HG Rugby

I was joined by Tony O'Sullivan from the 'Two Cents Gets Distracted' podcast to get the Kiwi angle on the New Zealand All Black's defeat to the Springboks of South African in Rugby's Greatest Rivalry tour. We dove into how the loss has affected the psyche of All Blacks fans back in New Zealand and what the ramifications might be. Tony doesn't hold back in sharing his pain! #newzealand #allblacks #southafrica #springboks #rugby #podcast #review #loss #defeat Get YouTube Membership: https://www.youtube.com/@HuwGriffinRugby/featured Subscribe on Substack: https://substack.com/@hgrugby Follow me on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby Follow me on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huw.griffin/ Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580910041103 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When America Almost Joined The URC - revisiting the attempts to get USA teams into the United Rugby Championship: Who wanted it, what were the pros, what were the cons, and why didn't it happen? In this documentary, I draw on historical evidence and contemporary sources to understand the nuance of these difficult questions and investigate the roles of South Africa, Ireland and Wales in the twists and turns of this controversial story. #rugby #unitedrugbychampionship #URC #southafrica #USA #america #ireland #wales #documentary Check out @NARugbyDB ! Get YouTube Membership: https://www.youtube.com/@HuwGriffinRugby/featured Subscribe on Substack: https://substack.com/@hgrugby Follow me on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby Follow me on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huw.griffin/ Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580910041103 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As club rugby fans, we are conditioned to believe that the more signings our team makes, the better. Take a quick glance at the replies to rugby clubs on social media during the off-season and you will see dozens of supporters asking for updates on recruitment. Is this right, though? Should rugby fans really be upset by their club making a low number of signings? Or, if we look deeper, is the reality completely different? In this article we will draw on the practices of top class teams, insight from renowned data analysts, and case studies, to understand what good squad management looks like, before identifying some key indicators to help fans judge whether their clubs recruitment is exciting or troubling. Get YouTube Membership: https://www.youtube.com/@HuwGriffinRugby/featured Subscribe on Substack: https://substack.com/@hgrugby Follow me on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby Follow me on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huw.griffin/ Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580910041103 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Why are Argentina so inconsistent in rugby union? capable of defeating the All Blacks, Springboks, or British and Irish lions, Los Pumas have won just one of their last seven test matches. Many people, however, think their coach Felipe Contepomi is working on a plan - a plan that could see them reach their first ever World Cup final. I was joined by Argentinian rugby journalist Frankie Degas to understand exactly what is happening in South America and if Contepomi's plan is really working. We also discuss the void left by the Jaguares Super Rugby franchise and what club rugby is really like back in Argentina. #argentina #rugby #lospumas #podcast #interview #journalist #argentinian #worldcup #debate Get YouTube Membership: https://www.youtube.com/@HuwGriffinRugby/featured Subscribe on Substack: https://substack.com/@hgrugby Follow me on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby Follow me on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huw.griffin/ Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580910041103 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

outtakes from by podcast with Bernard Jackman. Birch shares his insight on how France manages to create a commercially successful and appealing rugby product that no other nation appears capable of doing. He then gives his thoughts on how Toulouse maintain their status as the world greatest rugby club and how Montpellier turned themselves from relegation candidates into title contenders in one year. subscribe to my substack: https://substack.com/@hgrugby Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Get YouTube Membership: https://www.youtube.com/@HuwGriffinRugby/featured Subscribe on Substack: https://substack.com/@hgrugby Follow me on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby Follow me on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huw.griffin/ Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580910041103 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Has the Welsh Rugby Union finally met its end? I was joined by one of my favourite people, rugby governance expert Nicks Johnston, to analyse the recent escalations against the WRU. Influential Welsh business people such as Rob Regan and Hayley Parsons have demanded the current leadership of Abi Tierney and Dave Reddin step down, but is that possible? If so, what happens next? Link to my substack: https://substack.com/@hgrugby #rugby #Wales #welsh #podcast #governance #interview #news follow Nicks on twitter: https://x.com/nicksjjFollow me on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugbyFollow me on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huw.griffin/Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580910041103 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Has the Welsh Rugby Union finally met its end? I was joined by one of my favourite people, rugby governance expert Nicks Johnston, to analyse the recent escalations against the WRU. Influential Welsh business people such as Rob Regan and Hayley Parsons have demanded the current leadership of Abi Tierney and Dave Reddin step down, but is that possible? If so, what happens next? Link to my substack: https://substack.com/@hgrugby #rugby #Wales #welsh #podcast #governance #interview #news follow Nicks on twitter: https://x.com/nicksjjFollow me on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugbyFollow me on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huw.griffin/Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580910041103 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Get YouTube Membership: https://www.youtube.com/@HuwGriffinRugby/featured Subscribe on Substack: https://substack.com/@hgrugby Follow me on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby Follow me on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huw.griffin/ Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580910041103 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

a second instalment of my chat with rugby coach Ben Pegna. We discuss what it takes to be an elite rugby coach - is it a science, or an art? Ben draws on his experiences around the world, what he has learned from top coaches and compares some renowned international head coaches to answer this fascinating question. Head to my substack: https://substack.com/@hgrugby Follow Ben on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benpegna/?hl=en Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

a second instalment of my chat with rugby coach Ben Pegna. We discuss what it takes to be an elite rugby coach - is it a science, or an art? Ben draws on his experiences around the world, what he has learned from top coaches and compares some renowned international head coaches to answer this fascinating question. Head to my substack: https://substack.com/@hgrugby Follow Ben on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benpegna/?hl=en Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Get YouTube Membership: https://www.youtube.com/@HuwGriffinRugby/featured Subscribe on Substack: https://substack.com/@hgrugby Follow me on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby Follow me on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huw.griffin/ Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580910041103 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Link to my substack: https://substack.com/@hgrugby Link to my YouTube: https://youtu.be/DBzxxNsFnOc Welcome back to the Rugby Transfer Review! My monthly podcast series covering the rumours, regulations, confirmations and controversies in the world of Rugby Union. In this episode I cover: - Henry Pollock's million pound price tag - Scottish Rugby Union at it again - Why Thomas Ramos had to leave Toulouse #rugby #northampton #england #france #toulouse #transfers #rumours #explained #scotland #podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Link to my substack: https://substack.com/@hgrugby Link to my YouTube: https://youtu.be/DBzxxNsFnOc Welcome back to the Rugby Transfer Review! My monthly podcast series covering the rumours, regulations, confirmations and controversies in the world of Rugby Union. In this episode I cover: Henry Pollock's million pound price tag Scottish Rugby Union at it again Why Thomas Ramos had to leave Toulouse #rugby #northampton #england #france #toulouse #transfers #rumours #explained #scotland #podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Get YouTube Membership: https://www.youtube.com/@HuwGriffinRugby/featured Subscribe on Substack: https://substack.com/@hgrugby Follow me on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby Follow me on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huw.griffin/ Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580910041103 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

South Africa and New Zealand - the Springboks and the All Blacks - the Greatest Rivalry. Plenty is spoken of their rugby tactics, their strengths and Weakness on the pitch, but what about behind closed doors? What are South Africans and New Zealanders really like as cultures really like, both in training and away from the rugby's pitch? This week I was joined by rugby coach Ben Pegna who has lived and worked in both of these iconic countries. He lifts the lid on what the rugby cultures are really like in New Zealand and South Africa, drawing heavily on his experience coaching at the Bulls in Pretoria. We then finish the podcast with a debate: is the World Cup really worth sacrificing other games for? Ben Pegna's CV:Coached at London Scottish for a few years with the academy and seniors. Wasps for three seasons across the academy and on the pathway to seniors.England 7s - performance analyst with Ben Ryan and Russell Earnshaw (also did 1 to 1 skills and some S and C etc)Consulted to Argentina coaches, consulted to Melbourne Rebels - coaches and players with Dave Wessels as head coach. Consulted twice at Bulls across seniors and juniors. Consulted as technical advisor to RGC on behalf of WRU and supported Mark Jones, current Ospreys head coach.Numerous schools and unis across different countries. #rugby #southafrica #newzealand #springboks #allblacks #coaching #podcast #interview #worldcup Follow Ben on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benpegna/?hl=en Follow me on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby Follow me on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huw.griffin/ Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580910041103 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

South Africa and New Zealand - the Springboks and the All Blacks - the Greatest Rivalry. Plenty is spoken of their rugby tactics, their strengths and Weakness on the pitch, but what about behind closed doors? What are South Africans and New Zealanders really like as cultures really like, both in training and away from the rugby's pitch? This week I was joined by rugby coach Ben Pegna who has lived and worked in both of these iconic countries. He lifts the lid on what the rugby cultures are really like in New Zealand and South Africa, drawing heavily on his experience coaching at the Bulls in Pretoria. We then finish the podcast with a debate: is the World Cup really worth sacrificing other games for? Ben Pegna's CV:Coached at London Scottish for a few years with the academy and seniors. Wasps for three seasons across the academy and on the pathway to seniors.England 7s - performance analyst with Ben Ryan and Russell Earnshaw (also did 1 to 1 skills and some S and C etc)Consulted to Argentina coaches, consulted to Melbourne Rebels - coaches and players with Dave Wessels as head coach. Consulted twice at Bulls across seniors and juniors. Consulted as technical advisor to RGC on behalf of WRU and supported Mark Jones, current Ospreys head coach.Numerous schools and unis across different countries. #rugby #southafrica #newzealand #springboks #allblacks #coaching #podcast #interview #worldcup Follow Ben on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benpegna/?hl=en Follow me on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby Follow me on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huw.griffin/ Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580910041103 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Get YouTube Membership: https://www.youtube.com/@HuwGriffinRugby/featured Subscribe on Substack: https://substack.com/@hgrugby Follow me on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby Follow me on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huw.griffin/ Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580910041103 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

episode 3 of my mini-series bringing you all the latest from Tier 2 rugby as the Nations Cup played out its second weekend of fixtures! - this time I was joined by my friend Joe Santamaria. ⁠ How did Hong Kong shock Uruguay and is this the moment to panic for Uruguayan rugby? How did USA see off Spain and go unbeaten? What of Tonga and Samoa? all that and more covered in this week's episode! #usa #zimbabwe #rugby #canada #spain #portugal #romania #georgia #hongkong #chile #uruguay #tonga #samoa These videos are now also available on Substack, click the link below to find my page!https://substack.com/@hgrugby?utm_source=user-menu Follow me on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugbyFollow me on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huw.griffin/Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580910041103 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

episode 3 of my mini-series bringing you all the latest from Tier 2 rugby as the Nations Cup played out its second weekend of fixtures! - this time I was joined by my friend Joe Santamaria. ⁠ How did Hong Kong shock Uruguay and is this the moment to panic for Uruguayan rugby? How did USA see off Spain and go unbeaten? What of Tonga and Samoa? all that and more covered in this week's episode! #usa #zimbabwe #rugby #canada #spain #portugal #romania #georgia #hongkong #chile #uruguay #tonga #samoa These videos are now also available on Substack, click the link below to find my page!https://substack.com/@hgrugby?utm_source=user-menu Follow me on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugbyFollow me on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huw.griffin/Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580910041103 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Get YouTube Membership: https://www.youtube.com/@HuwGriffinRugby/featured Subscribe on Substack: https://substack.com/@hgrugby Follow me on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby Follow me on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huw.griffin/ Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580910041103 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Exclusive interview with Chile's Raimundo Martinez and Inaki Ayarza! In this episode of the HG Podcast I get a fascinating and unique insight into Chilean rugby courtesy of two of their biggest stars who tell me all about their sporting origins in South America and the latest events from the Nations Cup! Number 8 Raimundo and winger Inaki share with me how they got started in rugby, how they chased their dreams in France and how they took their nation to the Rugby World Cup. They then share secrets on Chile's progression over the last five years from behind the scenes innovations to Super Rugby Americas and more! They even tell me about their heated rivalry with Uruguay and some of the scapes they have gotten into behind closed doors.. Follow me on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby Follow me on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huw.griffin/ Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580910041103 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Exclusive interview with Chile's Raimundo Martinez and Inaki Ayarza! In this episode of the HG Podcast I get a fascinating and unique insight into Chilean rugby courtesy of two of their biggest stars who tell me all about their sporting origins in South America and the latest events from the Nations Cup! Number 8 Raimundo and winger Inaki share with me how they got started in rugby, how they chased their dreams in France and how they took their nation to the Rugby World Cup. They then share secrets on Chile's progression over the last five years from behind the scenes innovations to Super Rugby Americas and more! They even tell me about their heated rivalry with Uruguay and some of the scapes they have gotten into behind closed doors.. Follow me on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby Follow me on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huw.griffin/ Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580910041103 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Get YouTube Membership: https://www.youtube.com/@HuwGriffinRugby/featured Subscribe on Substack: https://substack.com/@hgrugby Follow me on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby Follow me on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huw.griffin/ Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580910041103 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

episode 2 of my mini-series bringing you all the latest from Tier 2 rugby as the Nations Cup played out its second weekend of fixtures! - this time I was joined by my fried Carl from  @RugbyTTL  How did Spain & Portugal inflict big wins over Tonga and Canada? Are Georgia finished as a T1 contender and what on earth is the deal with Romania?! we cover all this and even more on this week's bonus podcast. #usa #zimbabwe #rugby #canada #spain #portugal #romania #georgia #hongkong #chile #uruguay #tonga #samoa Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

episode 2 of my mini-series bringing you all the latest from Tier 2 rugby as the Nations Cup played out its second weekend of fixtures! - this time I was joined by my fried Carl from @RugbyTTL How did Spain & Portugal inflict big wins over Tonga and Canada? Are Georgia finished as a T1 contender and what on earth is the deal with Romania?! we cover all this and even more on this week's bonus podcast. #usa #zimbabwe #rugby #canada #spain #portugal #romania #georgia #hongkong #chile #uruguay #tonga #samoa Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Get YouTube Membership: https://www.youtube.com/@HuwGriffinRugby/featured Subscribe on Substack: https://substack.com/@hgrugby Follow me on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby Follow me on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huw.griffin/ Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580910041103 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What's gone wrong with the flying Fijians? I took a trip to the Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool to watch Fiji take on England in the Nations Championship 2026. After being humiliated 8-73 by the English, I wanted to know the reasons why. Was it the payers? The coaches? The off-field governance? I discuss all of it. In this mini-documentary I use highlights and analysis to pose some serious questions about Fiji rugby. Why are they playing away from home? Why have the performances gone backwards? Do the coach's excuses make sense? #rugby #fiji #vlog #liverpool #england #documentary #analysis #highlights #Wales #fijian Follow me on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580910041103 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices