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Artwork for 8/9 Rugby
Rugby
Rugby Championship
Super Rugby
Australia
Wallabies
New Zealand
South Africa
Argentina
Six Nations
Ireland
Springboks
Super Rugby Pacific
England
Champions Cup
All Blacks
France
Australian Rugby
Crusaders
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 weeklyEpisodes216Founded2 years ago
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Artwork for 8/9 Rugby

Latest Episodes

Commentator, presenter, and former Sunwolves lock Sam Wykes joined Brett McKay on the AUS Rugby scene this week, to peer into the dangers of the final two rounds of Super Rugby Pacific.

Looking resplendent in his old Mighty Moondogs team kit, Sam ga... more

YouTube

Rugby traveller and storyteller Harry Jones returns to 8/9 Rugby, reuniting with Brett McKay to dig into all the juicy bits in the lead-up to the Champions Cup Final in Spain this weekend, between Bordeaux and Leinster.

The Bilbao clash pits a stark... more

YouTube

Rugby writer, analyst and creator John Ferguson joined Brett McKay on the AUS Rugby scene this week, as Super Rugby Pacific properly hots up for the remaining three rounds.

With the valid assumption that the Hurricanes and Chiefs are locked into the... more

YouTube

Jake Mangin, Head Coach of Chilean professional team Selknam joined Brett McKay on 8/9 Rugby this week, for another state of play chat around Super Rugby Americas.

Following on from similar State of Play chats on League One in Japan, and Major Leagu... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

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
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
David Lawrence
Guest analyst on Major League Rugby
Scrum of the Earth podcast; Major League Rugby observer
Episode: Ep.11 – MLR State of Play with David Lawrence
Elliot Smith
Guest expert on the AUS Rugby scene
8/9 Rugby / Radio News Talk ZB / Rugby Direct
Episode: AUS Rugby scene: Moana Pasifika situation to force Super Rugby’s hand with Elliott Smith
Jamie Wall
Rugby journalist and Substack writer
Jamie Wall Rugby / Substack
Episode: AUS Rugby scene: Coin flips & brotherly bragging rights with Jamie Wall
John Ferguson
Rugby writer and analyst, rugby YouTuber from Off the Ruck
Off the Ruck / Rugby Pass
Episode: AUS Rugby scene: There is space there to burn with John Ferguson

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
    Australia10 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
#66
United States/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#59
Canada/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#95
United Kingdom/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#16
Italy/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#41
Australia/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#100
France/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.

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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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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 216 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?

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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. Sam Wykes
2. Harry Jones
3. Jake Mangin
4. Simon Strachan
5. Ollie Silverton
6. David Lawrence
7. Elliot Smith
8. Jamie Wall

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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