Eddie Jones joins David Pembroke solo (no Ewen McKenzie this week) from a monster scouting trip through Australia, stopping in Townsville ahead of Japan’s August Test against the Wallabies. They unpack what Eddie took from visiting the North Queensland Cowboys, then zoom out to a blockbuster Super Rugby weekend in Christchurch and what it did and did not prove about the comp. There’s big-picture talk on Rugby Australia’s record surplus (fuelled by the British and Irish Lions Tour) and the hard question: where should the money actually go, especially with the Wallaroos still well behind the Black Ferns? Eddie fires up on World Rugby politics too, slamming Japan’s “home” Nations Championship match against Ireland being shifted to Newcastle. Plus listener questions on bringing back a national academy, Super Rugby’s future, and what Australia must do to keep elite talent from drifting to the NRL.

Also in this episode:

● Eddie Jones’ Townsville scouting ahead of Wallabies Test

● Super Rugby Christchurch doubleheaders and Australia’s ongoing struggles

● Rugby Australia’s $70.6m surplus after Lions Tour windfall

● Wallaroos, Black Ferns, and women’s rugby inequality debate

● Japan v Ireland in Newcastle and World Rugby power dynamics

● National academy pathways to stop talent leaking to NRL

PLUS: A straight-talking look at governance reform, development models, and what keeps rugby growing worldwide.

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

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