Episodes
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Can USA beat Samoa? PNC Preview (ft. HARPO)
Can USA beat Samoa? PNC Preview (ft. HARPO) by Bt, Uncle Johnny, TommyNoPiks & the Rugby PickEm Crew
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NEFJ to defend the MLR Shield in their backyard (ft. Phil Harris)
The MLR Season came and went! It seems like yesterday that teams were kicking off the season in February, yet here we are. We hopped on with FreeJack SUPERFAN and host of the Jack's Rangers podcast Phil Harris. Phil will be in attendance Saturday with his skullet and usual intensity as his…
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RWC Bordeaux - The Lost Tapes
Some old audio from the RWC in France back in 2023. What a time to be alive! We were lucky enough to grab tickets to Ireland vs. Romania on Saturday followed by Fiji vs. Wales on Sunday in the opening weekend of an unforgettable RWC. Enjoy. PICKEM!
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Ten Dumb Questions - MLR 2025
We've covered the MLR since its inception in 2018. Written all types of articles, in-person match reports and the occasional player interview.... but the focus this year will be asking questions.... After all, asking questions, makes for good dialogue. Carl Sagan said “There is no such thing as a...
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College Rugby at its Finest (ft. John Fitzpatrick of Rugby Morning)
The 2024 CRC's did not disappoint. A uniquely American tournament format featured a "win and advance" style of bracket, and the excitement that came with the high stakes was exhilarating. Premier Division - 1st Place: Wheeling Back in January, Aaron Juma and Joe Iye led the Great Lakes NCR all…
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FreeJacks Tripped and Fell (ft. Bozo6 of the Jacks Rangers)
After winning 14 straight, the defending champs lost at the death in their home opener against rival Old Glory D.C. Jason Robertson was clutch down the stretch and drilled the game winning kick with no time on the clock. It was truly a game winning conversion (they were down 1, not tied), and it...
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Utah Warriors #UnleashYourInnerWarrior
Historical Record: 32-42-3 Week 1 Result: 22-15 loss to Houston Skinny: The Utah Warriors have always been an MLR staple. There's no prettier backdrop than the snow kissed mountains just west of Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman Utah. The Warriors will be missing legend Lance Williams as he pursues...
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Seattle Seawolves #TheHuntForNumber3
Historical Record: 43-33-1 Week 1 Result: 25-19 win against San Diego Skinny: The Orcas in the Pacific Northwest have been known to be some of the most intelligent hunters in the ocean. The rugby team also knows how to hunt down playoff appearances and has posted a 7-2 playoff record over their...
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San Diego Legion #LeGenerationX
Historical Record: 51-25-1 Week 1 Result: 25-19 loss to Seattle Skinny: The team may have some of the last Generation X professional rugby players on the squad, but don't forget that age is just a number. After all, 40's are the new 30's, right? Ma'a Nonu and Matt Giteau want nothing more than…
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Rugby FCLA #BlueOaks
Historical Record: 0-0 Week 1 Result: 32-29 loss vs. Dallas Skinny: Atlanta packs up and moves to the sunny hills of Los Angeles. Coach Steve Brett brings with him the core of the players that won a fair share of games as the RATLers. But just like the phoenix who rose from the ashes, Rugby FCLA...
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Houston SaberCats #CatScratchFever
Historical Record: 29-48 (5.5 Seasons) Week 1 Result: 22-15 win over Utah Skinny: After a tough couple years of predominantly losing, it seems like Houston has turned a corner (or a roundabout?) ... Coach Pote Human ain't taking no guff from opposing teams, and has delivered the squad to playoffs...
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Dallas Jackals #JackalAllTrades
Historical Record: 2-30 (2 Seasons) Week 1 Result: 32-29 win over Rugby FC Los Angeles Skinny: So Dallas hasn't been great so far ... no better time than now for a change. Sam Golla may be the best draft pick since the inception of the collegiate draft. The #JackalAllTrades already earned his way...
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Old Glory DC #OGMD
Historical Record: 20-31-2 (3.5 Seasons) Week 1 Result: 18-6 loss to NOLA Gold Skinny: Moving on from Segra Field is a definite win. While the new pitch is still a ways out there, it boasts a beautiful grass surface with an accurately sized bowl for 5k fans. It's their 3rd venue since inception…
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NOLA Gold #NawlThatGlittersIsGold
Historical Record: 36-40-1 (5.5 Seasons) Week 1 Result: 18-6 win over Old Glory DC Skinny: NOLA in a big year as they look to not only make the playoffs, but host a match in July. They have the glitz and glamour to get there, but after white knuckle defensive performance against OGDC down in the...
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New England FreeJacks #RepeatOrDie
Historical Record: 38-15 (3.5 Seasons) Week 1 Result: 46-13 win over Anthem Skinny: Reigning Champs, and currently riding a 13 game winning streak dating back to April of 2023. There is no hotter team in the MLR so surely the pressure is on to repeat as champions. With Fort Quincy as host to the...
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Miami Sharks #ArgentinaNorth
Historical Record: 0-0 Week 1 Result: 23-19 Loss to Chicago Skinny: What's sexier than buying a professional franchise in a destination city and branding it pink? Sounds like our late Giltinis, but this squad has an ownership group (see above) that isn't fucking around. You don't wear those…
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Chicago Hounds #ReleaseTheHounds
Historical Record: 3-13 (1 Season) Week 1 Result: 23-19 win over Miami Skinny: Chicago has the weapons to do some damage in the East. They absorbed talent from New York and have a total of 16 Internationally capped players. How do you follow up a season with a lot of losses? By winning. It's also...
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Anthem Rugby Carolinas #Nueroplasticity
Historical Record: 0-0 Week 1 Result: 46-13 Loss to New England Free Jacks Skinny: This team was put together in the final minutes of the offseason. Any wins would be outstanding considering the short timeline they were put together. World Rugby has agreed to fund the team for four years, and…
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Death, Survival & Rebirth - MLR 2024
Two teams folded (for now). One team packed up and relocated to the sunny hills of L.A. Another new team in the Queen City with a focus on young American MLR minutes. After Glendale came and went, followed by Gilly-Gate, did anyone actually think the MLR Front Office timeline could get any…
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Le Shane Williams 'Tiny Dance' of Le Tourney
What makes a great winger? Is it the ability to beat the best defenses? The slight of foot, and dashing balance as they navigate through a trove of stout defenders? What about a lethal step, or an unimaginable field vision? Uncle Johnny was in studio to flesh out who Le Shane Williams 'Tiny…
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The French Immersion (ft. Uncle Johnny)
Bt & Uncle Johnny recap what has been an exquisite month of Rugby World Cup action in the home country of France. From sharing a suite with hot & sweaty Irish lads, to close encounters with Jellyfish in the famous Basque country surf, the lads give the blow by blow of what has been a fantastic…
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RWC 2023 - Year of the DOG
Ladies and Gents, it's here. The event we've been waiting for. The Rugby World Cup in France. Rugby Reddit Internet Scholars (we're talkin' 21st century academia baby) are dubbing this one the year of the UNDERDOGS. Teams that have yet to sniff a RWC Final are predicted to shine and break through...
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Broccoli Guy - Seattle Sports SuperFan
Sometimes, an interview is so big ... so massive and emotional ... so monumental and groundbreaking ... that you simply can't edit & publish it in the following hours. No, sometimes the weight of the moment is simply too grand ... it needs to simmer, and grow with the wild and fantastical rise of...
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Lane Pruisner
Lane Pruisner IS IOWA. From the Corn Fields of Ankeny, to Fort Dodge and now Jonesboro Arkansas, rugby has been a leading driver in Lane's young adult life. His adventures brought him to Denver Colorado this summer where he competed with the Denver Barbarians 7's and worked full time as a civil...
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Nuero Feedback (ft. Reed Ronan)
Founded in 2022, Ronan Neurofeedback and Counseling was formed primarily to help athletes struggling with mental health issues, concussion symptoms, and injury recovery on and off the field. Ronan Neurofeedback and Counseling also works with non-athletes seeking an alternative to medication who...
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Premier Rugby 7's (ft. John Fitzpatrick of Rugby Morning)
Premier Rugby 7's had their first event in the fall of 2021 in Memphis Tennessee. Since then, it has grown steadily and expanded to 5 total events for the summer of 2023. With new butt kickin' franchise names (look no further than the Pittsburgh Steeltoes) and an infusion of talent, the new…
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Mike Matarazzo - Chicago Hounds
Mike Matarazzo isn't just a big body ... he's a student of the game and one of the young dynamic players in the MLR. Clocking in at 6'5", 250lbs, he's a tower in the lineout and has the hands to move the ball under pressure. We caught up with Mike back in fall of 2021 when he attending the U-23...
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Super Rugby Americas - 2023 BOLD Predictions
Los Dogos XV Name / Brand: The Dogo Argentina breed was bred by the 1920s Antonio Nores Martinez, a young student of Córdoba in central Argentina. The logo is fierce... just like this type of dog. They are big game hunting dogs, but also are trained for search and rescue, police assistance…
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MLR Year 6 - Eastern Conference BOLD Predictions
Striking Gold King Creole is ready for that postseason smoke NOLA Gold have been a founding member and have always been on the cusp of the playoffs. They have talent in the back row, and have signed some key collegiate players to bolster the squad. King Creole and his marching band have high...
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MLR Year 6 - Western Conference BOLD Predictions
Western Expansion The Hounds have been released, but how will they fare in 2023? The 2022 expansion team went 0-16 but seems to be building a strong fanbase. The 2021 expansion team smashed the league, nabbed the shield, but now are a relic of the past. Given the fact that Chicago inherited two…
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Special Thanks to the Fans (Ft. Tommy's Philosophies)
We hope you've been enjoying the recent episodes with Uncle Johnny, Tommy NoPiks and HARPO in person, live & in the flesh. 2022 has proven to be a crazy rugby year, but we simply wanted to thank all the fans that continue to listen to Rugby PickEm and occasionally go and click around the website...
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The Attitude Adjusters Association
It was June in 1983, and the soon to be burgeoning game of rugby 7's was waiting for it's inevitable explosion. Luckily for the soon to be 7's sensations, he arrived in the form of Dr. Don HARPO and the Attitude Adjusters Association. Back when Life U was just a small chiropractic college (and…
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2021 Women's RWC (in 2022)
The Women's 2021 RWC (held in 2022) was an unforgettable kiwi experience. Not only is New Zealand a beautiful country (flora, fauna & great people), but rugby runs through their veins. The hosts were spectacular, and the Black Ferns put on a show throughout. They defeated a great French side in…
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The Rise & Fall of Gilly Gilly
Have we ever seen a bigger lighting rod of a character in the USA Rugby landscape than Adam Gilchrist? Love him or hate him ... there's no denying that he shook up the league (to put it lightly) in the two years of his rise and fall. We recapped the last year of the two Gil franchises, and...
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Operation 'Hope for the Best' - ft HARPO
The full compliment of RP personalities were back in studio for a heated discussion that somehow remained cautiously optimistic! Although the men's Eagles did not qualify for France 2023, we are reminded that not all is lost, and sometimes it truly is darkest before the dawn (scientifically...
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Denver Barbarians vs. American Raptors - The Local Darby
On Saturday, 4/23/22, the Denver Barbarians will play against the American Raptors. The teams have played on and off since 2007, and each time they square up against each other, the rugby fans of Denver Colorado benefit. Since 2007, the competitions have morphed and shaped year to year (see…
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Three Screens Are Better Than One - MLR Update (ft. Tommy NoPiks)
Over the past 6 weeks, we've been watching the games and keeping a temperature on the early part of the 2021 MLR season. On Saturday night, Bt and Tommy NoPiks sat down to take in 3 games at once (4 games if you count the 2nd half of the Cali Cup). Much to the chagrin of our dear friend (the 2020...
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MLR 2022 - Year of the Player
MLR 2022 - Year of the Player (ft. Colton Strickler DNVR Rugby) 4 Themes and 'Motifs' for the upcoming season ... 1. Shift in Player Power - Monetizing Individual Brands It's no secret that MLR Salary caps are low relative to its European counterparts. This will push players to try and maximize...
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Jalen Tatum - Rugby ATL
What if I told you the future of Rugby ATL was a lacrosse convert, who's ripped up & shredded (like cheese), loves a good bump off, ... oh yeah and he's not just a great dude, but also perhaps a fashion and trend setting icon ..... ? It's Jalen Tatum and he's heading towards a try zone near you!...
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The 2021 Rugby PickEm Awards (The 2nd Annual RPA's)
A touch late on the "end of year" publication, but ... oh well. The deliberations were fiery, no stone was left unturned, and the final pieces to this year's awards have come into place. What a year 2021 was .., and where to begin? In the face of a pandemic, the MLR went 99-0 (Commish's favorite...
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Matt Johnston - International Sevens Game Analyst
As professional rugby intersects with the information age, statistical trends and historical data are crucial to the success or failure of a professional team. At the test level, coaches and selectors are handed a treasure trove of information about their player pool. All of this comes to life on...
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Isaiah Ashley (Rugby Rent Scholarships #1)
When you start something (without the full plan of what it's going to look like), you get results that are often unquantifiable. After all, you didn't establish the ground work. You don't know what a "success or failure" looks like. You haven't done the hard work that goes into laying out a...
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End of Year Blizzard of Content ...
As is Rugby PickEm tradition, we give our listeners (and readers?) an end of year blizzard of content before the year ends. The following is an recap/update on the 2021 fall season. Over the next few days, we'll keep the feed fresh with some old interviews we did throughout the year. What a year…
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Autumn Nations Series
The Autumn Nations Series is well under way. There have been some blow outs, mixed with some exciting score lines as well. The series is broadcasted and sold via streaming services differently in each country. Amazon Prime has it's hand in the live rights pot, and is taking on more and more…
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2022 MLR Schedj Release (Three Teams, One Cup)
With the release of the 2022 Major League Rugby season, fans can now decide where to spend their hard earned money come early February. Last year, with the pandemic, and other unknowns throwing wrenches into just about every teams planning, the season started later, and some teams were not able…
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USA Women Head to Europe
The USA Women's Eagles head to Europe to play Ireland and England on the back of two defeats to Canada. Monday's crowd was lively considering it was cold enough to freeze your fingertips. Multiple hot chocolates sold out on a brisk night in Denver. The Eagles struggled in the lineout , but...
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One (Test) Window Closes, Another Opens With a Vengeance
It took a whole month for the Rugby PickEm triumvirate to return to the same studio, but the stars aligned this week and Uncle Johnny and Tommy NoPiks returned to the show. We had left our last episode on the eve of the second leg of USA vs. Uruguay. Obviously, the results went the way of the...
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Eagles vs. Los Teros & Premier Rugby 7's
The Eagles are a home/away series vs. Uruguay away from qualifying for the Americas 1 spot in the Rugby World Cup 2023 in France. After a scintillating win at Glendale two weeks ago against Canada, the Eagles showed they can win with their backs against the wall overcoming a -15 point deficit...
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Carly Waters
Carly Waters recently signed with Saracen's Women's in North London, and brings an exciting, tempo based skill set across the pond from her time playing in the states. She spent the last decade honing her skills here in the states, and has excelled through the ranks of Women's Rugby in the USA....
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Rugby Rent Scholarships
Introducing Rugby Rent Scholarships. This was a long-time in the making, an idea that's resonating for years before finally being turned into a reality. Our Mission: Provide affordable housing to rugby players who want to grow on and off the pitch. We also believe in 4 Core Pillars: 1) Play Rugby...
About this show
Talkin' Rugby, Tellin' Stories, Rugby PickEm
Hosted by
Bt, Uncle Johnny, TommyNoPiks & the Rugby PickEm Crew
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