Rugby Unity

Rugby Unity goes big picture, then straight into the weekend’s rugby. David Pembroke and Ewen McKenzie pull apart what the Football World Cup in the USA is teaching World Rugby ahead of 2031: fan energy, downtown stadium precincts, and the must-solve issue of NFL field dimensions for rugby. They also dig into hydration breaks and the brutal reality of modern media, where TikTok and video are reshaping how sport is sold and understood. Then it’s on to the results: Leinster thump the Bulls 36-7 in the URC final, Hurricanes destroy the Chiefs 60-5 in the Super Rugby final in wild Wellington wind, and Northampton edge Exeter 26-17 with yellow cards again impacting finals footy. The Third Voice returns with Wallabies selection heat, including Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Carter Gordon at 12, and how this awkward coaching transition compares to the old Eddie Jones handover.Also in this episode:● Football World Cup fans show rugby what’s possible● 2031 USA: rugby field dimensions vs NFL stadiums● Hydration breaks and the advertising money question● Reuters report: TikTok now drives youth news habits● Hurricanes’ front-row skill and post-contact dominance● Third Voice: Wallabies squad debates and centre combinationsPLUS: From fan behaviour to transparency, rugby’s next growth push is cultural and commercial.RUGBY UNITY LIVE! IN NEWCASTLE 10 JULY 2026: https://tickets.iwannaticket.com.au/event/hunter-rugby-luncheon-japan-v-ireland-61ffdoSIGN UP TO THE BIG 3 HERE: https://tinyurl.com/big3rugbyunity 👈👈Ask 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.auThanks to Eleven labs for providing a grant to Rugby Unity so that we can use their world leading software.TikTok | Instagram | YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Super Saturday is here and Rugby Unity sets the table for a massive final weekend of the Six Nations, with David Pembroke joined by Ewen McKenzie and Eddie Jones. Before the previews, the boys get stuck into World Rugby’s new Nations Championship, why it adds real jeopardy to north v south match-ups, and why a global season still feels stuck in the mud. Then it’s into the match-ups: Ireland v Scotland in Dublin and how Ireland’s control, phase pressure and aerial contest can squeeze Finn Russell, even with Scotland’s confidence soaring. Wales v Italy gets billed as a surprise blockbuster, with Italy handling rare favouritism and Wales chasing a long-awaited win. And at the Stade de France, France v England brings heat, selection calls, emotional control, and the media pressure that comes with it.● World Rugby Nations Championship format and fixture excitement● Why a global season change looks unlikely pre-2028● Ireland v Scotland: contrasting styles and Finn Russell pressure● Wales v Italy: Italy favourites, Wales building belief● France v England: title stakes and emotional control● Eddie Jones on England’s kicking debate and media noisePLUS: A wider look at World Rugby governance, transparency, and faster decision-making.Ask 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.auThanks to Eleven labs for providing a grant to Rugby Unity so that we can use their world leading software.TikTok | Instagram | YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dave Rennie is confirmed as the new All Blacks coach, and Eddie Jones and Ewen McKenzie break down what it means, right now, with two years to a World Cup. David Pembroke digs into whether the All Blacks actually change style, what happens at 9 and 10, and why Rennie’s lack of attachment to any Super Rugby franchise could light a fire under selection pressure. There’s also a big Rugby World Cup 2027 ticketing update: 750,000 tickets sold in the initial pre-sale, with huge demand for Australia v New Zealand and knockout matches, plus the next application phase opening 19th of May. Then it’s straight into the Guinness Six Nations restart: Ireland v Wales at the Aviva, Scotland v France at Murrayfield with Angus Gardner in the middle, and Italy v England in Rome after Borthwick’s sweeping changes.Also in this episode:● Dave Rennie named new All Blacks coach● What changes in All Blacks style under Rennie?● Roigard, Barrett, Mo’unga selection pressure discussed● Brodie Retallick’s form in Japan highlighted heavily● Rugby World Cup 2027 tickets: 750,000 sold fast● Six Nations previews: Ireland v Wales, Scotland v France, Italy v EnglandPLUS: The panel debates World Rugby priorities, domestic competition sustainability, and what “hard decisions” really mean in coaching selections.Ask 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.auThanks to Eleven labs for providing a grant to Rugby Unity so that we can use their world leading software.TikTok | Instagram | YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Pembroke, Eddie Jones and Ewen McKenzie unpack the big agenda items that will be covered in the Shape of the Game conference in London, starting with the push to “depower” scrums and replace some restarts with free kicks. Eddie and Ewen are blunt: keep the scrum, speed it up, and protect rugby as a game for all shapes and sizes. From there, it’s straight into the global season debate, with both backing alignment for player welfare while warning everyone has to sacrifice something, not just Super Rugby. The 20-minute red card sparks a wider argument about keeping 15 on 15, with Ewen pitching better use of existing referee tools and stronger post-match sanctions. They also get into Six Nations form (Ireland’s response against England), Super Rugby trends, kicking and “meaningful” stats, plus quick hits on Andy Farrell, Stephen Larkham, injuries, Louis Bielle-Biarrey’s record run, and Rugby Europe Championship shocks.Also in this episode:● Eddie Jones rejects any move to depower scrums● Ewen McKenzie says scrums are already overmanaged● Global season backed to protect player welfare properly● 20-minute red card debate turns into 15v15 argument● Ireland v England analysed: intent, collisions, line speed● Super Rugby vs Six Nations stats: points, tries, ball-in-playPLUS: World Rugby transparency, refereeing consistency, and how attack trends are shifting across Six Nations and Super Rugby.Ask 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.auThanks to Eleven labs for providing a grant to Rugby Unity so that we can use their world leading software.TikTok | Instagram | YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.