Rugby Unity

The opening weekend of the Nations Championship (and the Nations Cup) delivered exactly what rugby needed: high quality, plenty of tries, and no shortage of arguments. David Pembroke, Steve Hansen and Ewen McKenzie break down a cracking All Blacks v France in the new Christchurch stadium, with a clear shift towards pace, ball in hand, and a young 10 taking charge. Japan’s historic win over Italy gets the spotlight it deserves, with Eddie Jones building a side around tempo, connection and new depth. In Sydney, Ireland edged Australia 33-31 in a 10-try thriller, but the post-match oxygen went straight into TMO and TV producer interference. South Africa’s 45-21 win over England raised bigger questions: discipline, aerial contests, and whether England even know how they want to play. Plus, the Nations Cup lit up North and South America with 59 tries and real World Cup 2027 talent emerging.

Also in this episode:
● Nations Championship format excitement, but info hard to find
● All Blacks v France: pace, tries, lead changes
● TMO and TV producer influence sparks big frustration
● Japan beat Italy: Dearns, Leitch, Eddie Jones’ build
● Ireland v Wallabies: 10 tries, lineout pressure, forward pass debate
● South Africa v England: high balls, yellow cards, discipline crisis

PLUS: PLUS: What rugby can learn from NRL clarity, pathways, and fan-first simplicity.

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
Thanks to Eleven labs for providing a grant to Rugby Unity so that we can use their world leading software.

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

A brand-new World Rugby era begins, with David Pembroke and Ewen McKenzie teeing up a massive opening weekend of the Nations Championship and Nations Cup, plus the key questions already bubbling away. The headline act is France v New Zealand in Christchurch, with a Hurricanes-flavoured All Blacks spine, Ruben Love at 10, and France leaning heavily on Bordeaux combinations. There’s plenty of heat too: England head to Johannesburg to face a loaded Springboks side, while the Wallabies name a few surprises for Ireland in Sydney, including Josh Nasser at hooker and Jock Campbell at 15. Japan roll the dice without Eddie Jones in the coaches box, starting a fourth-year university flyhalf against Italy. The lads also touch on under-20s results, crowd concerns, and why meaningful windows and better communication matter if rugby wants more eyeballs.

Also in this episode:
● Nations Championship launch and why it’s historic
● France v New Zealand selections and key match-ups
● Japan v Italy: Ryunosuke Ito starts at 10
● Wallabies team debate for Ireland in Sydney
● England v South Africa: power, altitude, bench impact
● Nations Cup fixtures: Uruguay, Georgia, Samoa, Chile, USA

PLUS: Why global calendar alignment and meaningful tournaments keep rugby’s best players visible.

RUGBY UNITY LIVE! IN NEWCASTLE 10 JULY 2026: https://tickets.iwannaticket.com.au/event/hunter-rugby-luncheon-japan-v-ireland-61ffdo

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
Thanks to Eleven labs for providing a grant to Rugby Unity so that we can use their world leading software.

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

Toulouse are champions again, four straight, but it was a strange, storm-interrupted Top 14 final where Montpellier owned the carry count and Toulouse still found a way. David Pembroke and Ewen McKenzie break down how Toulouse adapted, defended, kicked more than usual, and used set piece control to win when it mattered. From there, the focus swings to a massive opening weekend of the Nations Championship and Nations Cup, including New Zealand v France, South Africa v England, and Australia v Ireland in Sydney. There’s also big calendar news with ANZAC Day Bledisloe Tests confirmed in Brisbane for 2027, 2029 and 2031, and a tough call as Moana Pasifika is officially no more. Off-field, the pair tackle the global season stalemate, private equity questions around CVC and Silver Lake, and what rugby can learn from the Football World Cup’s eye-watering crowds and presentation.

Also in this episode:

● Toulouse adapt with defence, kicking, and set piece control
● Dupont and Top 14 players released for Nations Championship
● ANZAC Day Bledisloe Tests confirmed for Brisbane 2027–2031
● Moana Pasifika ends as Super Rugby finances get questioned
● Private equity debate: CVC, Silver Lake, and union priorities
● Under-20 scores reviewed, including Australia 90 v Spain 22

PLUS: What rugby can copy from Football World Cup crowds, colour, and broadcast presentation.

RUGBY UNITY LIVE! IN NEWCASTLE 10 JULY 2026: https://tickets.iwannaticket.com.au/event/hunter-rugby-luncheon-japan-v-ireland-61ffdo

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
Thanks to Eleven labs for providing a grant to Rugby Unity so that we can use their world leading software.

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

Rugby Unity goes big picture, then straight into the weekend’s rugby. David Pembroke and Ewen McKenzie pull apart what the Football World Cup in the USA is teaching World Rugby ahead of 2031: fan energy, downtown stadium precincts, and the must-solve issue of NFL field dimensions for rugby. They also dig into hydration breaks and the brutal reality of modern media, where TikTok and video are reshaping how sport is sold and understood. Then it’s on to the results: Leinster thump the Bulls 36-7 in the URC final, Hurricanes destroy the Chiefs 60-5 in the Super Rugby final in wild Wellington wind, and Northampton edge Exeter 26-17 with yellow cards again impacting finals footy. The Third Voice returns with Wallabies selection heat, including Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Carter Gordon at 12, and how this awkward coaching transition compares to the old Eddie Jones handover.

Also in this episode:

● Football World Cup fans show rugby what’s possible
● 2031 USA: rugby field dimensions vs NFL stadiums
● Hydration breaks and the advertising money question
● Reuters report: TikTok now drives youth news habits
● Hurricanes’ front-row skill and post-contact dominance
● Third Voice: Wallabies squad debates and centre combinations
PLUS: From fan behaviour to transparency, rugby’s next growth push is cultural and commercial.

RUGBY UNITY LIVE! IN NEWCASTLE 10 JULY 2026: https://tickets.iwannaticket.com.au/event/hunter-rugby-luncheon-japan-v-ireland-61ffdo

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
Thanks to Eleven labs for providing a grant to Rugby Unity so that we can use their world leading software.

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

Rugby Unity goes global this week, with David Pembroke and Ewen McKenzie pulling lessons from the football World Cup in the USA and asking what World Rugby must copy before Rugby World Cup 2031. Dynamic ticket pricing, host city negotiations, and fan culture are all on the table, plus how creator content could help Australia show off more than just the capital cities in 2027. Then it’s back to the pitch: the Super Rugby final is locked in, Hurricanes v Chiefs, after Hurricanes thumped the Blues and the Chiefs put the Crusaders away early. Ewen also shares a chat with Eddie Jones on why scores are blowing out: fewer contests, fewer scrums, but better instinctive support play and two-handed, straight running across the park. And there’s heat in the Premiership too, with the Joe Cokanasiga yellow card debate lighting up Bath v Exeter.

Also in this episode:
● Football World Cup USA buzz and World Rugby’s smile
● Dynamic ticket pricing and what it means for 2031
● Socceroos beat Turkey 2-0 with 28% possession
● Super Rugby semis: Hurricanes and Chiefs set up final
● Eddie Jones chat: instinctive support play beats structure
● Premiership controversy: Cokanasiga yellow card hurts Bath
PLUS: A big push for rugby to learn from other sports, build international club followings, and make tournaments matter more than friendlies.

RUGBY UNITY LIVE! IN NEWCASTLE 10 JULY 2026: https://tickets.iwannaticket.com.au/event/hunter-rugby-luncheon-japan-v-ireland-61ffdo

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
Thanks to Eleven labs for providing a grant to Rugby Unity so that we can use their world leading software.

TikTok | Instagram | YouTube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.