Rugby Unity

David Pembroke is back on deck and kicks off with a rare look inside the coach’s head, asking Steve Hansen and Ewen McKenzie what it really takes to stay steady when results swing. From “performance not win or lose” to the brutal Monday-morning demand for answers, they lay out the habits that keep teams improving. The chat then shifts to the upcoming World Rugby coaches meeting in Windsor ahead of Rugby World Cup 2027, with both men zeroing in on the impact of yellow cards, TMO influence, and rugby’s “secret society” problem on communication. On the field, the panel previews WXV and key internationals: Wallaroos v Scotland in Canberra, Black Ferns v France in Whangārei, and the Canada v England decider in Ottawa with the Utrecht Shield on the line. Plus Eddie Jones’ Japan v Fiji (with Jake White), and a big debate on Australia’s playmaking talent and retaining young prospects.

Also in this episode:

● Steve Hansen on competitiveness as a coaching weakness
● Ewen McKenzie: Monday morning means having solutions ready
● World Rugby Windsor meeting: simplify laws and improve communication
● Yellow cards and TMO influence reshaping results unfairly
● WXV focus: Wallaroos v Scotland, Black Ferns v France
● Canada v England decider, Utrecht Shield on the line

PLUS: A blunt look at how Australia can stop losing talent to league and overseas by building real relationships.

SIGN UP TO THE BIG 3 HERE: https://tinyurl.com/big3rugbyunity 👈👈

Ask Eddie Jones and Ewen McKenzie anything! Fill out the form below 👇
https://tinyurl.com/rugbyunityquestions 👈👈

👉 Want more from Rugby Unity? Subscribe to our Substack for exclusive content, blogs, behind-the-scenes insights, and full podcast access — all in one place: Rugby Unity | Substack

📧 Get in touch: info@rugbyunity.com.au

TikTok | Instagram | YouTube
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Wallabies wear another heavy loss to New Zealand, and David Pembroke, Ewen McKenzie and Steve Hansen don’t sugar-coat it: a brutal first half, too much aimless kicking, and not enough composure when Australia finally had phases to build pressure. Hansen loves what he’s seeing from the All Blacks attack, offloads, line running, and forwards playing into space, while McKenzie highlights key moments like Harry Wilson’s grubber into touch as a snapshot of game management and leadership under pressure. The TMO becomes its own storyline too, especially the Roigard incident, with all three questioning what “foul play” even means now. They also get into the deeper Wallabies problems, the missing world class 10 and a ball-playing 12, and why New Zealand fans want Australia strong again. Then it’s WXV: Black Ferns smash France 81-12, Canada pinch it late against England 24-21 to end England’s unbeaten run, and the USA keep building momentum.

Also in this episode:

● All Blacks offloads and handling under extreme pressure
● Wallabies leadership, huddles, and “stay steady Eddie” moments
● Meredith at 10: rocks and diamonds, but a crack
● TMO involvement and the Roigard-Meredith controversy
● WXV: Canada upset England in front of 18,600
● Future comps: Nations Championship talks and Super Rugby formats

SIGN UP TO THE BIG 3 HERE: https://tinyurl.com/big3rugbyunity 👈👈

Ask Steve Hansen, Ewen McKenzie and Eddie Jones anything! Fill out the form below 👇
https://tinyurl.com/rugbyunityquestions 👈👈

👉 Want more from Rugby Unity? Subscribe to our Substack for exclusive content, blogs, behind-the-scenes insights, and full podcast access — all in one place: Rugby Unity | Substack

📧 Get in touch: info@rugbyunity.com.au

TikTok | Instagram | YouTube
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Pembroke, Steve Hansen and Ewen McKenzie rip into the biggest talking point from All Blacks v Wallabies: Eddie Jones’ effort stats, and what they really say about mindset, speed off the ground, and being ready for the next job. With the Wallabies’ No.10 curse biting again and another reshuffle coming, the trio run the ruler over the 23, the risks around combinations, and what has to change to keep New Zealand honest. The All Blacks changes get the same treatment, including the excitement factor of Timoci Tavatavanawai. There’s also a straight-shooting discussion on Mark Nawaqanitawase’s rugby return, the manager-led noise about Fiji and Italy eligibility, and what Rugby Australia and Les Kiss should do next. Plus a big women’s rugby weekend and a fast, practical look at the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup match list.

Also in this episode:
● Eddie Jones’ effort statistics and what they measure
● Wallabies squad changes: Meredith in, Donaldson out
● All Blacks depth and injury cover, Hansen’s take
● Mark Nawaqanitawase eligibility debate: Australia, Fiji, Italy
● Black Ferns v France series and Wallaroos v Scotland
● Champions Cup and Challenge Cup fixtures across Europe

PLUS: What “possession” and adaptable tactics really mean against the All Blacks.

SIGN UP TO THE BIG 3 HERE: https://tinyurl.com/big3rugbyunity 👈👈

Ask Steve Hansen, Eddie Jones and Ewen McKenzie anything! Fill out the form below 👇
https://tinyurl.com/rugbyunityquestions 👈👈

👉 Want more from Rugby Unity? Subscribe to our Substack for exclusive content, blogs, behind-the-scenes insights, and full podcast access — all in one place: Rugby Unity | Substack

📧 Get in touch: info@rugbyunity.com.au

TikTok | Instagram | YouTube
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Pembroke, Ewen McKenzie and Steve Hansen break down the All Blacks’ 50-19 win over Australia at Eden Park, and why the match swung hard after Australia’s strong opening. They dig into what New Zealand fixed fast: high ball catches, maul defence, breakdown support, and a second-half lineout lift, plus how Australia’s plan to target McKenzie and use Sua'ali'i early simply evaporated. The big talking point: the Wallabies’ box kicking and lack of plan B, and what changes before Sydney with the Bledisloe already gone. The chat widens to deeper issues in Australian rugby: pathways, depth, contracts, competition structure, and the ongoing problem at 10, with Carter Gordon central to the future. Plus: refereeing boundaries, TMO stoppages, laws that need simplifying, and how World Rugby can better grow the game beyond the Nations Cup tiers.

Also in this episode:
● All Blacks high ball improvements punish Australia’s tactic
● Wallabies lose momentum after McKenzie sparks first try
● Australia’s box kicking hands New Zealand easy counterattack
● Depth and bench quality gap exposed between squads
● Refereeing, TMO stoppages, and law simplification debate
● Nations Cup growth, fixtures for emerging unions, Brazil support

PLUS: A look at the Raeburn Shield, Argentina hiring Sean Edwards, and Fiji’s reported Jake White move.

SIGN UP TO THE BIG 3 HERE: https://tinyurl.com/big3rugbyunity 👈👈

Ask Steve Hansen and Ewen McKenzie anything! Fill out the form below 👇
https://tinyurl.com/rugbyunityquestions 👈👈

👉 Want more from Rugby Unity? Subscribe to our Substack for exclusive content, blogs, behind-the-scenes insights, and full podcast access — all in one place: Rugby Unity | Substack

📧 Get in touch: info@rugbyunity.com.au

TikTok | Instagram | YouTube
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Bledisloe Cup is back for 2026, and David Pembroke, Steve Hansen and Ewen McKenzie lay out why this one feels bigger than usual: Australia have stacked wins, interest is spiking again, and Eden Park is waiting. The lads break down the teams and the key battlegrounds, from set piece and lineout pressure to the aerial contest around Sua’ali’i and the impact of Scott Barrett returning. Hansen explains why New Zealand cherish the trophy and why nobody wants to be the team that hands it back, while McKenzie details what Australia must do at the breakdown and on the advantage line to stay in the fight. There’s also a sharp chat on refereeing, TMO risk, the nines battle (Roigard vs Lonergan), and a fiery debate on RUPA’s World Cup hosting-fee comments.

Also in this episode:
● What the Bledisloe Cup means in Australia and NZ
● Wallabies selection: bench depth concerns without Tupou, Hooper
● All Blacks selection: Scott Barrett start and lineout calling
● Tactical focus: aerial contest targeting McKenzie, Jordan, Carter
● Bigger picture: Australian rugby momentum and bandwagon risk
● RUPA dispute and World Rugby’s global season roadblocks
PLUS: The panel answers audience questions on Jorgensen at 10 and why World Rugby is pushing into the USA market.

SIGN UP TO THE BIG 3 HERE: https://tinyurl.com/big3rugbyunity 👈👈

Ask Steve Hansen, Ewen McKenzie and Eddie Jones anything! Fill out the form below 👇
https://tinyurl.com/rugbyunityquestions 👈👈

👉 Want more from Rugby Unity? Subscribe to our Substack for exclusive content, blogs, behind-the-scenes insights, and full podcast access — all in one place: Rugby Unity | Substack

📧 Get in touch: info@rugbyunity.com.au

TikTok | Instagram | YouTube
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.