Episodios

  • Omertà "Bene rubato" (Bonus) - Alma Mater - Schools matter
    Jul 16 2025

    In this bonus episode of Omertà from The Rugby Mafia, we turn our attention to the breeding grounds of rugby’s elite: the schools. Bene Rubato—"stolen goods"—reflects on how top rugby institutions - Prep Schools and Comprehensives 'steal a march' on the rest, shaping futures before a player ever pulls on a pro jersey. From scholarships to scouting, tradition to tactical development - simple hard work, sporting brilliance and academic excellence go hand in hand. That's education's ultimate achievement and something we can all be proud to be part of. In five minutes The Rugby Mafia explore why alma mater matters, how schoolboy rugby fuels the professional game, and passes down the future of Rugby to a new generation.

    Más Menos
    6 m
  • Omertà #6 - The Kicking Conundrum
    Jul 16 2025

    In this final episode of Omertà, The Rugby Mafia unpack one of rugby’s most debated tactical tools: the kick. From spiral bombs to grubbers, cross-field chips to tactical exits, The Kicking Conundrum explores why teams choose to give up possession—and how the best kickers turn it into a weapon. With insights into playmakers, fullbacks, and coaches, we examine the balance between pressure and precision, territory and turnover. Is the boot a safety valve, a statement, or a science? All in five minutes.

    Más Menos
    6 m
  • Omertà #5 - Lions in Defence: Blitz or Drift?
    Jul 16 2025

    In this penultimate episode of Omertà, we explore the tactical tug-of-war at the heart of the Lions’ defensive strategy: Blitz or Drift? As the Test series looms, we unpack the roots, risks, and rewards of each system—aggressive line speed versus calculated containment—and how total reliance on Shaun Edwards’ blitz legacy clashes with the demands of modern attacking rugby. Featuring expert insights and current tour data, The Rugby Mafia ask: which system best suits the Lions’ personnel, and could one wrong call make all the difference? All in five minutes.

    Más Menos
    7 m
  • Omertà #4 - Turnovers: The Day of the Jackal
    Jul 16 2025

    In this episode of Omertà, The Rugby Mafia dive into the heart of the breakdown—where games are won and lost in split seconds. The Day of the Jackal explores the art, instinct, and danger of the turnover. From the rise of the specialist jackaler to the evolution of laws around the ruck, we unpack how this once-murky skill became a cornerstone of modern rugby. Featuring insights from elite opensides and breakdown technicians, this is a tribute to the game’s ultimate opportunists—those who steal, survive, and swing the tide.

    Más Menos
    5 m
  • Omertà #3 - Line-outs Unveiled
    Jul 16 2025

    Dive into rugby's vertical battlefield in Omertà episode 3—Line-outs Unveiled. Discover the secret choreography behind the calls, signals, and physical artistry that turn a dead-ball restart into a launchpad for dominance. The Rugby Mafia unpack the tactical mind-games: from touch-kick placement to lifting technique, disruptive defence, and the nuanced communication that keeps rival jumpers guessing. With perspectives encompassing elite locks, hookers, and jumpers, this episode lifts the veil on how eight players, one thrower, and sheer timing turn a simple throw-in into strategic battleground. All in five minutes

    Más Menos
    5 m
  • Omertà #2 - Scrums: A Controlled Chaos
    Jul 16 2025

    Welcome back to Omertà, where The Rugby Mafia peel back rugby’s unspoken truths—and this episode, Scrums: A Controlled Chaos, delves into the primal core of the game. We probe the scrum’s delicate balance of brute strength, surgical technique, and silent codes of conduct. Expert front-row insights, stories of gripping engagement, and the hidden rituals that keep power in check—this is where chaos is choreographed, and unity becomes unbeaten force. Discover how 16 bodies and minds fuse under pressure—and why the scrum is the game’s ultimate test of discipline and respect. All in five minutes.

    Más Menos
    5 m
  • Omertà #1 - Rugby Positions Unravelled
    Jul 16 2025

    Welcome to Omertà, where rugby’s unwritten codes meet the discipline of the pitch. In this maiden episode—Rugby Positions Unravelled— The Rugby Mafia break the silence on the unique power, nuance, and secrets behind each role on the field. From the grunt of front-row scrummaging to the split-second gambits of the fly-half, we lift the veil on how individuality and teamwork collide in shaping the game’s heartbeat. This is rugby decoded—position by position, play by play, with respect for tradition and an eye for innovation. All in five minutes

    Más Menos
    7 m
  • Australian Rugby - Down, Going Under?
    Jul 14 2025

    As the Wallabies face mounting challenges—key injuries to Noah Lolesio and inconsistency on the field—and Rugby Australia fights financial instability and dwindling fan support, The Rugby Mafia focuses on a tough question: how bad might the Australian rugby crisis get? Unpacking coach Joe Schmidt’s struggle to rally a fractured squad together with the deep-rooted issues —from grassroots decline to Super Rugby collapse (Rebels’ exit, budget woes) — that threaten the future. With the Lions tour underway and a World Cup on the horizon, can Australia rediscover its mojo, or are they heading under? The Rugby Mafia try to bring you 'All You Need to Know' in just five minutes.

    Más Menos
    5 m