In this engaging conversation, Simon Halliday interviews Jill Douglas, a prominent sports broadcaster, about her experiences in the world of sports media, the evolution of women's roles in broadcasting, and the growth of women's sports. They discuss the challenges and opportunities in women's rugby, the dynamics of covering major sporting events, and the impact of charity work, particularly in relation to Doddie Weir and the My Name's Doddie Foundation. Jill shares her insights on bridging the gap between sports and business, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and the transferable skills gained from sports broadcasting.

Rugby World Cup winner, trailblazing coach, and one of the most influential voices in the women’s game – Giselle Mather joins Simon on Hallers Playbook this week.

From the grassroots explosion of participation to the spotlight of the recent World Cup, Giselle reflects on the huge strides the women’s game has made – and the hurdles it still faces. She speaks openly about the structural and financial challenges, the ongoing fight for visibility and investment, and why developing the next generation of players is crucial to sustaining momentum.

Simon and Giselle also discuss the cultural shift rugby is undergoing, how women’s rugby is redefining the values of the sport, and what needs to be done to ensure that progress doesn’t stall.

One thing is clear: for women’s rugby to fulfil its potential, the game must embrace its pioneers, build pathways that match ambition with opportunity, and commit to making the sport truly global, inclusive, and sustainable.

In this episode of Hallers Playbook, Simon Halliday sits down with MAS Group Head of APAC Harry Fry and explore Harry's journey from playing rugby in England to working in financial markets in Australia. The conversation also touches on the rise of digital assets in finance and the growing recognition of women's rugby. Harry shares valuable advice for aspiring rugby players about having a backup plan and the significance of life after sports.

Some of the takeaways from the podcast:

In this hard-hitting episode of Hallers Playbook, Former England Rugby International Simon Halliday sits down with David Campese – Wallabies legend, Rugby World Cup winner, and one of the most iconic players in the history of the sport – for a brutally honest conversation about the state of rugby in Australia.

From the golden days of the amateur era to the professional game we see today, Campese reflects on how the sport has changed – and not always for the better. He speaks candidly about the negative impact rugby league is having on union in Australia, the lack of strategy and direction from leadership, and why the game is struggling to inspire the next generation.

Simon and David agree on one thing: to secure rugby’s future, the sport must return to its historical ideals, focus on skill and passion over bureaucracy, and actually listen to the wisdom of its most experienced players.

In this thought-provoking episode of Hallers Playbook, Former England Rugby International Simon Halliday sits down with Mark Rhydderch-Roberts, Chair of Glamorgan Cricket Club, to discuss the seismic shifts happening in the world of sport.

From the explosive growth of cricket as a global business – fuelled by the commercial power of India’s IPL – to the increasing popularity of the game in Wales, Mark explains how cricket is evolving into a modern sports powerhouse. At the same time, he shares candid insights on why rugby is losing its traditional dominance in Wales, and what this means for the country’s sporting future.

The conversation also dives into the transformative role of AI and data – not just in improving player performance and tactics, but also in driving fan engagement, sponsorship value, and strategic decision-making at board level.

In this episode of Hallers Playbook, Former England Rugby International Simon Halliday sits down with Simon Blackledge and Robert Brown – the visionary founders of MAS Markets, recently ranked 32nd fastest growing company in the UK.

From a bold idea to becoming a major force in the financial markets industry, Simon and Robert share the real story behind MAS Markets’ rapid rise. They discuss the strategies, culture, and decisions that drove their growth, the challenges they overcame, and the lessons learned along the way.

Expect insights on scaling a business in competitive markets, staying agile in uncertain economic times, and building a high-performance team that thrives under pressure.

In this episode, Simon speaks with the founders of MAS Group Simon Blackledge and Robert Brown. 

From dominating the rugby field in the green and gold jersey to crafting award-winning wines in the heart of South Africa’s Western Cape, legendary South African Springbok and now one of the country’s most respected winemakers Schalk Burger sits down with former England Rugby International Simon Halliday. 

They delve into Schalk’s storied rugby career, his family roots in South Africa, and how a love for the land inspired him to establish Welbedacht Wine Estate. Beyond the vineyards and the scrum, this conversation explores the shared attributes between elite sport and successful business – discipline, teamwork, resilience, and vision.