Explore every episode of the podcast 8/9 Rugby

Wallabies & Super Rugby games record holder James Slipper joins Brett McKay on 8/9 Rugby to reflect on the Bledisloe Cup, watching from the couch, and how Australia can bounce back on the upcoming Nations Championship. 'Slips' breaks down how the squad processes tough defeats, and what the Wallabies need to sharpen ahead of a gruelling northern tour, as well as pulling back the curtain on his first taste of coaching with the Brumbies, and what his future holds heading toward 2027. #89Rugby #Wallabies #AllBlacks #AUSvNZL Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The All Blacks piled on more misery for the Wallabies, running in another comprehensive 43-21 win at Accor Stadium in Sydney to complete the clean sweep for 2026. Jim Tucker joined Brett McKay for the final Bledisloe LIVE 8/9 Rugby Post-Mortem for the year. And it was another disappointing result for Australia, with the contest essentially over when the New Zealand ran in their seventh try just after halftime. The Wallabies would find two tries after that, but it’s fair to say the contest was long gone by that stage. All attention for the Wallabies now is the Australia A tour of the USA, and the Wallabies’ Nations Championship campaign in November, and it’s fair to say there is much to work on. #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #TestRugby #BledisloeCup #AUSvNZL #Wallabies #AllBlacks Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Bledisloe Cup remains in New Zealand for another year, after another Wallabies opportunity lost extended the Eden Park streak for the All Blacks. Leading NZ commentator Tony Johnson joined Brett McKay on 8/9 Rugby to dive into result that has deflated the tyres on both sides of the contest. Certainly, we saw the All Blacks response to the lost Greatest Rivalry series. They were simply hungrier, and more determined to heed the valuable lessons learned. And sadly, the Wallabies weren’t able to convert the confidence and momentum gained from beating South Africa into meaningful performance on the field. And now they’ve got to sharpen up for the return leg in Sydney this Saturday. #89Rugby #Wallabies #AllBlacks #NZLvAUS Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The All Blacks have delivered exactly the kind of response Wallabies fans feared, and precisely what New Zealanders were demanding in the first Bledisloe Cup Test of the year. Jim Tucker joined Brett McKay for another LIVE 8/9 Rugby Post-Mortem, in which the All Blacks have retained the massive mug for another year. After a tight first half so both teams pretty even at halftime, New Zealand ran in three unanswered tries after halftime to blow the Wallabies away, and the knock this contest on its head, before running away 50-19 winners in a comprehensive 7 tries to 3 win. All attention now turns to the return leg in Sydney next Saturday. #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #TestRugby #BledisloeCup #NZLvAUS #Wallabies #AllBlacks Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Wallabies beat the Springboks, but now the biggest test awaits: the Bledisloe Cup. Former Wallabies lock turned commentator Justin Harrison joined Brett McKay on 8/9 Rugby to dive into the week on the rugby calendar that’s both exciting and nerve-wracking for Australian fans. There will be pressure and expectation on the Wallabies, but what of the pressure and expectation on the All Blacks? Imagine the fallout if they lost a fourth-straight Test? And so how can the Wallabies turn that into opportunity? And how will being front-runners all this year – they’re yet to trail at halftime in 2026 – set them up to put the Kiwis under the pressure that could force them onto the back foot and into errors? #89Rugby #Wallabies #AllBlacks #NZLvAUS Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Even a couple of days on, it’s still hard to make sense of the way that mad Wallabies-Springboks Test Match on Sunday night. Sean Maloney from Stan Sport joined Brett McKay on 8/9 Rugby to try and make sense of it all, and you the audience can the judge of how successful that’s been. We may never make sense of it. Before it, the Wallabies produced comfortably their best performance of the year, and maybe even their best since the Ellis Park win last year. The ‘Boks were good enough to score three converted tries in the last ten minutes, but ultimately, the damage was done beforehand – and before the four yellow cards created all the mayhem. Great tries, comms failures, a proper team performance to enjoy. And ten minutes of madness. #89Rugby #Wallabies #Springboks #AUSvRSA Find us on youtube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In one of the craziest Test Matches in living memory, the Wallabies have held on for a thoroughly deserved but quite extraordinary win over the Springboks in Perth. Jim Tucker joined Brett McKay for another LIVE 8/9 Rugby Post-Mortem, to try and make sense of what the rugby world just witnessed. Leading 42-17 with ten to play, Australia held on for a 42-38 win over South Africa that’s remarkable for so many reasons. If it’s not the four yellow cards in the last 10 minutes, if it’s not the fact that referee Andre Pairdi and his TMO were communicating by a phone run onto the pitch, if it’s not the four disallowed tries and countless other decisions made this way, then just believe us when we say this was a crazy game. #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #TestRugby #AUSvRSA #Wallabies #Springboks Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Springboks have landed in Australia for a one-off Test, and it presents a massive opportunity for the Wallabies in Perth – that’s the view of former NSW Waratahs coach and Wallabies assistant, Dan McKellar, who joined Brett McKay on 8/9 Rugby this week. After promising he wouldn’t be letting his team take Australia lightly again, ‘Boks coach Rassie Erasmus has made 13 changes to his starting XV for this Test, while also loading up with a pretty impressive bench. Also really interesting to hear Dan’s insights and lessons learned from the aftermath of his time at the Waratahs ending abruptly, and his move to Japan to link up with Black Rams Tokyo in League One. #89Rugby #Wallabies #Springboks #AUSvRSA Find us on youtube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Springboks have claimed the Greatest Rivalry series 3-1 over the All Blacks, and Riaan Louw joins Brett McKay on 8/9 Rugby to beautifully outline the relief that has been felt across South Africa this week. A month-long series of stress and anguish, of claims and counter-claims, of controversy and contrived pressure, and that was just the off-field element. On-field produced four fantastic Test Matches between South Africa and New Zealand, culminating in the Boks’ 43-28 win in the 4th Test in Baltimore, allaying the fears of their fans in all corners of the rugby world. #89Rugby #GreatestRivalry #Springboks #AllBlacks #RSAvNZL Find us on youtube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

South Africa have secured the Greatest Rivalry Series with an outstanding win over New Zealand in the 4th Test in Baltimore led them to a 3-1 series win that removes any lingering doubt as to who the best team in the world really is. If there was any left. A record rugby crowd in the USA of 68,173 packed into the M&T Bank Stadium to see the final instalment in what has been a truly enthralling series. ‘Like four RWC Finals on successive weekends’ has been a common summary of this series, and the Springboks’ 43-28 win over the All Blacks certainly speaks to their standing as world no.1. A truly remarkable series that has gripped all corners of the rugby world, and a joy for Brett McKay & Pat McCarry to bring these immediate post-match reactions throughout the series. #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #GreatestRivalry #RSAvNZL #Springboks #AllBlacks Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Greatest Rivalry tour has landed in the USA for this weekend’s fourth and final Test, where a banged-up All Blacks team will be desperate to square the series – and split the trophy – with a suddenly rampant Springboks side. The DSPN’s Jamie Wall is a bit banged up too, arriving in the States after a 27 hour leg from Johannesburg. Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium hosts the final match, and while fans on either side attempt to work out if it’s part of the series or not (it is), the coaches are busy at work getting their teams ready. New Zealand have been hard hit by injuries to key players, while South Africa have faired a little better and been able to rely on a core group of players. 3-1 to the Boks, or two-all. We find out this weekend. #89Rugby #GreatestRivalry #Springboks #AllBlacks #RSAvNZL Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Wallabies have gone through a Tour of Argentina undefeated for the first time ever, after they and Los Pumas fought out a 28-28 draw in Mendoza. In a result that will bring more annoyance than satisfaction, at least in the immediate aftermath, the Wallabies started very well and led 14-0 after half an hour, before the Argentineans scrapped their way back into the contest, and went about denying Australia ball with which to attack and forcing them to make nearly twice as many tackles. #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #ARGvAUS #Wallabies #LosPumas Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

South Africa have landed a major blow in the Greatest Rivalry Series after a commanding performance in the 3rd Test led them to a 29-24 win over New Zealand in Soweto. 85,976 fans packed into the FNB Stadium and were treated to a game full of first half momentum swings in a pretty even contest, before the Springboks power game stepped up in magnificent fashion to turn the game on its head, and ensure that they now head to Baltimore as raging favourites in next week’s 4th and final Test in what has been an enthralling series. #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #GreatestRivalry #RSAvNZL #Springboks #AllBlacks Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Wallabies have beaten the Pumas in Argentina and will now be desperate to avoid no repeat of the second game record losses that followed in 2024 and 2022. Former Pumas centre Marcelo Bosch is back on 8/9 Rugby, and he hopes they’ve spent the whole week in Mendoza filling up on steak and outstanding wine! Plus, the Greatest Rivalry series is all square, and now it’s a case of whether South Africa or New Zealand can afford to lose the 3rd Test in Soweto this weekend the least. Hopefully all the off-field tomfoolery and conspiracy theorising can be shoved to the side and the rugby on the field can resume all focus. Two fascinating games coming in this weekend, what a joy for rugby fans! #89Rugby #Wallabies #LosPumas #ARGvAUS #GreatestRivalry #Springboks #AllBlacks #RSAvNZL Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Wallabies have opened their tour of Argentina with an impressive 27-21 win in San Salvador, built on another strong showing from the forwards, and a defensive effort that applied enough pressure to force Los Pumas errors throughout the game. They head to Mendoza now for the 2nd Test next Saturday with plenty of confidence on the back of four straight wins, and players and supporters alike will be sweating on no repeats of the 2024 and 2022 tours. #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #GreatestRivalry #ARGvAUS #Wallabies #LosPumas Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Greatest Rivalry Series is all locked up after South Africa won a thrilling contest 33-26 over New Zealand in Cape Town. A much better performance from the Springboks saw them run out 7-point winners despite the All Blacks scoring 4 tries to 3, with Cheslin Kolbe’s flawless kicking from the tee the difference between the two sides. The series is now locked up heading into next weekend’s 3rd Test at FNB Stadium in Soweto, and is well and truly alive! #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #GreatestRivalry #RSAvNZL #Springboks #AllBlacks Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series was flipped on its head with the All Blacks winning the First Test in Johannesburg, and now the Springboks must regroup to get that series back on level ground. MW Welman from Megafoon Rugby joined Brett McKay on 8/9 Rugby to outline exactly how far the First Test loss runs for Springboks fans. There’s no doubt the Ellis Park result has shaken not just rugby fans, but all of South Africa. The reaction in the immediate aftermath and the days since has been described as “funereal”, after New Zealand pulled off a win that wasn’t totally unexpected, but still never really entered the conversation. It’s fair to say there’s been some soul-searching in Republic this week. Also, Brett shares some thoughts on the Wallabies in Argentina, and why the two-Test tour presents plenty of opportunity and danger in equal amounts. #89Rugby #Wallabies #GreatestRivalry #Springboks #AllBlacks #RSAvNZL Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A quite incredible opening to the Greatest Rivalry Series has seen New Zealand outlast South Africa 33-16 at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. In what could well be an instant classic in this stories rivalry, the All Blacks scored 5 tries in 1 despite being at times dominated by the Springboks’ set piece game, before the scoreboard pressure simply became too much for the home side, silencing the parochial home crowd in the process. Plenty for both teams to work on ahead of next weekend’s 2nd Test in Cape Town, but wow, what a way to start the series. #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #GreatestRivalry #RSAvNZL #Springboks #AllBlacks Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series now moves into the Test Matches, with the Springboks and All Blacks facing off in the First Test at Ellis Park in Johannesburg this weekend. Harry Jones makes a welcome return to 8/9 Rugby to get into the weeds around what’s happened so far, and what happens from here. Harry’s new concept of carry-pass-ruck as a new measure for how teams are playing makes for a really interesting preview, with the All Blacks’ combined number on Tour pushing back up toward their very high Nations Championship levels, while the Springboks’ number stayed low against Argentina a few weeks back. Where South Africa have been caught out in the past – the Wallabies at Ellis Park last year, for eg – has been when their ‘CPR’ number climbs unusually high. #89Rugby #Wallabies #GreatestRivalry #Springboks #AllBlacks #RSAvNZL Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A much better showing from the Wallabies in Townsville, with a dominant front row and breakdown leading to a big win over Japan. Geoff Parkes joined Brett McKay once for the immediate reaction to an impressive performance at Queensland Country Bank Stadium. #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #AustraliavJapan #AUSvJPN #Wallabies #Wallabies #JapanSeries Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A much better showing from the Wallabies in Townsville, with a dominant front row and breakdown leading to a big win over Japan. Geoff Parkes joined Brett McKay once for the immediate reaction to an impressive performance at Queensland Country Bank Stadium. #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #AustraliavJapan #AUSvJPN #Wallabies #Wallabies #JapanSeries Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Les Kiss era with the Wallabies has started with a win, but what have we learned so far? Western Force and injured Wallabies prop Tom Robertson joins Brett McKay on 8/9 Rugby for the squad-adjacent insight into what’s going on. The 35-32 win in oppressive conditions in Osaka was good the for the Wallabies; a loss would meant a completely different dynamic as the team returned home for the second Test in Townsville this weekend. Japan were super impressive, and continue with their high-tempo game highlighted through the Nations Championship – but the Wallabies being able to do enough to win was a great result. #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #Wallabies Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Wallabies survived a massive scare from a determined Japan in Osaka, giving Les Kiss a winning start to his tenure - but only just. Geoff Parkes joined Brett McKay for the immediate reaction to an at-times wild game at the Hanazono Stadium. On this latest Post-Mortem, we break down the key moments, the near misses, and what this performance tells us about the direction of this new era for the Wallabies. #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #JapanvAustralia #JPNvAUS #Wallabies #Wallabies #JapanSeries Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What should we expect from the start of the Les Kiss era for the Wallabies? In this episode of 8/9 Rugby, Queensland Reds assistant coach Zane Hilton joins Brett McKay for a first-hand insight into what Kiss will bring to this new era of Australian rugby. Having coached alongside Kiss at the Reds for several season, Zane Hilton is perfectly placed to outline a new approach and philosophy the new coach brings. And having spent nine years coaching in Japan, we cover everything you need to know about the two-Test series against the Brave Blossoms starting this weekend in Osaka. #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #Wallabies Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The first leg of the inaugural Nations Championship was a great first outing for the new concept, but what have we learned about the best of northern and southern hemisphere international rugby? Broadcaster Martin Devlin joins Brett McKay this week to run back over for the July series of the Championship, and ask the key questions: Does the format work? Has it brought more meaning to this Test Rugby window? And are there already tweaks to be made for the next edition of the Nations Championship? Beyond that, are the All Blacks ready for South Africa? And how well will the Wallabies transition from the Joe Schmidt era to the new leadership of Les Kiss? What changes, if any, should we expect for the Japan Series in August? #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #NationsChampionship Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Wallabies conclude the July leg of the Nations Championship with a dominant win over Italy in Perth, and with it, the Joe Schmidt era comes to an end to an with a Wallabies ‘Kiss of life’. Jim Tucker joins Brett McKay on the 8/9 Rugby Post Mortem to run through what really was an excellent performance from the Wallabies, clinical in their 57-10 win over the Azzurri over in Western Australia, and in front of a third straight sell-out crowd through this tournament. The Wallabies started superbly and had the game well in control by halftime, before kicking to record their biggest win in years. #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #AustraliavFrance #AUSvFRA #Wallabies #NationsChampionship Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The first leg of the Nations Championship is nearly done, and the Wallabies find themselves in a bit of a depth crisis. Legendary Australian rugby commentator Greg Clark joins Brett McKay this week to ponder what is suddenly a must-win game for the Wallabies against Italy in Perth this weekend, with the Australians desperate to send out Joe Schmidt with a win. There’s also some thoughts on Japan and Fiji’s participation in this tournament – Japan have already recorded a win and look to be building experience against the top nations ahead of next year’s Rugby World Cup, while Fiji look to be in a really dicey situation after sacking their coach and have now been thumped by England in a seriously worrying performance. #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #NationsChampionship Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A familiar Nations Championship story for the Wallabies, who started brilliantly in Brisbane before being run down by an excellent France side in Brisbane. Geoff Parkes joins Brett McKay from Suncorp Stadium on the 8/9 Rugby Post Mortem to run through the tale of the tape. Winning their first game in Brisbane in 54 years, Les Bleus found themselves on the receiving end of a truly excellent first half from the Wallabies, before drawing level early in the second half and taking the game completely into their control thereafter. It’s left the Wallabies lamenting yet another game that’s got away from them, and now having to go all in on Italy in Perth next weekend. #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #AustraliavFrance #AUSvFRA #Wallabies #NationsChampionship Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Nations Championship is officially here, but is it the "winner" the rugby world has been waiting for? Jamie Wall joins Brett McKay this week to break down the immediate impact of the new structure and its impact on the international calendar, and whether it delivers on the hype for fans and players alike. We also dive into the technicalities of the competition, from the scheduling hurdles to the potential for new rivalries on the world stage, and explore what this means for the future of the international game. #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Rugby Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Nations Championship has started with a bang, but it’s a heartbreaking result for the Wallabies, going down narrowly to a very good Ireland team in Sydney. The great Jim Tucker joins Brett McKay on the 8/9 Rugby Post Mortem to wade through all the highs and lows. In a front of a new ground record at Allianz Stadium in Sydney, the Wallabies were well on top heading into the break, but missed kicks, discipline on their own line when it came to the crunch will be rued all this next week, before the Wallabies head to Brisbane to face France. #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Rugby Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do you align 12 nations and dozens of match officials for a brand new rugby tournament? Elite referee Angus Gardner returned to 8/9 Rugby to discuss the incredible level of preparation required for the jump from domestic competitions to the Test arena. From managing massive 60-person Zoom calls to mastering up to ten specific Law Variations in play, Angus breaks down the incredible amount of behind-the-scenes work that defines the Nations Championship. Dive in to see what it really takes to manage the world's best on the biggest stage. #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Rugby Nations Championship explainer at 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/p/explained-how-the-nations-championship Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Hurricanes of 2026 are quite probably one of the greatest teams Super Rugby has ever seen. Their demolition of the Chiefs in the Super Rugby Pacific Grand Final was one of the great performances, but in truth, that performance was really just the climax of a truly incredible season. Martin Devlin of the DSPN media network in NZ joined Brett McKay on the AUS Rugby Scene on 8/9 Rugby this week to pull that great Grand Final performance apart, to laud the Hurricanes great season, and the natural flow-on to what it all means for the All Black. Plus we consider the future of Super Rugby, and wonder whether the current attacking revolution of rugby will continue in next month’s Nations Championship. #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #SuperRugbyPacific Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The URC and PREM Grand Finals have been decided, and the respective silverware has been lifted. Brett McKay is joined by South African rugby YouTube sensation Riaan Louw to break down a massive weekend of rugby deciders. From Leinster’s clinical dismantling of the Bulls to Northampton’s gritty triumph over Exeter, we’re unpacking all the drama, the tactics, and the biggest talking points from an epic weekend of club rugby. Plus, the Top 14 decider has been set in France, and MLR in the States has an undefeated Champion! #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Rugby Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The two best teams in Super Rugby Pacific will play in this weekend’s Grand Final. And though the Hurricanes and Chiefs got there as expected, the way they both navigated their Semi Finals was quite unexpected. The great Tony Johnson from Sky Sport TV and Sport Nation radio in NZ joined Brett McKay on the AUS Rugby Scene on 8/9 Rugby this week to work back through both Semi Finals, and ponder the relative strengths and opportunities as both the Hurricanes and Chiefs contemplate a first title in more than a decade. #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #SuperRugbyPacific Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is Exeter’s defence the perfect tool to stop Northampton’s attack in the PREM this weekend? Rugby analyst and writer Sam Larner joins Brett McKay on 8/9 Rugby to examine Exeter’s outstanding win over Bath in the Premiership Semi Final, as well as Northampton overpowering Leicester. We dive deep into the tactical mastery of Rob Baxter’s side, debating whether that historic goal-line stand was pure defensive genius or a missed opportunity for Bath. Plus, we look at the other side of the bracket where Northampton outmuscled Leicester, setting the stage for a mouth-watering clash of styles at Twickenham. Plus, a rapid wrap-up of the Top 14 elimination finals in France, and a quick preview of the URC Final this Friday night, too. #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Rugby Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The performance of the Australian teams in the Super Rugby Pacific Qualifying Finals last weekend was less than ideal. And the fallout from that performance has already asked serious question of the competition and the finals format. Jamie Wall from the DSPN pod network in NZ joined Brett McKay on the AUS Rugby Scene on 8/9 Rugby this week to explore all the Qualifying Finals moments, to ponder the all-NZ Semi Finals this weekend coming, and wonder if this is the season that tortured Hurricanes fans – like Jamie – can actually rest easy about their team’s fortunes. #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #SuperRugbyPacific Find the DSPN chat Jamie had with Brett & Sean Maloney earlier this week: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYG9GS8PsVo&t=63s Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The final round of PREM Rugby in England was chock-full of drama, and the Semi Finals are now all set, as Charlie Morgan from The Times joins Brett McKay on 8/9 Rugby. With only Northampton locked into top spots and the other three playoff positions in the sights of four teams, the five games kicking off simultaneously only added to the drama, as coverage from Exeter-Saracens took updates from Bath-Leicester and vice versa, ensuring final drama wasn’t just limited to the grandstands, but the couches and TVs at home as well. Plus, a rapid wrap-up of the URC Semi-Finals, the final round of the Top 14 in France, plus the League One Final in Japan, too. #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Rugby Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sam Worthington from Stan Sport and nine.com.au joined Brett McKay on the AUS Rugby scene this week, as things start getting serious with Super Rugby Pacific reaching the knockout stage, starting with this weekend’s Qualifying Finals. The Australian record in New Zealand in finals matches is well known, but what better time for a bit of history? The QFs start with the Hurricanes-ACT Brumbies in Wellington on Friday night, before the Crusaders host the Blues in Christchurch on Saturday afternoon, followed by the Chiefs-Queensland Reds in Hamilton that evening. #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #SuperRugbyPacific Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Irish rugby writer Pat McCarry returns to the 8/9 Rugby co-host chair, where he and Brett McKay cast an eye back over the first weekend of finals anywhere in the rugby world, the United Rugby Championship quarter-final weekend. Though the URC finished in a flurry, as teams jostled for the final playoff spots, the four QFs all went the way of the home teams, with Glasgow, the Bulls, Stormers, and Leinster all winning through to the semis. But, it remains to be seen if the top two will definitely win through to the Final on June 20. Plus, a rapid wrap-up of the final rounds of the Premiership in England, the Top 14 in France, the League One SFs in Japan, plus Major League Rugby and Super Rugby Americas, too. #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Rugby Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

TV’s Michael Atkinson joined Brett McKay on the AUS Rugby scene this week, making time in his busy morning TV and Stan Sport Rugby schedule, to take a look at final round permutations for Super Rugby Pacific. Despite the top six being set, and even despite the top six being set back in March essentially, the final finishing positions for four of those six teams are still a long way from set, and with plenty of options still in play this weekend. But how will they play out? And how many equations are still valid now teams have been named? #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #SuperRugbyPacific Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rugby YouTube star Huw Griffin is back in the 8/9 Rugby co-host chair, where he and Brett McKay look back over the Champions Cup final and everything that worked for Bordeaux, everything that didn’t for Leinster, and to ponder whatever happened to Kurtley Beale’s mail. The European final was surprisingly one-sided and pushes Bordeaux’s unbeaten streak in the tournament out to 15 games. For Leinster however, it’s five lost finals of the last eight played, and some serious questions are being asked. #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Rugby Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Commentator, presenter, and former Sunwolves lock Sam Wykes joined Brett McKay on the AUS Rugby scene this week, to peer into the dangers of the final two rounds of Super Rugby Pacific. Looking resplendent in his old Mighty Moondogs team kit, Sam gave some great first-hand insights into the anxiety around the final games for Moana Pasifika, and the impediments stopping the Fijian Drua becoming the finals team we think they can become, as well as working through the games that matter this weekend and next. #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #SuperRugbyPacific Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rugby traveller and storyteller Harry Jones returns to 8/9 Rugby, reuniting with Brett McKay to dig into all the juicy bits in the lead-up to the Champions Cup Final in Spain this weekend, between Bordeaux and Leinster. The Bilbao clash pits a stark contrast of styles: the all-out, at times chaotic attack of UBB vs. the ideally impenetrable Jacques Nienaber defence of Leinster. From there. It’s just a matter of who can on the day. Can Bordeaux back up last year’s triumph and match the party that went for days? Can Leinster carry their growing URC momentum to another European title at the same venue as their last? #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Rugby Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rugby writer, analyst and creator John Ferguson joined Brett McKay on the AUS Rugby scene this week, as Super Rugby Pacific properly hots up for the remaining three rounds. With the valid assumption that the Hurricanes and Chiefs are locked into the top two – which looks highly likely – the run home for the remaining eight teams in finals contention is examined to work out who might finish where in the playoff positions, who might force their way in, and who’s in danger of missing out. #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #SuperRugbyPacific Find John’s channel Off The Ruck on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OfftheRuck Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jake Mangin, Head Coach of Chilean professional team Selknam joined Brett McKay on 8/9 Rugby this week, for another state of play chat around Super Rugby Americas. Following on from similar State of Play chats on League One in Japan, and Major League Rugby in the US, Jake provides first hand insight into the origins and structure of the eight-team Super Rugby Americas competition in South America, how good of a job it’s doing in developing players for Chile, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina, and how the 2026 season is playing out for the competition and his team. #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Rugby More on Super Rugby Americas here: https://www.superrugbyamericas.com/ Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A peer behind the curtain into the world of rugby broadcasting on the AUS Rugby scene this week, as Stan Sport Exec Producer and Commentator Andrew Swain joins Brett McKay to share some of the secrets of what goes on behind the cameras at a rugby game, and how it all gets to air. As a commentator, ‘Swainy’ is also often juggling the many moving parts of live TV with having to call games – including the now famous night he stepped in as colleague Sean Maloney’s voice failed him. And as if that’s not enough, this all happens as Super Rugby Pacific pushes headlong toward the finals series, with unknown numbers of equations and permutations available over the next month of action, as teams jockey for a finals berth. #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #SuperRugbyPacific Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gain Line Analytics co-founder Simon Strachan joined Brett McKay on 8/9 Rugby this week, to dig into the current state of play around League One in Japan. Following on from last week’s MLR State of Play, Simon provides great insights into how League One came about, the structures of corporate rugby in Japan within sport and business, how changes to League One player classification are impacting the competition, and how the 2026 season will play out with one round remaining before the promotion/relegation games and the finals to follow. #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Rugby As promised! The Toshiba Brave Lupus player profile pics: https://www.bravelupus.com/member/ Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Australian-based content creator and podcast producer Ollie Silverton joins Brett McKay on the AUS Rugby scene this week, for some thoughts on the success of Super Round, and some insight into just how much rugby content is available now. Ollie was a co-founder of some of the biggest rugby podcasts in the world, from The Rugby Pod in 2015 to Kick Offs & Kick Ons more recently. He was also a key producer for much of the Stan Sport Rugby programming in their early years. Still heavily involved in rugby, Ollie loved everything about Super Round in Christchurch, still harbours thoughts for a ‘Bula Round’ in Fiji, and can’t wait for a bumper Super Rugby Round 12 this weekend! #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #SuperRugbyPacific Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

US-based podcaster and commentator David Lawrence joined Brett McKay on 8/9 Rugby this week, for a deeper dive into the current state of play around Major League Rugby in the United States. MLR had one of the roughest off-seasons in the history of professional rugby at the end of their 2025 season, when four clubs – Utah, Houston, NOLA, and Miami – all announced they were suspending operations for 2026, and two further clubs in San Diego and Los Angeles merged. What was an eleven-team, two conference competition is now six teams dotted to all corners of the USA. So how is MLR travelling now, just over a month into the 2026 season? Is this the reset the league needed, will any of those clubs return, and what does it all mean for USA Rugby, who will host a Rugby World Cup in just over five years’ time? #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Rugby Find David’s ‘Scrum of the Earth’ podcast, along with his MLR-focussed pod, the ‘Maul Street Journal’ wherever you get your podcasts. Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New Zealand broadcaster and host of the popular DSPN podcast Martin Devlin joins Brett McKay on the AUS Rugby scene this week, to look ahead at the return of Super Round after a wild Round 10 last weekend. A round that had everything saw Moana Pasifika put up way more fight than expected, we had the first edition of extra time for the season in Hamilton, the Fijian Drua enjoyed a first away win in Australia, and the Western Force claimed another scalp. That puts all eyes onto the return of Super Round in Christchurch, and their brand new, magnificent stadium just blocks from the city centre. And imagine this: the NSW Waratahs causing a massive boilover to kick it all off, beating the Crusaders to return to the top six. Just imagine it. #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #SuperRugbyPacific Find the DSPN on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@DevlinSportsPodcastNetwork, and wherever you get your podcasts. Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices