Rivals: The Podcast brings together three heavyweight personalities from the rugby and media world: former All Blacks great Sir John Kirwan, Springboks legend Victor Matfield, and entertainment pioneer Ric Salizzo. This weekly series dives into the biggest stories in world rugby with a unique global lens.
Created by Salizzo — fresh off winning Podcast of the Year at the NZ Radio and Podcast Awards for Sportscafe — Rivals is everything you want from a rugby show: honest opinion, international insight, and sharp humour. Whether it’s Kirwan and Matfield debating the red card laws or Salizzo drawing out stories from the game’s biggest names, Rivals is your backstage pass to the real conversations happening in rugby.
A Global Cast for a Global Game
Each week, Rivals welcomes special guests from across the rugby spectrum. Already, the first three episodes have featured an all-star lineup:
Portia Woodman-Wickliffe – Black Ferns superstar and one of the greatest try scorers in the history of the women's game.
Sean Fitzpatrick – Former All Blacks captain, joining to debate the fine line between gamesmanship and cheating.
Andrew Trimble – Flying Irish wing who shares insights on the northern hemisphere game and Lions Tour build-up.
What makes Rivals different? It’s not just two former legends agreeing on everything. In fact, Kirwan and Matfield often clash — respectfully but passionately — giving fans an honest and refreshing look at where rugby’s headed from both hemispheres.
Episode Rundown
Ep 1 – Red Cards, Bomb Squads & the Future of Rugby
In the explosive debut, Kirwan and Matfield tackle the game’s biggest talking points: red card rules, player safety, the Springboks’ famed bench power, and how international rugby can evolve.
Ep 2 – Gamesmanship or Cheating?
Sean Fitzpatrick joins as the team breaks down the viral Sharks vs Munster penalty shootout, Jaden Hendrikse’s controversial wink, and whether New Zealand needs to toughen up to reclaim dominance.
Ep 3 – Who’s #1 by November 2025?
Kirwan and Matfield reveal their top international teams, debate France’s depth, and look ahead to the British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia — with bold predictions and brutal honesty.
The Scoop
Rivals is the rugby podcast the global game has been crying out for — experienced, entertaining, and unafraid to confront the issues shaping the sport. With a rotating cast of top-tier guests and hosts who’ve been there, done that, and won everything, it’s essential viewing for die-hard rugby fans.
Whether you’re Team Kirwan or Team Matfield, this is the podcast where both sides of the game collide — and the real story comes out.
Catch Rivals weekly wherever you get your podcasts — and watch episodes on NZR+, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts by searching for 'Rugby Rivals'.