Play On : the rugby referee podcast

The Play On Pod is back with Candace, Rob and Pearcey- reviewing weather chaos hitting rugby across the globe.Lightning in Sydney, tornadoes in Kansas City, and comms challenges in Perth- testing both players and match officials in all conditions.Rob unpacks the latest World Rugby rankings shifts, plus a crackdown on dangerous tackles in Super Rugby Pacific, before diving into the HSBC SVNS Series. With a record-breaking milestones, and even robot cheerleaders, it was a weekend that had everything.The Women’s Six Nations delivered big moments- dominant England, maul-heavy contests, key referee decisions, and some tough calls around repeated infringements and head contact.Plus, a quirky finish in Ireland v Italy with no final whistle despite full-time scenes unfolding.Over in the Pacific Four Series, weather delays struck again ahead of a blockbuster ANZAC clash.Stat Central highlights a historic milestone- the most capped female SVNS referee of all time, surpassing Alhambra Nievas.In Super Rugby Pacific, we break down controversial obstruction calls, charge downs and quick taps ! Some seriously sharp decision-making.Golden Whistle: Kat Roche for a standout achievement tied to this week’s stat milestone.#PlayOnPod@Rob_McKay@play_on_pod@robgmckayYouTube: https://youtu.be/W3ibcVLIcz0Instagram: https://instagram.com/p/C6UhhugS3rS

Play On Pod - W6N Returns and PAC4 ChaosWomen’s rugby is flying right now- Candace, Rob and Pearcey unpack a huge opening round of W6N and PAC4, with drama, big moments and some seriously sharp officiating- with Aimee Barrett - reaching her 50th Test !From last-minute yellow cards and wild finishes, to a try scorer dodging a pigeon (yep, really), there was no shortage of talking points.Off the field, the game keeps evolving. Rugby Australia backs the future with new women’s pathways, while tech like Social Protect is stepping in to clean up the social media sideline.Rob and Pearcey dive into Super Rugby chaos too- breakdown calls, no-try decisions, and those tight tackle interpretations that are keeping refs under the microscope.Ben O’Keeffe doing his own referee coaching channel, Hollie making moves in the Top 14, lights out at Moana, and some classic mid-game curveballs.Rob shares his Stat central and key appointments coming up.Trends to watch:The “sweeper” on contestable kicksFree kicks vs penalties- are we getting it right?Golden Whistle: Tom McLeanLaw of the Week: Law 13.3#PlayOnPod@Rob_McKay@play_on_pod@robgmckayYouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@Play_On_PodcastInstagram: https://instagram.com/p/C6UhhugS3rS

The Play On Pod fire questions at the big boss of World Rugby! This weeks special guest is Chair of World Rugby- Dr Brett Robinson. The Play On Pod keep it sharp, fun, and match official focused (as usual). They cover it all with Brett- from life in the top job to the future of refereeing, TMO consistency, and law changes shaping the game. There’s chat around the rise of match officials as personalities (Hollie Davidson), the growth of the women’s game, and what’s next after the success of recent World Cups.Also tackling the messy rugby calendar, innovations across comps, and what the game could look like heading into RWC 2029 in Australia.Big ideas, real insights, and a curveball question that involves a magic lamp ?! #PlayOnPod@Rob_McKay@play_on_pod@robgmckayYouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@Play_On_PodcastInstagram: https://instagram.com/p/C6UhhugS3rS

This week on Play On Pod, Candace, Rob and Pearcey are back. They break down rugby’s biggest talking points. From props adding kicking to their toolkit to the Six Nations Player of the Tournament debate.Over in Super Rugby, there’s plenty to unpack:A controversial referee collision in Highlanders vs Hurricanes- accidental or avoidable?Positioning, game awareness, and how referees can (and should) adjustA bizarre conversion decision that raised eyebrowsScrum and maul moments in the Brumbies clash that highlight ongoing technical challenges in the set pieceWe dive into a niche Law of the Week- 15:1 moment from Leicester v Exeter, Can a ruck exist over the goal line? Stat Central returns with numbers that tell their own story, while Trends & Talking Points explores how evolving attacking shapes are influencing off-the-ball incidents—and how players are increasingly trying to work referees through assistant refs.Captain Chat of the week is from Jordan Way Appointments news, including Wallaroos v Fiji#PlayOnPod@Rob_McKay@play_on_pod@robgmckayYouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@Play_On_PodcastInstagram: https://instagram.com/p/C6UhhugS3rS

This week Candace, Rob and Pearcey dive into a massive mix of rugby action, officiating moments, and global headlines shaping the game.We kick things off with Mudgee 10s and ongoing trials, plus a light-hearted but very important debate- what’s the best food at the footy? In global rugby news, the buzz around the Rugby World Cup continues with 750,000 tickets already sold, while innovations like the MLR referee review system spark discussion- including captain’s challenges and how they could impact decision-making.In the rugby news they unpack some of the game’s tougher conversations:Oscar Jégou’s ban following foul playA doping scandal in Georgian rugbySix Nations breakdown:France vs England controversy- high tackles, mark confusion, and game management frustrationsIreland vs Scotland- Luke Pearce’s communication masterclass under pressureWales vs Italy- a dominant Welsh win, smart officiating, and key tactical decisionsNew segment called Stat Central highlights insane form from rising stars, including try-scoring records being smashed.Super Rugby & SVNS:Key TMO and grounding debatesBig calls in Moana vs BluesHigh-intensity Sevens finalsGolden Whistle: celebrating Aimee Barrett-Theron as Referee of the Year.Law of the Week: 18.2 : Touch, quick throws and lineout #PlayOnPod@Rob_McKay@play_on_pod@robgmckayYouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@Play_On_PodcastInstagram: https://instagram.com/p/C6UhhugS3rS

Candace, Rob and Peacey are back breaking down a massive week across rugby — from local match officials to the global game.Candace shares her eventful weekend at Ella 7s handing out three red cards, while the team chats colts trials and the Mod Squad developments.With International Women’s Day just passed, the pod also highlights the incredible women shaping rugby from volunteers and board members to coaches and match officials.Around the world of rugby, the Six Nations trophy catching fire, and new player welfare measures regulating contact training in Premiership Rugby.The crew dive into the Six Nations action, including prop magic in Ireland v Wales, Angus Gardner’s management in Scotland v France, yellow cards under pressure and captain communication.In Super Rugby, they unpack the player challenges in Waratahs v Hurricanes, lightning delays in Brumbies v Reds, and why match officials were right to celebrate the final decision.Plus:SVNS standouts including Archie Saunders scoring on debutGolden Whistle- Angus GardnerReferee appointmentsLaw of the Week – Law 12.9 - Kick off and restart kicks Captain Chat from the Scotland v France match#PlayOnPod@Rob_McKay@play_on_pod@robgmckayYouTube:https://youtu.be/AoQaJrSfalkInstagram: https://instagram.com/p/C6UhhugS3rS

Candace, Rob and Pearcey are back with news from Kiama 7s and highlighting referee performances across Super RugbyThey unpack the latest in match official news and global rugby talking points.World Rugby’s Shape of the Game update- what it means, what’s changing (and what’s not)The new Blue Card protocolSpeed: “Use It” at the ruck, and the role of Game Management Guidelines (GMGs).Plus: Six Nations appointments, captain chats done right, long advantages, scrum control, tip tackles, and why interactions matter more than ever.Including standout moments from Ben O'Keeffe in the mud, James Doleman earning our Golden Whistle, and sharp management calls across the round.#PlayOnPod@Rob_McKay@play_on_pod@robgmckayYouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@Play_On_PodcastInstagram: https://instagram.com/p/C6UhhugS3rS

Candace, Rob and Pearcey are back to chat about rugby news and the 6 Nations.After some rugby news and highlighting some funny referee moments from the week.The 6 Nations takes priority as the main segment with Andre getting injured and Pierre stepping in the pitch, it’s so impressive on how elite referees keep so calm and cool under pressure.Rugby Trends:Letting it breathe at the ruckHustling maul6 Nations still with unnecessary stoppageGolden Whistle: Mathew Carley- 50th Test CapAppointments: Super Rugby Pacific + Local appointmentsLaw of the week: Law 9: 9.7/ 9.11/ 9.17Further reading on jumping into a tackle: https://89rugby.substack.com/p/to-dive-or-not-to-dive-and-what-can?r=1gyg8t&utm_source=notes-share-action&utm_medium=web#PlayOnPod@Rob_McKay@play_on_pod@robgmckayYouTube: https://youtu.be/Z-JpnlrJjNsInstagram: https://instagram.com/p/C6UhhugS3rS

Candace, Rob and Pearcey meet up again to review some trends within rugby and 6 Nations round two.Rugby News:Whats up with the new Super Rugby Referee kit ?World Rugby Women’s in Rugby Career Program 2026Heat Policy - used in Force vs Moana matchTrends:Jumping into triesHOLLIE HOLLIE HOLLIEScrum penaltiesForward passesReferee down- Jordie’s pancake momentRecognize and Remove- well done- Paul WilliamsGolden Whistle: Hollie Davidson & Paul WilliamsAppointments: 6Nations, Women’s 6Nations, Pacific 4, Wallaroos International and Local appointments#PlayOnPod@Rob_McKay@play_on_pod@robgmckayYouTube: https://youtu.be/LEh5Fa-t4hsInstagram: https://instagram.com/p/C6UhhugS3rS