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Artwork for The Progressive Rugby League Podcast

The Progressive Rugby League Podcast

PRLSA
Rugby League
Super League
Papua New Guinea
Rugby League (france)
Roy Francis
PRL Classics
Queensland
Toronto Wolfpack
Australia
Vichy France
French Rugby League
NRL
Data
Progressive Rugby League
State Of Origin
Brisbane Broncos
Indigenous Australians
South Sydney Rabbitohs
Colonialism
National Rugby League (NRL)

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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PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes149Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
RugbySports

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Artwork for The Progressive Rugby League Podcast

Latest Episodes

In August 2020, at the 125th anniversary of Rugby League's birth, Professor Tony Collins joined us to crystal ball what Rugby League could be 125 years into the future.

The Rugby split was the product of a specific period of modern history. What soc... more

New Ep! Rob Cardno joins the pod to confirm that no, the Toronto Wolfpack were not a figment of our wildest imaginings. Yes, it actually happened, and yes, it was a wild ride.

Rob was there from the beginning, bearing witness to the dizzying highs a... more

PRL Classics returns with an illuminating chat about Rugby League's role in the evolution of that strange ol' state of Queensland.

In June 2020, Joe Gorman joined the pod to take us deep into his award-winning book, Heartland: How Rugby League Expla... more

Candid, engaging, funny, Ian Roberts graced our little pod in March 2021 for a wide-ranging chat about his unique life on and off the field.

Before this chat, we'd never heard him reflect on the 1997 authorised biography on his life, Finding Out, we... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Rob Cardno
Part of the Wolfpack from the beginning; stadium announcer, event host, and multimedia contributor
Toronto Wolfpack
Episode: Did the Toronto Wolfpack actually happen? With Rob Cardno
Joe Gorman
Australian writer and author of Heartland, How Rugby League Explains Queensland
Episode: PRL Classics - Queensland, Explained with Joe Gorman
Ian Roberts
Former rugby league player, LGBTQ+ advocate
Former South Sydney Rabbitohs, Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, North Queensland Cowboys
Episode: PRL Classics - The Life and Times of Ian Roberts
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 45 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.

Listeners appreciate the inclusive and progressive framing of rugby league.
Insightful and well-prepared discussions that elevate rugby league beyond game-day chatter.
Conversations reveal the sport's global reach and cultural significance.
The show covers underrepresented topics like data use and publishing in rugby league.
Quality guests and rigorous analysis make for thoughtful listening.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#172
United States/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#62
Canada/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#127
United Kingdom/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#97
Germany/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#137
Australia/Sports/Rugby

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

PRL Classic - Happy Birthday Rugby League with Tony Collins
Q: Could the two codes ever fully merge into one?
Collins suggests merger is unlikely; a takeover by rugby union could happen if league becomes financially dominant, but a true merger would require extraordinary economic shifts and would face deep cultural resistance.
PRL Classic - Happy Birthday Rugby League with Tony Collins
Q: Over the next 125 years, are the two rugby codes more likely to diverge or converge as on-field products?
The hosts and Tony Collins debate convergence versus divergence, with Collins arguing that the codes are increasingly moving toward similar entertainment goals, while acknowledging persistent differences in governance, culture, and loyalty that may keep them officially separate.
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.

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 The Progressive Rugby League Podcast

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

A thoughtful, data-informed take on rugby league that blends deep historical context, international perspectives, and in-depth analysis of on-field tactics with broader cultural and social themes. Episodes often feature guests—from former players to journalists and historians—discussing inclusion, publishing, data-driven insights, and the sport's evolving identity in a 21st-century world. Noteworthy is the show's commitment to exploring underrepresented or overlooked angles (international growth, literature, and data-informed strategy) and its willingness to challenge traditional rugby league narratives for a more progressive framing.

Potential listeners should expect long-form conversations, nuanced debates, and guest perspectives that con... 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. Fergo and The Freak
2. Forty20 Rugby League Podcasts
3. League Express Podcast
4. Only In Rugby League
5. Super League 360

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

The Progressive Rugby League Podcast launched 9 years ago and published 149 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. Rob Cardno
2. Joe Gorman
3. Ian Roberts
4. Mike Meehall Wood
5. Geoff Armstrong
6. Tony Collins
7. Steve Mascord
8. Melissa McMahon

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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