Play On : the rugby referee podcast

Play On is back- with Candace and Rob have a packed episode of rugby news, match-official milestones and plenty of talking points. They discuss Wes Thomas’ devastating neck injury and the GoFundMe supporting him (https://gofund.me/e0b969c4b), the Sione Fukofuka Wallaroos coaching saga, the special haka in Durban, and the newly released Super Rugby AUS draw.Captain sent off? Candace and Rob kick off with the big question: how do you process a YC or RC for the skipper?On the whistle, Jimmy is closing in on an incredible 800th game, while we dive into the Tests rugby from Amatosero’s red-card suspension and the Head Contact Process to Argentina v South Africa’s slow-burn finish and Scotland v New Zealand’s clash of styles.Plus: tech zones, trainers getting a little too involved, early shifts at the lineout, appointment news, and our Law of the Week looking at the latest NPC and Super Rugby AUS law trials.And, of course, we finish with the Golden Whistle- Angus Gardner with 100th Shute Shield match 🏉🎙️#PlayOnPod@Rob_McKay@play_on_pod@robgmckayYouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@Play_On_PodcastInstagram: https://instagram.com/p/C6UhhugS3rS

Candace, Rob and Pearcey are celebrating 100 episodes of the Play On Podcast!Join them as they look back at the most popular episodes and social moments before diving into the latest rugby news.They discuss new research into head injuries in women's rugby, USA law variations, and a key decision from the Super Rugby Women's Championship Final.Rob covers the latest referee appointments, share our Stat Central update, and finish with our Law of the Week, explaining the scrum mark under Law 19.2.Thanks to all the listeners for being part of this exciting milestone- first 100 episodes!University of Sydney Match Official Survey:https://redcap.sydney.edu.au/surveys/?s=H9KLFPAETF7ERLP7#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 and Rob cover one of the biggest weeks in rugby officiating and the women's game.Super Rugby Women's Championship Final between the Waratahs and Auckland, unpack the newly announced WXV competition structure, and discuss World Rugby's $90 million Impact Beyond programme, including major investment in Australia and the Pacific and its focus on growing women's and girls' rugby.They highlight Rugby Australia's new post-match mental wellbeing initiative for match officials, the latest disciplinary news involving Tomás Albornoz, and share some inspiring referee stories from Eden Park and Fiji.On the field, they review the extraordinary Canada vs Zimbabwe Test, featuring a lightning delay, communications failure and a TMO decision made via mobile phone, before breaking down the key talking points from Super Rugby Women's, including Fiji's controversial try against the Waratahs.Plus, they answer your questions on scrum dominance, and finish with our Appointments segments.University of Sydney Match Official Survey:https://redcap.sydney.edu.au/surveys/?s=H9KLFPAETF7ERLP7#PlayOnPod@Rob_McKay@play_on_pod@robgmckayYouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@Play_On_PodcastInstagram: https://instagram.com/p/C6UhhugS3rS

The final weekend of the #NationsChampionship and #NationsCup had action every which way you look, both on and off the field... While Candace takes a well earned break, Rob and Pearcey discuss the ups and downs of the last round of Test matches.  We celebrate some major match official appointments, the good, the bad and the ugly of captaincy, and lots of love for one of the very best match officials. Some surprising trends led by one of our own, new sanctions for protecting match officials, Stat Central, a topical Law of the Week, and plenty more to boot.#PlayOnPod@Rob_McKay@play_on_pod@robgmckayYouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@Play_On_PodcastInstagram: https://instagram.com/p/C6UhhugS3rS

It's Test week on Play On Pod! Candace, Rob and Pearcey kick things off with our busiest yellow card weekend of the season, a trip to Woollahra.This week the pod unpack the confirmed Pacific Nations Cup schedule, World Rugby's quiet rankings overhaul, important law updates and why the Waratahs are setting records they'd rather avoid. Super Rugby Women's- they review several big foul play decisions.Law of the Week, featuring a fascinating incident from the World Rugby U20 Championship in Georgia.On the whistle, they review the major Test matches from England v South Africa, New Zealand v France, Australia v Ireland and USA v Portugal, breaking down the key referee decisions, bunker reviews, yellow cards, deliberate knock-ons, tackle consistency and some fascinating moments that had everyone talking.Finishing up with Rob’s Appointment announcements !#PlayOnPod@Rob_McKay@play_on_pod@robgmckayYouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@Play_On_PodcastInstagram: https://instagram.com/p/C6UhhugS3rS

It's another packed episode of Play On!Candace and Rob cover the latest rugby news from around the globe, including the Behind the Whistle panel ahead of the Wallabies vs Ireland Test, Australian Schools Championships, and the countdown to Rugby World Cup 2027.They dive into Rugby Australia's new zero-tolerance Match Official Abuse Directive. Unpack a huge week of law changes with four Global Law Trials moved into full law. Rob chats about BaaBaas refereeing, shares the latest Appointments and Stat Central, in the lead up to massive 14hr full binge worthy rugby weekend. #PlayOnPod@Rob_McKay@play_on_pod@robgmckayYouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@Play_On_PodcastInstagram: https://instagram.com/p/C6UhhugS3rS

This week on Play On, we're tackling the biggest talking points in rugby- FINALS!Candace, Rob and Pearcey unpack World Rugby's decision to lower the legal tackle height in community rugby, the latest Rugby World Cup 2027 ticket frenzy, and what those new law changes really mean for referees and players.In the main segment we dive into a wild weekend of Super Rugby Pacific Finals and break down the Gallagher Premiership Final.Later Candace and Rob celebrate some incredible referee appointments, and give a huge shout-out to the Queensland Country match officials heading to Townsville.Plus, Candace puts Rob and Pearcey to the test with another Law of the Week challenge... can you guess where in the law book?#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 goes from Colts to AR in 1st Grade and shares an important reminder about the rarely-heard "Mayday" call after a player suffered a serious shoulder injury.They dive into a spicy State Champs rant, previews the launch of Rugby Premier League, and explores the rise of hybrid players blurring the lines between forwards and backs. They share World Rugby's latest Women's Health webinar series and RugbyPass TV.In Match Official news, they unpack NSW Rugby's new expedited disciplinary process for team officials and what referees need to know about the playing enclosure before kick-off. Then it's onto Super Rugby Pacific finals fever- the Chiefs cruise, the Hurricanes make history, and they debate whether a yellow card was missed in a key aerial contest.UK PREM: Luke Pearce shines in the Northampton Saints vs Leicester Tigers. Preview the SRP Final appointments, and finish with Law of the Week — Law 10.4(a)- Offside and onside in open play- inspired by Pearcey’s favourite player, Henry Pollock.#PlayOnPod@Rob_McKay@play_on_pod@robgmckayYouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@Play_On_PodcastInstagram: https://instagram.com/p/C6UhhugS3rS