8/9 Rugby

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

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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