Rugby Unity

With one year to go until Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia, David Pembroke sits down with Steve Hansen and Ewen McKenzie to talk hype, tickets, fan energy, and what teams should actually be doing 12 months out. The chat gets practical fast: hotels, training bases, travel, preparation windows, and why there’s no single World Cup formula. Then it’s onto the Bledisloe Cup with both squads named, key ins and outs, and the depth questions that still hang over certain positions. The crew also tackles the Paisami ban and what it says about post-match judiciary versus in-game disruption, before widening the lens to refereeing transparency, law complexity, and World Rugby communication. Eddie Jones gets a mention for how tours get used to fill every spare minute, and there’s plenty on what good selection really looks like beyond a weekend highlight reel.

Also in this episode:
● Rugby World Cup 2027 ticket numbers and overseas demand
● Steve Hansen on one-year-out squad planning and mindset
● Ewen McKenzie on World Cup logistics, venues, and travel
● Bledisloe Cup squads: Frizell in, Love out, Taylor captaincy
● Paisami ban debate and the role of the judiciary
● Refereeing transparency, law complexity, and World Rugby comms

PLUS: What it takes to build a stronger top 20 and why Nations Cup-style competitions matter.

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📧 Get in touch: info@rugbyunity.com.au

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The Wallabies beat the Springboks in Perth, and David Pembroke, Steve Hansen and Ewen McKenzie break down how Australia did it, why Sua'ali'i looked far more influential on the wing, and what it means heading into the Bledisloe Cup and the Nations Championship. The panel praise Australia’s aerial contest, breakdown fight, midfield running lines, and key moments like Donaldson’s try set-up and Wilson’s lineout impact, while questioning what South Africa learned from 13 changes and a shift away from their usual formula. Then it turns to the last 15 minutes: head contact, yellow cards, TMO involvement, and a communications failure that made 15 v 11 feel like a farce. The conversation expands into WXV with the Red Roses edging the Black Ferns at Twickenham, France beating Canada 21-5 in La Rochelle, and the wider concerns around integrity, stoppages, and what World Rugby needs to fix with a year to go.

Also in this episode:
● Wallabies match Springbok physicality and win aerial battle
● Sua'ali'i on the wing unlocks freedom and influence
● South Africa stray from their formula despite 13 changes
● Yellow cards, head contact, and TMO protocols slammed
● Red Roses beat Black Ferns in thriller at Twickenham
● France topple Canada 21-5 as WXV tightens

PLUS: With a year to go, the panel demand leadership from World Rugby on safety, integrity, and keeping 15 v 15.

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Ask Steve Hansen, Eddie Jones and Ewen McKenzie anything! Fill out the form below 👇
https://tinyurl.com/rugbyunityquestions 👈👈

👉 Want more from Rugby Unity? Subscribe to our Substack for exclusive content, blogs, behind-the-scenes insights, and full podcast access — all in one place: Rugby Unity | Substack

📧 Get in touch: info@rugbyunity.com.au

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Rassie Erasmus has named a Springboks side with 13 changes for Perth, and it’s sparked the big question: is this a golden Wallabies opportunity, or just another Springbok test of depth? David Pembroke, Steve Hansen and Ewen McKenzie go straight to selection, match plan, and where Australia can realistically hurt South Africa, from scrum and lineout pressure to the aerial contest with Sua'ali'i moved to the wing. There’s plenty on Les Kiss’ first big selection call, Donaldson’s chance at 10, and why both Hansen and McKenzie see a path to an Australian win, while Pembroke backs the Boks’ depth, Pollard’s control, and bench impact. The episode also shifts to the women’s game with WXV: England v New Zealand at Twickenham, France v Canada, Scotland v Australia, and why governance and speed of decision-making are now make-or-break for rugby.

Also in this episode:

● Steve Hansen explains how coaches think about selection
● Ewen McKenzie on charting selections to avoid emotion
● Wallabies tactics: attack Springboks strengths at set-piece
● Sua'ali'i wing move: aerial threats and roaming licence
● WXV preview: England v New Zealand at Twickenham
● Rugby governance debate: faster decisions, simpler product

PLUS: What rugby can learn from the NBA, NRL and AFL on agility, marketing, and keeping fans.

SIGN UP TO THE BIG 3 HERE: https://tinyurl.com/big3rugbyunity 👈👈

Ask Steve Hansen, Eddie Jones and Ewen McKenzie anything! Fill out the form below 👇
https://tinyurl.com/rugbyunityquestions 👈👈

👉 Want more from Rugby Unity? Subscribe to our Substack for exclusive content, blogs, behind-the-scenes insights, and full podcast access — all in one place: Rugby Unity | Substack

📧 Get in touch: info@rugbyunity.com.au

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David Pembroke is joined by a special guest, two-time Springbok World Cup-winning prop Steven Kitshoff from For the Love of Rugby South Africa, alongside Steve Hansen and Ewen McKenzie, for a wide-ranging Rugby Unity chat that hits the biggest talking points fast. The crew open on a huge weekend of women’s internationals, including France vs Australia with a stack of cards, plus the Black Ferns cruising past Scotland, the 26-all Canada vs England draw, and Eddie Jones’ Japan beating Fiji in Tokyo. Then it gets blunt: the bunker system, TMO influence, and how yellow cards are changing the spectacle. From there it’s into scrums and the “brake foot”, with Kitshoff explaining why it’s uncomfortable, inconsistent, and unsafe. Finally, the focus shifts to the Springboks: reflections on the All Blacks tour, Rassie’s core group, managing veteran stars, and a full preview of Sunday’s Springboks vs Wallabies in Perth, including what Australia must do to challenge the world’s best.

Also in this episode:
● Women’s rugby recap: France vs Australia officiating chaos
● Steven Kitshoff on bunker yellow cards and TMOs
● Debate over scrums and the “brake foot” safety
● Springboks-All Blacks tour reflections and series impact
● Managing older World Cup players and training loads
● Perth preview: Springboks vs Wallabies tactics and selections

PLUS: How winning teams build depth, standards, and daily competitiveness.

Listen to For the Love of Rugby South Africa here: https://open.spotify.com/show/7pGqZKr38xsWk9IXlzjWZ1
Check out the For the Love of Rugby South Africa YouTube channel here: https://youtube.com/@loveofrugbysa?si=Zc4pxnAj-OT0-4aF

SIGN UP TO THE BIG 3 HERE: https://tinyurl.com/big3rugbyunity 👈👈

Ask Steve Hansen, Eddie Jones and Ewen McKenzie anything! Fill out the form below 👇
https://tinyurl.com/rugbyunityquestions 👈👈

👉 Want more from Rugby Unity? Subscribe to our Substack for exclusive content, blogs, behind-the-scenes insights, and full podcast access — all in one place: Rugby Unity | Substack

📧 Get in touch: info@rugbyunity.com.au

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New Zealand Rugby has fired a serious warning shot: forecast losses of $66 million over five years, and a structure they say is unsustainable, even after banking $9 million from Baltimore. David Pembroke and Ewen McKenzie argue the game cannot keep operating in fragments, and ask what comes next: more All Blacks tests offshore, a Miami Rugby Championship match, or even a radical 2029 Lions series across Melbourne, Sydney, Auckland, Los Angeles and New York. They also preview the Ashi Super Dry Pacific Nations Championship final in Tokyo, tipping Japan to beat Fiji, plus USA v Canada in the double header. Then it’s a massive weekend for women’s rugby: England v Canada at Sandy Park, Australia backing up against France, Black Ferns v Scotland, and more, with World XV matches in Hong Kong feeding into 2029 Rugby World Cup qualification.

Also in this episode:

● Steve Hansen absent with new Manly Sea Eagles role
● World Rugby’s role questioned in NZR talks
● Ireland and Six Nations USA match speculation discussed
● Top 14 notes: Toulouse big win, La Rochelle form
● Wallabies squad picked by Les Kiss, flyhalf debate
● Refereeing, TMO momentum, and law interpretations debated

PLUS: The panel weighs tradition, fan connection, and commercial realities as rugby’s global calendar keeps shifting.

SIGN UP TO THE BIG 3 HERE: https://tinyurl.com/big3rugbyunity 👈👈

Ask Eddie Jones, Steve Hansen and Ewen McKenzie anything! Fill out the form below 👇
https://tinyurl.com/rugbyunityquestions 👈👈

👉 Want more from Rugby Unity? Subscribe to our Substack for exclusive content, blogs, behind-the-scenes insights, and full podcast access — all in one place: Rugby Unity | Substack

📧 Get in touch: info@rugbyunity.com.au

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