Rugby Unity

The Wallabies blinked. The Lions pounced. And now, it’s do-or-die at the ‘G.

In this latest episode of Rugby Unity, host David Pembroke is joined once again by two of the game’s sharpest minds — former Wallaby coach Ewen McKenzie and former England and Australia head coach Eddie Jones — Together they undertake a tactical breakdown of the first Lions Test and offer a no nonsense preview of the second.

Was the Wallabies’ late comeback a sign of hope — or just false dawn?

Ewen and Eddie examine what really happened in Brisbane: the Lions’ up tempo start, Australia’s poor kicking strategy, and how Joe Schmidt’s men were outmuscled and out-thought. But the good news? The Wallabies found a formula late in the game — and now it’s time to go all in.

Selections. Strategies. Short sides.

The coaches dissect what needs to change for Australia: Will Skelton’s footwork and power game. The pressing need to get early ball for Joseph Sua’ali’i. Tate McDermott’s spark at 9. They even go head-to-head to pick their ideal Wallabies XV. Spoiler: It’s all about breaking structure and winning ugly.

Inside both camps.

Eddie and Ewen reveal the psychology behind Test week — from selection Monday to pressure Thursday. Plus, what the Lions will do next, and the quiet cracks beginning to show in their defence and conditioning.

Subscribe, share, and get your game face on — Rugby Unity is where the global game is discussed every week.

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Can the Wallabies shock the rugby world and beat the British and Irish Lions?

Eddie Jones and Ewen McKenzie think they can.

In Rugby Unity’s Lions Test preview, David Pembroke is joined by coaching heavyweights Jones and McKenzie who offer a clear plan for how the for how Australia can ambush the British & Irish Lions in Brisbane.

It relies on tempo, disruption, taking risks and putting the Lions in the ‘’Brisbane Sauna’’.

Joining the Rugby Unity podcast for the first time, McKenzie is as clear and concise as ever—demanding tempo, disruption and risk taking. Eddie Jones calls for “guerrilla warfare” Their message? If Australia plays it safe, they lose. If they go for broke, they’ve got a shot.

Together, Jones, McKenzie and co-host David Pembroke unpack:

• Why the Wallabies must scramble the structure and embrace chaos
• The breakdown battle, referee psychology, and how to use the bench
• How to rattle Finn Russell to disrupt the Lions
• They call out who needs to lead, who needs to go early, and who’s been picked on reputation, not form
• And what goes wrong when teams try to match the Lions, instead of challenging them

They don’t hold back on selections. They dissect the mental game. And they call out exactly what needs to happen to light up the series to set rugby in Australia on fire.

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

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It’s Test Week. At last.

The tour has been limping along– but now it’s time for the main event. The first showdown between the British & Irish Lions and the Wallabies is here, and Rugby Unity is on the frontlines.

Joining host David Pembroke are former Wallaby Ben Alexander and RugbyPass journalist Finn Morton for a midweek deep dive into latest news and views before Saturday’s match.

The trio break down:

·      Australia’s surprise fly-half pick and what it says about Joe Schmidt’s game plan

·      The Lions’ internal belief they could be “the greatest touring side of all time”

·      What losing Skelton and Valetini will mean for Wallaby momentum

·      Joseph Sua'ali'i’s moment to become a global superstar – or fade under the high ball

·      And why the success of this series hinges on authentic crowd energy, not marketing spin

It’s not just about tactics and team sheets. It’s about belief. About history. About fans in gold showing up and getting loud.

If the Wallabies don’t win in Brisbane, the series might be over before it starts.

What does it really take to ignite Australian rugby? Maybe the answer lies not just in the coaching box or player huddles – but in the stands.

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What happens when a Brumbies legend takes the top job in World Rugby?

In this milestone episode of Rugby Unity, David Pembroke sits down with Dr Brett Robinson, the new Chairman of World Rugby. This isn’t just a catch-up between two mates — it’s a front-row seat to rugby’s future.

With no Eddie this week, Pemby goes deep on the off-field playbook:

• How do we unify a fractured global game?
• Can rugby finally fix its finances?
• Is the USA ready for a Rugby World Cup boom?
• What does true collaboration look like in a sport built on tradition?

Brett outlines his 4–7 year strategic vision — from launching the Nations Cup to tapping into growth markets like India and North America. He opens up on:

• The opportunity in global alignment
• Why culture and values are our greatest advantage
• His thoughts on R360, professional league instability, and why World Rugby needs to move faster
• What Hong Kong China’s qualification really means for the sport’s global footprint
• And yes — he’s heard the criticism. On TMOs. On slow reform. On governance. But he’s not backing down.

“This is a plan built by the game, for the game — to hold no one back, and leave no one behind.”

One of the most important episodes we’ve done yet. Because if rugby’s golden decade is coming, we need more than hype. We need a plan.

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

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The Lions are building momentum — but can the Wallabies match their fire?

In this episode of Rugby Unity, David Pembroke and Eddie Jones unpack the final weekend before the first Test — from refereeing chaos to crowd energy and everything in between.

It’s a critical moment for Australian rugby — on the pitch and in the stands.

Topics covered:

• Tactical breakdown of Springboks v Ireland, Fiji v Scotland, and the flat Adelaide match
• Eddie on Japan vs Wales and inconsistent officiating
• Where the Lions hold the edge — and where Australia can strike
• South Africa’s scary depth and Fiji’s infectious joy
• Why the Adelaide game lacked purpose and passion
• Port Elizabeth done right — music, crowd, magic
• Eddie’s keys to a Wallabies upset: early pressure, contestable kicks, fast start
• Referee and TMO concerns that are damaging the game
• Why Brisbane’s crowd needs to show up loud

Plus:

• Willie le Roux’s 100th cap
• Pablo Matera makes history
• Honest reflections on World Rugby’s challenges

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

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The British and Irish Lions rolled through Canberra — and while the rugby hit hard, the atmosphere didn’t. This week on Rugby Unity, David Pembroke and Eddie Jones break down what’s working, what’s missing, and what must change.

From the Brumbies' brave but outgunned performance to Gibson-Park’s box-kicking masterclass, we analyse the tactics, the test selections, and the talent gaps between north and south. Is Finn Russell the most dangerous player in the series? Has Tom Hooper’s move to Exeter left a hole Australia can’t fill?

But it’s off the field where the questions hit hardest.

• Why are ticket prices pricing fans out?
• Why does the stadium still feel quiet?
• And why did Rugby Australia ditch an Australia A match for a Lions “Barbarians” game featuring Kiwi players?

Eddie calls it a “massive mistake” — and he’s just getting started.

We also unpack rugby’s fading off-field theatre. Where’s the drama? The noise? The tension? With 10,000 minutes between matches, David argues we’re wasting the best chance to win hearts and headlines.

The big question: The Lions look sharp. The Wallabies are prepped. But who’s winning the battle for hearts, minds and momentum?

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

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The Lions were rattled. The Wallabies got lucky. And the Brumbies are next.

After an eventful week of rugby around the world. The Waratahs showed just what it takes to upset the Lions while Rugby Australia put on a masterclass of fan-first engagement in Newcastle. Today Rugby Unity is back with a bumper Lions Tour special.

David Pembroke is joined once again by former Wallaby and Brumbies stalwart Ben Alexander, and RugbyPass journalist Finn Morton, to discuss everything that matters about the Lions tour to Australia.

This episode includes:

• Ben unpacks how the Waratahs rattled the Lions — and why Charlie Gamble’s four turnovers matter.
• Finn shares what it felt like inside a packed Allianz Stadium— has the “low-energy” tour turned a corner?
• David fires up over TMO chaos: is the obsession with perfection killing rugby’s momentum?
• They dig into Tupou’s scrum dramas, Noah Lolesio’s injury, and a potential James O’Connor comeback. Plus: Aussie fan culture, jersey pride, and the power of post-game singalongs.

Then it’s onto Canberra, where the Brumbies aim to repeat their 2013 magic and knock over the Lions.

Don’t miss THE FANZONE. Midday at The Dock — legends like David Nucifora, Laurie Fisher and Stephen Larkham, singalongs, raffles, and a legendary jersey auction. All proceeds support grassroots rugby. Get your tickets here.

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

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Japan stuns Wales. The Lions underwhelm. The TMO ruins everything.

In this episode, David Pembroke and Eddie Jones wrap a huge weekend of rugby from Kitakyushu in Japan to La Plata in Buenos Aires. Eddie unpacks Japan’s first Tier 1 win since 2019 and the leadership masterclass from 37-year-old Michael Leitch.

The pair call out the Lions’ lack of cohesion against the Waratahs, highlight standout Wallabies like Harry Wilson and Taniela Tupou, and take aim at the TMO system that is frustrating fans all over the world.

But it’s not all bad.

The Fijians brought flair, the Wallabies delivered off the field, and Aussie kids swarmed the pitch post-match. Proof that a fan-first mindset still works.

🎟️ LIVE IN CANBERRA THIS WEEK: Tickets here.

Join us at THE FANZONE at the Dock– Brumbies vs Lions, rugby legends, live music, pie-eating comps, and a big singalong. Let’s bring the noise back to Aussie rugby.

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

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In this breaking news episode of Rugby Unity, Eddie Jones shares his views on what Owen Farrell’s inclusion in the British and Irish Lions team means for the series. Owen Farrell was captain when Eddie coached England in it's most successful era.

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

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The Lions are in town — but where’s the bite?

In this episode of Rugby Unity, David Pembroke and Eddie Jones call it how they see it: flat crowds, no fire, and not enough on-field edge.

Former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones breaks down the Reds’ lacklustre performance, while David doesn’t hold back — from questioning player standards to asking why no one in the media is telling the truth.

They get into:

• Whether Finn Russell is test-ready or just coasting.
• Why Aussie teams are smiling after 40-point losses.
• The Lions’ lack of pace — and what the Wallabies need to exploit it.
• Joe Schmidt’s quiet masterplan and the players who must fire.
• Plus, they unpack how Andy Farrell is building something deeper than tactics — and why team-first culture could be the Lions’ real X factor.

🎟️ Canberra, get ready for Rugby Unity's first-ever event at THE FANZONE: Lions vs ACT Brumbies. Food, laughs, legends, and the return of rugby singing. Tickets here.

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

📧 Get in touch: [email protected] 

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