Rugby Hive – Details, episodes & analysis

Hosts Dallen Stanford & Robin MacDowell are joined by legends Kieran and Nicole Crowley for #RugbyHive Episode 33.

Kieran played in the backline for the All Blacks from 1983-1991 (19 Caps) winning the 1987 Rugby World Cup on home soil. He was also part of the New Zealand team that won the Bledisloe Cup in 1985, 1990 and 1991. Kieran played 199 times for club team Taranaki, scoring 1,723 points, and later coached Taranaki from 1998-2007.

Kieran spent eight years coaching the Canadian Men’s 15s team, taking them to the 2011 and 2015 Rugby World Cups. He then spent five seasons with Benetton in Italy, which is when this interview was recorded during 2020. Since we spoke, Kieran was named Coach of the Year while at Benetton Rugby guiding them to a Pro 14 Rainbow Cup Championship (2021), before being selected as the Head Coach of Italy in May of 2021. He led Italy to a 22-21 win over Wales in the 2021 Six Nations, and then recorded one of the biggest upsets to date for the Azzurri by defeating Australia 28-27 in the Autumn tours of 2022.

Kieran’s daughter, Nicole, also grew up New Zealand until she moved to Canada with her family at 12 years of age. She played for Team BC in 7s and 15s, captaining them to a National Championship. At just 18 years old while completing an internship at Rugby Canada, Nicole got the opportunity to become Manager of the Canada Women’s 15s team. From there she worked on contract with Rugby Canada while finishing her Business degree at the University of Victoria, where she was also a member of the UVic Vikes rugby team. Nicole managed the Women’s 15s side through their 2017 World Cup campaign as well as the Women’s 7s team to the Pan American Games, HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series and Olympic Qualification.

Since our interview, Nicole moved North with her partner (who works in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police), living in the remote sub-Arctic in the Northwest Territories, in a town of only 450 people and with no roads connecting it to other towns. Nicole is the Director of Recreation for the municipality where she is highly involved with Special Olympics NT and Sport North, where she works to help disadvantaged and remote kids from communities like hers, access sporting opportunities.

In this episode we talk about Kieran and Nicole’s rugby backgrounds, their accomplishments in the sport, and how they both used rugby as a vehicle to live and work in different countries and experience new cultures.

The Rugby Hive Podcast is brought to you by Gilbert Rugby Canada, Bru’s Biltong, Biltong Canada and EnduroSport.

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Hosts Dallen Stanford & Robin MacDowell are joined by legend Kelly Griffin for #RugbyHive Episode 32.  

Griffin signed a full-time training contract in 2011 with USA Rugby, and along with 7 other teammates to became the first group of professional women’s rugby players in the United States. She played on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series from 2011 to 2016, leading the country in tournament appearances, and was the only athlete of the "original eight" to have remained in residency throughout the four-year in the build-up to the 2016 Olympics.  

Griffin was part of the USA team that medaled at the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens, going undefeated in pool play, and claiming the Bronze Medal by beating Spain in sudden death overtime. She also competed as part of Team USA at the Pan American Games claiming a Bronze Medal. Griffin made history by captaining the USA Women's Olympic rugby team, which competed in the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics, the inaugural Olympiad to include women's rugby.  

She has transitioned to a successful coaching career at the University of Santa Barbara, and also the Premier 7s Women’s Loonies in 2021/2022, leading them to the Inaugural Championship title in Memphis, Tennessee!   In this episode we talk about the development of the women’s game in the USA, the Olympic Games, and various dream team players that Griffin played alongside and against. We also look at the Premier Rugby 7s in North America, coaching the game to newer players, and that famous rugby tattoo!  

The Rugby Hive Podcast is brought to you by Gilbert Rugby Canada, Bru’s Biltong, Biltong Canada and EnduroSport.

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Hosts Dallen Stanford & Robin MacDowell are joined by legend Ben Gollings for #RugbyHive Episode 23.

Gollings is the World Record holder for most points scored on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series with 2,652 earning himself a place in the Guinness book of World Records.

He represented England at the 2005 & 2009 Sevens World Cups, as well as playing in 3 Commonwealth Games in 2002, 2006 (Silver Medalist) and 2010. In total, England has won 19 Sevens Series tournaments, Gollings was part of 16, including 4 Hong Kong titles. In 15s he played over 100 English Premiership matches through Harlequins, Newcastle Falcons and Worcester Warriors. He also represented Sunnybank Australia, Tasman Makos, Doncaster Knights, Toyota Shokki, Queensland Reds, Gold Coast Breakers and Rugby Lions.

In today’s episode we chat about how he overcame adversity at a young age, his love for kicking anything and everything, and how he balanced a decade on the Sevens Series while playing professional 15s. We talk about his England 7s Dream Team, plus his Top 7 selections from all the opponents he faced. We also get into the mental side of the game, coaching and life after playing.

Gollings was one of the greatest players we have ever seen, and it’s no wonder co-host Robin MacDowell has a framed photo of him in his bedroom.

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Hosts Dallen Stanford & Robin MacDowell are joined by legend John Tait for #RugbyHive Episode 22.

Tait represented Canada in 15s from 1997 until 2002 with 37 Caps including the 1999 Rugby World Cup, making one appearance on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in Dubai, 2000. He also played 140 times for the Cardiff Blues and 20 times for Brive.

His coaching journey began in 2004 with the Canadian Mens 15s program as Assistant Coach until 2010. Then he helped build the Canadian Women's 7s program and led them to a Bronze Medal finish at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

In Todays episode we chat about playing overseas, how the late Ric Suggitt got him involved in coaching, and the Olympic podium journey he took with the Canadian Women’s 7s team. We chat about the differences between coaching men's and women's programs, how his daughters motivate him to create change, and looking ahead to the Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.

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Hosts Dallen Stanford & Robin MacDowell are joined by legend Santiago Gomez Cora for #RugbyHive Episode 21.

Gomez Cora represented Argentina for a decade on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, scoring 1,178 points, and for many years led the world in tries scored. Today is tied 4th highest try scorer in history with 230 alongside Blitzbok Seabelo Senatla.

Gomez Cora won the Los Angeles 7s in 2004 and then captained his side to glory in San Diego in 2009. Gomez Cora played in two Sevens Rugby World Cups: Hong Kong in 2005 and finalists in Dubai 2009. Currently he is preparing for the Olympic Games in Tokyo, as the Head Coach for the Pumas 7s team.

In this episode we track how the speedster elevated himself to international rugby, playing alongside his brother, why he developed the chip and chase as his trademark move, and how his career on the Sevens Series evolved into coaching his country.

We hear how he commentated in his second language (English) at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, why he lost 4kg in Japan, and his love of being at home with his son.

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Hosts Dallen Stanford & Robin MacDowell are joined by legend Karl Tenana for #RugbyHive Episode 20.

Tenana was part of the famous All Black 7s side that won the first 5 Series titles on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series. He captained New Zealand, winning the prestigious Rugby World Cup 7s in Hong Kong, 2001. In his 7s career, he scored a remarkable 113 tries, and was the leading try scorer in the 2000/2001 Series with 42 five pointers.

Despite picking up an injury, Tenana won a Gold Medal at the 2002 Commonwealth Games. He played Super Rugby for the Otago Highlanders and rugby league for the Point Chevalier Pirates. Since retiring he has become one of the world’s best commentators, working at events such as Super Rugby, the Sevens World Series, and recently the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.

In today’s episode we talk about growing up in New Zealand, playing Super Rugby with many All Black legends, the 7s life under Sir Gordon Tietjens, the days of 20 minute 7s Cup finals, and how the Sevens Series has evolved over the past 2 decades. We chat about his commentating career, meeting David Hasselhoff, plus who he picks as his best ever 7s squad.

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Hosts Dallen Stanford & Robin MacDowell are joined by legend Lesley McKenzie for #RugbyHive Episode 19.

Capped 25 times for Canada, McKenzie represented her country at the 2006 and 2010 Rugby World Cups. During University she played with the UBC Thunderbirds for 5 years, transitioning into coaching the squad from 2008-2013. While in New Zealand McKenzie worked as the Wellington women's development co-coordinator, as well as being a game development officer for Wanganui Rugby RFC.

McKenzie was an assistant coach with the Japanese Women’s 7s program at the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco, before taking over the Head Coach role for the Japanese Women's 15s side.

In today's episode we talk about growing up in the Mountains in Fort Nelson, Canada. We chat about her how she got started playing rugby, transitioning to coaching, her time in New Zealand, and ultimately her current role with the Japanese Women’s 15s program.

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Hosts Dallen Stanford & Robin MacDowell are joined by legend Chris Wyles for #RugbyHive Episode 18.   

Wyles played 54 times for the USA Eagles from 2007 to 2015, taking part in 3 Rugby World Cups and was named Captain America for the 2015 event in England. He represented USA Rugby for 3 years on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, scorching 50 tries in just 13 tournaments. He returned to play Sevens and wear the USA jersey at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.  

Wyles also played over 250 times for Saracens from 2008 to 2018, winning 4 Premiership Rugby titles and two European Championships. Following his retirement from the game, he founded Wolfpack Lager with fellow Saracens teammate Alistair Hargreaves.  

In today's episode we talk about growing up in America, studying politics at the University of Nottingham, and starting his own business. 

We chat about the 2007 World Rugby Try of the Year scored by Taku Ngwenya, playing international 7s and 15s, the comeback for the Olympic Games and success on and off the field with Saracens.  

We hope you enjoy and follow us on these platforms!  

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Hosts Dallen Stanford & Robin MacDowell are joined by legend Clark Laidlaw for #RugbyHive Episode 17. 

Laidlaw represented Scotland on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series from 2001 to 2007. In 2017 he took over the All Black 7s role and within a year guided New Zealand to two titles: the Rugby World Cup 7s in San Francisco, California, and Gold at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in Australia.  

In 2020 his Kiwi side won the HSBC Sevens World Series - bringing back the prestigious title to the people of New Zealand for the first time in 6 years, ending the longest drought for the number 1 rugby nation in the world.  

In this mammoth episode we talk about Laidlaw's Scottish roots, how he took over from the legendary Coach Sir Gordon Tietjens, what is the All Black way, and the culture of his squad. 

 We delve into Olympic Games preparation, bringing in All Blacks 15s players ahead of the Olympics, managing players at multi sport events, plus Laidlaw’s coaching philosophies, favorite NZ moment, the influence of the great Tomasi Cama and much more!   

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Hosts Dallen Stanford & Robin MacDowell are joined by legend Andy Friend for #RugbyHive Episode 16.

Friend has coached rugby at the top level since it became professional 25 years ago.  He has worked with the New South Wales Waratahs (Australia), the Brumbies (Australia), Suntory Sungoliath (Japan), Canon Eagles (Japan), Harlequins (England), Connaught (Ireland) as well as being the Technical Advisor to the Australian Wallabies under Eddie Jones - during the 2002 Tri Nations Series and 2003 Rugby World Cup. 

He was also the Australian 7s Head Coach for the Commonwealth Games and the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  

In this episode we take a deep dive into the world of coaching, how to bring the best out of your players, how the athlete has changed in 25 years, developing coaching philosophies and principles.  We talk about switching between coaching 7s and 15s, large multi-sport events and advice for aspiring coaches.

We hope you enjoy and follow us on these platforms!

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