Rugby on the Rise
22 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsRugby on the Rise is an experimental podcast about the up and coming stars in United States rugby. This show is about sharing the experiences of younger players and helping/motivating young rugby players to achieve their goals through learning from others. Along with player interviews, there will be the occasional episode on basic rugby knowledge for new players, as well as coaching advice from experienced players and coaches.
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Episodes
S2 #2 Calvin Ferguson
August 19, 2022 13:00 - 1 hour - 50.2 MBCalvin is not a rugby player, but a gym rat and a very successful entrepreneur. At 25, Calvin started his plumbing business, WillWay Services. Calvin talks a lot about the benefit of discipline and drive when starting a business and his journey. Calvin also discusses his journey in the gym and diet.
S1 #1 Campbell Johnstone
August 19, 2022 13:00 - 27 minutes - 18.9 MBCampbell is a center and outside back. Campbell grew up playing rugby in the DMV area and has since played in the MLR with the Glendale Raptors, and after the recording of this podcast, he is currently playing for the Dallas Jackals, Campbell talks about what he believes are some of the key skills to playing in the backline as well as talks about his journey through playing rugby growing up, including his time in New Zealand.
S1 #2 Dmontae Noble
August 19, 2022 13:00 - 37 minutes - 25.8 MBDmontae Noble is best known for his sevens career, as he has played for the United States sevens team on numerous occasions, since the recording of this podcast. Dmontae is known for his ability to step and lose defenders with ease. Dmontae talks about his journey growing up playing rugby, as well as basketball and football. This is a great episode for young athletes who play multipole sports.
S2 #1 Niku Kruger
August 19, 2022 13:00 - 1 hour - 41.5 MBNiku Kruger is a retired United States Eagle, player, including playing in the 2015 World Cup, then turned coach, where I had the pleasure of being coached by him with the Glendale Academy, then turned referee. Niku talks about his transition from an international scrumhalf to the man behind the whistle.
Rugby 101
April 03, 2022 14:00 - 1 hour - 41.5 MBThis episode is for anyone new to rugby. I talk about the different versions of the game, the basic laws, positions, understanding the game as a viewer, and how to get involved. I have wanted to do this episode since my first day as an American Raptor/Colorado XO. Talking with crossover athletes consistently and their families that are new to the sport, I always wanted to give them something simple and easy to help anyone understand the game. I hope this episode gives you everything you ne...
S1 #9 Mikey Grandy
February 21, 2022 13:00 - 1 hour - 51.3 MBMikey Grandy is another crossover athlete, who recently started playing rugby, and started at the professional level. Mikey grew up playing basketball, went to college on a full-ride scholarship as an offensive lineman, then after graduating practice jujitsu before joining rugby. Mikey plays flanker primarily as well as second row. The first part of this episode outlines Mikey's sports background as well as his journey to playing rugby, including losing close to 100 pounds. We then discuss ...
S1 #8 Zach Hall
October 19, 2021 11:00 - 51 minutes - 35.1 MBZach Hall is has been playing rugby for less than 10 weeks, making him the least experienced rugby player on this podcast so far, but he has a large history in college football. Zach plays center for the American Raptors and played middle linebacker before his rugby career. Zachs strongest areas in rugby are his abilities in defense and the collision area. This is another great episode for crossover athletes looking for a brand new player's perspective on the sport.
S1 #7 Gelen Robinson
September 14, 2021 12:00 - 55 minutes - 38 MBGelen is a hooker who started playing his rugby for the COlorado XO's and just finished his season with the Gilintin's. Gelen is arguably the biggest rookie to play in the MLR, and certainly the least experienced MLR champion in terms of rugby. Gelen talks about his transformation from professional football to professional rugby, as well as his growth as a player and some of his memories from the past year. This episode is great for very new players and crossover athletes.
Rugby on the Rise, Ep. 7, Gelen Robinson
September 14, 2021 12:00 - 55 minutes - 38 MBGelen is a hooker who started playing his rugby for the COlorado XO's and just finished his season with the Gilintin's. Gelen is arguably the biggest rookie to play in the MLR, and certainly the least experienced MLR champion in terms of rugby. Gelen talks about his transformation from professional football to professional rugby, as well as his growth as a player and some of his memories from the past year. This episode is great for very new players and crossover athletes.
Niku Kruger
June 15, 2021 13:00 - 1 hour - 41.5 MBNiku is a retired international level scrumhalf, as well as an expereinced high-level coach. Niku played in the 2015 Rugby World Cup, representing the U.S.A. Niku has also coached at a high level in Glendale Colorado, as well as begun his journey to becoming a top-level referee. Niku discusses what it was like playing at the top level, growing up in a real rugby country, and some of his biggest influences on achieving his success.
Rugby on the Rise, Sn. 2 Ep. 1 Niku Kruger
June 15, 2021 13:00 - 1 hour - 41.5 MBNiku is a retired international level scrumhalf, as well as an expereinced high-level coach. Niku played in the 2015 Rugby World Cup, representing the U.S.A. Niku has also coached at a high level in Glendale Colorado, as well as begun his journey to becoming a top-level referee. Niku discusses what it was like playing at the top level, growing up in a real rugby country, and some of his biggest influences on achieving his success.
S1 #6 Campbell Robinson
May 19, 2021 12:00 - 40 minutes - 27.7 MBCampbell Robinson is a second-row and back-row forward who currently plays his rugby for the 404 academy in Atlanta Georgia, as well as the Atlanta Rhinos rugby league team, with goals for playing for Rugby ATL and coaching rugby in the future. Campbell has trained and played against high-level players in the MLR, as well as represented his country at a youth level. Campbell is a fantastic ambassador of the game and leader in the rugby Atlanta community.
Rugby on the Rise Episode 6, Campbell Robinson
May 19, 2021 12:00 - 40 minutes - 27.7 MBCampbell Robinson is a second-row and back-row forward who currently plays his rugby for the 404 academy in Atlanta Georgia, as well as the Atlanta Rhinos rugby league team, with goals for playing for Rugby ATL and coaching rugby in the future. Campbell has trained and played against high-level players in the MLR, as well as represented his country at a youth level. Campbell is a fantastic ambassador of the game and leader in the rugby Atlanta community.
Rugby on the Rise Ep. 6, Campbell Robinson
May 19, 2021 12:00 - 40 minutes - 27.7 MBCampbell Robinson is a second-row and back-row forward who currently plays his rugby for the 404 academy in Atlanta Georgia, as well as the Atlanta Rhinos rugby league team, with goals for playing for Rugby ATL and coaching rugby in the future. Campbell has trained and played against high-level players in the MLR, as well as represented his country at a youth level. Campbell is a fantastic ambassador of the game and leader in the rugby Atlanta community.
Rugby on the Rise, Ep. 5, Devin Short
April 07, 2021 18:00 - 54 minutes - 37.7 MBDevin Short is a flanker, currently playing for NOLA Gold in the M.L.R. Devin has only been playing Rugby for about six years, yet he has played professionally for over four of those as well as represented his country and the under twenty level. During our talk, Devin and I talked about numerous things from his path to pro rugby, to his mindset approaching new teams and challenges. This is a great episode for you players coming from other sports and getting a “late” start to rugby.
S1 #5 Devin Short
April 07, 2021 18:00 - 54 minutes - 37.7 MBDevin Short is a flanker, currently playing for NOLA Gold in the M.L.R. Devin has only been playing Rugby for about six years, yet he has played professionally for over four of those as well as represented his country and the under twenty level. During our talk, Devin and I talked about numerous things from his path to pro rugby, to his mindset approaching new teams and challenges. This is a great episode for you players coming from other sports and getting a “late” start to rugby.
S1 #4 Zach Rademacher
March 11, 2021 03:00 - 53 minutes - 36.4 MBZach Rademacher is a very good friend of mine and an outstanding young player. Originally from Washington State, Zach has played Sevens at a high level including Rugby Town Sevens, and has played with multiple select side teams. Zach is best known for his fitness and ability to play anywhere in the backline. This is a great episode for young players looking to make themselves into a well-rounded back and increase skill work.
Rugby on the Rise, Ep.4 Zach Rademacher
March 11, 2021 03:00 - 53 minutes - 36.4 MBZach Rademacher is a very good friend of mine and an outstanding young player. Originally from Washington State, Zach has played Sevens at a high level including Rugby Town Sevens, and has played with multiple select side teams. Zach is best known for his fitness and ability to play anywhere in the backline. This is a great episode for young players looking to make themselves into a well-rounded back and increase skill work.
Rugby on the Rise, Ep.3 - Justin Johnson
February 17, 2021 00:00 - 37 minutes - 25.7 MBJustin Johnson was the #6 pick in the inaugural MLR draft and just arrived with his new team, the New England Free Jacks. JJ is a flanker, primarily openside, and a recent graduate of Life University. JJ has won numerous National Championships with Life university, as well as multiple All-American Tours. This is a great episode for players who are just joining rugby in high school and studying the flanker position.
S1 #3 Justin Johnson
February 17, 2021 00:00 - 37 minutes - 25.7 MBJustin Johnson was the #6 pick in the inaugural MLR draft and just arrived with his new team, the New England Free Jacks. JJ is a flanker, primarily openside, and a recent graduate of Life University. JJ has won numerous National Championships with Life university, as well as multiple All-American Tours. This is a great episode for players who are just joining rugby in high school and studying the flanker position.
Rugby on the Rise, Ep.2- Dmontae Noble
February 16, 2021 02:00 - 38 minutes - 26.2 MBDmontae is a top-level sevens player, from Warrenton Virginia. Dmontae plays most of his rugby in the game of sevens and is known for his stepping ability and features on Rugby Sevens Magazine. On our show today, we talked about Dmontae's rise to rugby, some of the ways he trains and prepares for the season, as well as some plans for his future.
Rugby on the Rise, Ep.1-Campbell Johnstone
February 15, 2021 02:00 - 27 minutes - 18.9 MBCampbell Johnstone is a twenty-two-year-old center and fullback from Woodbine, Maryland. Campbell has been playing since he was seven years old, unlike most Rugby players in the United States. He has played in New Zealand, represented his country as part of the 2018 U-20 All American team, as well as played the MLR (Major League Rugby) with the Glendale Raptors, and will continue to play in the MLR in the coming season. Please excuse my microphone echos, I am still working out some of the...