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Artwork for 8/9 Rugby
Super Rugby Pacific
Super Rugby
Major League Rugby
Champions Cup
Chiefs
Blues
Queensland Reds
United Rugby Championship
Hurricanes
Premiership Rugby
Australian Rugby
Wallabies
Rugby World Cup
Premiership Final
Glasgow Warriors
Bath
Challenge Cup
Toulouse
Leinster
Northampton Saints

The long-ish tradition of Great Rugby Chats continues on 8/9 Rugby with an incredible array of guests, and available on YouTube and wherever you pod every week. Tune in every week as Brett McKay is joined by a revolving list of well-known guest co-hosts from all corners of the rugby world, combining to blend the perfect combination of passion, humour, nonsense, and genuine insight. And now in writ... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes205Founded2 years ago
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RugbySports

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Artwork for 8/9 Rugby

Latest Episodes

New Zealand rugby writer and fellow Substacker Jamie Wall joins Brett McKay on the AUS Rugby scene this week, with the curiosities of a short round over a long weekend quickly fading with the arrival of some stonking contests this weekend.

If Round ... more

YouTube

Irish rugby writer and podcaster Caolán Scully joined Brett McKay on 8/9 Rugby this week, to dig deep into a big first weekend of Champions Cup knockout stages.

The eight Round of 16 games saw some blowouts and high-scoring games as it often does, b... more

YouTube

The great NZ commentator Tony Johnson joins Brett McKay on the AUS Rugby scene this week, for a timely perspective from over the ditch on Super Rugby Pacific and the view on the Australian teams in 2026.

With a short round this Easter long weekend –... more

YouTube

Riaan Louw, friend of the pod and star of the Rugby Update on YouTube is back with Brett McKay on 8/9 Rugby this week, because it’s time to get excited about the Champions Cup again.

With the Round of 16 this weekend, and the Quarter Finals to follo... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Jack Mesley
CEO of Super Rugby Pacific
Super Rugby Pacific
Episode: AUS Rugby scene: SRP “should be like a soap opera” with Jack Mesley
Ben Smith
From the West Australian newspaper in Perth
West Australian
Episode: the AUS Rugby scene: Has Zac Lomax saved the Western Force yet with Ben Smith
Harry Jones
Guest, former Lekker Rugby Pod contributor and rugby analyst
Lekker Rugby Pod / 8-9 Rugby
Episode: Ep.6 – Spoilers & Gainline monsters with Harry Jones
Jonathan Drennan
Journalist for the Sydney Morning Herald, sports writer covering Australian rugby
Sydney Morning Herald
Episode: the AUS Rugby scene: Brumbies deserve so much more with Jonathan Drennan
Jamie Lyle
Scottish rugby commentator
Self-employed / broadcasting
Episode: the AUS Rugby scene: Brumbies deserve so much more with Jonathan Drennan
Jamie Lyall
Scottish rugby writer, content creator, producer, commentator
Rugby Pass (implied)
Episode: Ep.5 – Is this Scotland’s moment with Jamie Lyall
Michael Atkinson
TV presenter and rugby commentator
Weekend Today
Episode: the AUS Rugby scene: Momentum and Freudian typos with Michael Atkinson
Riaan Louw
Rugby enthusiast and commentator from Rugby Twitter and YouTube
Episode: Ep.4 – Two weeks is a long time in rugby with Riaan Louw
Patrick McCarry
Freelance rugby writer and pundit
Rugby Pass, Irish Independent
Episode: Ep.3 – Scotland’s work here is done with Pat McCarry

Hosts

Brett McKay
Co-host and primary interviewer in a dynamic pairing, often guiding discussions with guests.
Harry Jones
Co-host known for hosting alongside Brett, contributing rugby knowledge and banter.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 130 ratings
  • Brett - please stop!

    Sorry but I’m going to have to unsubscribe. Great content but Brett talking over the top of Harry is doing my head in.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Ralpha Male
    Australia9 months ago
  • We love it, obviously!

    Podchaser
    5
    The 8-9 Combo Rugby Podcast
    a year ago
  • Brilliant!

    Great guests and chemistry between Brett and Harry. Crazy that you’ve only just met face to face for the first time!

    I love that you guys are trying to find the fun in rugby, even when teams are not going well or you’re discussing negative things (like the state of Australia rugby…). At the end of the day we watch rugby to have fun and have a laugh.

    I love the test post mortems as they are generally different to the normal discussions.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mewsie24
    Australiaa year ago
  • A must listen

    The 8/9 Combo is one of two rugby podcasts I simply won’t miss.

    The quality of guest is excellent and the depth of discussion is unique.

    It’s interesting, entertaining and, crucially, avoids the inane “banter” sometimes engaged in by rugger buggers.

    Give it a shot.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Smthrscricket
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Just one issue

    Love it! But Brett please stop talking over Harry and guests!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Space Man 666
    Australia2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the authentic, non-scripted vibe and genuine insights.
The show balances serious rugby analysis with engaging banter and humor.
Guests are consistently high quality and bring international perspectives.
Chemistry between hosts is a strong draw for listeners.
Some episodes spotlight guest expertise that expands beyond rugby, adding cultural context.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#130
United States/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#69
Canada/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#175
United Kingdom/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#28
Australia/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#43
Italy/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#100
France/Sports/Rugby

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

AUS Rugby scene: Enjoyment the winner in Super Rugby with Tony Johnson
Q: Which team in this season has impressed you the most and why?
He praises the Hurricanes for their balance of attack and defense, their smart kicking, and the leadership that allows them to play with tempo and nerve, making them a standout team this year.
AUS Rugby scene: Enjoyment the winner in Super Rugby with Tony Johnson
Q: How have broadcasting challenges affected your approach this season?
Johnson explains that adaptability is key, sharing how he and producers pivot mid-game when a commentator can't go on, and stressing the importance of staying prepared and supportive of colleagues.
AUS Rugby scene: There is space there to burn with John Ferguson
Q: Which players or teams have stood out in terms of backline play and kicking efficiency, and what does this mean for Australian selections going forward?
The talk highlights players who have demonstrated effective backfield kicking and space creation, such as DeBrasini and Meredith, as well as standout attackers like Carter Gordon who show confidence and playmaking ability. The discussion also notes the need for reliable goal kickers in Wallaby selection and the system-based development of young Brumbies players as a model for national selection implications.
AUS Rugby scene: There is space there to burn with John Ferguson
Q: What have you liked and disliked about the competition so far this year, and what trends are you seeing in 2026 after six rounds?
The discussion centers on teams that can get over the gain line consistently, the emerging gap between top and mid-table teams, and how different packs and playmaking structures (like the Brumbies' offense vs. the Hurricanes' backline) are shaping results. There's particular focus on kicking strategies, space in the backfield, and the role of 10s in selection debates, with Rodgers-style system thinking about player development in Brumbies and other teams.
the AUS Rugby scene: Has Zac Lomax saved the Western Force yet with Ben Smith
Q: Where might Lomax play and how will the Force adapt to fit him in?
Debate centers on whether Lomax will slot in at 15 or on the wing, with analysis of defensive capabilities and the need to adjust the backline structure and use of box kicks to maximize his strengths.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About 8/9 Rugby

What is 8/9 Rugby about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A lively rugby-focused show pairs Brett McKay with a rotating cast of guest co-hosts for informed, humorous discussions about both hemispheres' major competitions. Episodes blend sharp analysis of Super Rugby, Six Nations, and international rugby with personal anecdotes and candid guest insights, giving listeners context on teams, coaching decisions, and standout players while keeping the tone accessible and entertaining. Noteworthy is the format's versatility: frequent high-profile rugby guests, a strong chemistry between hosts, and the expansion into written content on Substack, alongside YouTube discussions, which broadens how fans consume the show.

Where can I find podcast stats for 8/9 Rugby?

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How many listeners does 8/9 Rugby get?

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What are the audience demographics for 8/9 Rugby?

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How many subscribers and views does 8/9 Rugby have?

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Which podcasts are similar to 8/9 Rugby?

These podcasts share a similar audience with 8/9 Rugby:

1. ESPN Scrum Reset
2. Inside Line
3. Kick Offs and Kick Ons
4. Between Two Posts
5. Scrumbags Rugby Podcast

How many episodes of 8/9 Rugby are there?

8/9 Rugby launched 2 years ago and published 205 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact 8/9 Rugby?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for 8/9 Rugby?

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What guests have appeared on 8/9 Rugby?

Recent guests on 8/9 Rugby include:

1. Jack Mesley
2. Ben Smith
3. Harry Jones
4. Jonathan Drennan
5. Jamie Lyle
6. Jamie Lyall
7. Michael Atkinson
8. Riaan Louw

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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