Talking About A Carpool: Episode 38 – European Rugby Finals Round-Up & State of Origin Game 2 Preview

This week on Talking About A Carpool, hosts ofahelotu(Sydney, Australia) and Semisi Telefoni, aka "The Wine Chief"(Auckland, New Zealand), break down the business end of the European rugbyseason — Premiership Rugby, Top 14, Pro D2, and URC — before turning theirattention to the NRL State of Origin Game 2 squad announcements and the SuperRugby Pacific semifinals. It's a shorter episode than usual, but packed withthe wrap-ups and opinions that matter most right now before the finals actionkicks off. **Segment 1: Talk Story** Starts at (0:09) Ofa opens theepisode running on empty after a big long weekend on the sidelines for the NSWNetball State Carnival — with two daughters playing across the under-17s andunder-15s. The boys reflect on the emotional rollercoaster of being a sportsparent, the power of a tight-knit parent group, and why showing up even whenyou're gassed is a lesson rugby taught them both. **Segment 2: Da Latest Scoop** Starts at (5:15) The boyscover the final round of Premiership Rugby — Harlequins beat Northampton 38-31but fall just short of Champions Cup qualification, while Bath, Exeter,Leicester, and Northampton lock in the semifinals. In Top 14, Toulouse sit topon 86 points and save themselves for the finals while Bordeaux's late-seasonslip raises eyebrows. The URC semifinals are also wrapped — Bulls come from21-3 down after two Glasgow yellow cards to book a third consecutive URC finalappearance, and Leicester beat the Stormers to join them. The hosts also breakdown the Pro D2 promotion playoff system, Vannes' dominant season, and what thePerpignan vs Provence ascession match means for those clubs. **Segment 3: Da Big Wave** Starts at (28:53) No Kuleanathis week — instead the boys give their takes on the NRL State of Origin Game 2squad announcements. Queensland's named Caleb Ponga, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow backin, and Reece Walsh; New South Wales have named Izzy Katoa into camp and stillboast a loaded squad. The hosts preview Game 2 at the MCG in Melbourne in frontof an expected 80,000–90,000 crowd. They also touch on the Super Rugby Pacificsemifinals — Crusaders smash Blues 52-31, Hurricanes demolish Brumbies 66-12,and Chiefs beat Reds 46-24 — and question whether Super Rugby still has thepulling power it once did. Bonus: Japan Rugby League One final — Kobe Steelersbeat Kubota Spears 22-13 for their first title since 2018, with Dave Renniedeparting to take over the All Blacks. **Outro** Starts at (43:00) Next week the boys will beback with Da Kuleana, a full European finals wrap, and a look at the newNations Cup Championship format for Tier 1 and Tier 2 test rugby. Got aquestion? Send it through — they want to hear from you. Follow us: IG & TikTok: @talkingabouta.carpool YouTube:@talkingaboutacarpool Email your questions: [talkingaboutacarpool@gmail.com](mailto:talkingaboutacarpool@gmail.com)