Explore every episode of the podcast By the Balls

Ross and John are back to preview this year’s Super League grand final. This discuss Wigan and Hull KR, analyse their teams and players, and look at each club’s journey to the decider.

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Hull KR hooker Matt Parcell joins the podcast ahead of the Super League semi-final against Warrington. Matt talks about Hull KR’s great season, the danger of Warrington, his career and his impending retirement.

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Warrington Wolves fullback Matt Duffy joins us ahead of the Super League semi-final against St Helens. Matt talks to us about his excellent season, being name in the Dream Team and the upcoming finals. He discuses Sam Burgess’ transformation of Warrington, his background in the NRL and his transfer to Super League.

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Ross and John are back for a bumper episode where they discuss Las Vegas, the NRL and Super League teaming up in America, and Hull KR top of the table. They chat about IMG and cutbacks at the RFL, the next World Cup being hosted by Australia and PNG, Salford rising, St Helens struggling and loads more.

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John and Ross are back with a special tribute to Rob Burrow. They also discuss Rohan Smith’s dismissal at Leeds, potential candidates to replace him, England’s shocking player payments for the France test and more.

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The boys talk about the declining popularity of the Challenge Cup, IMG’s London Broncos problem, the coaching and recruitment situation at Hull FC, the sustainability of the Championship and League 1, and more.

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Ross and John are back to discuss Paul Rowley staying with Salford, the hell at Hull FC, the club’s appointment of Richie Myler, pressure on Rohan Smith and the future for Tony Smith. We also talk about the rise of Warrington and Huddersfield, Challenge Cup quarter-final results and England to play France in Toulouse.

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John and Ross are back to discuss the first few rounds of Super League, the shocking situation at Featherstone Rovers and whether a player’s union is needed in UK rugby league. They also talk about the match review panel, the issue of media facilities in Super League, and the latest international news involving Italy, Ireland, Scotland and Lebanon dropping down in membership and out of World Cup qualification.

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John, Ross and Phil Caplan are live from the Aviva Studios in Manchester for the launch of the new Super League season.

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John is joined on the podcast by author and journalist Steve Mascord. The pair talk about the launch of the Championship and League 1 seasons, changes at Wakefield Trinity, the new concussion rules, Super League’s foray into streaming and a new broadcasting platform and Steve’s new book on the 1994 Kangaroos.

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We are joined by former professional rugby league player Brett Kearney. Brett, who retired in 2014, had spells with South Sydney, Cronulla and Bradford. Now an ambassador for the Brain Foundation, he joins us to talk about concussion in sport, his history of brain injuries, dealing with retirement, the financial dramas at the Bulls and more.

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John and Ross are back and discuss England’s big series win over Tonga, Samoa pulling out of a Uk tour and the Kiwis beating the Kangaroos. They also chat about Magic Weekend going to Leeds, Salford’s stadium situation, new rule changes in Super League, the World Club Challenge and a lot more in rugby league.

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Our special guest is Gareth Ellis. He joins us to talk about his new book, his amazing career, his plans for the future, his time in Super League, his time in the NRL and more.

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John and Ross are back to preview the 2023 Super League grand final between Catalans and Wigan. We discuss the main talking points of the big match, and the Championship grand final between London and Toulouse, and interview Jai Field and Matty Peet.

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John and Ross discuss the new Super League TV deal, the battle to avoid relegation and the fight for the competition’s top six. They also look at the issues at Leeds Rhinos, Kevin Sinfield’s involvement with England rugby union and answer your questions.

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Anthony Broxton, author of ‘Hope and Glory: Rugby League in Thatcher’s Britain, joins the pod to talk about his new book. He chats about the changes in the UK and UK rugby league in the 1980s and 1990s, the influence of people like David Oxley and Maurice Lindsay, and the learnings and parallels with where the sport sits in 2023.

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John and Ross are back to talk about the Super League relegation battle, Catalans’ title charge, Leeds and Leigh’s rise, and Warrington’s slide. We discuss revival at Hull FC and a slip at Salford. We also touch on Fev’s promotion push, the next World Cup, the Ashes and the next TV deal.

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Our special guest is Northampton Town manager Jon Brady. Jon take to us about clinching promotion to League One, dealing with heartbreak and disappointment, and his plans for the new season. He also chats about his background, his playing career in the UK, dealing with adversity and blazing a trail for Australian coaches.

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Our special guest is Sheffield Eagles utility Bayley Liu. He joins us to talk about his career, the amazing season to date with Sheffield and his background. He also chats about No Limits, the disability support service he runs that supports people with learning disabilities. Liu talks about his passion for helping others and how No Limits is benefiting the community.

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John and Ross are back to talk about England’s huge double win over France, international teething problems, the Tonga series, the 2025 World Cup and IMG. They also touch on broadcast deals, rugby union’s wobbles and the work of player agents.

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Ross and John are back to review the first seven rounds of Super League. They discuss Warrington and Catalans’ great starts, the relegation battle, Hull FC’s struggles, Wakefield’s woes, Wigan, the Hull derby, IMG and more.

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We sit down with Tom Coyd, head coach of England’s World Cup-winning wheelchair rugby league team. We talk about the World Cup win, the wheelchair game and its plans for growth and expansion. We discuss Tom’s journey and path in the sport, the next World Cup in 2025 and last year’s epic final against France.

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We catch with Salford Red Devils chairman Paul King. Paul talks about his passion for Salford, how he got involved, the new IMG grading criteria, the future of Salford, challenges the club faces and a lot more.

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We’re back to review the first round of Super League 2023, St Helen’s’ famous win over Penrith, the Joe Westerman saga and pay tribute to friend of the podcast Ian Laybourn.

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Our special guest on this episode is the chairman of Wakefield Trinity John Minards. We talk to John about Wakefield’s stadium redevelopment, the upcoming season, replacing Willie Poching as head coach, the future of the club, IMG’s involvement in rugby league and more.

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John and Ross are back for the first episode of 2023. They review the Rugby League World Cup, England’s performance, the future of Shaun Wane, changes at the RFL, IMG plans and a lot more.

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John is joined by Forty20 magazine editor Phil Caplan to discuss the first week of the Rugby League World Cup

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Former player and current Sky pundit Terry O’Connor joins as a special guest. Terry talks about his son, Leeds forward Jarrod, ahead of the Super League grand final. He chats about his son’s journey in the sport, their relationship, and reflects on his own playing career and move into broadcasting.

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Ross and John are back to preview the Super League grand final, where Leeds will take on St Helens at Old Trafford.

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Ross and John are back to discuss Ralph Rimmer’s exit from the RFL, what could happen next, the departure of Brett Hodgson from Hull FC and whether Tony Smith will get the job. They also debate the Super League Dream Team, the upcoming semi-finals and Kristian Woolf leaving St Helens.

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We sit down with one of the best women’s rugby league players in the world, Amy Hardcastle. We chat with the St Helens and England star about her background, her journey in the sport, her infamous nickname, the upcoming World Cup, the rise of women’s sport, her future and more.

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John and Ross talk the three Rs - revivals, relegation and recruitment. They chat about Warrington and Hull FC’s decline, Castleford and Salford’s rise, Toulouse and Wakefield’s race against the drop, and Leeds’ lamping Wigan. They also discuss Steve McNamara’s attack on Huddersfield, IMG, the World Cup, Victor Radley’s decision to represent England and more.

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We talk with Patrick Skene, the author of the book The Big O: The Life and Times of Olsen Filipaina. We chat with Patrick about Olsen, his life and amazing career, his legacy for Polynesians and the rise of Pasifica talent in the world of rugby league.

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John is in France for a Toulouse-themed special. He interviews new signings Daniel Alvaro and Corey Norman, and coach Slyvain Houles ahead of their Super League encounter against Castleford.

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Ross and John talk about the passing of Maurice Lindsay, IMG’s new deal with rugby league and issues at Warrington. They also chat about the Challenge Cup, Super League’s relegation battle and answer questions from listeners.

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Our special guest on this episode is rugby league coach Lee Addison. Lee talks to us about his online coaching business, his career in the sport, his background, working for Manly Sea Eagles and Penrith Panthers, his time in schoolboy footy, his thoughts on the international game and more.

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John and Ross are back to talk about the latest in Super League, the movers and shakers on the table, who’s impressed them after five rounds and who’s disappointed them, they also discuss the crackdown on high shots and foul play, and talk about the sad passing of Dave Hadfield.

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Our special guest on this episode is Wigan Warriors halfback Cade Cust. The Australian chats to us about Wigan's unbeaten start to the 2022 season, his background in Scone, his time in Manly, his transition to Super League and much more.

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John and Ross are back to preview the new Super League season. They profile all of the 12 clubs, look at the contenders, the pretenders, the key signings and coaching changes, and the teams who will be battling relegation.

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Paul Anderson joins us to talk about his new role with talent pathways at the RFL. Paul, a former professional rugby league player and Super League head coach, chats about his work with England, the World Cup and the international game. He also discusses his career at Leeds, Halifax, Bradford and St Helens, battling back from stoma sugery, dealing with adversity, his time coaching Huddersfield and more.

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Our special guest is rugby league journalist and author Steve Mascord. Steve returns to the podcast to talk about his new book Two Tribes. He chats about the process of writing the book, what he learned from it, takeaways from the 1997 split ARL/Super League season and more. He also responds to questions from listeners and gives his view on Channel 4 showing Super League.

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New Wigan Warriors head coach Matt Peet joins us on this episode. Matt talks to us about his plans for the Warriors, his journey in rugby, his coaching style, background, his thoughts on the 2022 season, his long connection to the Super League club and more.

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Our special guest on this episode is Midland Hurricanes CEO and co-owner Alan Robinson. Alan is the founder of the Coventry Bears and he joins us to talk about the launch of the Hurricanes, the idea behind the rebrand, the future of the Bears and rugby league in that area. He also chats about League 1, Cornwall RLFC and his journey and experiences in the sport, from northern Ireland to Coventry.

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Ross and John are back to talk about England's double win over France on Saturday, the return of international rugby league, a lack of ruthlessness and the need for a new promotional approach. They also discuss the Ottawa farce, missing leadership, the Super League grand final, Toulouse's promotion, Kevin Sinfield's success at Leicester and Liverpool FC embrassing Manchester United.

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We are joined by authors Jason Goldsmith and Lucas Gillard to talk about their new book 'Be My Guest - Football Superstars in Australia'. The book looks at the history of star names who have played soccer down under such as Bobby Moore, Ian Rush, Graeme Souness, Gianfranco Zola, Bobby Charlton, George Best and many more. The authors chat about their book, about Australian football history and the controversial concept of marquee signings.

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Our special guest on this episode is Castleford Tigers prop Grant Millington. Grant talks to us about retirement, his career, his time in the NRL, his journey in rugby league, the 2017 Super League grand final and his long spell at Castleford.

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Ross and John are back to talk about Ralph Rimmer's press conference, the future of UK rugby league, London Broncos, Ottawa Aces, the RFL, Magic Weekend back at Newcastle and more.

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In this episode we are joined by special guest Reno Santaguida. Reno is challenging to be the president of the Federazione Italiana Rugby League. He talks about the state of rugby league in Italy, issues in the country, problems with the sport's governance, board elections, problems with development and growth, and more.

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We interview International Rugby League chairman Troy Grant with the 2021 Rugby League World Cup crisis rumbling on, following Australia and New Zealand's withdrawal.

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After Australia and New Zealand pulled out of the 2021 Rugby League World Cup, we spoke to Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) chief executive Clint Newton. We ask Clint about the controversial decision, the players' reaction and stance, the concerns involved, the discussions with World Cup organisers and potential next steps in this developing story.

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