrack is clichéd, but my god, what a win. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0XuH-2nbng[/youtube] Congratulations Reds – 2011 Super Rugby Champions.

Gagger, Scott and Mr Timms have a chat about the SupeRugby Finals, including the after party. We also get all defensive and have a chat with Championship winning Reds Defence Coach Matty Taylor. Some topics we cover: Why do defence coaches from League have such a good reputation? Is the perfect game a Nil-all draw? Is there really a defence bible written by him? And, Why WAS Quade defending at 15? The theme song is one dedicated to Kevvy, Link and all the Boys; Queen’s classic ‘We Are The Champions”. Congratulations fellas, you did it! You can listen directly here:…

Just a quick update to let you all know what happened. Full report and analysis to come. The Reds have won their first Super Final in front of a new Australian record crowd. Great work to all the boys. The party will long and deserved. Reds 18 (Try: Ioane, Genia Con: Cooper 1/2 Pen: Cooper 2/2) def Crusaders 13 (Try: Carter Con: Carter 1/1 Pen: Carter 2/3) Crowd 52,113

The first two paragraphs of this post have a soundtrack – click to play. After 20 weeks and 124 matches, it all comes down to this: The Cyclone & Floods versus The Earthquakes. As the waters receded and the winds died down, and the Queenslanders put down the mops and sandbags and began preparing for the coming Super Rugby season, their home ground was just drying out. Meanwhile, across the Tasman a different disaster was unfolding as the earth moved, breaking not just the Crusaders’ home stadium but the ground their city is built on as well. Though clearly not…

Gagger, Moses and Mr Timms have a chat about the SupeRugby Semi-Finals, preview this weekend’s Final and have a great old chat with Beau Robinson. Some topics we cover: His newfound ability to bowl like Murali The finer art of pouring beer How is RedsLink different to TahLink? Does Van Humphries give the best motivational speeches? The theme song is a Rollins Band favourite ‘Shine’, because we used it in the Beau v. The Cheetahs video and it just works. You can listen directly here: Podcast Powered By Podbean Download this episode (right-click and save) Subscribe on iTunes

It has been a season of broken records for the Reds: first wins in Canberra and Perth, first unbeaten South African tour since 2004, first time beating the Waratahs since the same year, longest winning streak (seven games) in the professional era, first time on top of the table since 1999, biggest Super crowd ever in Australia, and now, their first finals appearance since 2001. Would tonight be the first time they actually win a finals match since the start of Super 12? The bookies had them as slight favourites, and everyone was confident, but as Stephen Brett kicked off, there…

The Queensland Reds have played finals matches three times since the start of the Super 12 and their record is not something they will be drawing any inspiration from, having lost them all. This has, however, been a season of record-breaking for the Reds, so why would the history-making stop now? Let’s look back before we go forward. For Queensland, the early days of professional rugby appeared to be the beginning of a slide that was going to continue for more than a couple of years. It was gradual, though. Queensland entered the new world of professionalism as back-to-back champions…

Gagger, Lance Free and Mr Timms have a chat about the SupeRugby qualifying finals, preview this weekend’s semis, take a quick look back at the Tahs’ season  and have a great chat with ‘Aussie’ Mike Harris. Some topics we cover: At what position did he burst into rep rugby playing? Is there really an Aussie grandmother in his lineage? Is Link really that good a coach? The theme song is the Kiwi classic from Dave Dobbyn and the Herbs, ‘Slice of Heaven’, because it was the only NZ hit we could find. You can listen directly here: Podcast Powered…

Gagger, BJ and Mr Timms have a chat about the last round of Super Rugby, the seasons of the teams that didn’t make the finals and the chances of the ones that did. We also have Richard Graham on for an episode of Woody’s Round-up. Some topics we cover: Whom are the Force looking to recruit? Which fans are the most optimistic? Why the Force need more back-rowers? The theme song is Europe’s ‘Final Countdown’, because, you know, it is the countdown to the finals!!! (and because I am a fan of Gob) You can listen directly here: Podcast Powered…

Gagger, Barbarian and Mr Timms have a chat with the elder statesman of Australian rugby, Western Force captain Nathan Sharpe. Some topics we cover: The inner workings of a top flight line-out – how do you decode the opposition? The wearing of a cap to his 18th? His goal kicking prowess How he got himself back into the Wallabies and what Robbie had said to spark it Bomber the dog Surviving the team bus The theme song is an oldie from Max Merritt and the Meteors: ‘Slipping Away’, a tribute to the way the Force have ended a few games…

In a match-up looking like battle of the opposites, the battered and bruised Reds make their way to the wild west for their last local derby of the regular season (last altogether if the Tahs don’t make finals) as the Force welcome them to Perth. Not sure if it will be the welcome they are looking for as against their fellow countrymen, they now know not to expect any favours, table-wise. The table-topping Reds are coming off a hard loss to the Brumbies, while the cellar dwellers at the Force will be buoyed by their good win over the Raiders…

Mr Timms takes over the chair again, but is quickly hooked as Gagger reminds us who is captain. Joined by BJ they chat with Brumby lynchpin Pat McCabe. Some topics we cover: Who has had the most influence on him? What advice could Bernie Larkham possibly give him? Is he looking forward to working with Jake White? Methods for preventing hypothermia Origins of the Slug The theme song is Chumbawamba’s massive (and only) hit “Tubthumping”, a tribute to the way the Brumbies got back up after being knocked down for so long. It could also have been meaningful to the…