Rugby podcasters Brett McKay and Harry Jones are joined on The 8-9 Combo by Rugby Australia Chair Daniel Herbert for an open and frank discussion that outlines the delicate position the game finds itself in Australia – and how really transformative the next decade can be.

Herbert outlines what led RA into the position they are now in the process of recovering from, outlining the reset of strategic direction they’re now implementing, which does include the demise of the Melbourne Rebels, options that may be available to get more games and gametime into Australian players, and how ‘centralisation’ became a dirty word in 2023, while also touching on the first Test against Wales in Sydney this weekend, and legacy Michael Hooper will leave behind, after announcing his retirement from Australian rugby over the weekend.

Social media: #89Combo

Twitter: https://twitter.com/89combo

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@8-9Combo

Brett: https://twitter.com/BMcSport

Harry: https://twitter.com/HaribaldiJones

(Yes, Brett and Harry did used to host The Roar Rugby Podcast!)

Find Brett and Harry’s written work on RugbyPass and The Roar:

Brett: https://www.rugbypass.com/plus/contributor/brett-mckay/

Harry: https://www.theroar.com.au/author/haribaldi/

Music from Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/track/oakvale-of-albion/extreme

Voiceovers by Chookman + Sean Maloney + Amelia

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices