Rugby Unity

Round four of the Nations Championship is here, and David Pembroke and Ewen McKenzie are joined by special guests Steven Kitshoff and Ben Youngs from the For the Love of Rugby podcasts! The panel digs into Ireland v Argentina (and Ireland’s structure without James Lowe), Italy’s injury-hit task against South Africa and the Rassie “chocolate wheel” of selection, plus Scotland v New Zealand in a brutal Edinburgh assignment. There’s plenty on Wales v Eddie Jones’ Japan too, including Wales’ off-field financial pressure and what it means for the players. France v unbeaten Fiji gets the spotlight under new boss...

The Nations Championship is one week away, so David Pembroke, Steve Hansen and Ewen McKenzie run the ruler over every squad and storyline before an enormous November. There’s concern about the format and tie-breakers, plus a big look at who’s trending up or down: can Wales survive their off-field chaos, can Italy rediscover last year’s spark, and are Ireland slipping before they climb again? England’s pressure is front and centre ahead of Australia first up, with the warning that Japan can become a nasty banana skin if teams rotate. The All Blacks are backed to win all...

Canada have done it again, beating England 31–22 in Ottawa to win the series and defend the Utrecht Shield, and the big question now is what John Mitchell does next with selections, standards, and motivation. David Pembroke, Steve Hansen and Ewen McKenzie unpack how Canada used width, tempo and intent to expose an England side that looked disjointed, despite still having their World Cup-winning tools in isolation. The conversation then swings to the Wallaroos’ 38–31 win over Scotland, where a “greatest hits” of yellow cards and reviews derailed the spectacle and raised bigger questions about common sense, coaching technique, and who’s really in...

David Pembroke is back on deck and kicks off with a rare look inside the coach’s head, asking Steve Hansen and Ewen McKenzie what it really takes to stay steady when results swing. From “performance not win or lose” to the brutal Monday-morning demand for answers, they lay out the habits that keep teams improving. The chat then shifts to the upcoming World Rugby coaches meeting in Windsor ahead of Rugby World Cup 2027, with both men zeroing in on the impact of yellow cards, TMO influence, and rugby’s “secret society” problem on communication. On the field, the panel previe...

The Wallabies wear another heavy loss to New Zealand, and David Pembroke, Ewen McKenzie and Steve Hansen don’t sugar-coat it: a brutal first half, too much aimless kicking, and not enough composure when Australia finally had phases to build pressure. Hansen loves what he’s seeing from the All Blacks attack, offloads, line running, and forwards playing into space, while McKenzie highlights key moments like Harry Wilson’s grubber into touch as a snapshot of game management and leadership under pressure. The TMO becomes its own storyline too, especially the Roigard incident, with all three questioning what “foul play” ev...

David Pembroke, Steve Hansen and Ewen McKenzie rip into the biggest talking point from All Blacks v Wallabies: Eddie Jones’ effort stats, and what they really say about mindset, speed off the ground, and being ready for the next job. With the Wallabies’ No.10 curse biting again and another reshuffle coming, the trio run the ruler over the 23, the risks around combinations, and what has to change to keep New Zealand honest. The All Blacks changes get the same treatment, including the excitement factor of Timoci Tavatavanawai. There’s also a straight-shooting discussion on Mark Nawaqanitawase’s rugby return, the mana...

David Pembroke, Ewen McKenzie and Steve Hansen break down the All Blacks’ 50-19 win over Australia at Eden Park, and why the match swung hard after Australia’s strong opening. They dig into what New Zealand fixed fast: high ball catches, maul defence, breakdown support, and a second-half lineout lift, plus how Australia’s plan to target McKenzie and use Sua'ali'i early simply evaporated. The big talking point: the Wallabies’ box kicking and lack of plan B, and what changes before Sydney with the Bledisloe already gone. The chat widens to deeper issues in Australian rugby: pathways, depth, contracts, competit...

The Bledisloe Cup is back for 2026, and David Pembroke, Steve Hansen and Ewen McKenzie lay out why this one feels bigger than usual: Australia have stacked wins, interest is spiking again, and Eden Park is waiting. The lads break down the teams and the key battlegrounds, from set piece and lineout pressure to the aerial contest around Sua’ali’i and the impact of Scott Barrett returning. Hansen explains why New Zealand cherish the trophy and why nobody wants to be the team that hands it back, while McKenzie details what Australia must do at the breakdown and on the...

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 wide...

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 commun...

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, Pol...

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 spec...

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...

Baltimore delivered a classic as the Springboks beat the All Blacks 43-28 to seal the series 3-1, and David Pembroke is joined by Steve Hansen and Ewen McKenzie to pull apart what swung it. The panel praises South Africa’s basics, defence, scramble, high-ball dominance and ruthless lineout-maul strike, while picking through where New Zealand can close the gap, from ball into contact, breakdown speed and scrum pressure on Springbok ball to stopping the maul and finding more direct options. There’s also real heat on refereeing interpretations, “brake foot” scrum calls, and a TMO comms mess that stalled momentum...

World Rugby’s strategic plan gets a real-time test this weekend, with the All Blacks and Springboks taking their rivalry to Baltimore, and the WXV Global Series and Challenger Series launching across Europe and Hong Kong. David Pembroke, Steve Hansen and Ewen McKenzie break down why the USA push matters, what rugby can learn from the NFL’s Melbourne event, and how travel could shape the fourth match of the series. The big question: can the All Blacks’ heavily changed side find enough against a Springboks team that’s largely unchanged, and can New Zealand fix a lineout that’s been sli...

Springboks 29, All Blacks 24 in Soweto, and it’s the classic story: power, precision, and tiny moments. David Pembroke, Steve Hansen, and Ewen McKenzie break down how South Africa’s scrum and maul delivered when it mattered, while New Zealand’s attack was downright sublime in patches, but couldn’t quite get the set piece parity they needed. The panel digs into the turning points: missed tackles on Kriel and de Allende, key penalties, a missed shot at goal, and why the All Blacks’ composure slipped in the last 10 minutes under scoreboard pressure. There’s also a sharp look at bench impact...

The All Blacks and Springboks are locked at 1-1, but the noise is everywhere: the “walking around” scrum controversy, Rassie’s late team change, and what altitude at FNB Stadium really does to game plans. David Pembroke, Steve Hansen and Ewen McKenzie break down the All Blacks changes (Codie Taylor out, Lakai in, Darry starting), why the Boks’ selections feel rock-solid, and what has to improve for New Zealand at the breakdown and in the aerial contest, with Malcolm Marx and Kriel central to the threat. Eddie Jones’ comments on refereeing and global “tiers” spark a wider debate, before the panel turn...

Springboks 33, All Blacks 26 in Cape Town, and Ewen McKenzie reckons it came down to tiny moments that swung everything: a Kolbe intercept, Malcolm Marx turnovers, and South Africa banking every shot at goal while New Zealand didn’t.

David Pembroke and Ewen also dig into the selection subterfuge around Rassie naming one side and running out another, plus the scrum chat around Ox Nche “walking around” and how Angus Gardner managed the contest compared to Matthew Carley. There’s plenty for the All Blacks to fix too: lineout quality, aerial control, and whether their second-half front row dese...

Cape Town is set for a backlash. The Springboks are wounded, the All Blacks are rolling, and the second Test of the greatest rivalry could swing on discipline, scrum pressure, and who handles the opening 20 minutes.

David Pembroke and Ewen McKenzie break down the Lions’ midweek push of the All Blacks, then go selection-by-selection for Springboks v All Blacks: Handre Pollard’s return, Cobus Reinach’s impact, the Kolisi fitness question, and what Ethan Hooker adds out wide. The All Blacks changes get a full run too, including Bower starting, Tupuo Vaa’i at lock, and Leroy...

New Zealand 1, South Africa 0, and Steve Hansen, Ewen McKenzie and David Pembroke pull apart a Test that felt on a knife-edge until the scrum flipped the night. The All Blacks’ 33–16 win (five tries to one) looks comfortable, but the big moment was South Africa turning down points for repeated scrum shots and watching momentum swing hard. The panel digs into why the Springboks couldn’t convert 22 entries, the All Blacks’ goal-line effort and ball-stripping pressure, and the fallout from injuries and HIAs. There’s plenty on bench splits, the bomb squad not firing, and what Rassie Erasmus might do at 9 and 1...

The Greatest Rivalry first test is on! Springboks v All Blacks in Johannesburg, with Matthew Carley in the middle and plenty of noise in the build-up. David Pembroke, Steve Hansen and Ewen McKenzie dig into Rassie Erasmus’ focus on referee protocols and the breakdown narrative, and what that pressure might mean once the whistle goes. They run the selections, the bench balance, and the key tactical battlegrounds: tempo changes, advantage line wins, kick-off variations, lineout pressure on Malcolm Marx, and the discipline trap when frustration hits. There’s also a big sidebar on decision-making, why it cannot all sit on t...

Optimism is back for the Wallabies after Townsville, with David Pembroke, Steve Hansen and Ewen McKenzie liking the clarity, breakdown pressure and second-half surge against Japan, plus big ticks for Carter Gordon’s control (and nine-from-nine goal-kicking), Isaac Henry’s impact, and front-row power close to the line. The chat then pivots to the next test of progress: a two-match tour in Argentina, with Los Pumas’ style, physical edge and selection unknowns setting up a proper measuring stick. On Japan, the Eddie Jones lens is clear: pace, skill and tempo can make them a nightmare, even with size limitations. From t...

Ewen McKenzie is back and joins Steve Hansen and David Pembroke with a packed weekend: the All Blacks’ South Africa Greatest Rivalry tour rolls on, the Bulls load up for Loftus Versfeld, and Ma’a Nonu delivers a spine-tingling haka moment in Durban. The panel break down what stood out against the Sharks, why discipline and scrum “technicalities” are suddenly front and centre, and how the high-ball battle shapes selection for the looming Springboks Tests. Off the field, David reveals World Rugby’s new protocol for coach-referee meetings and tighter TMO involvement, including the new “If it’s gray, stay away” mes...

Ewen McKenzie is back to join Steve Hansen and Ewen McKenzie as The All Blacks’ South Africa tour rolls on from the Sharks match to a far bigger ask at Loftus Versfeld against a strengthened Bulls side, with the panel unpacking discipline, high-ball technique, scrum technicalities, and what the selection says about the coming Springboks test. There’s also a brilliant moment of rugby respect as Ma’a Nonu answers the haka. Over in Townsville, Les Kiss rings the changes for the Wallabies, while Eddie Jones tweaks Japan after that 35–32 loss, setting up a week where tempo control and basics c...

Cape Town kicks off the Greatest Rivalry series and David Pembroke and Steve Hansen get straight into what mattered: rust, discipline, and whether the TMO is overreaching when referees have already made the call. The All Blacks’ maul defence, scrum penalties, and a tough yellow for Anton Lienert-Brown all come under the microscope, alongside the risks of South Africa’s 6–2 bench split. Selection chat follows, including Billy Proctor’s broken shoulder blade, what it means for squad cover, and why Mo'unga talk is really about the 2027 Rugby World Cup. There’s also a look ahead to Durban v the Sharks, wi...

David Pembroke and Steve Hansen run the ruler over a massive weekend of international rugby. The All Blacks tour begins in South Africa with Stormers v All Blacks, and the chat zooms in on why Beauden Barrett looks refreshed, how opportunity really works inside a big touring squad, and what Dave Rennie will actually measure beyond the scoreboard. World Rugby’s push towards a faster, more attacking game gets a hard look, alongside fresh tension around referees, law clarity, and the reported end of pre-match coach-ref meetings. The focus then swings to Osaka where Eddie Jones’ Japan face Les Kiss...

A hero’s welcome for the All Blacks in Cape Town kicks off a big conversation about why touring still matters, and why the New Zealand–South Africa clash has always felt like the sport’s true “World Championship”. David Pembroke, Steve Hansen and Ewen McKenzie unpack the build-up to the opener against the Stormers, the brutal reality of midweek games, and the All Blacks’ smart approach to PR, preparation and switching on at training. There’s also a close look at Rassie Erasmus taking a 26-man Springbok squad to Argentina, plus a preview of Japan v Wallabies in Osaka in serio...

David Pembroke, Steve Hansen and Ewen McKenzie take stock after the first phase of the Nations Championship and Nations Cup, and the big takeaway is simple: the calendar finally has purpose. The numbers back it up too, with more tries, fewer penalties against attack, and a clear shift towards rewarding ball-in-hand rugby, while the contestable kick and maul still matter if you can get into the 22 and stay there. The conversation then swings to Australia’s two-Test series against Japan, and what life might look like under new Wallabies coach Les Kiss, including the challenge of aligning a fresh co...

The Nations Championship wraps its first stanza with a mixed final round, and Rugby Unity picks through what mattered and what didn’t. David Pembroke, Steve Hansen and Ewen McKenzie break down the All Blacks’ 40-21 win over Ireland, why New Zealand suddenly look connected again, and what Ireland are missing post-Sexton. France edge Japan in front of 53,000 in Tokyo, but Japan’s next step under Eddie Jones is clear: fix the scrum, tidy the errors, keep the effort. The Wallabies hammer a flat Italy in Perth, and the panel gives Joe Schmidt’s reign a blunt report card while si...

Eden Park. 32 years. 52 matches. The All Blacks’ fortress is on the line as Ireland roll into Auckland with a full-strength mindset, and David Pembroke, Steve Hansen and Ewen McKenzie lay out exactly where this Test will be won: set piece, breakdown chaos, aerial contests and whether New Zealand’s timing and depth can beat Ireland’s line speed and ruck dark arts. There’s also a big refereeing focus with Nic Berry in the middle, plus a frank debate on scrums, quick-ball interpretations, and whether the game has made it too easy to go straight to free kicks. Off the fiel...

The Wallabies show up, then fade out, again. David Pembroke, Ewen McKenzie and Steve Hansen rip into what went wrong against France, why Australia’s discipline and “micro moments” keep costing them, and what Les Kiss has to fix first ahead of Japan in Osaka. There’s plenty on the tactical detail too, from France’s short kick-offs and Lucu’s passing width, to selection calls, bench impact, and why Fraser McReight looks every bit world-class. Across the ditch, the All Blacks are building momentum under Dave Rennie with tries flowing, clarity in how they want to play, and standouts li...

Rugby Unity goes live from Newcastle as David Pembroke hosts Ewen McKenzie and Japan assistant coach Gary Gold ahead of Ireland v Japan, with a fundraiser for Hunter Rugby grassroots development. Gold breaks down what working under Eddie really feels like, why standards and detail drive everything, and how Japan’s “point of difference” is built on speed, ruthless recycling and repeatable performance. McKenzie sizes up Japan’s growth after beating Italy, and explains why Ireland’s reshuffled team, debutants and new combinations could open a real opportunity if Japan can back it up. The chat widens to the new Nation...

The opening weekend of the Nations Championship (and the Nations Cup) delivered exactly what rugby needed: high quality, plenty of tries, and no shortage of arguments. David Pembroke, Steve Hansen and Ewen McKenzie break down a cracking All Blacks v France in the new Christchurch stadium, with a clear shift towards pace, ball in hand, and a young 10 taking charge. Japan’s historic win over Italy gets the spotlight it deserves, with Eddie Jones building a side around tempo, connection and new depth. In Sydney, Ireland edged Australia 33-31 in a 10-try thriller, but the post-match oxygen went straight in...

A brand-new World Rugby era begins, with David Pembroke and Ewen McKenzie teeing up a massive opening weekend of the Nations Championship and Nations Cup, plus the key questions already bubbling away. The headline act is France v New Zealand in Christchurch, with a Hurricanes-flavoured All Blacks spine, Ruben Love at 10, and France leaning heavily on Bordeaux combinations. There’s plenty of heat too: England head to Johannesburg to face a loaded Springboks side, while the Wallabies name a few surprises for Ireland in Sydney, including Josh Nasser at hooker and Jock Campbell at 15. Japan roll the dice without Ed...

Toulouse are champions again, four straight, but it was a strange, storm-interrupted Top 14 final where Montpellier owned the carry count and Toulouse still found a way. David Pembroke and Ewen McKenzie break down how Toulouse adapted, defended, kicked more than usual, and used set piece control to win when it mattered. From there, the focus swings to a massive opening weekend of the Nations Championship and Nations Cup, including New Zealand v France, South Africa v England, and Australia v Ireland in Sydney. There’s also big calendar news with ANZAC Day Bledisloe Tests confirmed in Brisbane for 2027, 2029 and 2031, an...

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 w...

Rugby Unity goes global this week, with David Pembroke and Ewen McKenzie pulling lessons from the football World Cup in the USA and asking what World Rugby must copy before Rugby World Cup 2031. Dynamic ticket pricing, host city negotiations, and fan culture are all on the table, plus how creator content could help Australia show off more than just the capital cities in 2027. Then it’s back to the pitch: the Super Rugby final is locked in, Hurricanes v Chiefs, after Hurricanes thumped the Blues and the Chiefs put the Crusaders away early. Ewen also shares a chat with Ed...

Super Rugby has spat the Aussies out again, and David Pembroke and Ewen McKenzie rip the Band-Aid off. Why were the finals blowouts when the stats looked tight? Ewen points to tackle breaks, post-contact metres, ruck speed and those brutal one-on-one moments, while also blasting the way yellow and red cards can hijack the contest. The chat moves to the URC, where Stormers’ three yellow cards helped swing Leinster’s 20–11 win, then into the Super Rugby semi-final picture: Chiefs v Crusaders and Hurricanes v Blues, with Ewen still liking the Hurricanes but fearing officiating deciding it. There’s Wallabies talk too...

World Rugby drops what David Pembroke calls a vital strategic plan… and the game barely notices. David and Ewen McKenzie unpack why it landed with a thud, what better promotion could have looked like, and why rugby cannot afford to let alignment and transparency slide. Then it’s a fast, global whip-around: Super Rugby finals are set after Moana Pasifika knock over the Brumbies, the Force beat the Waratahs, and the Hurricanes look like the form team with the Crusaders surging. There’s URC semi-final talk (Bulls v Glasgow, Leinster v Stormers), Top 14 ladder chaos after Bordeaux-Begles’ European celebrations, Japan’s...

World Rugby’s strategic plan has finally landed, and David Pembroke and Ewen McKenzie get stuck into what it says, what it dodges, and what it must deliver by 2031. Before the strategy chat, they react to a huge weekend in Bilbao: Montpellier smashing Ulster 59-26 and Bordeaux beating Leinster 41-19 in front of massive crowds, plus a debate on whether the Top 14 is now setting the pace. Ewen breaks down Bordeaux’s defence, Lucu’s standout influence, and a contentious yellow card for a hair pull on Joe McCarthy. Then it’s into the bigger picture: why rugby needs a clear...