Rugby League Rat Pack

Kelly McGill joins the Rugby League Rat Pack for an incredible conversation about his journey from football to rugby, the USA Tomahawks, Hawaii and the global growth of rugby league!

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Kelly McGill shares stories from his football career, playing in the Hula Bowl, crossing over to rugby, competing in France and the Cook Islands, representing the USA and helping grow rugby league in Hawaii. He also tells the story of meeting King Charles III and shows off his Vietnamese language skills during a memorable conversation with the Rat Pack.

Plus, Niuy, Bobo, Vassey, Duck Arse & Captain America break down the latest action from the NRL, Super League and NRLW, including rugby league video highlights, this week’s Most Valuable Preston Award winner and plenty of opinions, laughs and rugby league debate.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Kelly McGill — From football to rugby and the USA Tomahawks
• Rugby League in the USA — The next generation of American talent
• NRL Round 24 Recap & upcoming Predictions
• NRLW scores and highlights
• Super League Round Up
• Bobo’s Breakdown — The evolution of the wing position
• This week’s Most Valuable Preston Award winner — David Fifita
• NRL in Las Vegas — The countdown continues

CHAPTERS

00:00 Countdown to NRL in Las Vegas

02:29 Lifeguard Competition: Rat Pack goes Baywatch

03:33 Free The Rugby League Rat Pack

04:09 Where to Watch the Podcast

06:27 Kelly McGill joins the Rat Pack

08:22 Hurricane in Hawaii

10:06 How Kelly got to Hawaii and how his football career started

17:00 Playing for Head Coach Paul Johnson

18:52 Playing in the Hula Bowl

21:24 Crossing over to Rugby

28:54 Rugby Union vs Rugby League

31:21 USA Tomahawks & Rugby League Development in Hawaii

33:02 Kelly speaking Vietnamese

36:32 Playing Soccer

41:14 USA vs Samoa & NSW vs Hawaii

44:33 Shaking Hands with King Charles III

45:55 Playing in France & the Cook Islands

51:42 NRL Recap

54:42 NRL Ladder/Predictions

57:29 Super League Round Up

1:01:44 Bobo’s Breakdown: Wing position evolution

1:12:00 Most Valuable Preston Award: David Fifita

1:14:50 NRLW Scores and Highlights

1:21:46 Rugby League Talent coming up in the USA

1:22:14 NRL & NFL Announcer Swap

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NRLW Sydney Roosters head coach and NSW Women’s State of Origin coach John Strange joins the Rugby League Rat Pack for an inside look at his remarkable rugby league journey.

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John Strange takes us from his playing and coaching days with Featherstone Rovers and York Wasps to coaching his son, working his way through junior rugby league, and eventually reaching the Sydney Roosters and NSW Women’s State of Origin. He also shares his perspective on the growth of the women’s game, the differences between coaching men and women and the changing landscape of rugby league.

Plus, Niuy, Bobo, Vassey & Captain America break down the latest action from the NRL, Super League and NRLW, with plenty of opinions, laughs and rugby league banter along the way.

In This Episode:

• John Strange joins the Rat Pack
• John's rugby league journey from England to Australia
• Featherstone Rovers and York Wasps
• Becoming the youngest captain/coach for York
• Coaching his son and his path through junior rugby league
• The move to the Sydney Roosters
• The differences between coaching men and women
• NSW Women’s State of Origin
• The growth of women’s rugby league
• NRL recap and predictions
• Super League Round Up
• Bobo’s Breakdown
• Captain America’s MVP: Dominic Young
• NRLW scores and highlights
• A look at the local league
• #FreeTheRatPack

Chapters

00:00 Countdown to Scrum Vegas IV

03:33 Free the Rat Pack!

06:52 John Strange joins the Rat Pack

07:18 John Strange’s Rugby League Journey

08:47 Featherstone Rovers

12:56 York Wasps: Youngest Captain/Coach ever

20:50 John coaching his son

24:15 Coaching U6 to the Roosters

29:24 Differences coaching men and women

36:41 State of Origin

43:22 Dedicated facilities for women

47:05 How far the women’s game has come

49:13 John’s son not playing for the Roosters

55:29 NRL Recap

1:02:05 NRL Predictions

1:02:48 Super League Round Up

1:01:31 Bobo’s Breakdown: Is Hair out of Bounds?

1:11:04 Most Valuable Preston Award: Dominic Young

1:14:02 NRLW scores and highlights

1:18:36 A Look at the Local League

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From NRL Round 22 to Super League and NRLW Magic Round, the Rugby League Rat Pack breaks down the biggest performances, surprise results and headline stories from across the rugby league world.

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In this episode, Niuy, Vassey, Duck Arse & Captain America analyze NRL Round 22 and the current ladder, preview Indigenous Round, and highlight the standout performances from NRLW Magic Round.

The boys also cover the latest Super League action and hand out Captain America's MVP Award before taking a walk down memory lane and exploring the future of rugby league in North America. Don't miss the deep dive on Rugby League United (RLU) and the structure of the competition, discussing how leagues can create the best possible format to showcase top talent. .

In this episode:

NRL Round 22 analysis and ladder breakdown

Indigenous Round predictions

USA vs Aboriginals World 7s highlights

Glen Mills vs Aboriginals lookback

Super League Round Up

Super League ladder and player movement

NRLW Magic Round highlights & discussion

Captain America's MVP: Sam Walker

Old school black boots vs. white boots

The future of Rugby League United (RLU)

Analyzing league formats and showcasing the best talent

A look at the local league championship: New York Knights vs. DC Cavalry | USA Rugby League Chapters:

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USA Hawks and DC Cavalry standout Ryan Burroughs joins the Rugby League Rat Pack to share his incredible journey from military service to international rugby league. Ryan discusses representing the United States, playing in Australia with Wentworthville, signing with the Toronto Wolfpack, life in Barrow, Major League Rugby, and the growth of the game in America.

Niuy, Vassy, Duck Arse and Captain America also break down the biggest stories and highlights from NRL Round 21, recap the latest Super League action, dive into on the NRLW and reveal this week's Most Valuable Preston Award winner.

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In This Episode

• Ryan Burroughs on serving in the military and discovering rugby league
• Playing for Wentworthville, the USA Hawks and Toronto Wolfpack
• Life with the DC Cavalry and the future of rugby league in the United States
• NRL Round 21 recap and predictions
• Super League Roundup
• NRLW update
• Most Valuable Preston Award (NRL player of the week)

Chapters

00:00 Vegas Baby Vegas!

08:13 Honoring Rugby Marines

12:01 Ryan Burroughs Interview Begins

13:55 Ryan's Military Journey

16:32 Discovering Rugby League

17:50 Playing at Wentworthville

20:45 Representing the USA Hawks

24:18 Signing with the Toronto Wolfpack

25:57 Playing for Paul Rowley

27:19 Journey to Barrow-in-Furness

29:40 Major League Rugby

32:31 DC Cavalry

39:55 Interview Wrap-Up

41:11 NRL Round 21 Recap

47:30 NRL Predictions

51:48 Super League Roundup

56:38 NRLW Update

1:05:38 Prestons Are Everywhere

1:06:28 Captain America's MVP

1:12:05 Bobo's Fake Anniversary

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Former NRL, Super League and USA Tomahawks star Matt Petersen joins the Rugby League Rat Pack for an unforgettable conversation filled with career stories, behind-the-scenes moments and rugby league history.

Episode 20 features Matty reflecting on his journey from junior rugby league through the Parramatta Eels, Gold Coast Titans, Wakefield Wildcats, and representing the USA Tomahawks on the international stage.

The Rat Pack also breaks down all the biggest NRL and Super League action, makes predictions for Round 21, hands out Captain America's MVP Award, and discusses the latest NRLW storylines.

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Chapters

00:00 Introductions

03:01 Captain America hurtin’ from the pitch

06:09 Rugby League Rat Pack Parents & Children

08:12 World Cup: Internationals love the U.S.A. & U.S.A. loves Internationals

09:22 Bobo back to Dr. Evil

12:51 Matty Petersen joins the Pack

16:27 First game played in the U.S.A. in Philadelphia

17:14 Legendary Hair

18:25 Matty's roots and early days

19:35 Playing Local

21:04 Super League

22:36 Journey to Newcastle

25:54 Highlights: Matty can take a punch

29:15 Playing with the Eels

31:52 2007 season

32:41 After Gold Coast to Wakefield

34:37 Tomahawks Highlights

36:31 U.S. Tomahawks World Class Coaches

41:15 Perth Bears and former teams Matty supports

42:14 Which former club is Matty pulling for to win the Grand Final?

44:42 Interview takeaways

46:51 NRL Recap, Preview & Predictions

51:39 Shot fired at Vassey

53:33 NRL Predictions for this week's games

1:00:44 Super League Round Up

1:09:24 Bobo's Breakdown: Down the Stretch in NRL: War of Attrition

1:20:23 Most Valuable Preston Award: Reece Walsh

1:24:08 NRLW

1:28:11 Sad News: Scott Dureau passed away on July 18, 2026, at the age of 39 after a battle with cancer

1:28:58 NRL Observations

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The Rugby League Rat Pack welcomes Tampa Mayhem head coach and former professional rugby league player Liam Mulhall for an in-depth conversation about his playing career, coaching philosophy, building one of America's top rugby league clubs, and the growth of the game in the United States.

The Rat Pack also breaks down NRL Round 19, recaps the latest Super League action, reviews the NRLW, hands out another Most Valuable Preston Award, and looks at what's happening across the local rugby league scene.

In this episode:

• Special guest Liam Mulhall joins the Rat Pack
• Building the undefeated Tampa Mayhem
• Liam's playing career, Western Reds & AMNRL
• Liam discusses the books he's written
• NRL Round 19 recap
• Super League Round Up
• NRLW recap
• Daniel Tupou's milestone performance
• Can Thomas Jenkins break the single-season try record?
• Local rugby league updates

00:00 Introductions

01:14 Maika Niu Drafted by the New York Yankees

06:08 State of Origin thoughts

07:50 Vassy highlights

13:36 Liam Mulhall joins the show

13:58 Liam’s Rugby League Journey

18:05 Playing for the Western Reds

22:30 How AMNRL made Liam better

27:38 Coaching in Tampa, Florida

30:07 Tampa Mayhem 5-0 to start the season

31:19 Next Man Up mentality & tough practices

34:30 Sarasota-Jacksonville Rivalry

37:41 Liam as an Author: books he’s written

45:01 ‘08 Bulls vs ‘26 Mayhem

47:13 Where to find the Rat Pack

48:22 NRL Recap

55:24 Super League Round Up

59:06 NRLW Recap

1:03:07 Most Valuable Preston Award: Daniel Tupou

1:06:25 Will Thomas Jenkins break the single season try record

1:07:23 Wingers have it easy

1:13:23 A Look at the Local League

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The Rugby League Rat Pack welcomes special guest Eugene Tukumoeatu from the Utah Junior Rugby League for an in-depth conversation about growing rugby league in the United States. Eugene shares how Utah is developing youth and girls programs, engaging the Polynesian community, using American football as a pathway to rugby league, and building the Heritage Cup into a successful grassroots competition.

Of course the boys bring their weekly look around the rugby league world with an NRL Recap, Super League Round Up, Bobo's Breakdown, and Captain America's Most Valuable Preston Award, along with State of Origin III predictions, Magic Round discussion, NRLW coverage, and exclusive on location videos from Duck Arse.

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In This Episode:

Eugene Tukumoeatu joins the Rugby League Rat Pack

Growing rugby league in Utah and across the United States

Building youth and girls rugby league programs

The Polynesian community's impact on rugby league

Using American football to introduce new players

Utah Junior Rugby League Heritage Cup

NRL Recap

NRLW opening week

Super League Round Up featuring Magic Round

Bobo's Breakdown

Most Valuable Preston Award

MND Awareness

State of Origin III preview and predictions

Chapters:

00:00 State of Origin, Super League Magic Round, NRLW kickoff

00:59 233 Days until Scrum Vegas 4

04:33 Duck Arse Looking Good & Feeling Good

08:03 Eugene Tukumoeatu joins the Rat Pack

10:28 How to develop Rugby League in the U.S.A.

12:16 Polynesian community in Utah

13:15 The biggest challenge growing Rugby League

15:19 Using American Football to teach Rugby League

17:45 What model and format is Eugene using in Utah?

18:49 How Flag Rugby helps people learn the sport

19:39 Utah Junior Rugby League Heritage Cup 2026

23:09 Spirit of Community

26:12 Rugby League growth strategy

29:01 NRL Recap: Duck Arse on location

35:16 NRL Women's Recap

40:50 MND Awareness

42:11 Super League Round Up: Magic Round

50:04 Bobo's Breakdown: Is a referee's decision ever final?

1:00:46 Most Valuable Preston Award: Dayne Jennings

1:05:49 Will Sam Walker dethrone Nathan Cleary as Australia's World Cup halfback?

1:06:24 State of Origin III predictions

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Niuy, Bobo, Vassy, Duck Arse and Captain America are on the pitch for another entertaining episode of the Rugby League Rat Pack, analyzing NRL & Super League action, making 2026 NRL Grand Final predictions, previewing the deciding State of Origin clash, and breaking down a rare eight-point try and an incredible one-on-one ball steal.

Whether you're an NRL or Super League fan or love rugby league from around the world, Episode 17 delivers expert analysis, spirited debate, classic rugby league stories, grassroots coverage, and plenty of laughs from one of the game's most passionate panels.

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In This Episode:

• The Rat Pack reveals 2026 NRL Grand Final predictions
• Which clubs are emerging as the true title contenders?
• Countdown to Scrum Vegas and rugby league's continued growth in the United States
• State of Origin Game 3 preview and the keys to deciding the series
• Bobo's Breakdown: Forwards evolving
• Captain America's Most Valuable Preston Award
• Video breakdown of the controversial eight-point try
• Analysis of an incredible one-on-one ball steal and why it worked
• Women's State of Origin discussion
• Local league highlights and standout performers
• Supporting the fight against MND and ALS

Chapters

00:00 Introductions - America 250, World Cup

04:24 Video: Bobo loses an eye on the pitch

11:00 Vassy on Location Video

12:35 Video: Niuy takes one from David "Cement" Gillespie

14:15 David "Cement" Gillespie most feared person in Rugby League

16:44 Storytime: Duck Arse lends his shoulder pads

19:53 NRL Recap

20:18 Video: Dolphins v Warriors

25:10 Video: Panthers v Cowboys

28:21 NRL Ladder Analysis

29:26 Grand Final Predictions from the Rat Pack

30:39 Super League Roundup

33:48 Super League Ladder Analysis

37:19 Rat Pack Goes Hollywood

39:11 Countdown to Scrum Vegas

43:17 Bobo’s Breakdown: Forwards changing the game

51:29 Most Valuable Preston Award

56:10 Video: Kicked in the Head 8-point try

59:16 Video: One on One Steal

1:02:44 State of Origin

1:12:14 Women’s State of Origin

1:17:03 A Look at the Local League

1:24:33 MND and ALS awareness and charitable efforts

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Former NRL and Super League star Phil Bailey joins the Rugby League Rat Pack for an incredible conversation about his rugby league journey from the Cronulla Sharks to the Wigan Warriors, representing New South Wales in State of Origin, and helping grow USA Rugby League.

Phil shares unforgettable stories from his playing career, coaching in America, and life after professional rugby league.

Then Niuy, Bobo, Vassy, Duck Arse & Captain America dive into another big week across the NRL, Super League and the local game. Plus, the story of the historic 1953 USARL tour in Australia!

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In This Episode:

Phil Bailey's rugby league journey

Growing up and getting recruited in Australia

Life with the Cronulla Sharks

Playing in State of Origin

Joining Wigan and adapting to the Super League

The biggest differences between the NRL and Super League

Coaching rugby league in the United States

Incredible stories from Phil's career, including meeting Jon Bon Jovi

Super League Round Up NRL Recap

Most Valuable Preston Award (MVP): Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad

Women's State of Origin

Match of the Week

Local Rugby League Spotlight

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Former Queensland State of Origin star, Super League Man of Steel and Castleford Tigers legend Adrian Vowles joins the Rugby League Rat Pack for an in-depth conversation about his remarkable rugby league career, his memories of representing the Maroons, his success in the Super League, and his thoughts on State of Origin Game 2.

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Join Niuy, Bobo, Vassy, Duck Arse and Captain America for another entertaining episode covering the biggest stories from across the NRL, Super League and rugby league around the world.

Special Guest: Adrian Vowles

Former Queensland State of Origin representative

271-game NRL & Super League career

1999 Super League Man of Steel

Castleford Tigers legend

Reflects on his playing career and Origin memories

Shares stories from the NRL, Super League and representing the Maroons

Weekly Rat Pack Features:

NRL Recap

Super League Round Up

Bobo's Breakdown

The Most Valuable Preston Award

A Look at the Local League

Also in this episode:

State of Origin Game 2 preview and predictions

The biggest winners and losers from the latest NRL action

The latest Super League headlines and performances

International rugby league discussion

Plenty of laughs and classic Rat Pack banter

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