The Bonus Point
The Bonus Point
Tj Olsen
A transpacific rugby podcast connecting New Zealand’s elite game with the rise of rugby in the United States. Expect detailed breakdowns, tactical insight, and honest analysis across Super Rugby, the All Blacks, and MLR.
Greatest Rivalry Is Here: Stormers v All Blacks - Episode 79
Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tour is officially underway as the All Blacks open their South African campaign against the DHL Stormers in Cape Town.In Episode 79, I break down the Stormers team and the biggest storylines heading into the match — including senior Stormers debutant Yaqeen Ahmed at fly-half, his huge matchup opposite Beauden Barrett, and why Hacjivah Dayimani is one of the most exciting hybrid loose forwards in rugby right now.I also look at the All Blacks’ two potential debutants, the major selection calls shaping Dave Rennie’s squad, and the looming Springbok challenge. South Africa’s rotated front rows have continued to deliver dominant scrum production through the opening Nations Championship rounds, making set piece one of the defining battles of this tour.In this episode:What Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tour isStormers v All Blacks previewYaqeen Ahmed’s senior Stormers debutWhy Hacjivah Dayimani is a hybrid-forward threatAll Blacks selection and debutant watchThe Springboks’ scrum depth and rotationThe biggest questions before the All Blacks face South AfricaWho makes the biggest statement in the opening match: Yaqeen Ahmed, Hacjivah Dayimani, Beauden Barrett, or one of the new All Blacks?#Rugby #AllBlacks #Stormers #Springboks #RugbysGreatestRivalry #RugbyPodcast #RugbyAnalysis
Aug 7
21 min
Hurricanes Rewrite the Script - Episode 78
The 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season wrapped with a statement as the Hurricanes crushed the Chiefs in a record-breaking final, and we break down exactly why they were the best team in the competition. From the key stats and standout performers to the breakout stars forcing their way into the All Blacks conversation, we dig into the numbers, the tactics, and the selection battles that are shaping the next era of New Zealand rugby.
Jun 25
35 min
The Search For An Edge - Episode 77
In Episode 77, we break down a massive week in rugby, starting with the Super Rugby semi-finals, the big selection calls, and how the Australian teams have fared across the season. We also look at the launch of Super Rugby Aupiki and the exciting wave of new talent coming into the competition.In the second half, we shift to the All Blacks, with Tony Brown joining the setup and Kieran Read raising questions about whether New Zealand still has the same edge and belief that defines South Africa. To finish, we get into the Barbarians squad announcement, including TJ Perenara, Duhan van der Merwe, and Kyle Sinckler, plus what it means to see Scott Robertson back in that space.A big episode on finals rugby, national identity, and the players and teams shaping the next few weeks.
Jun 11
21 min
Building the Eagles (w/ Rob Hammerschmidt & Scott Ferrara) — Episode 76
In Episode 76, we’re diving deep into the state of USA Rugby with Rob “The Hammer” Hammerschmidt and Scott “The Big Guy” Ferrara from the Rugby Rant podcast. With the Eagles set for a huge summer of Test rugby, we break down the upcoming Nations Cup fixtures, talk through who should be in the 23 for the first match against Portugal in Denver, and look ahead to what this stretch means for the future of the national team.We also get into the current Major League Rugby season, including the latest standings, the teams building momentum down the stretch, and the ongoing challenges around viewing access and league growth in the U.S. From there, we zoom out to ask the bigger questions: is USA Rugby on track for 2031
May 28
1 hr 1 min
The Man in the Middle (w/ Caleb Greaves) - Episode 75
If you’ve ever yelled at a ref… this episode might change your perspective. Or probably not as its a regular occurance amongst rugby fans. In this episode, we sit down with Caleb Greaves, a referee with 12 years of experience across five different associations and a current official in the North Harbour Premier Men’s competition Auckland, NZ. Caleb shares stories from the field, how referees manage chaos in real time, and why it might be one of the toughest jobs in sport. We also unpack his viral approach to recruiting new referees, including the now-infamous “do something dumb until someone signs up” challenge, + how the North Harbour Referees Instagram page is changing the perception of officiating. In the second half, we shift into Super Rugby — breaking down the state of officiating, the chaos at the breakdown, TMO influence, and how players are getting smarter at pushing the limits of the game. Our Bonus Point segment is a new segment we like to call “Whistle Blower” - Some quick fire questions and sure to be a doozy
May 12
55 min
All Blacks Season Review w/ Jamie Wall - Episode 69
Episode 69 of the podcast features an insightful conversation with rugby journalist Jamie Wall, renowned for his deep knowledge and years covering the All Blacks and global rugby. Jamie shares his journey into rugby journalism, highlighting his work covering the All Blacks since 2017 and dives into the All Blacks’ complex and often scrutinized 2025 season, analyzing coaching challenges, standout players, and pivotal tactical decisions. We also unpack the debates around the World Rugby Player of the Year awards, examining fairness in selection and overlooked players. Lastly with the 2027 Rugby World Cup pools announced just yesterday, Jamie provides expert analysis on New Zealand’s draw, the expanded 24-team format, and the strategic path the All Blacks must follow to win the tournament. This episode offers a compelling mix of career insights, current rugby analysis, and forward-looking World Cup preview that any rugby fan will appreciate.
Dec 3, 2025
53 min
EOY Tours Squads Announced!! Ep 68
We catch up with Rob "The Hammer" Hammerschmidt (The Rugby Rant) to discuss the EOY tour squads for:All BlacksWallabiesAll Blacks XVWe have included a sneak peak into the Rugby Rant's Podcast where we spoke about R360...a new and bold competition full of innovation. Is this new competition promising or a pipe dream??
Oct 16, 2025
49 min
USA Qualify For RWC 2027 | Ep 67 w/ Jason Emery
Jason Emery (Maori All Blacks, Old Glory DC) joins the show to chat about USA Rugby qualifying for the RWC in 2027, The upcoming Bledisloe Cup tests in the Rugby Championship & the Women's RWC finals.
Sep 25, 2025
35 min
Ep 66 - Cup Fever: Grabbing Glory on Every Continent
This episode is dedicated to the passing of my dad Steve. We are chatting about all the cups that are up for grabs:Pacific Nations CupThe Rugby ChampionshipWomen's Rugby World Cup
Aug 30, 2025
45 min
Episode 65 - Test Match Footy Is Back
This weeks episode were chatting about:All Blacks vs FranceBritish & Irish Lions vs WallabiesKalyn Ponga to union!??
Jul 17, 2025
39 min
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