8/9 Rugby

New Zealand rugby commentator Elliott Smith joins Brett McKay on the AUS Rugby scene this week, with news of Moana Pasifika’s demise dominating all discussion around the competition. Please note, Moana Pasifika confirmed their intentions to disband at the conclusion of the 2026 season soon after this episode was recorded, and before it was released, but the concerns expressed and thoughts on the way forward remain valid. This does feel like a tipping point for Super Rugby Pacific, and it’s inherent on Rugby Australia and New Zealand Rugby that all options are not properly explored for the competition to regain lost ground. #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #SuperRugbyPacific Find Elliott hosting the Rugby Direct podcast, along with Liam Napier 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 rugby writer and fellow Substacker Jamie Wall joins Brett McKay on the AUS Rugby scene this week, with the curiosities of a short round over a long weekend quickly fading with the arrival of some stonking contests this weekend. If Round 8 felt a bit one-sided, Round 9 will be anything but, with at least three games looming as genuine coin-flip contests. Are the Drua still so invincible at home? What money a golden point draw between the ‘Canes and Blues? And surely the Reds have to bounce back, right? Good luck tipsters… #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #SuperRugbyPacific Find Jamie’s new Substack page: https://jamiewallrugby.substack.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

Irish rugby writer and podcaster Caolán Scully joined Brett McKay on 8/9 Rugby this week, to dig deep into a big first weekend of Champions Cup knockout stages. The eight Round of 16 games saw some blowouts and high-scoring games as it often does, but throughout the weekend there were some fantastic contests and results that probably don’t do what we saw on the field justice. And importantly, it’s left rugby fans with four properly mouth-watering Quarter Finals this weekend coming. #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 great NZ commentator Tony Johnson joins Brett McKay on the AUS Rugby scene this week, for a timely perspective from over the ditch on Super Rugby Pacific and the view on the Australian teams in 2026. With a short round this Easter long weekend – which definitely does feel like a missed opportunity – there’s a couple of really interesting Round 8 games of importance for a few teams and for a few reasons. But clearly, there’s also been a great joy in the rugby we’ve seen played, and that will follow on the run to the finals now that we’re over the hump. #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

Riaan Louw, friend of the pod and star of the Rugby Update on YouTube is back with Brett McKay on 8/9 Rugby this week, because it’s time to get excited about the Champions Cup again. With the Round of 16 this weekend, and the Quarter Finals to follow next weekend, the Champions Cup has finally reached the point where many a rugby pundit and fan believe it should just start. 16 Teams, straight knockout, bing-bang-bosh, done in half the time. But we have what we have, and thus Riaan and Brett work through the four pools to recall who did what back in January and last year, arriving at the eight knockout games on this weekend. #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 we’re doing more 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 YouTuber John Ferguson joins Brett McKay on the AUS Rugby scene this week, to have a good think about what we’ve seen in Super Rugby Pacific over the first six weeks of the competition. And with a look ahead at what’s coming for a few teams as well. The Hurricanes face all the other current top six teams over the next six week, for example. The Chiefs and Waratahs have harder looking draws coming up, too. The Fijian Drua suddenly look very vulnerable. Even before the halfway point of the year, the run to the finals looks like it will be intriguing. #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #SuperRugbyPacific Find John’s YouTube channel, Off the Ruck at 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

Super Rugby Pacific CEO Jack Mesley joins Brett McKay on the AUS Rugby scene, for a look under the hood of the premiere southern hemisphere competition and examine the broader state of the game. What’s made Super Rugby great this season has been the closeness, the unpredictability, the fact that top teams have all lost to teams below then on the table. But there’s always more than can be done, there’s nice-to-haves and even must-haves. There’s also priorities and limited investment opportunities. In a wide-ranging chat that covers off everything from Law Variations to fan engagement, from broadcast look & feel to backing the best match officials in the world, this is a chat in which you’ll learn something. #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 we’re doing more 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 and wonderful content creator Huw Griffin is back with Brett McKay on 8/9 Rugby this week, to wrap up what has been universally decreed as the best Six Nations tournament ever. Ultimately, France claimed a successive title by beating England in the final game, but oh the drama to get there! And the subplots from this year’s tournament are endless: England’s worst ever Six Nations, Scotland’s close-but-maybe-still-so-far challenge, the rise of Italy, the life still in old Irish legs, and event the gradual but definite progress of Wales. It’s been a superb tournament, and Huw is the perfect person to wrap it all up. #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #internationalrugby #SixNations #Ireland #France #England #Scotland #Italy #Wales Find Huw on the HG Rugby on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HuwGriffinRugby 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 we’re doing more 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

Ben Smith from The West Australian newspaper joins Brett McKay on the AUS Rugby scene, to delve into the Western Force’s start to Super Rugby Pacific and take a look at a tough road ahead. And of course, to cover off on the biggest news in Australian rugby this week, the Force and Rugby Australia signing NRL star Zac Lomax for this year and next, and with immediate effect. The obvious questions are numerous: where does he play, how soon will he play, and has he fixed all the Force’s on and off-field issues yet? #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 we’re doing more 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

Former co-host Harry Jones re-joins Brett McKay on the new 8/9 Rugby this week, with the rugby world still in shock from events of the penultimate weekend of this year’s Six Nations tournament. Scotland the Brave trounced many a Frenchman at Murrayfield. The rise of Italy spared no Englishman in Rome. Ireland’s resurgence continued in Dublin. And it all sets up the most wonderful of Super Saturday finales this coming weekend. Plus Harry presents more famous poetry quotes than he ever did in four years within this parish! #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #internationalrugby #SixNations #Ireland #France #England #Scotland #Italy #Wales Find Harry on the Lekker Rugby Pod: https://www.youtube.com/@megafoonrugby 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 we’re doing more 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

Jonathan Drennan from the Sydney Morning Herald joins Brett McKay on the AUS Rugby scene, to celebrate another great round of Super Rugby Pacific for the Australian sides, and ponder how we can possibly keep this run going. The ACT Brumbies are atop the standings with three straight wins, but should be playing in front of much bigger crowds in Canberra. The NSW Waratahs are also unbeaten, but have to start winning outside Sydney. The Queensland Reds and Western Force were both much improved in recording their first wins. And what’s this about James Slipper and another World Cup? #rugby #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 we’re doing more 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

Scottish commentator Jamie Lyall joins Brett McKay on 8/9 Rugby this week, as the rugby world readies itself for the penultimate round of this year’s Six Nations tournament. And don’t Scotland have an opportunity this weekend? One win behind France in the standings, they host Les Bleus at Murrayfield on Saturday in a match that has significant implications for both sides and the tournament itself. 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 we’re doing more 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, from Stan Sport and the Nine Network joins Brett McKay on our brand new offering, the AUS Rugby scene, for a look back on another round of Super Rugby Pacific dominated by the form of the NSW Waratahs and ACT Brumbies. Somethings are hard to keep a lid on, right? The Brumbies just put 50 on the Crusaders in Christchurch, and the Waratahs won well over Drua despite leaving a similar scoreline on the field. And it all makes for an interesting view on the Queensland Reds this weekend, who are still theoretically the best team in Australia. #rugby #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 we’re doing more 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

Riaan Louw joins Brett McKay on 8/9 Rugby this week, for a look back on the first three rounds of what has already been an extraordinary Six Nations tournament. Ireland, a team running on old legs and in desperate need of refresh two weeks ago are suddenly giant killers (who might still need a refresh), and England, a team who just two weeks ago were celebrating 12 straight wins, now look like they might never win again! Wales nearly pulled off a stunning win over Scotland, and France were comfortable over an Italian team sporting sweet-looking bomber jackets. #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #internationalrugby #SixNations #Ireland #France #England #Scotland #Italy #Wales 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 we’re doing more 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

Novelist and weekly author of The Wrap Geoff Parkes joins Brett McKay for a look back at first round of Super Rugby Pacific and all the surprises that came with it, on the latest episode of a brand new offering from 8/9 Rugby: the AUS Rugby scene. And it wasn’t without blemish, with the powers that be declaring on Monday morning a try should not have been awarded that was. In Round 2 this weekend, there is bounce-back factor in several games, while the teams that did win now have to back that performance up. Also, Brett and Geoff run you through what to expect on 8/9 Rugby on Substack, the new publishing venture they set up over the Australian summer. #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #SuperRugbyPacific #89RugbyonSubstack 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 we’re doing more 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

Pat McCarry joins Brett McKay on 8/9 Rugby this week, to take a look at the fallout from last weekend’s Six Nations results and another Calcutta Cup victory for Scotland, as well as a sneak peek to what’s coming for Round 3 this weekend. Seemingly, Scotland coach Gregor Townsend has sorted his immediate future once again just by beating England. Ireland overcame a dogged and certainly no longer the easybeat Italy, and France beat Wales as you do. This weekend? It’s all eyes on Twickenham, where England’s reaction to a loss needs to be better than Ireland’s conviction that they’re getting better. #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #internationalrugby #SixNations #Ireland #France #England #Scotland #Italy #Wales Pat McCarry’s Dirt Trackers Rugby Substack: https://dirttrackersrugby.substack.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 we’re doing more 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

Sean Maloney from Stan Sport joins Brett McKay to finalise preparations for the first round of Super Rugby Pacific which starts this weekend, on the latest episode of a brand new offering from 8/9 Rugby: the AUS Rugby scene. And they have declared that surely 2026 has to be the year an Australian team goes all the way through to the Super Rugby Final! ‘A long time between drinks’ only tells part of the story. The new season does shape as an intriguing one, however, with five match-ups in this weekend’s opening round that could be anything. #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #SuperRugbyPacific #ACTBrumbies, #NSWWaratahs #QueenslandReds #WesternForce 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 we’re doing more 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

Huw Griffin joins Brett McKay on 8/9 Rugby this week, for a look back at last weekend’s Six Nations results and to ponder the already shifting narratives for Round 2 this weekend. Already, we has to ask if we’re all maybe underestimating Italy? And how do Scotland have so much ball and not make one line break? France were excellent over a jury’s-very-much-still-out Ireland, and undoubtedly, England should have beaten Wales by a lot more. HG Rugby on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HuwGriffinRugby #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #internationalrugby #SixNations #Ireland #France #England #Scotland #Italy #Wales 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 we’re doing more 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

Ben Darwin from Gain Line Analytics joins Brett McKay for a Super Rugby Pacific preview, launching the brand new offering from 8/9 Rugby: the AUS Rugby scene. And with pre-season predictions a mug’s game at the best of time, Ben’s ability to dig into and find meaning in the numbers is a great insight. So with Round 1 just over a week away, it’s interesting to look at the squads in terms of experience – with perhaps some surprising results – and to look closer at everyone’s draw and see who really does have a good draw this season. #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #SuperRugbyPacific #ACTBrumbies, #NSWWaratahs #QueenslandReds #WesternForce 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 we’re doing more 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

Charlie Morgan joins Brett McKay to get 8/9 Rugby underway for 2026, and what better way to begin another year of Great Rugby Chats than to preview the upcoming Six Nations championship. And after injuries seem to been the story of the build-up, days out from the first match we start wondering about the rise of England, whether France are still in last year’s holding pattern of FRA, and just what is actually happening with Ireland? #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #internationalrugby #SixNations #Ireland #France #England #Scotland #Italy #Wales 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 we’re doing more 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