EPISODE 39: The year we didn’t need to have + Announcements
2023 can probably get in the bin. Okay, it wasn’t all bad. Some of us had a great trip to France and it’s great if you follow 7s rugby, but otherwise, it’s been tough. Joining Matt to have a quick review of the year and where to next for Australian rugby is Blake from the Rugby Report Card with a slice of umbrage but plenty of strong, honest views. We talk about the Eddie show, Hamish McLennan vs the Rebel Alliance but also look at the positives, our women’s 7s, the opportunities for building rugby amongst the youth and who could be angling for the Wallaby head coach role. This episode will be the final in the current series of the Gold Digger podcast and will close with some announcements about the film and the opportunity of a new book that is perfect for some off season reading. Dig in!
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50:30
EPISODE 38: EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW with Eddie Jones
It was an interview that was months in the making. Then he was sacked but still the opportunity was there. At the time of recording in early January 2023 he was a former Wallaby coach and at the time of publishing he is now the current Wallaby coach. Eddie Jones, a man who needs no introduction to Australian rugby fans.We dig into his origins at Matraville High playing with the Ellas, his coaching journey, the rise of Japan and how he changed their mindset, the evolving professional players and then cut to the core of the issues that need to be addressed in Australia and how important cohesion is. A frank chat with a battle hardened former school teacher and now journeyed coach that is all the more salient given he has been given the mantle of Wallaby coach for "one more job". Dig in!
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1:02:25
EPISODE 37: Since when do we lose to Italy?!
Since when do we lose to Italy? Another historical Wallaby loss surely requires a response and with a little wine in hand, Matt decides to give it a go. Not much here except a good old fashioned cathartic whine about the bleeding obvious. We dwell on the Italian game, touch on some points around the business of rugby and also raise a glass to the Black Ferns victory and why that could matter for Australian rugby. Pour yourself a strong drink and dig in!
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32:36
EPISODE 36: Q and A with Director and DOP
We made the call and many of you answered! A short but sharp Q and A session with writer/director Matt Durrant and Director of Photography Majdi Slaibi on the newly released feature documentary Gold Digger: The search for Australian Rugby. Some background on how the film came together, technical aspects of making it, more anecdotes from the production and the questions from the many and many listeners out there!If you're in Australia, you can now watch the film On Demand via Fox Docos which is available via Foxtel GO and Binge. More announcements on further releases around the world coming soon. Dig in!Â
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41:10
EPISODE 35: Aussie film release 15th September 2022!
Finally, the documentary we've been waiting to share with Australian audiences will get a local release this Thursday the 15th September 2022 on the day of the Bledisloe Test Match in Melbourne. The film will be screened on Fox Docos via Foxtel and Binge.Director Matt Durrant and cinematographer and co-producer Majdi Slaibi from Thiqa Media share a few stories of how the film started almost 3 years ago and the journey of getting it from concept to broadcast. A battler story of two guys with an idea and plenty of enthusiasm who jumped in and navigated the Australian rugby sphere to chase the story despite the limits of being self funded, having a skeleton crew and managing to overcome the challenges of a pandemic that momentarily shut down production .A few anecdotes, some favourite interview moments and a call out for listeners to tell us what they want to hear after the film is out. Dig in!
About GOLD DIGGER: The search for Australian rugby
A podcast that investigates the mysterious decline of Australian rugby union and a fan who made a documentary that took him through a journey into the void to pick up the pieces of Australian rugby to find a path forward to fortune and glory.
Australia