Rugby Pod Awards 2024 | The BEST and WORST of the year

[@KirstyP_ZA]

Thank you for a great pod! Jim, now that Chasing the Sun 2 is available to a wide audience, please consider re-posting your reviews aired earlier this year

[@darrellw.matodes6898]

Where is it available?

[@DonovanBellardi]

Great rugby pod well done guys. Big shout out to Rassie coach of the decade!! Shocking re World Rugby Awards!!

[@kropotkine9640]

27:23 Galthié lost only 2 games this year too and used more than 60 players in the year(if the game against Uruguay is accounted then it's 75 players in the year) This summer he won against Argentina's top team while having 6 uncapped players in the starting 15. French team had 98 caps for that game while Argentina had more than 700

[@MrBreakdownBoy]

You seriously comparing France's test season with South Africa? When last did France tour either NZ or RSA? Can't play 80% of your games at home and try to fake aura.

[@T2Lam10]

As much as your facts are right we’ve had a poor season. Win vs Scotland was as lucky ans unfair as it gets, draw vs Italy was a professional fault and we won games we could have easily lost : England, NZ. In the end the only satisfying performances were the three games vs Argentina away and home and to some extent the win vs New Zealand. But overall that was a poor season, I expect much better from the team in 2025, with hopefully no injuries by the beginning of the Six nations. As you exposed we have so many good players all over the park, + Antoine Dupont who is… him, we should do better. I expect at least 4 wins at the next Six nations.

[@kropotkine9640]

In France we don't pay the refs or food poisoned the adversary to fake aura

[@jpfowlds5921]

You also drew vs Italy if you remember, and didn't win a single trophy in the last 2 years lol

[@erhardtjoubert3455]

This is a bad arguement... France is ranked 4th and almost always play all their games at home. They also didnt win the 6 nations. So they arent even the best team in the northern hemisphere. Beat the all blacks by 1 in Paris and declare a "mini grand slam"... whatever the hell that is. Could not even win a world cup at home... exiting in the quater finals... so worse than 5th in the competition. But no, lets ignore all those "facts" and declare france the most brilliant team in the history of the game...because why? They have a brilliant scrumhalf? New Zealand are going to cream you 3 to zip on the outbound tour. I think the all blacks are going to nil this team for one of those games. If France does not take touring seriously they cant just declare themselves the best team, with the best coach and the best captain. France can claim none of those things in reality. This does not stop them and their fans declaring it knowingly though. I swear French fans are worse than us Springbok fans and we can be a toxic lot. GO BOKKE. 🇿🇦

[@nickmurray3449]

Great stuff lads. Merry Christmas.

[@Thudsrayz]

Great show guys. Coach of the year: Schmidt for me. With the players he has and how oz has built from the pits to winning at Twickenham. I find that mind boggling. Skidmark of the year, i get that you've overlooked the crusaders, but it's not just that they lost so often, but how they lost. As a fan, we weren't just disappointing or inept, but shocking. We even lost a game due to a penalty try because we started playing league. I genuinely think this year our team and mgmt cdnt break a plate at a greek wedding The game against the waratahs was the greatest horror show from two cellar dwellers. 30 lead changes, zero successful exit plays, cards, lineout throws to the ref. Seriously, look that game up and you'll see the best of the worst. Didn't realise the crusaders had a performance like that in them

[@suewalsh3976]

Good on you all for picking Rassie

[@greenplasticgun]

Ox for ball carrying props

[@rubendutoit586]

😂😂😂😂😂 Nope

[@greenplasticgun]

@ great point, well said

[@markbeechey8901]

Angus Bell

[@greenplasticgun]

@@markbeechey8901 they mentioned Bell didn’t they?

[@julienm.6902]

Ugo Mola salutes you :)

[@Nichal31]

Non mais on va les laisser se branler la nouille entre eux hein ...

[@jeanm27]

6:12 Ain't blessed with looks cracked me up 😂😅

[@kentandreasen6579]

Had to back pedal very quickly after that one haha

[@craigsked]

Love the show lads - just saying… Cheslin and Sasha FM didn’t make your shortlists 😂

[@LeToile9]

Great show guys! Yup, Eben is da boss😊

[@ljawgtn1393]

I think your awards were bang on fair - did you know Wallace Satiti while born in Scotland while his father was playing over there? Merry Christmas from NZ

[@titouanleroux4304]

The absence of Bielle Biarrey for the breakthrough player of the year when a few English players are named is impossible to rationally understand. Only explanation is through the roof British bias.

[@declanellis193]

Well they are British…

[@MrBreakdownBoy]

Bielle Biarrey played in 2023 RWC, he already broke through genius.

[@dwillis1]

Person on the Internet disagrees with another person on the Internet... who would have guessed it?

[@henrybullock4514]

Because he’s not a 2024 breakthrough you spanner

[@sean7258]

Breakthrough player is for the calendar year

[@benvandermerwe4934]

Great entertainment while sipping sundowners on the West Coast of South Africa. You guys would make great braaivleis buddies around a campfire. Cheers! ⚡🌅🥃🇿🇦

[@JimmiesChoices]

Superb ❤

[@thesearhub2023]

Great pod Guys.. 👍

[@cctv1613]

I was expecting Sacha feinberg-mngomezulu to get a shout-out at least.

[@PB22559]

His name is too long to get a shout out

[@cctv1613]

@PB22559 😀😀😀

[@giftdikgole8336]

Broke my heart

[@erhardtjoubert3455]

@@cctv1613 You are right. But because he wasnt on the Autumn tour he isnt in the picture for NH pundits... we can forgive them this one I think. But had he toured... no way does he not get a mention.

[@fleshen]

I really want to make the Cardiff date just to see the reception you two get down there 😂

[@quintonjones8713]

Love this podcast gents 🇿🇦

[@thesearhub2023]

Merry Christmas Lads

[@stevearries1753]

😂😂great picks lads. Thanks for the laughs

[@andrewpaxinos5147]

I love this Show brilliant honest Gents. 👌👌

[@Mr-Litch]

How about Sasha FM for break through

[@aluncurtis6124]

Well done on the South African accent!

[@prudenceforbes]

Love Jim... Simply cos he loves all things South Africa

[@cl0udbr3ak]

I seriously hope that Franco Smith will follow Rassie.

[@ashleysoudah]

Jim: How long do cats live for? best line in a rugby pod...made me laugh

[@peterhunter6040]

Best player in the world has got to be Ox Nche as of 2024. Unfortunately there aren’t any statistics on how many scrum penalties he’s won but from what I recall it must have been at least 2 per game. He’s also improved his productivity around the field; carrying, tackling near double digits, nice passing, pretty good endurance for such a lump of a bloke

[@T2Lam10]

That makes him an excellent player and gives him a shot but saying it “has to be” him seems quite the stretch. He is in the mix for sure but PSDT winning it is by no means outrageous.

[@peterhunter6040]

I’m not saying that it’s undeniably him, I’m just using “has got to be” as a way of delivering my opinion, not to be taken literally

[@T2Lam10]

Alright, makes total sense in that case

[@andrewstrever8013]

A shame mngomezulu did not get in there but fair play, I think he blew it by pushing it through that injury that took him out of a bunch of matches where he could have showcased himself a bit more (and Sititi). PS - Direst translation of Doos is actually box, but specifically meaning the same as the c* word. So opposite of what Andy thought.

[@armandtoma8124]

So is Marler then getting the Shithouser Lifetime Achievement award?

[@tigerclarence1248]

Love or hate him but he was the best scrumming English loosehead out there for sure

[@julianalderson3938]

Cheers boys. Cant wait 25 c allblacks. Cos think improvin well.

[@jayperie2337]

"Doos" is hilarious. Similar to C U Next Tuesday.

[@cornedenecker1636]

One prop I wouldn't want to tackle is Connie Oosthyzen.

[@markbeechey8901]

Rob Valetini should get a mention

[@3443cookie]

Being Welsh its nice to see Wales finally win something related to rugby. Quick question worst coach of the year Warren Gatland or Eddie Jones?

[@bevanritete9954]

Hopefully Razor Gives Hoskins Sotutu the nod This year as i was flabbergasted that they chose Wallace Sititi over Sotutu and man the Uso proved myself and many others wrong. And dont ever second guess Ardie. Bro wears his heart on his sleeve..

[@jonbrook4009]

'... why are we talking about my f**king cats?...' Oh, that did tickle me for some strange reason...

[@rubendutoit586]

Not giving Caleb Clarke a shout for player of the year is ridiculous. Probably up there with Kolbe as best winger this year.

[@TheBigJimShow]

True this

[@TheDdvd1]

How did the Irish line out not make the list of the worst things this year 😅😅

[@michaelmoynihan9591]

🎉havel another go mate cough it up.telapatic I am not. 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@TheDdvd1]

​​Too eager to get the line down .. my spelling was a shambles!! Ive fixed it 😂​@michaelmoynihan9591

[@stanley36]

Antoine Dupont must come to South Africa, come play some test rugby mate. We'll make him a man here

[@klt9257]

What's the beef between Andy and Joe Marler?

[@holowness304]

The "corrupt French" 🙄 level of chauvinism is quite high. Mentioning McCarthy who was capped during the 2023 RWC, or Darge who was there in the 2021 6 Nations, but not Bielle-Biarrey...? And Ugo Mola who won the 2 biggest club competitions in the world...

[@jpfowlds5921]

Didn't bielle play in the 2023 rwc?? I REMEMBER AS A SOUTH AFRICAN because we targeted that useless lump of clay anf scored 2 tries from it😂😂. He isn't a breakthrough player lol

[@holowness304]

@@jpfowlds5921 that's exactly what I wrote - Bielle-Biarrey cannot be a breakthrough player as he was already playing at the RWC, just as were McCarthy and Darge. So the latter 2 shouldn't be on that list, as well as LBB. And you can keep it polite and remember to avoid saying "we targeted". You weren't on the pitch, or were you?

[@jpfowlds5921]

@@holowness304 there was 63 million people on that pitch when we beat you in the quarter final in France in front of all of you. After you bribed and stole the hosting rights it was beautiful to see so many crying coward frenchies. What did that french commentator say, I'm in absolute shock and horror😂😂

[@peterhunter6040]

Caelan Doris was heroic in the 2 South Africa games but was pretty unremarkable in the 6 nations and Autumn tests.

[@James-fc8mi]

did you watch the u20s by mistake?

[@peterhunter6040]

Well I did watch the u20s 6 nations and World Cup

[@PB22559]

McCarthy hasn't been as much of an enforcer as he was supposed to be and Beirne, who I think is world class on his day, has lost a bit of consistency. Their pack just aren't as cohesive as they were. Losing to NZ and scraping past Aus and Arg was below par for Ireland. I could see one of England or France or potentially both beating Ireland in Dublin.

[@clarkeyclarke1870]

Great show as always guys. Some tricky selections made but I have to totally disagree with the first choice of Wales. I am English and to me the RFU should have won that award. They are the greediest shitbags ever that will happily make folk redundant and then award themselves massive bonuses for fucking up the game. They are a disgrace to our wonderful sport. On a lighter note, when is the tour happening in 2025? Please can you come to Dorset, whilst we do not have any Prem clubs there are a lot of grass roots people who would love to see the show. I would happily help advertise it for you... Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and all the global subscribers of the Rugby Pod.🍻🍻🍻🍻

[@JohnWilliams-fk3hb]

Dupont the best rugby player on the planet and it's not even close. The guy is ridiculous!. Watched him live multiple times and he's worth the admission fee alone. Last player to leave my jaw on the ground was Dan carter around 2005-2007.Then along come Dupont.

[@System-Update]

A Prop has never even been nominated for WPOTY. You couldn't even build a full team from the full set of nominees, let alone winners. But it is a game for all shapes and sizes apparently.

[@travisgriffiths9102]

Love this show. Wicked laughs

[@vanrensburgarchitecturebim1641]

Merry Christmas to everyone, except WR!

[@Tuatara587]

Thank you gentlemen for a great pod cast. In terms of Joe Schmidt - I think he wants to concentrate on the care of his son who has epilepsy.

[@MrKelso85]

Honestly my favourite POD even if you’re rightfully roasting Wales but honestly we accept you both here as neither of you are Posh Ruperty Bell Ends

[@guybezant9009]

Crazy how time passes, still have Eben Etzebeth in my head as the new up and comer in the SA second row 😂

[@mvubu6823]

JIM - Look up ERNIE ELS - DOOS

[@SAnd-pd1ou]

The Ox single handedly dragged SA past Eng in WC SF

[@lmarislmarislmaris4271]

Odd how these lads totally ignored Joe Scmidt's dismal performance in Rugby Championship. They just exposed the state of NH rugby compared to SH.

[@markbeechey8901]

I don't think Jesus, Allah, Satan and Buddha or whoever you dig could of changed the condition of the Wallabies in the beginning of the Australian international season. To get this Australian side to play with cohesion is just brilliant. Not as many scalps as to what Wallabies fans are used to seeing but to build a semblance of cohesion and for these players to have a belief in themselves as and a belief in the jersey is absolutely refreshing.

[@Jean-PierreBotha-qf9gu]

Ox Nche should have won world player of the year

[@bedtimewithben5802]

Nice 😂

[@SMacCuUladh]

rugby prod i the best!

[@nzcurt]

podcast of the year

[@jameswyatt4443]

Tall players are easy to tackle. Skelton wouldn’t be bad at all.

[@Nick-18]

Sacha feinberg is not on the shortlist for breakthrough player lads?

[@rw9854]

Your man- Feyi Waboso

[@rubendutoit586]

Sorry John Mitchell deserves coach of the year. Has a 100% win record. It shouldn't even be up for debate

[@TheBigJimShow]

Not true.

[@AlanCheese9000]

Dupont was outplayed by Roigard

[@JonLear-e5u]

4 pints isn't 'getting loose"

[@FJM992]

Yes South Africa used 51 players this year but France used 75. Why aren’t we talking about that? A few countries used more than 50.

[@joswan4719]

The French tour their second string teams. Their best players don’t go to the SH to play against the best in the world.

[@vuyaniman9440]

Because it was French A side( developmental side)

[@FJM992]

@@joswan4719 Yeah I understand that. It’s still a lot more though as far as stats are concerned.

[@holowness304]

So if SA use 50 players none of them is from the second string group...? That's more than 3 teams. With a C/D team they won in Argentina, who beat SA this season. But when SA lost to Argentina, it wasn't a second string team, or was it...?

[@vuyaniman9440]

@@holowness304 , interesting Name or handle you have. Goes so well with your comment…

[@corentinbesse5226]

Mola wons top 14 and champions cup but Erasmus is coach of the year ? That’s ok he can have individual titles we will keep winning real titles

[@LeToile9]

Real titles? How about two World cups back to back?

[@corentinbesse5226]

@ on 2024 ? 2023 ok rassie deserve it but not sure at all for 2024. Not mentioning mola is not normal

[@zisssssou]

Did they seriously push the usual Boks fans conspiracy theory on World Rugby prizes ? 😅 If i can understand the polemics on the coach of the year, as Erasmus should have win it... Dupont didn't steal anything to any other 7's player in 2024.

[@jpfowlds5921]

Ohh yeah he did. Wasn't that good and didn't play enough to earn the reward

[@holowness304]

@@jpfowlds5921 how many games did PSDT play in 2024? Did he get to 20? He played less than Dupont, who had 21 games in XVs and 4 tournaments in 7s. Dupont won 3 big trophies, being MOTM in the biggest against Leinster, scoring 4 in the 2 other finals, playing a new sport and winning an Olympic Gold Medal after 6 months. The guy lost 1 XVs games in 2024. But yeah, not good enough and didn't play enough.

[@zisssssou]

@@jpfowlds5921 Oh sorry to hear he wasn't good enough for your "standards" despite being instrumental in three 7's finals and the Olympics 🤣 Pretty sure, you could not even name another 7's player deserving it more in 2024 (before making your panicked google search 😉) Another fun fact is Dupont played more rugby XV matches than PSDT or Kolbe in 2024 despite switching to 7's 😅 I've got a lot of respect for Springboks team, but their pathetic "fans" make it very difficult to like.

[@jacquescoetzee47]

@@holowness304 The Rugby Awards only factor in international fixtures, little man. Being a club hero doesn’t mean anything. Sorry.

[@holowness304]

@@jacquescoetzee47 oh I didn't know 7s were a club competition, same as the Olympics. Thanks for the information. "Little man" That's cute of you to try to diminish others. A good proof of your self-confidence and self-esteem. It's as if you thought I was Dupont and you were PSDT. Sorry but you haven't won anything by yourself, you're just a fan on his couch.

[@jaysonmccarthy8273]

Ox can carry

[@RashaadRyland]

Top Lad? Absolutely has to be Siya Kolisi; always complimentary about everyone; teammates and opposition. Top bloke; best ambassador for world rugby

[@SmcdMcd-d2k]

Best ambassador? He cheated on his wife and tore his family apart . No

[@saiyandemonisher]

@@SmcdMcd-d2k Dont believe everything you read on social media

[@OliCM3]

The guy claims to be a man of the SA people and sells out to play in France 😂

[@murraysmith595]

You no rugbys got way too slow when 140kg + is becoming normal.

[@101MIGHTYJOE]

Rob looks like a slightly skinner version of andrew porter

[@axxey]

Eben last year much better than Savea, not remotely better than PSDT this year. No one comes close in this last calendar year.

[@peterhunter6040]

lmao. Eben was a 40 minute merchant last year and has like 1 good game. Ardie Savea was the best player last year and it wasnt even close.

[@toiletsmithy3630]

Absolutely disagree

[@thegoat4124]

​​@@peterhunter6040it must have been close given how quiet he was in the world cup final and how badly PTSD outshone him. When last has he won a man of the match when he played against SA?😃

[@peterhunter6040]

@@axxey no, because PSDT was as quiet as a church mouse the entire year until he finally showed up for 1 game. Ardie Savea was the best player on the pitch for nearly every game he played. Even in the final, he was the only all black who showed any bottle and fight at all.

[@tshepomakinta7954]

What has he won? Nothing. You guys you elevate these NZ players who have never even played WRC final

[@luiscunha8899]

A prop has never even been nominated!

[@klt9257]

Break through. Sasha Feinberg Mngamazulu

[@RobertHerbst93]

jim you're a doos😂😂😂😂😂

[@shortMario]

vet doos

[@T2Lam10]

Regarding the awards… why not make a research before shouting those conspiracy theories ? It took me 1 minute to find the jury for each award. Indeed they are different for 15 and 7s (isn’t it normal ?) There is not a single French in the 7s POTY jury of around 10 people. Regarding the Coach of the year, well it’s weird because there were only 4 voters, including 2 NZ and not a single French. The way I see it, Rassie was screwed over by his fellow New Zealanders, and Dupont won fair and square. Nothing to see with France 🤦‍♂️ Maybe not listen to the first South African dude complaining next time…

[@holowness304]

But yeah, "corrupt French"...🤔

[@Jean-PierreBotha-qf9gu]

N doos 😅😅😅😅

[@salomonligthelm14]

Cheslin for WPOTY

[@PB22559]

Him and PSDT are up for an Oscar for their carry on at the end of the 2nd Irish test.

[@CraigMinnie]

@@PB22559 You Northern hemisphere supporters are almost as pathetic as your teams

[@jacquescoetzee47]

⁠​⁠@@PB22559 That’s cute, considering diving is the Irish modus operandi. Crowley was absolutely embarrassing in that Argentina game.

[@kropotkine9640]

Seriously? The guy scored 3 tries in 11 games of the Japan league

[@inamortz2372]

Biggest fabricated story should go to Andy Goode. Absolute spoofer.

[@suewalsh3976]

Rassie was the coach of the year

[@kropotkine9640]

in your dreams, but only there

[@peterhunter6040]

Oh do me a favour. Etzebeth is well past it, he’s blowing out his ass after 30 minutes and falling off tackles left right and centre, almost never plays a full 80. Even PSDT has to do the lineout jumping for him.

[@devongarvie6261]

You sir are an oxygen thief 😂😂

[@peterhunter6040]

Don’t know what that means but I assume it’s an insult

[@devongarvie6261]

@@peterhunter6040it means you’re wasting your breath. You honestly believe that Eben is past it?

[@breathe_3asy]

World Player of the Year Nominee but no, Peter Hunter from England knows better 🤣

[@GerritBarnard-v5k]

did you get that info from your dads boyfriend. or did you just think you know anything. English rugby is in trouble. focus on that lil pete. dirty Pom

[@nzfreeski]

First podcast ever to skip over ardie Savea as “lost it a bit” haha

[@johnnyj-t2e]

producer rob is skidmark of every year for never having played anything other than touch rugby and having a gay soy latte drinkers beard.

[@NTL578]

Skidmark of the year is you mate.

[@johnnyj-t2e]

@@NTL578 oh no !! hurt your feelings did i princess skidmark ;-) best stick to wendyball and soy lattes lols