8/9 Rugby

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.

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Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport

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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.

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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