Scrumbags Rugby Podcast · Pick and Drive Productions

Tah Tah and Farewell

·1 hr 9 min·1 clip

Corey Toole intercepts the ball and races untouched to score in the final 30 seconds

Mitch welcomes listeners back and sets things up as a one-stop shop for Aussie rugby. Lockie cops a bit of playful ribbing for the intro sting, which came from his call of the under-18s Queensland versus New South Wales fixture. The pair explain that the series has been played over two legs in Brisbane and Sydney, and that it feeds into Australian under-18s selection later in the year. The Waratahs, not Queensland, have taken control of the series. Both games have been lopsided, with the Tars putting up 50 in each. That sends the conversation into junior rugby, representative pathways, and what these matches mean beyond the scoreline. The chat then shifts to whether Ben Vola-Vola added much after coming on. They agree the cameo was short and not especially decisive. More credit goes to the bench around him. George Blake gets a strong mention for his shift after the hosts had been cautious about him as a hooker-turned-loosehead. Trayvon Pritchard is the main bright spot of the segment. Mitch and Lockie keep coming back to his pace, power, lateral movement, and ability to break contact. They like the post-contact metres he produced. They also point out that he is only 18 and still has room to grow into a bigger problem for defenders. There is a quick shout-out to a massive hit-up from Vlasalato off a goal-line dropout. The pair clearly enjoy the physical edge that law change has added. Wurchon and Asiata are also credited for doing solid work. The discussion starts to feel more confident about Queensland's overall 23. That matters because the episode is not just about the starting side. It is about whether the squad now looks deeper and more complete. Jock Campbell becomes the other major talking point. The hosts call out his milestone game and point to his run metres and defensive reading. They see him as making a real case for the backup around fullback behind Tom Wright. The episode closes by acknowledging the frustration Waratahs fans are feeling online. The tone stays sympathetic rather than smug. Mitch and Lockie say the Reds are moving in the right direction. They also tip their hat to the Brumbies for flying the flag for Australian rugby. The sign-off is loose, familiar, and very much like two people who know the game and will happily argue about it next week.

As heard by us

A lively Reds and selection chat that turns junior results into senior questions.

The discussion starts in under-18s Queensland v New South Wales, then moves into Reds depth and selection pressure once the squad looks real. Mitch and Lockie keep it moving from junior rep footy to bench impact and then to first-grade questions, with Jock Campbell's value…

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

Want rugby chat that moves from under-18 schoolboys to selection pressure without losing its edge?

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from Scrumbags Rugby Podcast