Rugby Unity

Rugby is at a crossroads — from global tournaments to local clubs, the game is showing how tradition and innovation can shape its future.

In this episode, David Pembroke is joined by Eddie Jones and Ewen McKenzie to explore the Women’s Rugby World Cup, where England’s dominance and packed stadiums are setting new benchmarks for the sport. They also unpack Japan’s emphatic win over Canada in the Pacific Nations Cup and the challenges facing North American rugby.

Attention then turns to the Rugby Championship: The Springboks head to Eden Park to face the All Blacks, with tactical kicking, fatigue, and discipline all in the spotlight.

Along the way: lessons in fan engagement, stories from the coaching trenches, and audience questions on rugby’s next tactical shift.

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One sport. Millions of voices. This is Rugby Unity.

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With the Rugby Championship on pause, the Women’s Rugby World Cup in full swing, and the Pacific Nations Cup heating up, former Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie joins David Pembroke to look ahead.

Ewen shares how coaches use a break to reset — from data-driven game plans to managing fatigue and squad changes. He reflects on working with Eddie Jones, Rod Macqueen, and Bob Dwyer, and explains what it really takes to build a cohesive coaching team.

Looking ahead, the focus turns to the contests on the horizon:

• The Wallabies reshaping after injuries, and who might fill Will Skelton’s boots.
• The Springboks looming Eden Park test.
• Joseph Sua’ali’i’s best position — and why the wing might suit him most.
• How discipline, yellow cards, and fatigue shape outcomes.
• The Wallaroos’ clutch clash with the USA, with a World Cup quarterfinal spot on the line.
• Why better facilities and investment are lifting the Women’s World Cup.
• Eddie Jones’ Japan squad in the Pacific Nations Cup, and why more test matches matter for Pacific rugby.

Plus, can the Springboks stay on top with an ageing squad? And is Joseph Sua’ali’i better suited to the wing?

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One sport. Millions of voices. This is Rugby Unity.

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The global game is heating up.

On this episode of Rugby Unity, David Pembroke sits down with Japan head coach Eddie Jones as he prepares his young squad for a crucial test against Canada. With one eye on the 2027 Rugby World Cup, Eddie reveals the challenges of coaching an inexperienced team and the lessons he’s carrying into the future.

From Sendai to Suva to Eden Park, no stone is left unturned:

• Japan vs Canada – youth, depth, and Canada’s revival under Steve Meehan.
• Pacific Nations Cup – Eddie’s take on Fiji v Tonga and the impact of missing stars.
• The Rugby Championship – South Africa’s travel grind, Eden Park’s mystique, All Blacks in transition, and the Wallabies’ rise under Joe Schmidt.
• Off the field, Eddie and David tackle the big issues:
• Rugby’s shift from flair to collisions.
• The NFL effect – can rugby learn to build global superstars without losing its values?
• Why women’s rugby is leading the way in fan engagement.

Plus, your questions answered: Springbok selection headaches, Joseph Suaalii’s best position, and even the mystery of team photo line-ups.

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One sport. Millions of voices. This is Rugby Unity.

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The Wallaroos are making history at the Women’s Rugby World Cup — and we’ve got a front-row seat.

In this Rugby Unity special, Bella McKenzie sits down with co-captain Emily Chancellor live from England. Fresh off a record win over Samoa, Emily lifts the lid on what it felt like to be part of the Wallaroos’ biggest World Cup victory, the emotion of playing in front of partisan crowds, and how the squad is keeping spirits high off the field.

They look ahead to the crucial clash with the USA, breaking down the threats the Eagles pose, the Wallaroos’ areas for improvement, and the team’s mantra of fun, fast, family heading into knockout territory.

In this episode:

• Wallaroos’ record win over Samoa
• Emily’s 29-tackle effort
• Life inside the World Cup squad
• Culture night highlights
• Growth of the women’s game in England
• Areas the Wallaroos must improve

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One sport. Millions of voices. This is Rugby Unity.

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England dominant, the Wallaroos spank Samoa while the USA are circling.

The sun is shining, the stands are full, and the first round was sensational. The Women’s Rugby World Cup is up and running in England and Rugby Unity host David Pembroke and Wallaroos fly-half Bella McKenzie are on hand in this episode to take you inside the biggest stories of the opening weekend.

The USA made the favourites England work hard for the first 30 minutes before a yellow card cruelled their momentum. Australia scored plenty of points against Samoa while Scotland were super impressive in dealing with a disappointing Wales. France’s performance against Italy suggested they have a lot to spare while the hot stepping Jorja Miller from New Zealand was box office. It was all action and despite the scoreline blowouts, it was a super impressive start to the tournament.

The conversation pulls no punches: Can Scotland make the quarters? Are the French a sleeping giant? Can the Black Ferns hit top gear in time? And how do the Wallaroos match the muscle of the USA in what is a round two do-or-die clash?

Women’s rugby has never looked sharper.

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One sport. Millions of voices. This is Rugby Unity.

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Argentina finally toppled the All Blacks on home soil. In Buenos Aires, Los Pumas’ width, flair and relentless ball-carrying back row delivered a famous 29–23 victory, while New Zealand were left to rue yellow cards and missed chances.

In Cape Town, the Wallabies showed grit and growth once again under Joe Schmidt, pushing South Africa close in boggy conditions and proving their newfound consistency is no fluke.

In this episode of Rugby Unity, David Pembroke is joined by Eddie Jones and Ewen McKenzie and the conversation quickly turns to yellow cards. They debate refereeing controversies, the decline of the scrum contest, and whether rugby is drifting towards becoming a different game altogether.

In today’s episode:

• Argentina’s historic win: Carreras, Chocobares and the spark of Los Pumas.
• Yellow card chaos — cynical knockdowns or genuine intercepts?
• Scrums under threat: Are rugby’s unique contests disappearing?
• South Africa v Australia: Wallabies resilience, Springbok aerial dominance.
• Pacific Nations Cup — Canada upset the USA, Tonga overpower Samoa.
• Women’s Rugby World Cup: fast, skilful, and winning global attention.
• Why better broadcasting could transform the fan experience.

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One sport. Millions of voices. This is Rugby Unity.

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The Wallabies stunned the world in Johannesburg. Now they march into Cape Town with confidence, facing a Springbok side swinging the axe after a shock defeat.

In this episode of Rugby Unity, David Pembroke is joined by Eddie Jones and Ewen McKenzie to unpack the clash everyone’s talking about. They reveal why Rassie Erasmus named his team a week early, how Joe Schmidt has injected belief into the Wallabies, and why the referee’s whistle could decide it all.

Also in this episode:

• Eddie Jones on Attack, Attack, Attack and rugby’s shift from evasion to collision.
• All Blacks v Argentina — lessons from Córdoba.
• Codie Taylor’s 100th test and the challenge of milestone games.
• Rugby storytelling: the All Blacks’ prison visit and the Springboks’ 5,000-fan open session.
• Women’s rugby leading the way in content and fan connection.
• How Zimbabwe and other emerging nations can grow between World Cups.
• Can the Springboks finally break the All Blacks’ Eden Park streak?

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One sport. Millions of voices. This is Rugby Unity.

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The whistle’s about to blow. Six weeks. Sixteen nations. Packed stadiums, global attention and history on the line. The 10th Women’s Rugby World Cup in England is here — and it promises to change the game forever.

In this brand-new special series, David Pembroke is joined by Wallaroos fly-half Bella McKenzie to break down all the action. From Bella’s personal story of heartbreak and resilience to the blueprint shaping the future of rugby, this episode dives into the biggest talking points:

• Who to watch: Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, Georgia Miller, Maddie Feaunati, Maya Stewart, Sylvia Brunt, Ellie Kildunne and more.
• Pool-by-pool previews and the Wallaroos’ shot at making it out of a brutal draw.
• Round 1 matches under the spotlight: England v USA, Australia v Samoa, Canada v Fiji, France v Italy.
• Why women’s rugby is no longer “emerging” — it’s driving the prosperity of the whole game.

This isn’t just about women’s rugby. It’s about the future of rugby union worldwide. And it’s here now.

We’ve also launched the Content Creator Cup for the Women’s Rugby World Cup — and we want your input. Comment your nominations for the women’s rugby content creators you love following, and we’ll spotlight the best throughout the tournament!

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One sport. Millions of voices. This is Rugby Unity.

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With 20 minutes played in the first test of the Rugby Championship, Wallaby fans headed to bed fearing the worst.

But not this time. The Wallabies held their ground and piled on 33 unanswered second half points to humble the World Champion Springboks at Ellis Park. The Wallabies’ revealed their character again showing unity, strength and resilience. They are fast proving they are a team that will never go away. A team that refuses to lie down.

In this episode of Rugby Unity, host David Pembroke is joined by Eddie Jones, former England and Wallabies coach, and Ewen McKenzie, ex-Wallabies coach and World Cup winning player to break down Australia’s biggest statement victory in decades.

They dive into:

• How Australia absorbed South Africa’s ferocious opening and flipped the script.
• Eddie’s theory on the“first 20 minutes” and why the Boks lost their way.
• Refereeing trends, scrum debates, and the breakdown battle that shaped the contest.
• The tactical chess game ahead of Cape Town—selection headaches, discipline, and the ruck war to come.
• The All Blacks’ win over Argentina in Córdoba and what it reveals about their evolving style.
• A no-holds-barred look at leaks, media games, and the role of player agents in modern rugby.

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One sport. Millions of voices. This is Rugby Unity.

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Two massive clashes. Four powerhouse teams.

The Rugby Championship 2025 explodes into action with Wallabies v Springboks at Ellis Park and All Blacks v Argentina in Córdoba. David Pembroke, Ewen McKenzie and Eddie Jones bring sharp analysis, bold predictions and behind-the-scenes insight ahead of Round 1.

This week, your co-hosts cover:

• James O’Connor’s shock recall at fly-half — and what it means for the Wallabies
• Rassie Erasmus’ Springbok selections and the tactics to break down Australia
• Playing at altitude in Johannesburg — how it changes the game
• Referee Ben O’Keefe, the TMO and the discipline factor
• Scrum power, aerial battles and the impact of the bench
• Missed opportunities to promote the Rugby Championship to a global audience
• Predictions for Wallabies v Springboks and All Blacks v Argentina

Who’s your pick for Round 1 — Wallabies, Springboks, All Blacks or Argentina?

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One sport. Millions of voices. This is Rugby Unity.

📧 Get in touch: [email protected] 

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