Play On Pod - W6N Returns and PAC4 Chaos

Women’s rugby is flying right now- Candace, Rob and Pearcey unpack a huge opening round of W6N and PAC4, with drama, big moments and some seriously sharp officiating- with Aimee Barrett - reaching her 50th Test !

From last-minute yellow cards and wild finishes, to a try scorer dodging a pigeon (yep, really), there was no shortage of talking points.

Off the field, the game keeps evolving. Rugby Australia backs the future with new women’s pathways, while tech like Social Protect is stepping in to clean up the social media sideline.

Rob and Pearcey dive into Super Rugby chaos too- breakdown calls, no-try decisions, and those tight tackle interpretations that are keeping refs under the microscope.

Ben O’Keeffe doing his own referee coaching channel, Hollie making moves in the Top 14, lights out at Moana, and some classic mid-game curveballs.

Rob shares his Stat central and key appointments coming up.

Trends to watch:

The “sweeper” on contestable kicks

Free kicks vs penalties- are we getting it right?

Golden Whistle: Tom McLean

Law of the Week: Law 13.3

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The Play On Pod fire questions at the big boss of World Rugby! This weeks special guest is Chair of World Rugby- Dr Brett Robinson.

The Play On Pod keep it sharp, fun, and match official focused (as usual).

They cover it all with Brett- from life in the top job to the future of refereeing, TMO consistency, and law changes shaping the game.

There’s chat around the rise of match officials as personalities (Hollie Davidson), the growth of the women’s game, and what’s next after the success of recent World Cups.

Also tackling the messy rugby calendar, innovations across comps, and what the game could look like heading into RWC 2029 in Australia.

Big ideas, real insights, and a curveball question that involves a magic lamp ?!

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@Rob_McKay

@play_on_pod

@robgmckay

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@Play_On_Podcast

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This week on Play On Pod, Candace, Rob and Pearcey are back. They break down rugby’s biggest talking points. From props adding kicking to their toolkit to the Six Nations Player of the Tournament debate.

Over in Super Rugby, there’s plenty to unpack:

• A controversial referee collision in Highlanders vs Hurricanes- accidental or avoidable?
• Positioning, game awareness, and how referees can (and should) adjust
• A bizarre conversion decision that raised eyebrows
• Scrum and maul moments in the Brumbies clash that highlight ongoing technical challenges in the set piece

We dive into a niche Law of the Week- 15:1 moment from Leicester v Exeter, Can a ruck exist over the goal line?

Stat Central returns with numbers that tell their own story, while Trends & Talking Points explores how evolving attacking shapes are influencing off-the-ball incidents—and how players are increasingly trying to work referees through assistant refs.

Captain Chat of the week is from Jordan Way

Appointments news, including Wallaroos v Fiji

#PlayOnPod

@Rob_McKay

@play_on_pod

@robgmckay

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@Play_On_Podcast

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This week Candace, Rob and Pearcey dive into a massive mix of rugby action, officiating moments, and global headlines shaping the game.

We kick things off with Mudgee 10s and ongoing trials, plus a light-hearted but very important debate- what’s the best food at the footy? 

In global rugby news, the buzz around the Rugby World Cup continues with 750,000 tickets already sold, while innovations like the MLR referee review system spark discussion- including captain’s challenges and how they could impact decision-making.

In the rugby news they unpack some of the game’s tougher conversations:

• Oscar Jégou’s ban following foul play
• A doping scandal in Georgian rugby

Six Nations breakdown:

• France vs England controversy- high tackles, mark confusion, and game management frustrations
• Ireland vs Scotland- Luke Pearce’s communication masterclass under pressure
• Wales vs Italy- a dominant Welsh win, smart officiating, and key tactical decisions

New segment called Stat Central highlights insane form from rising stars, including try-scoring records being smashed.

Super Rugby & SVNS:

• Key TMO and grounding debates
• Big calls in Moana vs Blues
• High-intensity Sevens finals

Golden Whistle: celebrating Aimee Barrett-Theron as Referee of the Year.

Law of the Week: 18.2 : Touch, quick throws and lineout

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@Rob_McKay

@play_on_pod

@robgmckay

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Candace, Rob and Peacey are back breaking down a massive week across rugby — from local match officials to the global game.

Candace shares her eventful weekend at Ella 7s handing out three red cards, while the team chats colts trials and the Mod Squad developments.

With International Women’s Day just passed, the pod also highlights the incredible women shaping rugby from volunteers and board members to coaches and match officials.

Around the world of rugby, the Six Nations trophy catching fire, and new player welfare measures regulating contact training in Premiership Rugby.

The crew dive into the Six Nations action, including prop magic in Ireland v Wales, Angus Gardner’s management in Scotland v France, yellow cards under pressure and captain communication.

In Super Rugby, they unpack the player challenges in Waratahs v Hurricanes, lightning delays in Brumbies v Reds, and why match officials were right to celebrate the final decision.

Plus:

• SVNS standouts including Archie Saunders scoring on debut
• Golden Whistle- Angus Gardner
• Referee appointments
• Law of the Week – Law 12.9 - Kick off and restart kicks
• Captain Chat from the Scotland v France match

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@Rob_McKay

@play_on_pod

@robgmckay

YouTube:https://youtu.be/AoQaJrSfalk

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Candace, Rob and Pearcey are back with news from Kiama 7s and highlighting referee performances across Super Rugby

They unpack the latest in match official news and global rugby talking points.

World Rugby’s Shape of the Game update- what it means, what’s changing (and what’s not)

The new Blue Card protocol

Speed: “Use It” at the ruck, and the role of Game Management Guidelines (GMGs).

Plus: Six Nations appointments, captain chats done right, long advantages, scrum control, tip tackles, and why interactions matter more than ever.

Including standout moments from Ben O'Keeffe in the mud, James Doleman earning our Golden Whistle, and sharp management calls across the round.

#PlayOnPod

@Rob_McKay

@play_on_pod

@robgmckay

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@Play_On_Podcast

Instagram: https://instagram.com/p/C6UhhugS3rS

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Candace, Rob and Pearcey are back to chat about rugby news and the 6 Nations.

After some rugby news and highlighting some funny referee moments from the week.

The 6 Nations takes priority as the main segment with Andre getting injured and Pierre stepping in the pitch, it’s so impressive on how elite referees keep so calm and cool under pressure.

Rugby Trends:

1. Letting it breathe at the ruck
2. Hustling maul
3. 6 Nations still with unnecessary stoppage

Golden Whistle: Mathew Carley- 50th Test Cap

Appointments: Super Rugby Pacific + Local appointments

Law of the week: Law 9: 9.7/ 9.11/ 9.17

Further reading on jumping into a tackle: https://89rugby.substack.com/p/to-dive-or-not-to-dive-and-what-can?r=1gyg8t&utm_source=notes-share-action&utm_medium=web

#PlayOnPod

@Rob_McKay

@play_on_pod

@robgmckay

YouTube: https://youtu.be/Z-JpnlrJjNs

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Candace, Rob and Pearcey meet up again to review some trends within rugby and 6 Nations round two.

Rugby News:

1. Whats up with the new Super Rugby Referee kit ?
2. World Rugby Women’s in Rugby Career Program 2026
3. Heat Policy - used in Force vs Moana match

Trends:

1. Jumping into tries
2. HOLLIE HOLLIE HOLLIE
3. Scrum penalties
4. Forward passes
5. Referee down- Jordie’s pancake moment
6. Recognize and Remove- well done- Paul Williams

Golden Whistle: Hollie Davidson & Paul Williams

Appointments: 6Nations, Women’s 6Nations, Pacific 4, Wallaroos International and Local appointments

#PlayOnPod

@Rob_McKay

@play_on_pod

@robgmckay

YouTube: https://youtu.be/LEh5Fa-t4hs

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Candace, Rob and Pearcey meet up again to discuss some rugby news, Perth 7s highlights and of course the 6 Nations.

Perth 7s:

-French player- very dangerous tackle

-AJ speedy boots

-ARs involved during tournament

Rugby News:

-Bundee Aki backchat

-Anzac Day test for womens rugby

-World Rugby Rankings

6 Nations:

-Rob keeps score on the pods predictions

-AR running inside touches the ball.

-Italy v Scotland- RAIN

-Player in the way of 9 channel

-Appointments

Golden Whistle: Kat Roche

Law of the week: Match Official- 6:10 & Scrum 19:1

#PlayOnPod

@Rob_McKay

@play_on_pod

@robgmckay

YouTube: https://youtu.be/w6Eg9W5mAUc

Instagram: https://instagram.com/p/C6UhhugS3rS

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Candace, Rob and Pearcey are reunited to go through some exciting law innovations coming through Super Rugby.

They reflect on Singapore 7s and penalty tries in 7s matches.

Perth 7s and 6 Nations on this weekend. Rob gives low down of appointments.

The main segment focuses on the Super Rugby Law Innovations. With Candace and Pearcey voting green, amber and red for their favourites.

#PlayOnPod

@Rob_McKay

@play_on_pod

@robgmckay

YouTube: https://youtu.be/hG5-McVJdAo

Instagram: https://instagram.com/p/C6UhhugS3rS

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.