The stage is set for one of rugby’s great rivalries. The All Blacks face the Springboks at Eden Park, while the Wallabies battle Argentina in the Townsville heat — and Rugby Unity has it all covered.

David Pembroke, Eddie Jones and Ewen McKenzie return with an unfiltered take on selections, tactics, and the pressure facing coaches in this Rugby Championship blockbuster. From referee controversies to the art of managing player transitions, this episode pulls no punches.

Also in this episode:

• All Blacks’ discipline issues and the yellow card curse
• South Africa’s aerial assault and forward dominance
• Fear, nerves, and pressure on Scott Robertson and Rassie Erasmus
• Wallabies v Argentina — life without Will Skelton
• Refereeing debates around the caterpillar ruck
• Wayne Smith’s influence on the All Blacks

PLUS: insights on Japan’s player pathways, Canada’s women’s rugby attack, and why fan expectations are shaping the future of the game.

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One sport. Millions of voices. This is Rugby Unity.

📧 Get in touch: info@rugbyunity.com.au

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The Women’s Rugby World Cup is reaching fever pitch — and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

David Pembroke and Wallaroos star Bella McKenzie look back on a thrilling week that saw the Wallaroos draw 31–all with the USA, South Africa notch their first-ever win over a top-10 side, and England continue to set the standard as tournament favourites.

Now, with everything on the line against the Red Roses, Bella unpacks the Wallaroos’ discipline issues, the tactical adjustments they’ll need, and what it will take to deliver their strongest performance yet on the world stage.

Also in this episode:

• Canada v Scotland and why Canada look like genuine contenders
• USA v Samoa and the quarterfinal equation for Australia
• Wales v Fiji and the chance of a Pacific upset
• New Zealand v Ireland — could this be the game of the round?
• France v South Africa and why the Springbok women are on the rise

PLUS: The rise of fan engagement in women’s rugby, record-breaking crowd numbers, and why the men’s game could learn a thing or two.

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One sport. Millions of voices. This is Rugby Unity.

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Thanks to Elevenlabs for providing a grant to Rugby Unity so that we can use their world leading software.

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Can the Wallaroos pull off the biggest upset of the Rugby World Cup?

This weekend, Australia takes on world number one England in a do-or-die clash at the Rugby World Cup — and co-captain Emily Chancellor joins host Bella McKenzie to take us inside the build-up.

Emily also reflects on the 31–31 draw with the USA — what went right, what went wrong, and the lessons learned heading into this weekend.

In this episode:

• Why England aren’t “completely unbeatable.”
• The mindset shifts giving the Wallaroos belief.
• Key areas to improve: discipline, tackling, and attacking shape.
• How Australia plans to disrupt England’s rhythm.
• The grind of preparation — from training sessions to long bus rides.
• If you believe in upsets, this is the one to listen to.

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One sport. Millions of voices. This is Rugby Unity.

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Thanks to Elevenlabs for providing a grant to Rugby Unity so that we can use their world leading software.

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Rugby is at a crossroads — from global tournaments to local clubs, the game is showing how tradition and innovation can shape its future.

In this episode, David Pembroke is joined by Eddie Jones and Ewen McKenzie to explore the Women’s Rugby World Cup, where England’s dominance and packed stadiums are setting new benchmarks for the sport. They also unpack Japan’s emphatic win over Canada in the Pacific Nations Cup and the challenges facing North American rugby.

Attention then turns to the Rugby Championship: The Springboks head to Eden Park to face the All Blacks, with tactical kicking, fatigue, and discipline all in the spotlight.

Along the way: lessons in fan engagement, stories from the coaching trenches, and audience questions on rugby’s next tactical shift.

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One sport. Millions of voices. This is Rugby Unity.

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With the Rugby Championship on pause, the Women’s Rugby World Cup in full swing, and the Pacific Nations Cup heating up, former Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie joins David Pembroke to look ahead.

Ewen shares how coaches use a break to reset — from data-driven game plans to managing fatigue and squad changes. He reflects on working with Eddie Jones, Rod Macqueen, and Bob Dwyer, and explains what it really takes to build a cohesive coaching team.

Looking ahead, the focus turns to the contests on the horizon:

• The Wallabies reshaping after injuries, and who might fill Will Skelton’s boots.
• The Springboks looming Eden Park test.
• Joseph Sua’ali’i’s best position — and why the wing might suit him most.
• How discipline, yellow cards, and fatigue shape outcomes.
• The Wallaroos’ clutch clash with the USA, with a World Cup quarterfinal spot on the line.
• Why better facilities and investment are lifting the Women’s World Cup.
• Eddie Jones’ Japan squad in the Pacific Nations Cup, and why more test matches matter for Pacific rugby.

Plus, can the Springboks stay on top with an ageing squad? And is Joseph Sua’ali’i better suited to the wing?

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One sport. Millions of voices. This is Rugby Unity.

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The global game is heating up.

On this episode of Rugby Unity, David Pembroke sits down with Japan head coach Eddie Jones as he prepares his young squad for a crucial test against Canada. With one eye on the 2027 Rugby World Cup, Eddie reveals the challenges of coaching an inexperienced team and the lessons he’s carrying into the future.

From Sendai to Suva to Eden Park, no stone is left unturned:

• Japan vs Canada – youth, depth, and Canada’s revival under Steve Meehan.
• Pacific Nations Cup – Eddie’s take on Fiji v Tonga and the impact of missing stars.
• The Rugby Championship – South Africa’s travel grind, Eden Park’s mystique, All Blacks in transition, and the Wallabies’ rise under Joe Schmidt.
• Off the field, Eddie and David tackle the big issues:
• Rugby’s shift from flair to collisions.
• The NFL effect – can rugby learn to build global superstars without losing its values?
• Why women’s rugby is leading the way in fan engagement.

Plus, your questions answered: Springbok selection headaches, Joseph Suaalii’s best position, and even the mystery of team photo line-ups.

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One sport. Millions of voices. This is Rugby Unity.

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The Wallaroos are making history at the Women’s Rugby World Cup — and we’ve got a front-row seat.

In this Rugby Unity special, Bella McKenzie sits down with co-captain Emily Chancellor live from England. Fresh off a record win over Samoa, Emily lifts the lid on what it felt like to be part of the Wallaroos’ biggest World Cup victory, the emotion of playing in front of partisan crowds, and how the squad is keeping spirits high off the field.

They look ahead to the crucial clash with the USA, breaking down the threats the Eagles pose, the Wallaroos’ areas for improvement, and the team’s mantra of fun, fast, family heading into knockout territory.

In this episode:

• Wallaroos’ record win over Samoa
• Emily’s 29-tackle effort
• Life inside the World Cup squad
• Culture night highlights
• Growth of the women’s game in England
• Areas the Wallaroos must improve

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One sport. Millions of voices. This is Rugby Unity.

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England dominant, the Wallaroos spank Samoa while the USA are circling.

The sun is shining, the stands are full, and the first round was sensational. The Women’s Rugby World Cup is up and running in England and Rugby Unity host David Pembroke and Wallaroos fly-half Bella McKenzie are on hand in this episode to take you inside the biggest stories of the opening weekend.

The USA made the favourites England work hard for the first 30 minutes before a yellow card cruelled their momentum. Australia scored plenty of points against Samoa while Scotland were super impressive in dealing with a disappointing Wales. France’s performance against Italy suggested they have a lot to spare while the hot stepping Jorja Miller from New Zealand was box office. It was all action and despite the scoreline blowouts, it was a super impressive start to the tournament.

The conversation pulls no punches: Can Scotland make the quarters? Are the French a sleeping giant? Can the Black Ferns hit top gear in time? And how do the Wallaroos match the muscle of the USA in what is a round two do-or-die clash?

Women’s rugby has never looked sharper.

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One sport. Millions of voices. This is Rugby Unity.

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