Episodes

  • AUS Rugby scene: The QF weekend to shake up Super Rugby with Jamie Wall

    AUS Rugby scene: The QF weekend to shake up Super Rugby with Jamie Wall
    Jun 10 2026
    The performance of the Australian teams in the Super Rugby Pacific Qualifying Finals last weekend was less than ideal. And the fallout from that performance has already asked serious question of the competition and the finals format. Jamie Wall from the DSPN pod network in NZ joined Brett McKay on the AUS Rugby Scene on 8/9 Rugby this week to explore all the Qualifying Finals moments, to ponder the all-NZ Semi Finals this weekend coming, and wonder if this is the season that tortured Hurricanes fans – like Jamie – can actually rest easy about their team’s fortunes. #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #SuperRugbyPacific Find the DSPN chat Jamie had with Brett & Sean Maloney earlier this week: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYG9GS8PsVo&t=63s Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    43 mins
  • Ep.17 – Last round drama lights up Prem playoffs with Charlie Morgan

    Ep.17 – Last round drama lights up Prem playoffs with Charlie Morgan
    Jun 9 2026
    The final round of PREM Rugby in England was chock-full of drama, and the Semi Finals are now all set, as Charlie Morgan from The Times joins Brett McKay on 8/9 Rugby. With only Northampton locked into top spots and the other three playoff positions in the sights of four teams, the five games kicking off simultaneously only added to the drama, as coverage from Exeter-Saracens took updates from Bath-Leicester and vice versa, ensuring final drama wasn’t just limited to the grandstands, but the couches and TVs at home as well. Plus, a rapid wrap-up of the URC Semi-Finals, the final round of the Top 14 in France, plus the League One Final in Japan, too. #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Rugby Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    48 mins
  • AUS Rugby scene: Australian history awaits Super Rugby QFs with Sam Worthington

    AUS Rugby scene: Australian history awaits Super Rugby QFs with Sam Worthington
    Jun 3 2026
    Sam Worthington from Stan Sport and nine.com.au joined Brett McKay on the AUS Rugby scene this week, as things start getting serious with Super Rugby Pacific reaching the knockout stage, starting with this weekend’s Qualifying Finals. The Australian record in New Zealand in finals matches is well known, but what better time for a bit of history? The QFs start with the Hurricanes-ACT Brumbies in Wellington on Friday night, before the Crusaders host the Blues in Christchurch on Saturday afternoon, followed by the Chiefs-Queensland Reds in Hamilton that evening. #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #SuperRugbyPacific Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    48 mins
  • Ep.16 – Home Sweet Home dictates URC QFs with Pat McCarry

    Ep.16 – Home Sweet Home dictates URC QFs with Pat McCarry
    Jun 2 2026
    Irish rugby writer Pat McCarry returns to the 8/9 Rugby co-host chair, where he and Brett McKay cast an eye back over the first weekend of finals anywhere in the rugby world, the United Rugby Championship quarter-final weekend. Though the URC finished in a flurry, as teams jostled for the final playoff spots, the four QFs all went the way of the home teams, with Glasgow, the Bulls, Stormers, and Leinster all winning through to the semis. But, it remains to be seen if the top two will definitely win through to the Final on June 20. Plus, a rapid wrap-up of the final rounds of the Premiership in England, the Top 14 in France, the League One SFs in Japan, plus Major League Rugby and Super Rugby Americas, too. #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Rugby Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    43 mins
  • AUS Rugby scene: Super Rugby top six we’ve had all along with Michael Atkinson

    AUS Rugby scene: Super Rugby top six we’ve had all along with Michael Atkinson
    May 27 2026
    TV’s Michael Atkinson joined Brett McKay on the AUS Rugby scene this week, making time in his busy morning TV and Stan Sport Rugby schedule, to take a look at final round permutations for Super Rugby Pacific. Despite the top six being set, and even despite the top six being set back in March essentially, the final finishing positions for four of those six teams are still a long way from set, and with plenty of options still in play this weekend. But how will they play out? And how many equations are still valid now teams have been named? #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #SuperRugbyPacific Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    34 mins
  • Ep.15 – The beatification of Bordeaux Bègles with Huw Griffin

    Ep.15 – The beatification of Bordeaux Bègles with Huw Griffin
    May 26 2026
    Rugby YouTube star Huw Griffin is back in the 8/9 Rugby co-host chair, where he and Brett McKay look back over the Champions Cup final and everything that worked for Bordeaux, everything that didn’t for Leinster, and to ponder whatever happened to Kurtley Beale’s mail. The European final was surprisingly one-sided and pushes Bordeaux’s unbeaten streak in the tournament out to 15 games. For Leinster however, it’s five lost finals of the last eight played, and some serious questions are being asked. #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Rugby Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    45 mins
  • AUS Rugby scene: Plenty of danger games still to come with Sam Wykes

    AUS Rugby scene: Plenty of danger games still to come with Sam Wykes
    May 20 2026
    Commentator, presenter, and former Sunwolves lock Sam Wykes joined Brett McKay on the AUS Rugby scene this week, to peer into the dangers of the final two rounds of Super Rugby Pacific. Looking resplendent in his old Mighty Moondogs team kit, Sam gave some great first-hand insights into the anxiety around the final games for Moana Pasifika, and the impediments stopping the Fijian Drua becoming the finals team we think they can become, as well as working through the games that matter this weekend and next. #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #SuperRugbyPacific Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    47 mins
  • Ep.14 – Champions Cup Final is pure rugby nerdery with Harry Jones

    Ep.14 – Champions Cup Final is pure rugby nerdery with Harry Jones
    May 19 2026
    Rugby traveller and storyteller Harry Jones returns to 8/9 Rugby, reuniting with Brett McKay to dig into all the juicy bits in the lead-up to the Champions Cup Final in Spain this weekend, between Bordeaux and Leinster. The Bilbao clash pits a stark contrast of styles: the all-out, at times chaotic attack of UBB vs. the ideally impenetrable Jacques Nienaber defence of Leinster. From there. It’s just a matter of who can on the day. Can Bordeaux back up last year’s triumph and match the party that went for days? Can Leinster carry their growing URC momentum to another European title at the same venue as their last? #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Rugby Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    42 mins