Rugby Pickem

State of the Rugby Union: Gus Pichot is running against incumbent Bill "Boomer" Beaumont for World Rugby's Chairman. The young (in administrator years) and feisty Argentinian wants to see a pivot toward inclusion for tier two countries and creating a more global game. The establishment (yes, he's old) would like to potentially see a Club Rugby World Cup. The vote goes down on Sunday and it appears that tier two nations may be the deciding factor (aka the swing states). Also, The Colorado Raptors have withdrawn from the MLR. They have a different vision for the direction of league and have decided to focus on developing and grooming USA Rugby talent. The one thing we know for sure is that they have an amazing coach and leader in Pete Borlase. We expect that Pete will have an immensely influential role in sourcing and developing future USA Eagles moving forward. Rugby Movie Reviews: Prep School - 6/15 Rucks Production Quality - 1 / 5 Rucks Rugby Realism - 1 / 5 Rucks Plot - 4 / 5 Rucks Forever

Best Rugby Crossover Sports Logan Collins, Ke'Von Williams and Ben Pinkelman sat down and recorded last summer as Pink was gearing up for a RWC run. We talked about what types of crossover athletes transfer the best to rugby. After much debate, 4 opinions and no consensus. Enjoy, and PICKEM! Logan: Basketball upside = understand spacing, help defense, usually tall downside = does a wet jump shot equate to rugby? (TBD) Ke'Von: Decathalon upside = can do a bit of everything downside = can do a bit of everything Pink: Wrestling upside = physical, winning rucks in tight space downside = can't pass well, mental wreck (due to solo sport history?!) Bt: Football upside = physicality, beasts downside = lacking real time decision making Ke'Von's dream crossover = Russell Wilson at #10 Logan: Hockey upside = toughness, hand eye coordination downside = Canadians are the only proof of hockey crossovers Bt: Soccer (soft?) upside = foot eye coordination, Cody Melphy played soccer downside = low scoring, boring defe

Kim Jordan (aka KayJay, Jimberly Korden) walks the Rugby PickEm guys through her illustrious career player Rugby in the Colorado area. She started by joining the new HS team S.W.A.R.M. Eventually her path led her to winning big games at Colorado State University. She shouts out the legends she played alongside and against (Tina Nesberg, Sarah Rossi, Tash Dale, and other "good humans" (Kim's (often repeated) words). Her club career saw her play with the Steamboat Charging Heffers, Jackson Hole Lady Moose, and eventually coaching and playing for the Men's club Marauders R.F.C. Kim is a Jetsetter her favorite rugby country is: New Zealand. Attended the second Bledisloe cup and may have potentially been an extra in Amazon's All Or Nothing (2018) Favorite Tournament: Teton 10s (honorable mentions) Aspen Ruggerfest Vegas 7s Cowpie (Steamboat) Maggotfest (Missoula) She's one of the good eggs, and we can't thank her enough for coming on Rugby PickEm as our first female guest. Enjoy!

Rugby PickEm fans, let’s just start by saying we couldn’t be more bummed out about the cancelled 2020 season, but it’s times like these that put things in perspective. It’s life and death situations (the entire human species battling a global pandemic) like these that force us to cherish the things close to us like family, and community. We were hoping to bring some laughs in a time of uncertainty (and no rugby), and since we recorded this, the situation has worsened. We hope all the listeners stay safe and we’ll do our best to keep putting up content as everyone locks down in their version of quarantine. Enjoy, and do your best to stop the spread. RP’s First Team ALL-HAIR 1- Blake Rodgers - CO (straight mullet) 2- Mike Sosene-Feagai - OGDC (rec specs) 3 - Cam Falcon - NOLA (frosted tips) 4 - Ben Mitchell - SD (ginger, high and tight) 5 - Luke White - CO (bald) 6 - Connor Cook - CO (dreads) 7 - Vili Tolutaʻu - SEA (afro) 8 - Tevita Tameilau - UT ( mullet) 9 - Danny Tusitala - OGDC (frosted tips) 10 - Kurt

Bt and Tommy No Piks (Tommy 1%er) go over everything MLR including Voicemails from: -Stewart McClanahanahan -The Guru (2x) -Ben from Spain -Stephania de Mexico -Bill Webb Ellis (bonus content) They also dive into: he match up between (rival?) sideline reporters Stacy Paetz and Maria_martin. Matthiew Bastereau's NYC Culture life and of course ..... they PICKEM!

Thanks to everyone who called in, especially Jaques, the GloryHole fanbase and the Guru. Keep the calls comin! 720-259-8825 or 720-259-TUCK

This episode, we decided we to open our lines to the callers and they didn't disappoint. You, a friend, a foe, or any rugby fan who feels so inclined can call our Rugby PickEm Voicemail Line and leave a question, comment, or start a trash talking war. Hope to hear more next week! Call 720-259-8825 Here's BT's week 3 lines: Colorado Raptors (+5.5) vs NOLA Gold (-5.5) Utah Warriors (-4.5) vs. Austin Gilgronis (+4.5) Houston SaberCats (-6.5) vs. OGDC (+6.5) Seattle Seawolves (+3) vs. Toronto Arrows (-3) Rugby ATL (-6.5) vs. RUNY (+6.5) San Diego Legion (-12.5) vs. NEFJ (+12.5) The two "home dogs" have plenty of value against the spread. Don't count Colorado and Seattle out, even at 0-2! The Colorado Raptors are 12-1-1 at Infinity Park since MLR inception, and NOLA is 0-2 traveling to Colorado. Hard to breath up at altitude, the Raptors are my lock of the week! PickEm!

The 2020 MLR Preview You WANT but Don't NEED has arrived.- Coaching, Front Office, HASHTAGS and Potential Mascots ... We cover it all. Uncle Johnny puts the social media interns on blast ... could be our funniest one yet! If you haven't already, take a listen to our EAST Preview http://www.rugbypickem.com/2020/02/2020-mlr-east-preview-featuring.html PickEm!

Bt, Uncle Johnny, Tommy No Piks and Kim Jordan break down the 6 teams in the east. We specifically looked at the coaching staff, ownership group, and most importantly ... the social media #HASHTAGS and potential mascots. Uncle Johnny puts the interns on blast in what might be our funniest one yet! PickEM!

We clipped some of the best Rugby PickEm moments from 2019 for you to enjoy over your holiday break. If you enjoy, pass it on to a rugby friend!

Taylor Howden we caught up with Taylz at Rugbytown 7s earlier this summer, but since then he’s recently inked a deal with the Houston SaberCats for the 2020 season. Taylor has had a massive playing career, from Auckland to Denver, Ohio, New Orleans and everywhere in between, he’s truly put a massive effort in growing the game here in the US. He is the one among few that has the ability to coach and play simultaneously, and continues to do so on the grassroots level no matter what city he’s currently residing in … Uncle Johnny and Logan brought the spice as usual, but Taylor was great and we wish him the best in 2020 with Houston! Taylor played his high school rugby in Auckland, "doing the dirty" and transferring from Mount Albert Grammar School (MAGS) to Auckland Grammar. Auckland Grammar has a long history of All Blacks... Auckland Grammar All Black List Ben Atiga Ces Badeley Vic Badeley John Drake Grant Fox Graham Henry (AB coach) Doug Howlett Akira Ioane Rieko Ionae Benson Stanley Jeremy Stanlet Kel Trem

After the 2019 semi final results played out, fans couldn't help but draw comparison to the 2007 World Cup Final, where South Africa defeated England 15-6, all on penalty kicks. After going back and watching this 2007 final on YouTube, we decided to chat a little on the historical significance of this game, how it was played, Jake White assembling the team (he dragged Os du Randt off the farm!) and where some of those players are now .... Enjoy! Man of the Match - Victor Matfield FINAL SCORE: SA - 15 ENG - 6 Bonus Segment: We asked Barry what Rassie would do after the world cup? After we recorded, it was revealed that he's stepping down as head coach. Who should SA Rugby hire as their next head coach?

PROPS ENGLAND SOUTH AFRICA M. Vinupola T. Matawarira K. Sinckler S. Kistoff J. Marler V. Koch D. Cole F. Malherbe LOOSIES ENGLAND SOUTH AFRICA T. Curry S. Kolisi S. Underhill P.S. DuTiot B. Vinupola D. Vermuelen L. Ludlam F. Louw M. Wilson K. Smith CENTERS ENGLAND SOUTH AFRICA M. Tuilagi D. De Allende O. Farrell L. Am H. Slade F. Steyn BACK 3 ENGLAND SOUTH AFRICA J. May M. Mapimpi E. Daly C Kolbe A. Watson S. Nkosi J. Joseph W. Le Roux KICKER ENGLAND SOUTH AFRICA Ford / Farrell ? H. Pollard Bonus Segment - Jerome Garces to ref t

Bt and Barry look back on England's unbelievable semi final upset over the mighty All Blacks. Stayed up til 5am for South Africa to finally edge out Wales in the battle of field position and box kicks. The results give us a rematch of the 2007 RWC where South Africa won their second title, 12 years after winning a cup for the first time when they hosted the tournament in 1995. 81 kicks in the SA vs. Wales semifinal ... Has the tactical kicking gone off the rails, or is this how good teams win big games? RWC 2019 FINAL England (-4) vs South Africa (+4) The bookmakers have England as a -4 point favorite. Rugby PickEm and the obviously biased Mile High Saffa Barry Herbert DISAGREE and think there's a lot of $ to be won on SA. It wouldn't be the first time the show picked against the English, but why stop now?! Bt - South Africa to Smash England (but all I really want is a game full of tries) Barry - South Africa to win by 2 PickEm!

South Africa (-8.5) vs. Wales (+8.5) Bt and Barry go into the mind of Rassie Erasmus and walk through his selections for the semi finals against Wales. Tendai Mtawarira Bongi Mbonambi Frans Malherbe Lood de Jager Eben Etzebeth Siya Kolisi C Pieter- Steph du Toit Duane Vermuelen Faf de Klerk Handre Pollard S’bu Nkosi Lukanyo Am Damian de Allende Makazole Mapimpi Willie le Roux Reserves: Malcolm Marx Herschel Jantjies Vincent Koch RG Snyman Franco Mostert Francois Louw Francois Steyn Steven Kitshoff Left out: Cobus Reinach Elton Jantjies Shalk Brits Kwagga Smith Thomas du Toit Damian Willemse Warrick Gelant Injured: Cheslin Kolbe Side Note: Western Province looms large in the current bok team.

World famous South African rugby pundit Barry Herbert (aka The Mile High Saffa ... aka DJ Bazza) sits down in studio with Bt to talk Quarter Final drama (or lack thereof), who survived, who moves on, and the outlook in the Semi Finals this weekend. New Zealand (-6.5) vs. England (+6.5) Eddie Jones, playing mind games as always ... but does England stand a good chance to shock the world? Why does Bt have a hate/love relationship with the England squad? Bt - New Zealand by a landslide Barry - New Zealand by a smidge ENJOY!

Logan calls in from Japan. He's shaking in his boots as Habigis approaches, but he won't let it ruin the good times to be had at the first Asian host country. The USA Eagles struggled against the Pumas, but might see a big lineup shift before their final pool game against Tonga in Osaka. According to Logan, Uncle Johnny has had some great outfits ... and he's always ready for a kit swap. Enjoy! (Matt Clement on the Outtro)

On this week’s Rugby PickEm, a couple of fan favorites HARPO and Barry Herbert returned to the studio like prodigal sons (Cheers to LoSpo for the LoSpo hospitality). The lads opened up with congratulating the USA Women’s 7’s Eagles as they took gold in the first leg of the HSBC 7’s in Glendale Colorado. HARPO gave his “Spark Plug”, “Bashem Bruiser” and “Half Spark Plug, Half Bashem Bruiser” awards to the Lady Eagles that rose to the occasion. Congrats on a great start, and we can’t wait to hold onto the top position all season. RWC 2019! Year of the Red Card, the cross field kick, the shitty French refs, and a massive monsoon. The lads went back and forth on their handicap lines and picks, but all roads seem to lead to a Southern Hemisphere showdown for the final game at the end of the month in Tokyo. Here’s how our Rugby PickEm “Pundits”

Bt and Uncle Johnny are back in studio to quickly recap the first two rounds of the 2019 Rugby World Cup. We break down the pools and tell you who to expect in the quarter finals ....(upsets have been a brewing so far). As Johnny prepares for his trip to Japan, we cover AB Live's tips for travelling in Japan (don't even think about wearing cotton). Lastly we wrap with our thoughts on the Quill red card and high hopes of our sweet prince Ben Pinkelman scoring a try against France. More Rugby PickEm to come in the next weeks, but for now a speed session with everyone's favorite Uncle before he jets off to the land of the rising sun. Enjoy!

Ladies and Gentleman, we got him. Ben Pinkelman, a dear friend of Logan Collins and I came by Logan’s house (studio) in between his intense training sessions with Gary Gold’s world cup squad. Although he’ll be resting this weekend against Canada, we expect him to see action and potentially his first cap in the following week’s of the PNC. Pinky started by telling us the only reason he came out to play rugby was because he was annoying his mom as a high schooler and she wanted him out of the house. He took up rugby with his cousin Ryan McManus and began playing for Cherry Creek HS. In a short few years he would have HSAA selectors “eating their tongues” as he developed into a high level 7s rugby player by the young age of 18. Pink went straight to playing high level men’s club rugby with the Denver Barbarians and was an intricate part of many Barbo 7s teams that went onto the national tournament (except for his first, where he rode the pine). Pinky would soon be recognized by coaches/selectors Mike Friday a