NRL Boom Rookies

NRL Boom Rookies

We are Boom Rookies, ESPN's rugby league podcast hosted by ABC sports writer Nick Campton and ESPN columnist Matt Bungard. If you're look for something beyond the regular take cycle of the sport, Boom Rookies provides game-by-game analysis and previews, delves into the bigger issues of the sport, and still leaves plenty of time to indulge in some good old-fashioned footy buffoonery. From Monday's weekly recap to Friday's preview show, there's plenty of the kind of footy chat that Dave 'Coal Train' Taylor would be proud of. So if you're a front rower with a halfback's skills, a battler who never quite made it, or just a keyboard warrior looking for ammunition in your next rugby league debate, look no further - because we've got you covered.

Episodes

December 9, 2025 74 mins
The last episode of the year, catching up on all the big news stories that have dropped in the past month. Thanks again to everyone for listening this year and a reminder than our final ep of the year will be available from Thursday morning on our Patreon page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mark as Played
Our penultimate show of the year takes a look back to the late 2000s in the shire, when there was a lot going on both on and off the field. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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The last 16, and beyond! If you haven't listened to part one yet what are you doing here? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Neil Dessmann and Grayson Waller both return to discuss 32 of the best films of our youth - the original criteria was anything from American Pie (1999) to This Is The End (2013) and no sports films. Giddy up Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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November 24, 2025 76 mins
A trip down memory lane to the days of Campbell, Prince, Rogers, and the rest! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Bazball this, Bazball that, Aussies in three Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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The quarters, semis, and final of our bracket to determine the best NRL team ever. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Scott Bailey from AAP joins the boys to discuss the best 16 teams of the NRL era, with some bonus Ashes chat at the end (01:29:41). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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November 9, 2025 52 mins
And that's that for the 2025 rugby league season! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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He knows the club. News / Oasis chat (00:51) Game previews (12:45) Greatest Games - Tonga v Samoa 2008 (41:33) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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A very special guest today as we discuss the untapped gem that is African rugby league, with Nigeria coach Luke Shearman. Game recaps (02:23) Interview (38:15) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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It's a bad one Adrian... Weekend preview (0:45) Greatest Game, Ashes First Test 2003 (22:36 ) Papenhuyzen News (01:15:11) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Reece Walsh is pretty good! England v Australia (01:35) Tonga v Samoa (25:02) Other games (48:56) News (53:22) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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The boys are back! Campo's travels in Samoa (0:44) Pac Champs recap/preview (8:01) Ashes preview (48:34) News (01:08:13) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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October 7, 2025 47 mins
The boys are LIVE from the Grub Hub for the final time this year! Starting with a recap of the big game, our plays of the week (14:55), some discussion on Reece Walsh's performance and where it ranks all time (18:43), other listener questions (27:03) and the brawl that capped off an excellent NRLW grand final (40:32). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Rugby league. Nothing like it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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The final of our annual NRL quiz, featuring Brien 'NRL Physio' Seeney and Jack 'The Oilman' Brady in the big dance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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October 3, 2025 74 mins
The big preview. NRL Grand Final (00:41) NRLW Grand Final (55:45) NRL State Championship (01:05:24) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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The editor-at-large returns! It's time to talk all things Broncos before the big game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Martin 'Journalism' Gabor joins the show to preview all things Melbourne. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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