
About
ESPN Australia's Sam Bruce is joined by Christy Doran to discuss the biggest talking points in southern hemisphere rugby, from the action on-field to the latest storylines around the game.
Latest Episodes
View all 198 episodesWhat is the future of Super Rugby?
Did RA just execute an Olympic-level backflip?
Is it time to panic about the Reds, Kiss?
How much is an uncapped prop worth?
Sam Bruce and Christy Doran recap Round 7 of Super Rugby Pacific, heaping praise on the Waratahs and youngsters Sid Harvey, Miles Amatosero and Ethan Dobbins; they debate where exactly the Brumbies are at; before turning their attention to the Reds' horror afternoon in Wellington, followed by another Force near miss; they then react to news that uncapped Reds prop Massimo de Lutiis has been tabled a huge offer by Ireland, and then discuss Will Skelton's reported torn Achilles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Meredith, HMP and the great centralisation debate
Sam Bruce and Christy Doran run the rule over Round 6 of Super Rugby Pacific, featuring wins for the Brumbies and Reds; they laud the performances of Declan Meredith and Harry McLaughlin-Philips and discuss the Reds fly-half stockpile while also pondering Wallabies halves combinations; they then dig into the Waratahs' woes following their disappointing loss to the Blues, wondering where the key issues lie for NSW rugby. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The Six Nations should thank Super Rugby
Sam Bruce and Christy Doran dive into the gripping conclusion to an extraordinary Six Nations, picking apart a classic France-England clash and reflecting on the tournament as a whole. They then look at England's woes and ponder whether Michael Cheika could be a shock candidate to replace Steve Borthwick, before shifting attention to Super Rugby Pacific Round 5; the Reds-Waratahs derby, the TMO controversy, the Brumbies' defeat in Fiji, and a dangerous tackle that should have seen red. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Zac's rugby crack: Will Lomax succeed?
Sam Bruce and Christy Doran come straight into the Schmidthouse from Zac Lomax's first rugby presser, analysing the wantaway NRL star's code switch and whether he can be a success in rugby. They then review Round 4 of Super Rugby Pacific and a wild night in Canberra, break down the Waratahs' woes after Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii's injury, discuss Dave Rennie's move to the All Blacks, and then react to a crazy weekend of Six Nations action. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Scrums, 10s and [too early?] Aussie optimism
The ESPN Scrum Reset returns with a full review of Super Rugby Pacific, after Australian sides when 3-0 against Kiwi opposition; they look at the early running for the Wallabies No. 10 jersey and a potential new contender; look at whether there has been a change in mindset in Australia; react to the reports coming out of the World Rugby meeting about a supposed attempt from the trans-Tasman block to further depower scrums; as well as answering your questions., Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Brumbies to ABs: Could Bernie jump ship?
Sam Bruce and Christy Doran dive in Round 2 of Super Rugby Pacific, lauding one of the finest Brumbies' performances ever. They react to a report linking coach Stephen Larkham with the All Blacks and discuss whether it is a reality, before turning their attention to the contrasting fortunes of the Waratahs and Force. They they discuss the upcoming World Rugby meetings and whether a global season could be made a reality, all while answering your questions from a busy week of rugby. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
SRP starts with a bang -- just not on FTA TV
Sam Bruce and Christy Doran dive into a big opening round of Super Rugby Pacific, answering the fans' questions from two contrasting Australian derbies. They look at the standout performances of Max Jorgensen and Charlie Cale, break down the differences in the Waratahs' game, examine the Reds and Force's woes, then react to the overturned try in the Chiefs-Blues game, talk the All Blacks coaching job and then dive into the Six Nations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The BIG 2026 Super Rugby Pacific preview
Sam Bruce and Christy Doran break down some of the big preseason stories, including the Waratahs' punch-on, Vern Cotter's move to the Reds and Angus Crichton's looming code switch, before they go team-by-team in Super Rugby Pacific and analyse who can win the 2026 competition, who can make finals, and who will miss the playoffs altogether. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Inside the sacking of Scott Robertson
Sam Bruce and Christy Doran are joined by Liam Napier to unpack the sacking of All Blacks coach Scott Robertson. Napier explains how he broke the story of player unrest before the the team then breaks down the fallout, who his replacement might be, and looks at the wider current chaos New Zealand Rugby is facing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The RWC draw is in -- and WOAH!
bonusSam Bruce and Christy Doran react immediately to the draw for Rugby World Cup 2027, breaking down the tournament machinations and the ramifications of Australia and New Zealand being together in Pool A. They extrapolate the draw out to try and predict a knock-out stage, look at the winners and losers, and what some of the key games are in the early stages, before discussing some of the reaction from Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt, skipper Harry Wilson and All Blacks great Dan Carter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
How is Schmidt-Kiss handover going to work?
Sam Bruce and Christy Doran return for the penultimate time in 2025, picking apart another Wallabies defeat, this time by France. They examine some of the failings of the end-of-year tour, but then look ahead to 2026 and ponder how the handover from Joe Schmidt to Less Kiss might work. They then pick out some of their highlights of the year, discuss the Springboks' scrum annihilation of Ireland, discuss the All Blacks' progress and then look ahead to the Rugby World Cup draw. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
A humblin' in Dublin & TMO madness
Sam Bruce and Christy Doran dig into yet another Wallabies defeat, lamenting a woeful night in the air and the lineout in the loss to Ireland; they react to news of James O'Connor's departure and wonder if there are some grumblings going on beneath the surface; and try to identify the root of Australia's second-half and bench issues. They then look at England's win over the All Blacks and a shifting power dominance at the top of the rankings, discuss the weakness New Zealand share with Australia, and then break down a famous Pumas win in Edinburgh. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Time for a circuit-breaker, Joe
Sam Bruce and Christy Doran break down a dire night for the Wallabies in Udine, analysing how and why it went so wrong against Italy. They try to find some positives, and look ahead to next weekend's Test against Ireland, debating whether it is time for Harry Wilson to have a rest and what other changes might be made. They then look ahead to the longer-term Wallabies future, before wrapping up the big Test matches in Edinburgh and Paris, the latter highlighted by a rare full red card. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Wallabies saved their worst for Twickenham
Sam Bruce and Christy Doran unpack Australia's 25-7 loss to Twickenham in London, questioning Joe Schmidt's selections and tactics; they heap praise on England and analyse their return to type; they discuss the pre-game breakdown antics; and then look ahead to Italy, what changes should be made, and how Australia can get back to their best. They also review the All Blacks' win over Ireland, and look ahead to the rest of the weekend's Tests. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Can 'hamstrung' Wallabies repeat Twickers' treat?
Sam Bruce and Christy Doran reflect on the Wallabies' narrow win over Japan, agreeing Joe Schmidt "got away" with his calculated risk of 13 changes; they then look ahead to Saturday's clash with England, and what the fresh legs could mean at Twickenham. They then discuss the unavailability of Len Ikitau, Tom Hooper and James O'Connor and the curious situation the trio is in; before they then turn their attention to the Rugby Championship and a potential move to align with the Six Nations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The return of Carter Gordon and the R360 threat
Sam Bruce returns after a short hiatus, joining Christy Doran to discuss the big news of Carter Gordon's return to Australian rugby. The duo break down what his inclusion in the Wallabies spring tour squad means, where it leaves Joe Schmidt other playmakers, and a lack of centralisation in Australian rugby. They then break down the rest of the Wallabies squad, discuss the latest developments in Rugby R360, and react to reports of major budget cuts for the Wallaroos. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Rugby Championship wash-up: Rating the Wallabies
Brittany Mitchell and Christy Doran wrap up the final weekend of Rugby Championship action, dissecting the Wallabies lacklustre finale against the All Blacks and the Springboks triumph; they discuss Tane Edmed's performance and Quade Cooper's comments, before rating the Wallabies' tournament as a whole, and talk through the latest in R360. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices