It’s the halfway point of Super Rugby Pacific, and that seems the ideal time to start drawing conclusions about the competing teams, as leading columnist turned author Geoff Parkes joined Brett McKay & Harry Jones on The 8-9 Combo Rugby Podcast.

But in Australian rugby, it’s much more than just how each of the four teams are going. Headlined by incumbent Wallabies flyhalf and ACT Brumbies star no.10 Noah Lolesio electing to head Japan rather than deal with the ups and downs of yet another Wallabies coach, Geoff and the guys get into the crippling impact still not knowing Joe Schmidt’s successor is having on Australian players.

Plus: it’s Champions Cup Quarter Final weekend, and there’s some intriguing contests across Super Rugby Pacific, League One in Japan and Major League Rugby.

Games of the Week:

Champions Cup Quarter Finals

SRP Round 9:

League One Week 17: Kubota Spears v Suntory Sungoliath, Osaka

MLR Rd.9: New England Free Jacks v San Diego Legion, Quincy MA

#rugby #rugbypodcast #89Combo #ChampionsCup #SuperRugbyPacific #JapanRugbyLeagueOne #MajorLeagueRugby #theWrap #GeoffParkes

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Social media: #89Combo

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Find Brett and Harry on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport + @HaribaldiJones

Music: "Stalling" by Topher Mohr & Alex Elena (via YouTube Creator Studio)

Voiceovers by Chookman + Sean Maloney

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Champions Cup Round of 16 blowouts and thrashings that only underline the need for a format re-jig, plus more Super Rugby Pacific intrigue and Moana Pasifika history stand out for Brett McKay & Harry Jones on the latest Weekend Post-Mortem for The 8-9 Combo Rugby Podcast.

The start of the Champions Cup knockout stage saw 114-point games, sixty point thumpings, and average aggregate scores of 72 points a game, but also, some quite exciting rugby. And Moana Pasifika’s 45-28 win over the Waratahs marked the first time in their history they’ve recorded consecutive wins, a well-deserved piece of history.

Plus: everything that caught our eye from the Japan Rugby League One and Major League Rugby in the States

#rugby #rugbypodcast #89Combo #ChampionsCup #SuperRugbyPacific #JapanRugbyLeagueOne #MLR

Find us:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@8-9Combo?sub_confirmation=1

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1BcKhb24YOtwQhKc0S3sDm

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-8-9-combo-rugby-podcast/id1729575866

Social media: #89Combo

Twitter: https://twitter.com/89combo

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Find Brett and Harry on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport + @HaribaldiJones

Music: "Stalling" by Topher Mohr & Alex Elena (via YouTube Creator Studio)

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Player welfare, and what that entails in the incredibly broad landscape that is now professional rugby, was the key topic when former Hurricanes and All Blacks great turned players advocate Conrad Smith joined Brett McKay & Harry Jones on The 8-9 Combo Rugby Podcast this week.

Now the Head of Rugby Operations for International Rugby Players, the global players association, Conrad goes into great detail about the sheer volume and breadth of discussions with World Rugby, national Unions, professional competitions, and individual player associations, as they educate players to help them during and after their rugby careers.

Plus: the knockout stage of the Champions Cup is here, and there’s top of the log blockbusters in Super Rugby Pacific and Major League Rugby.

Games of the Week:

• Champions Cup Round of 16: Glasgow v Leicester, the Scotstoun

• SRP Rd.8: Chiefs v Reds, Hamilton

• League One Week 16: Kobelco Kobe Steelers v Toshiba Brave Lupus, Kobe SUN

• MLR Rd.8: San Diego Legion v Chicago Hounds, San Diego

#rugby #rugbypodcast #89Combo #SuperRugbyPacific #ChampionsCup #JapanRugbyLeagueOne #MajorLeagueRugby #playerwelfare #ConradSmith #InternationalRugbyPlayers

Find us:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@8-9Combo?sub_confirmation=1

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1BcKhb24YOtwQhKc0S3sDm

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-8-9-combo-rugby-podcast/id1729575866

Social media: #89Combo

Twitter: https://twitter.com/89combo

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/89combo.bsky.social

Find Brett and Harry on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport + @HaribaldiJones

Music: "Stalling" by Topher Mohr & Alex Elena (via YouTube Creator Studio)

Voiceovers by Chookman + Sean Maloney

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Legendary Sky Sport NZ commentator Tony Johnson joined Brett McKay & Harry Jones on The

8-9 Combo Rugby Podcast this week, as they try to get to the bottom of just why

2025 has been the best start to a Super Rugby season in living memory.

And it’s not an easy question with one simple answer. It’s not just that all the

Australian team are competitive. It’s not just that anyone can beat anyone on

any give weekend. It’s not just that the demise of the Melbourne Rebels has

boosted depth in other squads. It might be the do with it being a Lions Tour year,

and the extra jeopardy that brings. It might be weather-related, and the fact

that it’s been a nice summer on both sides of the Tasman. It’s quite likely all

of the above.

Whatever the reason or reasons, it has been a wonderful start to the Super Rugby Pacific

season.

Games of the Week:

SRP Rd.7: Hurricanes v Waratahs, Wellington

URC Rd.14: Ulster v Stormers, Belfast

Premiership Rd.13: Bath v Harlequins, the Rec

Top 14 Rd.20: Clermont v La Rochelle, Clermont

League One Week 15: Canon Eagles v Toyota Verblitz, Tokyo

MLR Rd.6: Houston SaberCats v San Diego Legion, Houston

#rugby #rugbypodcast #89Combo #SuperRugbyPacific #UnitedRugbyChampionship #Premiership #Top14 #JapanRugbyLeagueOne #MajorLeagueRugby

Find us:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@8-9Combo?sub_confirmation=1

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1BcKhb24YOtwQhKc0S3sDm

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-8-9-combo-rugby-podcast/id1729575866

Social

media: #89Combo

Twitter: https://twitter.com/89combo

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/89combo.bsky.social

Find

Brett and Harry on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport + @HaribaldiJones

Music:

"Stalling" by Topher Mohr & Alex Elena (via YouTube Creator Studio)

Voiceovers

by Chookman + Sean Maloney

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The Bulls toppling the traveling Leinster at Loftus and the NSW Waratahs notching their first win over the ACT Brumbies in 14 starts were the headlines for Brett McKay & Harry Jones to launch into another Weekend Post-Mortem for The 8-9 Combo Rugby Podcast.

Plenty of surprises too! Quins won their first London Derby in a good while, Panasonic lost a second straight game for the first time ever in League One guise in Japan, and the Stormers scored a try against Scarlets that just has to be seen to be believed.

Plus: everything that caught our eye from the Super Rugby Pacific, the URC, the Premiership, Top 14 in France, Japan Rugby League One, and Major League Rugby in the States

#rugby #rugbypodcast #89Combo #SuperRugbyPacific #URC #PremiershipRugby #Top14 #JapanRugbyLeagueOne #MLR

Find us:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@8-9Combo?sub_confirmation=1

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Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-8-9-combo-rugby-podcast/id1729575866

Social media: #89Combo

Twitter: https://twitter.com/89combo

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/89combo.bsky.social

Find Brett and Harry on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport + @HaribaldiJones

Music: "Stalling" by Topher Mohr & Alex Elena (via YouTube Creator Studio)

Voiceovers by Chookman + Sean Maloney

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Brett McKay & Harry Jones were thrilled to welcome NSW Waratahs flyhalf Tane Edmed onto the show for this week’s episode of The 8-9 Combo Rugby Podcast, in which Tane conducted a proper Goal-Kicking 101 for the guys that right into the details about his process and ball placement, and even detail like ball set-up and tee height. If you’re a goal-kicking nerd, this is definitely the chat for you.

Tanes also shared his experience playing NPC rugby for North Harbour in New Zealand in the back half of 2024, and how that refreshed his game and his approach to the game, his experience inside the Wallabies squad for the Autumn Nations Series/Spring Tour to the UK, and some genuine insight into how Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt operates and what he expects of his no.10s.

Plus, Brett & Harry’s thoughts on Super Rugby Pacific, the URC, the Premiership, Top 14 , Japan Rugby League One, and Major League Rugby.

Games of the Week:

• SRP Rd.6: Waratahs v Brumbies, Sydney

• URC Rd.13: Glasgow v Munster, the Scotstoun FRI

• Premiership Rd.12: Saracens v Harlequins, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium SAT

• Top 14 Rd.19: Bordeaux v Toulouse, SUN

• League One Week 14: Toshiba Brave Lupus v Saitama Wild Knights, Tokyo SAT

• MLR Rd.5: San Diego Legion v Miami Sharks, San Diego SAT

#rugby #rugbypodcast #89Combo #SuperRugbyPacific #UnitedRugbyChampionship #Premiership #Top14 #JapanRugbyLeagueOne #MajorLeagueRugby

Find us:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@8-9Combo?sub_confirmation=1

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1BcKhb24YOtwQhKc0S3sDm

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-8-9-combo-rugby-podcast/id1729575866

Social media: #89Combo

Twitter: https://twitter.com/89combo

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/89combo.bsky.social

Find Brett and Harry on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport + @HaribaldiJones

Music: "Stalling" by Topher Mohr & Alex Elena (via YouTube Creator Studio)

Voiceovers by Chookman + Sean Maloney

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France have been crowned Six Nations Champions for 2025, headlining the final Test Match edition of the Weekend Post-Mortem for The 8-9 Combo Rugby Podcast until the July Internationals.

Brett McKay & Harry Jones take a look at all the Round 5 results, in which England continued their resurgence toppling Wales, and Ireland were left to ponder the what-ifs as they did enough to beat Italy. Plus, there were some emphatic statement wins in Super Rugby Pacific (the Blues aren’t done yet), and a massive boilover in League One in Japan!

PLUS: An EXCLUSIVE update on the Rocky Elsom case in France from Harry, who is now part of expert team handling Elsom’s appeal through the French legal system.

#rugby #rugbypodcast #89Combo #WeekendPostMortem #SixNations #Ireland #France # Scotland #Wales #England #Italy #SuperRugbyPacific #UnitedRugbyChampionship #Top14 #JapanRugbyLeagueOne #MajorLeagueRugby

Find us:

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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1BcKhb24YOtwQhKc0S3sDm

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-8-9-combo-rugby-podcast/id1729575866

Social media: #89Combo

Twitter: https://twitter.com/89combo

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/89combo.bsky.social

Find Brett and Harry on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport + @HaribaldiJones

Music: "Stalling" by Topher Mohr & Alex Elena (via YouTube Creator Studio)

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France blew the 2025 Six Nations tournament apart when they thumped Ireland last weekend in Dublin, and the fallout is still fresh in the mind of former Ireland international turned renowned pundit Bernard Jackman, who joined Brett McKay & Harry Jones for this week’s episode of The 8-9 Combo Rugby Podcast.

The 15-point margin largely flattered Ireland, with Bernard glowing in his praise for the French team, honest in his own underestimations of Les Bleus, and clear still very disappointed about where Ireland now find themselves. It’s a wonderful chat that gets to the bottom of so much. There’s some interesting discussion around Wales being the most likely source of upset in this weekend’s final round, too.

Plus, Brett & Harry’s thoughts on Super Rugby Pacific, Japan Rugby League One, and Major League Rugby.

Games of the Week:

• Six Nations:

Italy v Ireland, Rome

Wales v England, Cardiff

France v Scotland, Paris

• SRP Rd.5: Reds v Waratahs, Brisbane

• JRL1 Week 13: Kobelco Kobe Steelers v Mie Honda Heat, Kobe

• MLR Rd.5: Chicago Hounds v Old Glory DC, Chicago

#rugby #rugbypodcast #89Combo #SixNations #Ireland #France # Scotland #Wales #England #Italy #SuperRugbyPacific #UnitedRugbyChampionship #Top14 #JapanRugbyLeagueOne #MajorLeagueRugby

Find us:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@8-9Combo?sub_confirmation=1

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1BcKhb24YOtwQhKc0S3sDm

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-8-9-combo-rugby-podcast/id1729575866

Social media: #89Combo

Twitter: https://twitter.com/89combo

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/89combo.bsky.social

Find Brett and Harry on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport + @HaribaldiJones

Music: "Stalling" by Topher Mohr & Alex Elena (via YouTube Creator Studio)

Voiceovers by Chookman + Sean Maloney

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An upsetting weekend of rugby was headlined by France triumphantly turning the Six Nations on its head, as Riaan Louw joined Brett McKay & Harry Jones on this week’s Weekend Post-Mortem for The 8-9 Combo Rugby Podcast.

Ireland were thumped at home and now have to answer serious questions; the Brumbies, Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika brought the upsets to Super Rugby Pacific, and one URC Shield has been handed out already?

#rugby #rugbypodcast #89Combo #SixNations #SuperRugbyPacific #URC #MLR

Find us:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@8-9Combo?sub_confirmation=1

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1BcKhb24YOtwQhKc0S3sDm

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-8-9-combo-rugby-podcast/id1729575866

Social media: #89Combo

Twitter: https://twitter.com/89combo

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/89combo.bsky.social

Find Brett and Harry on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport + @HaribaldiJones

Music: "Stalling" by Topher Mohr & Alex Elena (via YouTube Creator Studio)

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The biggest rugby match of 2025 will almost certainly decide this year’s Six Nations tournament, when Ireland host France in Dublin this weekend. The Telegraph’s Charlie Morgan joined Brett McKay & Harry Jones for this week’s episode of The 8-9 Combo Rugby Podcast, where all the weeds were got into for this blockbuster clash.

France have gone down the 7-1 bench split route again, but in doing so have named a bench that almost literally weighs a tonne. Ireland have the benefit of playing a massive game at home, but also have the heartstrings angle covered, with legend stalwarts Peter O’Mahony, Cian Healy, and Conor Murray all announcing their intent to retire from International Rugby after the Six Nations. We think there’s maybe only a kick between them. Plus, some quick thoughts Scotland-Wales, and England-Italy, including Steve ‘Slash’ Borthwick going back to the future with a few selections

Games of the Week:

• 6Ns: Ireland v France, Dublin

• SRP Rd.4: Waratahs v Force, Sydney

• URC remnant Rd.1: Sharks v Lions, Durban

• MLR Rd.4: Miami v Chicago, Fort Lauderdale

#rugby #rugbypodcast #89Combo #SixNations #Ireland #France # Scotland #Wales #England #Italy #SuperRugbyPacific #UnitedRugbyChampionship #Top14 #JapanRugbyLeagueOne #MajorLeagueRugby

Find us:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@8-9Combo?sub_confirmation=1

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1BcKhb24YOtwQhKc0S3sDm

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-8-9-combo-rugby-podcast/id1729575866

Social media: #89Combo

Twitter: https://twitter.com/89combo

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/89combo.bsky.social

Find Brett and Harry on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport + @HaribaldiJones

Music: "Stalling" by Topher Mohr & Alex Elena (via YouTube Creator Studio)

Voiceovers by Chookman + Sean Maloney

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