Rugby Unity

The Rugby World Cup is changing — and the stakes have never been higher.This week, David Pembroke is joined by Eddie Jones and Ewen McKenzie to unpack a huge weekend in world rugby: South Africa’s demolition of Wales, the Etzebeth eye-gouge incident, and the breaking news that R360 has been pushed back to 2028.Eddie and Ewen give a candid, insider view on Wales’ deep structural problems, how South Africa keep winning with ruthless simplicity, and why the new 24-team World Cup with a Round of 16 will create a more intense, more tactical tournament than ever before.They also reflect on their own World Cup journeys — from the 1987 and 1991 memories to the 2003 classic, England 2019, the Brighton Miracle, and the pressure only a World Cup can create.Also in this episode• South Africa v Wales — dominance, discipline and what really happened• Why Wales’ development system is failing — and how to fix it• R360 delayed: player managers, contracts, and the talent drain• The brutal logic of a 33-man World Cup squad• How selection balance will change in 2027 (props, hookers, utilities)• Australia’s path to winning back casual fans in 2027PLUS: venue breakdowns, squad-build strategy, player load, and how the new compressed 43-day World Cup will change everything.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 | SubstackOne sport. Millions of voices. This is Rugby Unity.📧 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

The November window delivered answers, questions and warnings. In this episode, David Pembroke is joined by Eddie Jones to dissect the Wallabies’ 2025 prospects, the rise of England, France’s stalled progress, and the tactical shifts redefining Test rugby. Eddie breaks down how Australia’s season unfolded, why depth remains the core issue, what Les Kiss will bring as head coach, and how selection, pathways and politics still shape the national side. The pair also examine the November Series, from South Africa’s dominance to Scotland’s slump, England’s revival, and France’s uncertain identity. They close by looking at officiating, global fan engagement, sevens, finances, the Nations Championship, and what the upcoming Rugby World Cup draw means for 2027 preparations. Also in this episode• Wallabies’ highs, lows and the 2025 rebuild • France, England, Scotland — where each nation stands after November • The tactical evolution of Test rugby (scrums, kicking, power plays) • Pathways, depth and long-term sustainability of global rugby • Sevens, money games and the future economic model of the sportPLUS: Why fan engagement, transparency and global competitions will determine rugby’s future.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 | SubstackOne sport. Millions of voices. This is Rugby Unity. 📧 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

The Wallabies stand at a crossroads — and with a home Rugby World Cup approaching in 2027, the stakes have never been higher. In this episode, David Pembroke and former Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie take a clear-eyed look at where Australia really sits in the world game.From the selection volatility of 2024–25 to the strengths and weaknesses in each positional group, Ewen explains the structural changes needed for the Wallabies to compete with South Africa, England, Ireland and a fast-improving northern hemisphere. He also unpacks what Les Kiss will bring as national coach and why Australia must build a game plan that can survive high-ball pressure, tactical variety, and tournament intensity.David and Ewen then broaden the lens — analysing England’s off-field rise, South Africa’s sustained dominance, rugby’s financial realities, and the global opportunities emerging through the new World Rugby Nations Cup and revamped sevens calendar.Also in this episode·      Why consistency in selection still separates good teams from great ones·      What Les Kiss must prioritise from day one as Wallabies coach·      England’s new personality-driven approach to communication·      How social media is reshaping rugby’s global fanbase·      Australia’s pathway to success at a home World Cup·      The growing importance of emerging nations and expanded competitionsPLUS: insights on squad costs, leadership expectations, sevens pathways, and why world rugby must communicate in real time to stay relevant.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 | SubstackOne sport. Millions of voices. This is Rugby Unity.📧 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

The red/yellow card crisis and the terminal TMO delays intervened with another huge weekend of international rugby —this episode goes deep into the consequences. David Pembroke is joined by Ewen McKenzie and Eddie Jones to unpack Ireland v South Africa, the match that sparked global outrage and renewed calls for World Rugby to overhaul officiating and TMO protocols.Eddie details Japan’s gritty 25–23 win over Georgia in Tbilisi, shedding light on set-piece growth, discipline under pressure, and what he’s learned from a demanding 2025 campaign. Ewen breaks down New Zealand’s inconsistent year, the cultural shift inside the All Blacks, and why the top three Northern Hemisphere teams — Ireland, France, England — are on a collision course in the 2026 Six Nations.A fast, honest, and global roundup of the game’s biggest stories.Japan vs Georgia highlights: www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqOYh45d2pUAlso in this episode• South Africa’s season: power, depth and why they’re still the benchmark• Ireland’s early-season resilience and their road to 2027• Why red cards are distorting Test matches — and the fix Eddie wants• Japan’s finishing, support play and next steps toward the World Cup• England v Argentina analysed — are both teams top-four threats?• Italy rising & Chile’s impressive performance against the AzzurriPLUS: Record-breaking forward play, the modern coaching workload, player data obsession, and questions from the Rugby Unity Third Voice community.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 | SubstackOne sport. Millions of voices. This is Rugby Unity.📧 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

Red-card chaos, judicial backflips, and one of the biggest Autumn Nations weekends of the year — this episode has everything.David Pembroke, Eddie Jones and Ewen McKenzie open with the fallout from Franco Mostert’s and Harry Hockings’ overturned red cards, and what the mess reveals about World Rugby’s decision-making. Eddie explains the real-world disruption caused by mid-week hearings, the strain on staff, and why coaching preparation gets derailed.From there, the team dives into a stacked global fixture list: Wales v New Zealand, Ireland v South Africa, France v Australia, England v Argentina, Scotland v Tonga, Italy v Chile and more. Ewen breaks down tactical matchups across the board — from aerial contests to set-piece pressure — while Eddie reflects on Japan’s preparation ahead of their crucial test against Georgia.The Third Voice returns with listener questions on coaching futures, simplifying the laws, and the rise of Japan and Fiji in the new Nations Championship.Also in this episode• Wales v New Zealand — pressure on Robertson and a refreshed XV• Ireland v South Africa — Prendergast, Hansen, Etzebeth and a true heavyweight clash• France v Australia — Gordon returns as the Wallabies face a lethal French back three• England v Argentina — Borthwick’s rotation v Los Pumas’ quiet momentum• Italy v Chile — rising nations and World Cup pathways• Player of the Year + breakthrough player nominees for 2024PLUS: Why governance needs an overhaul, the rise of kicking-based attacking strategies, audience shoutouts, Japan’s tour insights, and positive financial news across major unions. 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 | SubstackOne sport. Millions of voices. This is Rugby Unity.📧 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

Game altering red and yellow cards continued to be flashed across the Rugby fields of Europe at the weekend with evidence piling up that these officiating decisions are playing a major role in determining results. Across the weekend, yellow and red cards swung key matches, from Japan v Wales to Scotland v Argentina. David Pembroke and Ewen McKenzie lay out why the current approach isn’t working, what’s changed in modern contact situations, and how World Rugby could fix the problem without compromising player safety.They also wrap England’s breakthrough performance against the All Blacks, Ireland’s dominance over the Wallabies, and Japan’s near-miss in Cardiff — plus a look at other International results and listener comments and questions.Also in this episodeSouth Africa v Italy — bench impact, scrum power and late momentum• England v All Blacks — George Ford, drop-goals and aerial control• Wallabies v Ireland — selection rotation, confidence and high-ball issues• Japan v Wales — the yellow-card turning points• Scotland v Argentina — how a 21–0 lead evaporated• France v Fiji, USA v Romania, Portugal, Georgia and morePLUS: The growing pressure on World Rugby to communicate clearly and act decisively on officiating, card reviews and player safety.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 | SubstackOne sport. Millions of voices. This is Rugby Unity.📧 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