The Rugby Bricks Podcast

#66 Matt Giteau | Goal Kicking: Insights from Rugby Legends like Johnny Wilkinson | Mental Game, Techniques, and Lessons Learned

Matt Giteau is an Australian rugby union player known for his versatility. Currently playing for the San Diego Legion in Major League Rugby, Giteau excels as a utility back, primarily in the inside centre and fly-half positions.   Debuting for the Wallabies in 2002, Giteau was nominated for the International Rugby Board Player of the Year in 2004. He has played in 104 Super Rugby matches and earned 103 test caps for Australia. His return to the national team, after a break, was facilitated by "Giteau's Law," highlighting his enduring impact on Australian rugby.   In this chat, Matt shared his deep insights into the world of goal kicking in rugby, offering a glimpse into his personal journey, experiences, and the valuable lessons he has learned throughout his career. We dive into:   * Matt eloquently highlighted the significance of maintaining a consistent process, cultivating mental resilience, and showcasing the unwavering dedication required to excel as a goal kicker. Through his reflections, Matt vividly portrayed the mental battles, challenges, and strategic preparations essential for thriving in high-pressure situations on the rugby field.   * Drawing inspiration from interactions with rugby legends like Johnny Wilkinson, Matt articulated how he assimilated invaluable lessons from their unparalleled work ethic, commitment to repetition, and distinctive training methodologies. Matt articulated the importance of staying engaged in the kick, prioritizing technique over immediate outcomes, and harnessing specific mental cues to enhance precision and consistency, as gleaned from top kickers such as Wilkinson. Furthermore, Matt shed light on the profound impact of esteemed coaches like Eddie Jones and Benny Perkins, underscoring the pivotal role of structured training, simulated pressure scenarios, and the pivotal role of building unwavering confidence through competitive challenges and relentless practice sessions.   * In essence, the conversation with Matt offered a profound exploration of the intricacies of goal kicking in rugby, providing a window into his profound mindset, meticulous training routines, and the transformative influence of rugby legends and seasoned coaches on his growth and development. Through a blend of mental fortitude, technical finesse, and unwavering dedication, Matt's insights illuminated the arduous yet rewarding path to success as a goal kicker, underscoring the resilience and commitment required to thrive in this pivotal aspect of the game. There is so much detail and insight in this episode. Please enjoy and share.

#65 John Cooney | Kicking Mindset: Embracing Growth, Simplicity, and Continuous Improvement in the World of Rugby Kicking

John Cooney is a talented professional rugby union player from Ireland known for his skills as a scrum-half. He was born on December 17, 1989, in Dublin, Ireland. Cooney has played for various teams throughout his career, including Connacht, Leinster, and currently Ulster Rugby in the Pro14 and European competitions.   Cooney is recognized for his exceptional kicking abilities, playmaking skills, and leadership on the field. His precise passing, tactical awareness, and accurate goal-kicking have made him a valuable asset to his teams. Cooney’s versatility allows him to adapt to different game situations, whether it be controlling the tempo of the game, setting up attacking plays, or providing solid defense.   Throughout his career, Cooney has earned praise for his work ethic, dedication to the sport, and commitment to improving his game constantly. He is known for his competitive spirit and determination to succeed, which have helped him excel in the highly competitive world of professional rugby.   Off the field, Cooney is respected for his professionalism, sportsmanship, and involvement in community initiatives. He serves as a role model for aspiring young rugby players, inspiring them to work hard, stay focused, and strive for excellence both on and off the field.   Cooney is a talented and accomplished rugby union player who continues to make significant contributions to the sport. His skills, leadership qualities, and dedication to continuous improvement have established him as a key figure in Irish rugby and a fan favorite among supporters.   In this episode of the podcast, we learn   * Embracing Growth Mindset: Encouraging kickers to constantly seek improvement rather than settling for mediocre success rates.   *  Simplifying Technique: Advocating for a focus on essential striking abilities over unnecessary complexities in kicking technique.   * Learning from the Best: Studying successful kickers like M. Steyn and Dan Carter for insights on simplicity and effectiveness.   * Coaching Experience: Sharing challenges and growth as a kicking coach, emphasizing the value of coaching for personal improvement.   * Feedback and Improvement: Highlighting the importance of being open to feedback, even from unexpected sources, to identify areas for enhancement and optimize kicking performance.   There is so much detail and insight in this episode. Please enjoy and share.

#64: Peter & Kale | Full Contact Coaching: Rugby, People, and Personal Growth

Welcome to another episode of the Rugby Bricks Podcast. We are thrilled to bring you this latest episode featuring our very own founders, Peter Breen and Kale Panoho. They are here to share their experiences, insights, and the exciting developments happening at Rugby Bricks in 2023. Peter Breen has been immersed in coaching some top-level teams in rugby throughout the year, including the Black Rams, Georgia, and Blacks Ferns XV. He touches on his unique experience with each of the teams and shares the learnings and professional development he has taken away by being in these environments. This unique opportunity has been instrumental in Peter's growth, both personally and professionally, and he is eager to share these invaluable experiences with you. In this episode, we dive into a variety of topics: * We explore the cultural differences in team environments when coaching top-tier teams from around the globe. Peter shares his observations on how these differences work to each team's advantage, creating a unique blend of strategies and tactics. * We give you an update on the second Bricks Camp which we will be hosting around NZ in January 2024. * Peter shares his experience at the Super Rugby coaches conference where he sheds light on the learnings he took away from these high performance coaches and speakers. * We discuss how Peter has cultivated a passing and skills culture within each of the teams he's coached, and how this has elevated their skillset in these areas. This podcast is not just an update on Rugby Bricks; it's a treasure trove of insights that can help you grow as a coach or player. The knowledge shared in this episode is limitless and can be applied on and off the field. Join us in this enlightening conversation with Peter Breen and Kale Panoho, the dynamic duo behind Rugby Bricks.

#63: Nic Gill | Unlocking Peak Performance: Learn How The All Blacks Prepare For Test Match Footy.

Nic Gill has revolutionised the strength & conditioning program for the All Blacks over the past 16 years. The esteemed All Blacks S&C coach, known for his unparalleled expertise and tireless dedication has solidified his place as one of the greatest minds in the game. Gill has had one of the most decorated sporting careers, sculpting some of the most talented players and being a part of the most successful rugby team in history.  Gill’s knowledge and understanding of the game and how people train, allowed him to get his players to reach new heights of speed, strength & fitness. Gill has been the All Blacks S&C coach for over 200 tests which included over 170 test wins with back-to-back World Cups in 2011 & 2015. Gill has recently ventured into his own business, founding ‘rugbyready’ [https://www.instagram.com/rugbyready/?hl=en] in 2022, which gives rugby players the tools to dominate on the pitch, push for selection and reach their full potential. In this episode, we dive into: * The inside scoop on how Nic Gill gets the All Blacks primed for Test match rugby * How you can challenge yourself every year with something that "gets you outta bed" to stay fit and healthy. * How you can prepare your body with safe load management in the gym and be a cut above the rest. * Who is the best athlete Gill has worked with within the All Blacks environment? * The circulating question around being bigger, faster & stronger to play international footy and being relevant in today's game.   Whether you're a player, coach, or avid supporter, this episode has all the gems. It gives you the knowledge and insights to understand what you need to do to reach the next level and prepare your body for the upcoming season. You’ll hear untold stories behind the most successful rugby team in history and the enduring triumphs of Gill's illustrious career spanning over a decade. From the next generation to the pinnacle of the sport, this educational and enlightening podcast will leave you inspired and craving for more.

#62: Ben O’Keeffe | Penalties, Pressure, and Professionalism: Dealing With Scrutiny & The Journey To Becoming A World-Class Referee

Ben O'Keeffe is a world-renowned rugby union referee and ophthalmologist (eye doctor) from New Zealand. He has climbed to the top of the referee ladder and is cited as one of the top referees leading into the Rugby World Cup in France this year.  O'Keeffe became an official referee in 2013 and has since officiated 43 ITM Cup matches, 75 Super Rugby matches & over 30 test matches and took control of 4 World Cup matches in 2019 and even a British Irish Lions Series in 2021. In this episode of the Rugby Bricks podcast, we chat Rugby World Cup 2023 and how this tournament will have added pressure for the match officials and how Ben deals with media scrutiny, coaches and public pressure. Ben has skyrocketed to the top of the referring world and it’s a credit to the time he spends learning about the game and admitting his mistakes and finding ways to get better. In this episode, we dive into: * How referees rectify their mistakes and make sure future games aren’t affected by the decisions made.   * The decision from Ben to issue a red card to Marika Koroibete vs France and understanding the impact it had when it was an incorrect decision.    * The amount of pressure referees face from coaches, the public and the media pre and post-games and how they are reviewed by the referring committee.   * Ben’s challenge of refereeing a game French leading into the World Cup in France and how this has drastically helped his personal and professional development.  This episode is full of detail and insights, whether you are a player, coach or supporter, you'll learn what it takes to make second-by-second choices when taking the world stage and how decisive you have to be to make some of the hardest decisions a referee can make with the crackdown on player safety and new laws introduced.