Josh Gardner
@joshgardner.bsky.social
Commissioning editor, Guitar.com. The one you don’t like off the Blood & Mud rugby podcast. Variably competent dad. I cannot be reasoned with. 🏴
There was a time when The Rugby Paper was a relatively respectable outlet.
It's hard to claim that's still the case when they are constantly publishing these "guest blogs" that are basically paid SEO fodder for gambling companies.
Times is tough for online media, I *really* know – but c'mon!
It's hard to claim that's still the case when they are constantly publishing these "guest blogs" that are basically paid SEO fodder for gambling companies.
Times is tough for online media, I *really* know – but c'mon!
September 16, 2026 at 1:16 PM
There was a time when The Rugby Paper was a relatively respectable outlet.
It's hard to claim that's still the case when they are constantly publishing these "guest blogs" that are basically paid SEO fodder for gambling companies.
Times is tough for online media, I *really* know – but c'mon!
It's hard to claim that's still the case when they are constantly publishing these "guest blogs" that are basically paid SEO fodder for gambling companies.
Times is tough for online media, I *really* know – but c'mon!
Reposted by Josh Gardner
The latest patron summer special is out, in which we consider the fourth test of the bog series and other matters. w @joshgardner.bsky.social
Summer 24, Ep 4: TMO Suspected Spam | Blood & Mud
Summer 24, Ep 4: TMO Suspected Spam by Blood & Mud on Patreon. Join Blood & Mud's community for exclusive content and updates.
www.patreon.com
September 15, 2026 at 9:14 PM
The latest patron summer special is out, in which we consider the fourth test of the bog series and other matters. w @joshgardner.bsky.social
Far be it for me to *shudders* defend Henry Pollock, but as far as I can see, he didn’t actually make any mention of the NFL.
People are assuming he’s talking about the NFL, but the only other sports he actually name-checks are boxing and MMA (lol).
People are assuming he’s talking about the NFL, but the only other sports he actually name-checks are boxing and MMA (lol).
Hearn is absolutely playing this kid. What a moronic thing to say mid-negotiations
September 15, 2026 at 12:19 PM
Far be it for me to *shudders* defend Henry Pollock, but as far as I can see, he didn’t actually make any mention of the NFL.
People are assuming he’s talking about the NFL, but the only other sports he actually name-checks are boxing and MMA (lol).
People are assuming he’s talking about the NFL, but the only other sports he actually name-checks are boxing and MMA (lol).
Gotta feel sorry for Cameron Hanekom: scoring the series-winning try for the best team in the world against their greatest rivals in an historic finale… but he could be playing for Wales instead.
September 12, 2026 at 10:59 PM
Gotta feel sorry for Cameron Hanekom: scoring the series-winning try for the best team in the world against their greatest rivals in an historic finale… but he could be playing for Wales instead.
You know this Greatest Rivalry thing has gone on too damn long when the South African lineout has completely disintegrated.
September 12, 2026 at 10:49 PM
You know this Greatest Rivalry thing has gone on too damn long when the South African lineout has completely disintegrated.
New Zealand have been so so extra when it comes to holding players on the deck and clearing beyond the ball this series (look you gotta also what you gotta do) and it’s taken until the 67th minute of the fourth test for a ref to notice
September 12, 2026 at 10:48 PM
New Zealand have been so so extra when it comes to holding players on the deck and clearing beyond the ball this series (look you gotta also what you gotta do) and it’s taken until the 67th minute of the fourth test for a ref to notice
How has Libbok come on and played WORSE?!
SA should just work out how to play without a 10 and stick another lock in there instead.
SA should just work out how to play without a 10 and stick another lock in there instead.
SFM can’t come back out for the second half, surely?
A 40-minute all-court disasterclass capped off by him booting the pen dead at the end for no reason.
It’s staggering how much worse the SA attack looks with him at 10 currently.
A 40-minute all-court disasterclass capped off by him booting the pen dead at the end for no reason.
It’s staggering how much worse the SA attack looks with him at 10 currently.
September 12, 2026 at 10:43 PM
How has Libbok come on and played WORSE?!
SA should just work out how to play without a 10 and stick another lock in there instead.
SA should just work out how to play without a 10 and stick another lock in there instead.
The more phases South Africa get in the NZ 22, the worse they look - just aimless carries into set defences over and over.
Whatever other superlatives you rightly give to the Boks, they really look rudderless whenever they’re attacking organised set defence
Whatever other superlatives you rightly give to the Boks, they really look rudderless whenever they’re attacking organised set defence
September 12, 2026 at 10:34 PM
The more phases South Africa get in the NZ 22, the worse they look - just aimless carries into set defences over and over.
Whatever other superlatives you rightly give to the Boks, they really look rudderless whenever they’re attacking organised set defence
Whatever other superlatives you rightly give to the Boks, they really look rudderless whenever they’re attacking organised set defence
Gone in 90 seconds.
Hudson's 'Game Over Man' Scene from Aliens
ALT: Hudson's 'Game Over Man' Scene from Aliens
static.klipy.com
September 12, 2026 at 10:26 PM
Gone in 90 seconds.
SFM can’t come back out for the second half, surely?
A 40-minute all-court disasterclass capped off by him booting the pen dead at the end for no reason.
It’s staggering how much worse the SA attack looks with him at 10 currently.
A 40-minute all-court disasterclass capped off by him booting the pen dead at the end for no reason.
It’s staggering how much worse the SA attack looks with him at 10 currently.
September 12, 2026 at 9:58 PM
SFM can’t come back out for the second half, surely?
A 40-minute all-court disasterclass capped off by him booting the pen dead at the end for no reason.
It’s staggering how much worse the SA attack looks with him at 10 currently.
A 40-minute all-court disasterclass capped off by him booting the pen dead at the end for no reason.
It’s staggering how much worse the SA attack looks with him at 10 currently.
Really enjoying “Matthew Carley shouting at Karl Dickson when he spots a penalty” as if he isn’t holding a large flag that could be, yknow, of some use in getting his attention.
September 12, 2026 at 9:35 PM
Really enjoying “Matthew Carley shouting at Karl Dickson when he spots a penalty” as if he isn’t holding a large flag that could be, yknow, of some use in getting his attention.
As if this test series wasn’t too long anyway, now we have to spend 15 minutes staring at Matt Carley looking perturbed over something
September 12, 2026 at 9:29 PM
As if this test series wasn’t too long anyway, now we have to spend 15 minutes staring at Matt Carley looking perturbed over something
I know it’s preseason and the results don’t really matter but also sometimes they probably do and good lord:
September 11, 2026 at 9:03 PM
I know it’s preseason and the results don’t really matter but also sometimes they probably do and good lord:
These new Japan classic supporter jerseys from Canterbury are absolute A++ stuff
September 9, 2026 at 9:10 PM
These new Japan classic supporter jerseys from Canterbury are absolute A++ stuff
Reposted by Josh Gardner
The third summer episode is here w @joshgardner.bsky.social
Summer 26, Ep 3: Calm The Spiders In His Mind | Blood & Mud
Summer 26, Ep 3: Calm The Spiders In His Mind by Blood & Mud on Patreon. Join Blood & Mud's community for exclusive content and updates.
www.patreon.com
September 7, 2026 at 8:31 PM
The third summer episode is here w @joshgardner.bsky.social
Hows your evening?
Probably more enjoyable Davit Niniashvili’s I’d wager.
Probably more enjoyable Davit Niniashvili’s I’d wager.
September 6, 2026 at 7:15 PM
Hows your evening?
Probably more enjoyable Davit Niniashvili’s I’d wager.
Probably more enjoyable Davit Niniashvili’s I’d wager.
You don’t know true pain as a Welsh person until you accidentally come across the American dub of Fireman Sam on YouTube and hear them try to pronounce Pontypandy.
September 6, 2026 at 11:42 AM
You don’t know true pain as a Welsh person until you accidentally come across the American dub of Fireman Sam on YouTube and hear them try to pronounce Pontypandy.
Ah! Well, nevertheless.
That was the first half of this test series where I can honestly say New Zealand looked like the better team on the whole.
South African power game at the end of the half looked rather ominous mind you.
South African power game at the end of the half looked rather ominous mind you.
September 5, 2026 at 4:48 PM
Ah! Well, nevertheless.
Not a *great* indictment of the quality of this second half that we’re getting Mexican waves with the game tied at 50 minutes in a decider test of the so-called Greatest Rivalry is it?
September 5, 2026 at 4:31 PM
Not a *great* indictment of the quality of this second half that we’re getting Mexican waves with the game tied at 50 minutes in a decider test of the so-called Greatest Rivalry is it?
I know it’s a sponsorship thing, but every time they cut to Rennie sat behind a laptop with a massive Xero logo on it, I can’t help but imagine that he’s sorting out his tax receipts mid-game.
You can’t tell me it doesn’t scan, vibes wise.
You can’t tell me it doesn’t scan, vibes wise.
September 5, 2026 at 4:25 PM
I know it’s a sponsorship thing, but every time they cut to Rennie sat behind a laptop with a massive Xero logo on it, I can’t help but imagine that he’s sorting out his tax receipts mid-game.
You can’t tell me it doesn’t scan, vibes wise.
You can’t tell me it doesn’t scan, vibes wise.
That was the first half of this test series where I can honestly say New Zealand looked like the better team on the whole.
South African power game at the end of the half looked rather ominous mind you.
South African power game at the end of the half looked rather ominous mind you.
September 5, 2026 at 4:12 PM
That was the first half of this test series where I can honestly say New Zealand looked like the better team on the whole.
South African power game at the end of the half looked rather ominous mind you.
South African power game at the end of the half looked rather ominous mind you.
Didn’t have Cobus Reinach turning into Rey Mysterio for 7 seconds either, but clearly this game is just silly.
Mannie Libbok turning into 1987-vintage Jonathan Davies for exactly 7 seconds wasn’t on the bingo card but I enjoyed it.
September 5, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Didn’t have Cobus Reinach turning into Rey Mysterio for 7 seconds either, but clearly this game is just silly.
Mannie Libbok turning into 1987-vintage Jonathan Davies for exactly 7 seconds wasn’t on the bingo card but I enjoyed it.
September 5, 2026 at 3:56 PM
Mannie Libbok turning into 1987-vintage Jonathan Davies for exactly 7 seconds wasn’t on the bingo card but I enjoyed it.
I know you don’t wanna lose your 10, but Rassie subbing off Kolbe and his 100% goal kicking after 9 mins so Libbok could come on while SFM was in the bin… that is mental, no?
September 5, 2026 at 3:38 PM
I know you don’t wanna lose your 10, but Rassie subbing off Kolbe and his 100% goal kicking after 9 mins so Libbok could come on while SFM was in the bin… that is mental, no?