8/9 Rugby

What should we expect from the start of the Les Kiss era for the Wallabies? In this episode of 8/9 Rugby, Queensland Reds assistant coach Zane Hilton joins Brett McKay for a first-hand insight into what Kiss will bring to this new era of Australian rugby.

Having coached alongside Kiss at the Reds for several season, Zane Hilton is perfectly placed to outline a new approach and philosophy the new coach brings. And having spent nine years coaching in Japan, we cover everything you need to know about the two-Test series against the Brave Blossoms starting this weekend in Osaka.

#rugby #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #Wallabies

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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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The first leg of the inaugural Nations Championship was a great first outing for the new concept, but what have we learned about the best of northern and southern hemisphere international rugby?

Broadcaster Martin Devlin joins Brett McKay this week to run back over for the July series of the Championship, and ask the key questions: Does the format work? Has it brought more meaning to this Test Rugby window? And are there already tweaks to be made for the next edition of the Nations Championship?

Beyond that, are the All Blacks ready for South Africa? And how well will the Wallabies transition from the Joe Schmidt era to the new leadership of Les Kiss? What changes, if any, should we expect for the Japan Series in August?

#rugby #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #NationsChampionship

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 Wallabies conclude the July leg of the Nations Championship with a dominant win over Italy in Perth, and with it, the Joe Schmidt era comes to an end to an with a Wallabies ‘Kiss of life’.

Jim Tucker joins Brett McKay on the 8/9 Rugby Post Mortem to run through what really was an excellent performance from the Wallabies, clinical in their 57-10 win over the Azzurri over in Western Australia, and in front of a third straight sell-out crowd through this tournament. The Wallabies started superbly and had the game well in control by halftime, before kicking to record their biggest win in years.

#rugby #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #AustraliavFrance #AUSvFRA #Wallabies #NationsChampionship

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 first leg of the Nations Championship is nearly done, and the Wallabies find themselves in a bit of a depth crisis.

Legendary Australian rugby commentator Greg Clark joins Brett McKay this week to ponder what is suddenly a must-win game for the Wallabies against Italy in Perth this weekend, with the Australians desperate to send out Joe Schmidt with a win.

There’s also some thoughts on Japan and Fiji’s participation in this tournament – Japan have already recorded a win and look to be building experience against the top nations ahead of next year’s Rugby World Cup, while Fiji look to be in a really dicey situation after sacking their coach and have now been thumped by England in a seriously worrying performance.

#rugby #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #NationsChampionship

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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A familiar Nations Championship story for the Wallabies, who started brilliantly in Brisbane before being run down by an excellent France side in Brisbane. Geoff Parkes joins Brett McKay from Suncorp Stadium on the 8/9 Rugby Post Mortem to run through the tale of the tape.

Winning their first game in Brisbane in 54 years, Les Bleus found themselves on the receiving end of a truly excellent first half from the Wallabies, before drawing level early in the second half and taking the game completely into their control thereafter. It’s left the Wallabies lamenting yet another game that’s got away from them, and now having to go all in on Italy in Perth next weekend.

#rugby #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #AustraliavFrance #AUSvFRA #Wallabies #NationsChampionship

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