Two Cents gets Distracted - A Rugby Podcast

Blockbuster semi-final weekend in the European Rugby Champions Cup, and things got spicy.

Leinster Rugby nearly pulled off an all-time choke job but somehow held on in a proper squeaky-bum finish—thanks in no small part to the unlikely Irish saviour Rieko Ioane, who shut the gate on a last-gasp attack that would’ve sent Dublin into meltdown.

Over in the other semi, Union Bordeaux Bègles got the job done against Bath Rugby in a cracking contest… though you’d be forgiven for missing parts of it while Andy Goode carried on like the ref had p...

Super Round heads to the brand-new Te Kaha Stadium in Christchurch… and what a way to christen it. A full weekend of footy, packed stands, cracking atmosphere, and a proper festival feel — the kind of rugby showcase Super Rugby dreams about. The stadium? Unreal. The crowds? Even better. The results? Well… depends which side of the Tasman you’re sitting on.

The Kiwi teams absolutely ran the table. The Crusaders kicked things off by beating Waratahs, sending the Christchurch faithful home very happy in game one. The Blues nearly gave their fans heart failure but somehow scraped past the...

We’re back… and it’s a weird one.

After a month off while Tony went and did the whole “get married and eat his bodyweight in Thailand” thing, Two Cents Gets Distracted returns — slightly heavier, slightly rustier, and walking straight into some genuinely grim news.

This week, we unpack the potential demise of Moana Pasifika. What does it mean for Pacific rugby — a region that has given the game so much talent, passion, and identity? And more importantly… what now? Is there a real path forward, or are we watching another crack form in the already shak...

This week on Two Cents Get Distracted, the biggest story in world rugby… is that Tony’s getting married. That’s right — the pre-wedding special is here, and we spend a fair chunk of time talking about love, life, and how on earth Tony convinced Lydia this was a good idea.

Eventually — and we mean eventually — we stumble our way into some rugby after sampling some deeply questionable smoothie beers courtesy of our mate Erin. They’re odd. Very odd.

On the field, James Slipper cements himself as an all-time great, breaking Wyatt Crockett’s Super Rugby caps...

Fresh (barely) off Tony’s stag do on Saturday night, the rugby gods showed absolutely zero mercy… delivering one of the most chaotic, dramatic, and all-time great Six Nations finales we’ve ever witnessed.

Running on fumes and questionable life choices, Tony and Mark try to make sense of a weekend that had everything.

Wales finally get their moment—after weeks of showing promise without reward, they get the chocolates against a dangerous Italy side that just couldn’t quite fire when it mattered.

Scotland… well, Scotland did what Scotland do against Ireland. Ireland get...

Italy made history, beating England for the first time ever on their 33rd attempt. Can they rebuild before facing the French next week? We’re not so sure.

Meanwhile, Scotland pulled off a massive upset over France, denying the French a Grand Slam and blowing the Six Nations wide open heading into the final weekend. Now the title is still up for grabs, with Ireland and France both in the hunt in what promises to be a blockbuster finish.

And Wales… the team we all confidently labelled as absolute rubbish… might not actually be rubbish. They w...

No Six Nations. No international drama. Just pure, unfiltered Super Rugby… and chaos.

With Europe taking the week off, all eyes turned south — and unfortunately for us (and especially for Mark), Australia decided to wake up and choose violence. The Blues found yet another soul-crushing way to lose, going down in the 81st minute in overtime. Yes, the 81st. Yes, Mark is still processing. No, he is not okay.

The Crusaders finally remembered how to win, knocking off the Chiefs after the Waikato boys absolutely flew out of the blocks. The Drua defended the fortress in L...

It was a weekend of our favourite sporting delicacy: beautiful, chaotic upsets and we are absolutely feasting. Ireland didn’t just beat England… they systematically dismantled them, with Jamison Gibson-Park running the show like a man who had the English defence on puppet strings. Every counter looked dangerous, every breakdown felt Irish, and England had absolutely no answers.

Down south, the rugby gods delivered something even more outrageous: the Crusaders didn’t just lose — they got hammered. The Brumbies dropped a half-century on them in Christchurch for their first win there in 26 years. Nobody saw it coming, everybod...

This week on Two Cents Gets Distracted, Scotland did the most Scottish thing imaginable.

Lose to Italy… then immediately turn around and snap England’s 12-game winning streak.

Yes, the Scots beat the English. The rugby world rejoiced. Bagpipes were heard from space. We are, frankly, delighted.

Meanwhile, Wales have somehow discovered new geological layers of rock bottom. France treated them like training cones, playing Harlem Globetrotters rugby with offloads, flair, and the kind of ominous swagger that should concern literally everyone.

Italy vs Ireland? Suddenly… tight? Competitive? Slightly terrifying if you’re...

This week the Six Nations roared and rusted to life. We kick things off with France coming out hotter than a sizzling baguette at Stade de France, leaving Ireland flatter than day-old Guinness.

Then, we revel in Italy’s glorious ambush of Scotland,proving once again that it’s tough being Scottish. And, if you thought Wales couldn’t dig deeper, think again: their performance was a full-on Fawlty Towers episode, while England casually strolled in and gave them a rugby spanking.

We also look forward to Super Rugby getting started and unpack some of the ne...

Fresh off our summer break, this first episode of the year drops us straight back into the deep end as we’re still reeling from the bombshell that Razor has been fired. The coaching carousel is already spinning: is Jamie Joseph next in line? ? Or are we about to be introduced to a whole new cast of weird and wonderful rugby powerbrokers?

We also turn our attention north, with the Six Nations kicking off — the “greatest rugby championship in the world”

As ever, expect a healthy mix of hot takes, half-baked theories, international rugby hype, and a so...

The rugby world just got flipped upside down in the middle of summer. Scott “Razor” Robertson is out as All Blacks coach after a brutal internal review and reports suggest the players themselves led the charge.

From Ardie Savea’s alleged refusal to return under Razor, to questions about leadership, culture, and where New Zealand rugby goes next, Two Cents Gets Distracted drops an out-of-season emergency pod to unpack the biggest coaching bombshell in years.

Grab a beer and Enjoy

It’s the final episode of the year, and you know we’re not signing off without our annual dose of chaos. Welcome to the most prestigious, least credible, and proudly unhinged rugby awards show in existence:

The 2CGDS. Tony and Mark return to hand out a fresh selection of awards nobody asked for, celebrate the best and worst moments of the rugby year.

But this year’s finale also carries a weight as Gazza, hung up his boots last week. We take a moment to pay tribute to Gazza, Mark’s dad, a regular on his c...

South Africa and Ireland finally squared off in Dublin… and instead of the blockbuster we were promised, we got a full-blown scrum-a-thon of Biblical proportions. The Bok scrum was so dominant it bordered on performance art, Ireland simply ceased to exist in certain dimensions of reality. Add a stack of cards and the whole thing descended into glorious, farcical chaos. (And no, we’re absolutely not criticising the match itself… because we enjoy being alive. Wink.)

England keep marching forward, seeing off a spirited Argentinian comeback as Los Pumas continue to prove they’re becoming a genuine world fo...

This week on Two Cents Gets Distracted, the All Blacks served up a bowl of crap to their fans as England handed us a brutal loss, crushing our hopes, rattling the fanbase, and putting Razor and his coaching staff squarely under the blowtorch. And yes, we rant about it. At length. With feeling. Meanwhile, the Boks battled past a fired-up Italian outfit despite copping a red card that may go down as one of the worst decisions of the entire rugby year. Ireland absolutely pumped the Aussies, Wales finally remembered what a win feels like, and Argentina pulled off...

This week, the All Blacks (dressed in white) and down to three yellow cards — somehow held off a charging Scotland to keep their undefeated record alive. The Boks ate a full red card and still produced the performance of the weekend, thumping a fired-up France at home. Australia stumbled their way into a famous loss to Italy, and England edged a brilliant-but-gassed Fiji side.

We chat all that and a lot of BS.

Grab a beer and enjoy

At Soldier Field, the All Blacks and Ireland combined for what could generously be described as a slow-motion car crash — a stop–start slog dominated by a pedantic referee, an eye-rolling red card, and enough resets to make you question your life choices. It was as attractive as… well, something deeply unattractive. Somehow, the All Blacks eventually clawed their way out of the mud and Ireland’s grasp to win, but by then, most viewers were emotionally bruised and spiritually broken.

Over in Twickenham, England pummelled the Wallabies with typical English enthusiasm for suffering — helped along by a peroxide...

After a wee hiatus, we're back in time for International Rugby. We look ahead to the Autumn Internationals… or the Spring Internationals… depending on which hemisphere your face is currently in. Massive clashes are brewing, and we’re here to talk an Olympic-sized pile of rugby rubbish. Expect rugby chat, tangents, and at least one moment where we forget what game we were even talking about.

Grab a beer and enjoy.

The Springboks have done it again — back-to-back Rugby Championship titles and another reminder that their game plan is as brutal as it is effective. Argentina gave it everything, but South Africa were just too sharp, too dominant at scrum time.

Meanwhile, in a very wet Perth, the All Blacks splished, splashed, and scrapped their way past the Wallabies. It wasn’t pretty, but it was enough — a muddy finish to a messy season that still somehow ends on a high?

Grab a beer and enjoy.

Massive thankyou to this week's sponsor Raleigh Rugby.

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This week, the Springboks turned the Pumas into mince, racking up 67 points and leaving rugby fans wondering if Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is secretly a Dan Carter clone grown in a Pretoria lab. Over at Eden Park, the All Blacks and Wallabies treated us to a performance so scrappy it could’ve been filmed on VHS — but hey, the fortress still stands. And across the world, the Red Roses claimed World Cup glory, fending off a fearless Canadian side.

Grab a beer and enjoy

This week: Bledisloe at the Fortress (Eden Park, not your uncle’s shed), the Rugby Championship tighter than your old boots, and the Black Ferns’ heartbreak as Canada crash the party. Can the Canucks actually steal the chocolates from England? We’ve got thoughts… and distractions.

Grab a beer and Enjoy

Massive thanks to Rugby Debuts. Go Check out their awesome YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@RugbyDebuts⁩

We know why you’re here, and we don’t blame you. This week, we tumble headfirst into the pit of despair that is All Blacks fandom after the Springboks dished out a pumpings in New Zealand’s graveyard, Sky Stadium in Wellington.

There’s plenty of wallowing, but we also manage to lift our heads long enough to cover the excellent clash between Argentina and the Wallabies, and check in on all the action from the Women’s World Cup.

Grab a beer and enjoy.

An immediate game reaction pod this week. The most hyped game of the year delivered, the All Blacks held strong to keep their 30-year fortress intact and gave Ardie Savea the perfect 100th test celebration, while the Boks were left muttering about what could’ve been. Over in Townsville, the Wallabies played the role of international rugby’s rom-com kings once again, pulling off another ridiculous comeback against the Pumas. And we talk BS and Rugby whilst smiling and slightly drunk.

Grab a beer and Enjoy.

The hype is off the charts! The World Champion Springboks are storming into Eden Park, the All Blacks’ fortress, where no one has won since 1994 (back before we had pubes). Will the Boks finally break the curse, or will the All Blacks once again prove Eden Park is basically Hogwarts with goalposts?

We’ll also look ahead to the Wallabies vs Pumas showdown, dive into the Women’s Rugby World Cup, check in on the Pacific Nations Cup, and give the NPC the airtime it deserves. The hype is real.

Grab a beer and enjoy!

S...

The All Blacks were a flaming dumpster fire this week, and as loyal fans we are disgusted. Razor’s backline looked like they’d just met in the carpark before kickoff, and Argentina gleefully ran riot in front of delirious Buenos Aires fans.

Over in South Africa, the Wallabies gave the Boks a proper scare of potentially going back to back… until James O’Connor’s boots decided they were made of Play-Doh.

Grab a beer and enjoy.

Thanks to Sports 4 Cats for the beers! Go check them out https://sports4cast.com/4casts/rugb...

Wallabies rise from the dead at Ellis Park in the greatest Aussie comeback since Crocodile Dundee 2. The Boks are stunned, the crowd’s crying into their Castle Lagers, and rugby Twitter explodes. Meanwhile, the All Blacks quietly handle Argentina with all the excitement of filing a tax return.

Grab a beer and Enjoy

We break down the Wallabies' epic victory over the British and Irish Lions in a stormy showdown that even Thor couldn't ignore. Plus, we chat about the newly announced All Blacks squad—spoiler alert: everyone's injured, but there are some exciting new faces on the horizon. And to top it all off, get ready for a bit of Baywatch!

Grab a beer and Enjoy!!

Big thank to Dylan for sponsoring this Episode!

If you want him to take you on a epic hunt email him

dylanafricasafaris@gmail.com

Only one game this weekend, but oh boy, it had everything. The Wallabies hosted the British & Irish Lions at the MCG in a test match so spicy it you'll feel it coming out.

An instant classic? Definitely. But it’ll mostly be remembered for one Giant Call. Lions fans are calling it fine. Wallabies fans are still trying to locate their jaws on the floor.

We unpack the madness, point fingers, praise heroes, and as always, talk a lot of BS.

Grab a beer and enjoy.

Big thanks for the beers ht...

The Lions drew first blood in Brisbane, taking the 1st Test over the Wallabies, but did they leave points (and polish) out on the paddock? The All Blacks notched another win against an understrength French side, but with more dirt-trackers in the mix this time, are we building depth or just delaying the big questions? Meanwhile, the Boks put Georgia away with ease... but was it convincing, or just clinical?

Join us as we dissect a weekend of almosts, maybes, and "meh-that’ll-do" performances from the big boys. Expect opinions, overreactions, and the odd tangent (as always).

Normal service resumes! The All Blacks knock over a depleted French outfit, the Boks batter Italy (with a side of Rassie’s signature shithousery), and the Lions dish out a thumping to the AU-NZ mash-up team in a match only a mother could love. Oh—and Wales actually won a game. That’s 1 win from their last 20. Momentum, baby.

Grab a beer and Enjoy!

It was the week of almost-upsets, nearly-moments, and big teams looking suspiciously wobbly. We try to figure out what the heck happened and talk a lot of BS in the process.

Grab a beer and Enjoy!

This week, much to our dismay, the Crusaders have done it again—another Super Rugby title, this time over the Chiefs. Meanwhile, Los Pumas pulled off a cracking win against the Lions in a game that had everything, and Razor Robertson has named his first All Blacks squad... complete with a few eyebrow-raisers.

Plus, there’s the usual helping of BS, distractions galore, and Mark has a therapeutic moment with some delightfully grumpy YouTube commenters.

Leinster are champions of the URC after a composed, clinical performance over a Bulls side that just didn’t bring the fire. In Super Rugby, the Crusaders crush our dream (again) of the Blues pulling off a miracle, reminding us what finals footy really looks like.

And the Chiefs? They take care of business against the Brumbies in a no-nonsense semi-final display. Plus, we serve up our usual helping of sideline nonsense — bold takes, bad analogies, and a bit of rugby therapy for long-suffering Blues fans.

Grab a beer and enjoy!

Well, somehow… against all odds, common sense, and good taste, we’ve made 100 of these little buggers! Celebrate our 100th episode as we welcome some very special contributors, shout into the rugby void, and do what we do best: talk shit and Rugby.

The Blues give us a reason to smile (finally), the Hurricanes absolutely soil the linen, and Super Rugby and the URC wobble their way to the sharp, terrifying end of the season.

Massive thanks to all of you legends for watching, listening, and enabling this strange audio experiment to keep going.

Gr...

Bordeaux take the dub against the Saints in the Champions Cup final, Moana Pacifica cop a hiding from the Chiefs, and whispers of a Club World Cup start swirling.

We Talk about it all and also OTHER STUFF.

Grab a beer and enjoy!!

Massive thank you to Nathan Loughnan. Lets get this awesome lad a job!!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanh69/

This week, Ardie Savea ascended to another plane of existence—dragging Moana Pasifika (and possibly time and space itself) to a mind-melting upset over the Blues. \

The Hurricanes and Highlanders gave us a thriller, and meanwhile, the Force and Waratahs officially waved goodbye to finals footy like that one mate who RSVP’d “maybe” but was never coming.Plus,

Tony stares into the crystal ball (or maybe a pint glass?) for another round of Tony’s European Post-Match Predictions.

Grab a beer and enjoy

Massive Thankyou, the man, the myth, the...

The Lions squad is named, the Wallabies are waiting, and somehow we end up talking about... fapping? Rugby's a weird sport—and we make it even weirder.

Tony unloads some explosive thoughts about the Lions' that'll make him some new friends up north. We dive into the Lions tour, cover all the Super Rugby, and return with rugby’s fastest-growing game show: “Who Won These Games That Have Already Been Played!?”

Grab a beer and enjoy

Leinster bottled it again at the business end of a major tournament—at this point, it's basically tradition. Bordeaux took the chocolates from Toulouse, and Super Rugby delivered a rare treat: actual high-stakes footy. No more everyone-gets-a-medal playoffs—this round mattered.

Grab a beer and enjoy!

Well, Stephen Donald kicked the hornet's nest this week—and naturally, we dive straight in. Not because we care... but because we're after those sweet, sweet angry clicks.

We also break down the latest in Super Rugby, chat about the Wallabies' shiny new coach, and fire up everyone’s favourite game: “Can Tony predict European rugby results... after they’ve happened?”

Grab a beer, lower your expectations, and enjoy

Yep, more rugby happened. And like Thanos, the Crusaders' dominance snapped our hopes once again—inevitable pain, folks. We break down all the action from the round and then jump into YouTube’s fastest-growing game show: “Can Tony Predict the Winners of European Rugby... After It’s Already Happened?”

Grab a beer and enjoy!