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The Progressive Rugby League Podcast

PRLSA
Rugby League
Papua New Guinea
Rugby League (france)
Roy Francis
Super League
Australia
Vichy France
French Rugby League
NRL
Data
Colonialism
National Rugby League (NRL)
Catalans Dragons
North Sydney Bears
Rugby League History

Progressive Rugby League is the thinking fans alternative. What is this thing called Rugby League? Where does it fit in the framework of a 21st century society? If you love rugby league and think 'there has to be a better way', this show is for you.

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PublishesInfrequentlyEpisodes144Founded8 years ago
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Artwork for The Progressive Rugby League Podcast

Latest Episodes

How much is enough data in Rugby League? Mike Meehall Wood joins the pod to chat about how data is shaping our game in 2026.

From the micro to the macro, from the NRL to Super League, Mike breaks down the trends and the nuances, while musing on more... more

Australian sports publishing heavyweight, Geoff Armstrong, joins this very special PRL Book Club to share tales from his favourite all-time Rugby League books.

As author, publisher, editor and more, Geoff has shepherded book releases that together h... more

Rugby League largely splutters where it exists around the world. But it's a different story in New South Wales and Queensland. What is it that has made Australia's 'northern states' unique, and their capitals - Olympic cities no less - the only 'glob... more

Roy Francis is one of the most significant figures in British Rugby League history. A Black British sporting legend, Roy followed up a distinguished playing career with a ground-breaking period as coach, where he pioneered methods decades ahead of th... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Mike Meehall Wood
British-born Irish journalist and rugby league analyst who writes on data and tactics
What You Get Is What You See (Substack)
Episode: Philosophies of Rugby League Data with Mike Meehall Wood
Geoff Armstrong
Australian sports literature heavyweight and PRL Book Club guest
Author/Publisher
Episode: Geoff Armstrong: My Favourite Rugby League Books - Special PRL Book Club Edition
Tony Collins
Emeritus professor of history; author of Roy Francis, Rugby's Forgotten Black Leader; host of Rugby Reloaded
Episode: PRL BOOK CLUB - Roy Francis: Rugby's Forgotten Black Leader by Tony Collins
Steve Mascord
Independent international rugby league reporting raconteur
Rugby League Long Reads
Episode: Steve Mascord on the question of the French connection to Super League
Melissa McMahon
French to English translator, development and training officer at the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters; scholar author of Unlucky 13, Amateurism as a Weapon of War in Vichy, France
National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters
Episode: Unlucky 13. The Rugby League ban in Vichy France with Melissa McMahon
Hamish McDonald
One of Australia's foremost foreign correspondents and author of 'Melanesia: Travels in Black Oceania'
Inside Story Magazine
Episode: PRL BOOK CLUB - Melanesia: Travels in Black Oceania by Hamish McDonald

Host

John O. Duncan
Host of The Progressive Rugby League Podcast

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 43 ratings
  • Insightful perspective on the game of Rugby League

    Don’t expect gibbering about the latest NRL controversies and speculation, this fantastic podcast surfaces insightful tales and perspectives that illustrate why so many of us have such a deep seated attachment and affection for the game. Host Johnno has a great voice for radio, an entertaining way with words, clearly does significant prep and is a respectful interviewer. Hopefully he gets picked up by the ABC or similar media outlet at some stage!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JakeU2
    Australia3 years ago
  • RL chat does not get better than this

    Johnno runs a great pod that explores the significance of the game to the societies it inhabits. Always a great listen!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    i don’t even
    Australia5 years ago
  • Great podcast!

    My favourite Rugby League podcast going. Highly recommend

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JakeP88
    Australia5 years ago
  • Intelligent and committed

    Having just listened to two episodes: the interview with Jamaican coach and the interview with Canadian journo about Wolfpack (pre-recent booting out of the comp). Both were wonderful insights into the international game, growth of the game, by someone who clearly cares about it. Wonderful sports journalism revealing human and cultural side of the game, the people, and the places it’s played and revealing where those in power (eg. Fox, ARL/NRL, Superleague UK etc) are failing those with less (th... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    lucky tobie
    Australia6 years ago
  • An important and brilliant podcast

    Such a great podcast, covering areas of the game that are largely neglected by the traditional outlets. Coverage of the international game is key to its growth - this podcast does that so well. Thankyou for showing so many perspectives to rugby league, a sport which is often condescended and looked down upon as being overly simple, parochial and lacking culture, and proving that we have a rich history and many stories to tell. Please keep up the good work!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ajames646
    Australia6 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Insightful and well-prepared, with deep rugby knowledge.
High-quality journalism that respects the sport's complexity.
Engaging, thoughtful analysis that goes beyond typical coverage.
Celebrates rugby league's international and cultural aspects.
Balances data, history, and storytelling to illuminate the game.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#185
United States/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#145
Canada/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#81
Germany/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#187
Australia/Sports/Rugby

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Steve Mascord on the question of the French connection to Super League
Q: So Steve, where do we start?
We start by sizing the competition and looking at the political dynamics—who wants more teams, who resists, and how funding and central rights affect those decisions.
PRL BOOK CLUB - Roy Francis: Rugby's Forgotten Black Leader by Tony Collins
Q: Tony, can you take us through Roy's coaching philosophy about how a team should play rugby league football?
Roy believed in an attacking game where every player saw themselves as an attacking player, encouraging run-and-pass play rather than one-dimensional forward dominance, which laid groundwork for modern total rugby league concepts.
PRL BOOK CLUB - Melanesia: Travels in Black Oceania by Hamish McDonald
Q: Do you think the new NRL team is good policy for Australia and will it help PNG?
Hamish believes that the initiative will deepen the relationship and help PNG's societal and cultural advancements.
PRL BOOK CLUB - Melanesia: Travels in Black Oceania by Hamish McDonald
Q: Were the missionaries part of the government plan to get to these places?
Hamish describes how missionary efforts were often incremental and had profound impacts on education and cultural transitions in the region.
PRL BOOK CLUB - Melanesia: Travels in Black Oceania by Hamish McDonald
Q: Why did you decide to write a book about this region and why now?
Hamish explains that after leaving his newspaper role, he wanted to explore the deeper narratives and stories beyond the capitals in Melanesia and share them with a general audience.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Professions
Age Range
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Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Progressive Rugby League Podcast

What is The Progressive Rugby League Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful, data-driven examination of rugby league that blends on-field analysis with broader cultural, historical, and publishing perspectives. Episodes span topics like data models for predicting wins, the six-again rule, international development, rugby literature, publishing decisions, and the sport's social context in places like Australia, France, and the UK. Noteworthy is the willingness to challenge conventional analysis with deeper storytelling, historical context, and cross-disciplinary insight, offering listeners a richer view of how rugby league fits within modern society and media. The show's unique mix—data-heavy discussions, literary/book-club style conversations, and historical narratives—helps potential listeners gauge w... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Progressive Rugby League Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Progressive Rugby League Podcast:

1. Rugby Reloaded
2. Fergo and The Freak
3. Forty20 Rugby League Podcasts
4. League Express Podcast
5. The Rugby League Hot Recap

How many episodes of The Progressive Rugby League Podcast are there?

The Progressive Rugby League Podcast launched 8 years ago and published 144 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Progressive Rugby League Podcast?

Recent guests on The Progressive Rugby League Podcast include:

1. Mike Meehall Wood
2. Geoff Armstrong
3. Tony Collins
4. Steve Mascord
5. Melissa McMahon
6. Hamish McDonald

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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