Rephonic
Artwork for 8/9 Rugby
Rugby
Rugby Championship
Super Rugby
Australia
Wallabies
New Zealand
South Africa
Argentina
Six Nations
Super Rugby Pacific
Ireland
Springboks
Champions Cup
England
All Blacks
France
Crusaders
Australian Rugby
Major League Rugby
British & Irish Lions

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 weeklyEpisodes222Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
SportsRugby

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for 8/9 Rugby

Latest Episodes

The performance of the Australian teams in the Super Rugby Pacific Qualifying Finals last weekend was less than ideal. And the fallout from that performance has already asked serious question of the competition and the finals format.

Jamie Wall from... more

YouTube

The final round of PREM Rugby in England was chock-full of drama, and the Semi Finals are now all set, as Charlie Morgan from The Times joins Brett McKay on 8/9 Rugby.

With only Northampton locked into top spots and the other three playoff positions... more

YouTube

Sam Worthington from Stan Sport and nine.com.au joined Brett McKay on the AUS Rugby scene this week, as things start getting serious with Super Rugby Pacific reaching the knockout stage, starting with this weekend’s Qualifying Finals.

The Australian... more

YouTube

Irish rugby writer Pat McCarry returns to the 8/9 Rugby co-host chair, where he and Brett McKay cast an eye back over the first weekend of finals anywhere in the rugby world, the United Rugby Championship quarter-final weekend.

Though the URC finish... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Inside Line
Inside Line9Podcasts
Kick Offs and Kick Ons
Kick Offs and Kick OnsSHTN Enterprises
Scrumbags Rugby Podcast
Scrumbags Rugby PodcastPick and Drive Productions

Recent Guests

Sam Worthington
AUS Rugby scene guest, former rugby commentator/analyst
Episode: AUS Rugby scene: Australian history awaits Super Rugby QFs with Sam Worthington
Pat McCarry
Irish Rugby writer and playwright
Episode: Ep.16 – Home Sweet Home dictates URC QFs with Pat McCarry
Huw Griffin
Rugby content creator, mini doco maker, prolific social media presence
Episode: Ep.15 – The beatification of Bordeaux Bègles with Huw Griffin
Sam Wykes
Former Western Force, New South Wales lock; broadcaster and commentator
Moana Pasifika/8/9 Rugby
Episode: AUS Rugby scene: Plenty of danger games still to come with Sam Wykes
Harry Jones
Guest on 8/9 Rugby
8/9 Rugby
Episode: Ep.14 – Champions Cup Final is pure rugby nerdery with Harry Jones
John Ferguson
Rugby writer, content creator, analyst
Rugby writer/analyst
Episode: AUS Rugby scene: Super Rugby run home gets with John Ferguson
Jake Mangin
Head coach of Selknam Club, Chile
Selknam (Chile)
Episode: Ep.13 – Super Rugby Americas State of Play with Jake Mangin
Simon Strachan
Guest from Gain Line Analytics discussing Japan League One
Gain Line Analytics
Episode: Ep.12 – Japan League One State of Play with Simon Strachan
Ollie Silverton
Content creator, podcast producer
Episode: AUS Rugby scene: There is SO MUCH rugby content now with Ollie Silverton

Host

Brett McKay
Host of the show, long-running rugby broadcaster and commentator

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
    Australiaa year 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.

Occasional overtalk can distract from insights, butOverall quality is high.
Thoughtful rugby content with strong guests.
Balanced mix of analysis and banter, plus high-profile guests.
Hosts have great chemistry and deep rugby knowledge.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#96
United States/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#50
Canada/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#173
United Kingdom/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#32
Italy/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#50
Australia/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#77
Germany/Sports/Rugby

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

AUS Rugby scene: Super Rugby run home gets with John Ferguson
Q: What were a couple of things that jumped out at you from the weekend?
Key takeaways included Brumbies' improved consistency and the Reds staying in games against top sides, plus the Blues' position in the top four being potentially fragile due to injuries and player turnover.
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.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About 8/9 Rugby

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

A rugby-focused show that blends expert analysis, industry insight, and playful banter rooted in a deep knowledge of the sport. Episodes frequently feature established writers, coaches, broadcasters, and former players who dissect club and international rugby, discuss ecosystems from Australia to Japan to South America, and explore media trends shaping rugby coverage. The format emphasizes high-quality guest perspectives, strategic breakdowns, and engaging conversations that mix serious analysis with accessible, entertaining storytelling. Notable strengths include a steady cadence of credible guests, a clear emphasis on development pathways and league dynamics, and a strong commitment to understanding rugby culture beyond on-pitch results.

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

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for 8/9 Rugby. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to 8/9 Rugby and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does 8/9 Rugby get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for 8/9 Rugby, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for 8/9 Rugby?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for 8/9 Rugby, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

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

To see how many followers or subscribers 8/9 Rugby has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

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 222 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?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for 8/9 Rugby from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for 8/9 Rugby?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of 8/9 Rugby. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on 8/9 Rugby?

Recent guests on 8/9 Rugby include:

1. Sam Worthington
2. Pat McCarry
3. Huw Griffin
4. Sam Wykes
5. Harry Jones
6. John Ferguson
7. Jake Mangin
8. Simon Strachan

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days