New North Carolina-Chapel Hill Head Coach Joey Rasmus talks about a system he put in place at Illinois, making the Illini rugby program the largest sports club on campus and the larged college program in the USA.

Creating an intramural league, Rasmus created a system that brings young student-athletes to the game in a way that eases the entry to play, and could be a model other coaches can follow.

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Or support us directly through Paypal here>>

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Music by Bensounds.

See all of our Podcasts: https://www.goffrugbyreport.com/tags/ruggamatrix

Peter O'Donnell sits down with Bruce McLane to talk about one of the most important aspects of the game of rugby, the lineout.

What works? What new ideas can you implement? What matters and what doesn't?

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Based in Dublin, Ireland, Peter is a lineout expert and runs The Lineout Lab.

Web: https://www.thelineoutlab.com/

YouTube>>

Instagram @lineoutlab

X: @lineoutlab

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lineoutlab 

Also here is a link to the Simon Hardy podcast Bruce mentions: 
https://traffic.libsyn.com/forcedn/brucemclane/RMA_Coach_Talk_hardy_2.mp3 

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Support what RMA and Goff Rugby Report does here: https://www.goffrugbyreport.com/support-grr/

Or support us directly through Paypal here>>

Music by Bensounds.

See all of our Podcasts: https://www.goffrugbyreport.com/tags/ruggamatrix

Alex Goff sits down with former Cal, Oxford University, and USA prop Ray Lehner.

He talked about his rugby origins, his influences, and what it was that turned him from a guy just checking out the game into someone who has embraced it as his life.

GRR All-Time American List: Ray Lehner

RuggaMatrix America is brought to you by Irish Rugby Tours, the US Rugby Foundation, and Next Phase Rugby.

You can also support what we do by becoming at Patron here at https://www.goffrugbyreport.com/support-grr/

Bruce sits down with Mike "Chicken" Dabulas and talks about his push to the pros and international rugby, as well as how players can be great in the locker room.

Mike talks about the evolution (or not so much) of coaching as well.

RuggaMatrix America is brought to you by Irish Rugby Tours, the US Rugby Foundation, and Next Phase Rugby.

You can also support what we do by becoming at Patron here at https://www.goffrugbyreport.com/support-grr/

Alex Goff sits down with former Cal captain, All American, USA, Oxford, Randwick, and SFGG rugby player Matt Sherman.

Having seen both sides of the top-level collegiate playoffs, and later becoming the Head Coach of a national champion, Sherman brings a unique perspective to the game and the players.

He talks about what it means to be an Eagle, the players he played with and the special moments, and also what it means to be a Golden Bear and a Black Knight.

Music by Bensounds

Support RMA and what we do by becoming a Patron here: https://www.goffrugbyreport.com/support-grr

Episode photo by Adam Smith.

Scott Lawrence is Interim USA Head Coach and Interim head of High Performance. And that means he's free to make decisions based solely on the long-term health of the program.

It's freeing, and he tells Bruce McLane why.

Music by Bensounds

Support RMA and what we do by becoming a Patron here: https://www.goffrugbyreport.com/support-grr

Accomplished rugby player and medical doctor Anthony Chaffee sits down with Bruce McLane in a three-parter that hits hard at assumptions about healthy diet, the role meat plays in performance and weight loss, hormones, and what are the right foods for humans. 

In Part 3 Dr. Chaffee talks about not only athletic performance, but physical performance for anyone. He also talks about being educated about what you put into your body, and not just listening by rote.

This is Part 3 of 3 Parts.

Music by Bensounds

Support RMA and what we do by becoming a Patron here: https://www.goffrugbyreport.com/support-grr

See Dr. Anthony Chaffee's own Podcast, the Plant Free MD, here>>

See his YouTube Channel here>>

Accomplished rugby player and medical doctor Anthony Chaffee sits down with Bruce McLane in a three-parter that hits hard at assumptions about healthy diet, the role meat plays in performance and weight loss, and what are the right foods for humans. He also talks about what fuels some types of cancer and how that relates to diet.

This is Part 2 of 3 Parts.

Music by Bensounds

Support RMA and what we do by becoming a Patron here: https://www.goffrugbyreport.com/support-grr

See Dr. Anthony Chaffee's own Podcast, the Plant Free MD, here>>

See his YouTube Channel here>>

Accomplished rugby player and medical doctor Anthony Chaffee sits down with Bruce McLane in a three-parter that hits hard at assumptions about healthy diet, the role meat plays in performance and weight loss, and what are the right foods for humans.

This is Part 1 of 3 Parts.

Music by Bensounds

Support RMA and what we do by becoming a Patron here: https://www.goffrugbyreport.com/support-grr

See Dr. Anthony Chaffee's own Podcast, the Plant Free MD, here>>

See his YouTube Channel here>>

Alex Goff sits down in Dan Arbeznik's classroom not to talk about the St. Ignatius HS team (which he coaches), but the massive turnout for Rookie Rugby Cleveland.

When we talk about Youth Rugby and growing the game, are we making progress? Some are, and here's how Rookie Rugby Cleveland has 800 kids playing rugby every Sunday in the spring. 

Want to know more? email rookierugbycleveland@gmail.com about how it's done. (But like Dan says in the podcast, you might not get a reply until August!) 

See their Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/RookieRugbyCleveland/

Former TransAmerica Life CEO Tom Cusack sat down with Alex Goff to talk about USA Rugby finances, the high performance review, the national teams, the split with NCR, the need for a bigger staff, Rugby World Cup money, and above all ... trust.

USA Rugby's Board also released a letter to the membership about what they have been working on so far. Click on the link to read it.

Alex Goff sits down with USA legend Luke Gross, who parlayed his 6-9 frame and a ton of grit to a long professional and record-setting USA career before becoming a coach.

Patrick O'Rourke of St. Ignatius HS in Cleveland in knowns not only as one of the top HS hockey coaches in the USA, but one of the best high school sports coaches, period.

A coach who balances elite performance and full inclusion, dedication and fun, and lessons from other sports (including rugby), sits down with Alex Goff to talk about all of that ... and playing 7 overtimes(!).

To purchase the book Coach O'Rourke discusses in this episode go here>> 

Support what RMA and Goff Rugby Report does here: https://www.goffrugbyreport.com/support-grr/

Or support us directly through Paypal here>>

Music by Bensounds.

See all of our Podcasts: https://www.goffrugbyreport.com/tags/ruggamatrix

Alex Goff sits down with former USA 7s star Ben Pinkelman who, after being forced to retire due to injury, has taken up the coaching reins.

Pink talks about his start and how he worked through the ranks, whether playing high-level 15s and 7s at the same time is feasible, or even advisable, he talks about his Olympics pain, the thrill of being on the World Sevens Series Dream Team, and what the future holds for the USA 7s program.

Bruce McLane sits down with Life University Head Coach Colton Cariaga.

Cariaga, who played in Ireland as well as as an All American at Life, touches on helping players through adversity, the HP troubles in USA Rugby, and what coaches around the country can do to further the game.

The conversation covers a variety of topics and is well worth a listen. Check out Cariaga's coaching tips instagram feed at:

https://www.instagram.com/coltoncariagarugby/

USA women's 7s star Abby Gustaitis and men's 7s Head Coach Mike Friday talk with Alex Goff about the Quest for the Gold Tournament in Los Angeles, the Olympics, and what's next.

Support RMA by becoming a Patron at: https://www.goffrugbyreport.com/support-grr 

Iowa State Head Coach Anthony Frein goes into detail on how he got his club college team approved to play despite COVID restrictions.

It's about being flexible, detailed, and realizing that any rugby, if safely done, is a benefit to the players.

Alex Goff jumps on his soapbox a bit too.

Support RMA and Goff Rugby Report by helping us here: https://www.goffrugbyreport.com/support-grr

If you want to know more about how Anthony Frein did it, email him at: anthonyffrein@gmail.com

Alex Goff sits down with UCLA Head Coach David Clancy, former Scotland international Adam Ashe, and former England and British & Irish Lions prop Alex Corbisiero on their new roles coaching at UCLA.

USA lock Nick Civetta breaks down his jobs in the second row, giving priceless insights on the lineout, the scrum, and even the right equipment.

Support RMA and what we do here by being a Patreon Patron at: http://patreon.com/goffrugbyreport 

Justin Goonan is the current Indiana University Head Coach and he has coached at all levels in the United States, both as a rugby coach and a Strength & Conditioning coach.

Now he is trying to help all those rugby coaches who don't have an S&C get their players fit and fit for rugby. Goonan sits down with Bruce McLane and Alex Goff to talk more about it.

Become a RMA Patron—support what we're going. Go to https://www.goffrugbyreport.com/support-grr to learn how you can be a patron.

Learn more about Justin Goonan at universalsportsstrength.com

The key to rugby success is to keep learning and improving, and USA second row forward Nick Civetta has been doing that his entire career.

Once overlooked for the national team for reasons he says were perfectly fair, Civetta remade himself, and has become a stalwart of the team. Now he is embarking on another journey as he continues his rugby—attaining a Master's at Oxford. 

Civetta sits down with Bruce McLane and Alex Goff to talk about this and much more.

Dr. Richard Urso has been deep into how America has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic, and he has some thoughts.

He talks directly with Bruce McLane about the (lack of) value in shutdowns and staying at home, simple treatments that work, practice responses, Vitamin D, the vaccine, and it's up to the listeners to see how this translates to whether we should be able to play sports at the youth, HS, and college levels.

Follow Dr. Urso at @richardursomd

See also https://www.americasfrontlinedoctors.com/

Strength and Conditioning expert Rob Oshinskie has worked with athletes from all over the spectrum. He sits down with Bruce McLane and (a little bit) Alex Goff to talk about mistakes coaches make with S&C, what works and what's a waste of time, and how you can help your athletes get stronger, fitter, and smarter.

See more about Rob at victorynation.com or you can contact him directly at robo@victorynation.com.

This one is a bit more about philosophy, money, policy, and how we all survive the tought times.

A hugely enlightening talk between Bruce McLane and economist, author, and President of the Ludwig von Mises Institute, Thomas Dilorenzo.

The USA's main flyhalf AJ MacGinty is busy playing for Sale Sharks and knows many of his Eagle teammates aren't able to play as easily. He knows he's lucky, and he speaks with Alex Goff about the Sharks, the Eagles, the World Cup, and fatherhood.

USA Rugby CEO Ross Young checks in with Alex Goff about the organization's new digs, new plans, and coming out of bankruptcy and COVID.

Support GRR on Patreon as a patron or support us anonymously!

A day after USA Rugby cleared a key hurdle in its bankruptcy reorganization, the NGB's CEO sat down with Alex Goff to discuss the challenges in getting there, what's next, and ... apologies?

Support RMA and Goff Rugby Report by becoming a Patreon Patron. Go to www.patreon.com/goffrugbyreport to see how you can get perks and gifts, and support this podcast and our other great content.

John Van Der Giessen was willing to travel the world to learn the game, and willing to go places emotionally not every play can go to in order to become an internationals.

Now successful in the business world, VDG talks with Bruce McLane about how he became an Eagle, who helped him along the way, and what lessons he learned.

Topo Rodriguez played prop for Argentina, Australia, and Tahiti, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest scrummagers ever.

He is also a sharp and critical thinker and pulls no punches in talking about problems and solutions for Australia, Argentina, and the USA, who he says should be a top-8 country in rugby.

Fred Paoli gets tough with the younger generation of players, USA Rugby, and anyone else who gets in his way as the great Eagle tighthead speaks with Bruce McLane.

It's part 2 of Bruce McLane's sit-down with one of the greatest USA rugby players ever, Gary Lambert, and he talks about rivalries, today's game, and has a little advice for young players.

This latest RuggaMatrix America Podcast sees Bruce Mclane sit down with an all-time great prop and an expert in the art of scrummaging (which is the name of his book): Enrique Topo Rodriguez.

Topo played prop for Argentina, Australia, the South American Jaguares, and late Tahiti. He pulls no punches in talking about the game, the politics within the game, and how to play the game right.

Gary Lambert was a force of nature for the USA in the 1980s and 1990s. The former White Plains product speaks with Bruce McLane about rugby, fishing, coaching, and more. This is a great show and it's only Part 1.

Check out his fishing charter company at https://www.dgcharters.com

Support what we're doing on RMA and Goff Rugby Report through Patreon. You help us keep providing you with great shows and content by becoming at Patreon Patron.

http://patreon.com/goffrugbyreport

Joan Ryan examines the science and the stories behind great team chemistry, a subject she details in her book: Intangibles.

Chiefly a writer about baseball, Ryan's explorations into what makes teams successful in the locker room translate to all sports. 

Alex Goff sits down with still-interim USA Men's 15s Head Coach (and HP GM) Scott Lawrence after the USA beat Brazil and Spain 48-3 and 42-12, respectively to win the Vila International Rugby Cup.

Support what RMA and Goff Rugby Report does here: https://www.goffrugbyreport.com/support-grr/

Music by Bensounds.

See all of our Podcasts: https://www.goffrugbyreport.com/tags/ruggamatrix

Bruce McLane brings in Mike Tolkin to chat with Phil Terrigno, Assistant Coach at Army West Point, to talk about an oft-overlooked area of the field—right in the middle.

How do you win the territory war between the ten-meter lines either side of halfway? Terrigno and Tolkin look at options, ideas, and tactics.

Olympic gold medal-winning shooter Lanny Bassham realized that his dream of a gold medal in the Olympics was dashed  in 1972 because he wasn't mentally disciplined. 

But he bounced back four years later after essentially creating his own mental control curriculum. That turned into a career, as Bassham became a mental training expert to athletes, CEOs, and the military. His insights are invaluable.

Tim Cluess does his first podcast with fellow Iona coach Bruce McLane. The hugely successful basketball coach—6 NCAA tournaments in 9 years—talks about personal tragedy, working hard, and building great teams and better human beings.

NSW Waratahs scrum coach Mark Bell talks Bruce McLane's language. He breaks down how to set up, bind, and drive in every position in the scrum. It's an audio masterclass in this crucial and unique aspect of play.

Rob Holder has won championships just about everywhere he has coached, but it's not about that. Holder's faith and how that faith directs his approach to coaching is what it's about.

In this episode Holder takes the lessons of the Sermon on the Mount in the Bible, and creates rugby coaching and teamwork lessons out of them. Love your enemy get the rugby treatment.

Blake Gilbert has played with the Coastal Dragons, Servite HS, and Rhino Rugby, and will be attending Saint Mary's in the fall. 

A smart, aggressive scrumhalf, Gilbert also has an intriguing perspective on what he gets out of rugby, and what he expects from coaches. Young players have expectations, too.

Brad Harrington has served as the Strength & Conditioning Coach for Australia, the Warratahs, the Scarlets, and Leinster.

He sits down with Bruce McLane to talk about preparing yourself to play at a high level, what effect emotion, team culture, passion, and the mental approach have on gettings yourself fit to play.

Got questions for Brad? DM him on Twitter at @bradharrington

Bill Ard won a Super Bowl with the New York Giants in the 1980s, and returns to RMA to talk about superstar players, whether special treatment from coaches is a good thing, draft scouting, and team cohesion.

All of this translates nicely to how any group in a team sport, especially rugby, can find success.

Longtime All Blacks assistant Aussie McLean talks to Bruce McLane about developing players in their positions, finding that gen of an athlete, and adjusting to new ways of playing the game.

McLean has seen a lot, and he lets us see it too.

Alex Goff sits down with USA Rugby CEO Ross Young and USA Rugby COO Johnathan Atkeison to talk about High Performance—plans, developments, and thoughts on USA Rugby HP jobs, including HP GM, Eagles 15s Head Coaches, and hosting the World Cup.

Is USA Rugby headed in the right direction? Will they settle on full-time coaches and will those be the right decisions. Will they abandon a new-found commitment to age-grade national teams?

What if World Rugby wants to take away the 2031 World Cup? We talk about it all. 

RuggaMatrix America is brought to you by Irish Rugby Tours, the US Rugby Foundation, and Next Phase Rugby.

You can also support what we do by becoming at Patron here at https://www.goffrugbyreport.com/support-grr/

Photo: Alex Goff

Rugby stalwarts (they coach the Dallas Reds and with Atlantis) Lynn and Chris Howard discuss the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Lynn Howard holds an MD from LSU with specialties in Virology, Epidemiology, and Reproductive Endocrinology. She has dealt with the World Health Organization and worked in Africa on infectious diseases. Chris Howard has a PhD in Biochemistry. 

Both have recovered from COVID-19.

They break down myths and statistical errors regarding COVID-19, what really works to defend against it, how it started, when it really started, and who is responsible for it. It's a must-listen show.

Canadian rugby legend Aaron Carpenter is now coaching with the Ontario Arrows in MLR and he brings his unique experience of 80 caps with Canada and as a longtime professional to his coaching.

Outspoken Head Coach of Iowa Central CC, Brent Nelson, talks about building his varsity program at the Tritons.

Nelson talks about recruiting, building a team, educational decision-making, and what happened when ICCC was moved from D2 to D1AA mid-season.

Longtime coach Paule Barford, who coached the Ohio Aviators in PRO Rugby, coached at Cornell, and with the HS All Americans, has some thoughts when it comes to teaching the game, and running the game on the national level.

How do you teach game awareness? How do you run high performance? What are the key fundamentals of the American game? How is Major League Rugby not doing the job for the Eagles? Barford speaks.