Women’s rugby is entering a new era — and Japan is right in the middle of it.

In this episode of Rugby Unity in Japan, David Pembroke speaks with Lesley McKenzie, Head Coach of Japan’s Women’s 15s team, about how far the program has come and what must happen next to unlock its full potential. From pathways and professionalisation to international partnerships and community investment, this is a roadmap for the future of the women’s game.

Lesley brings valuable insight from coaching in New Zealand and Japan, the lessons of two Women’s Rugby World Cups, and why collaboration across the Asia-Pacific is critical.

Also in this episode:

• Rebuilding Japan’s 15s program from the ground up
• Australia’s stalled progress in the women’s game
• Why Japan’s fast, high-skill style is so exciting to watch
• The 2019 Rugby World Cup’s lasting impact
• Canada’s rise and expanding rugby audience
• How investment in coaching changes everything

PLUS: Why community rugby must be protected to grow the global game.

Want more from Rugby Unity? Subscribe to our Substack for exclusive content, blogs, behind-the-scenes insights and full podcast access — all in one place: Rugby Unity | Substack

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

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

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

TikTok | Instagram | YouTube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From downtown Tokyo, David Pembroke is joined by Eddie Jones and Ewen McKenzie for a revealing look ahead to Japan v Australia — a test match full of pressure, pride, and opportunity.

With Joe Schmidt naming a drastically changed Wallabies side, the trio unpack what this means for cohesion, confidence, and strategy. Eddie reflects on Japan’s strong week of preparation, how his young side is learning consistency, and what it takes to go toe-to-toe with a major rugby nation. Meanwhile, Ewen explains how Japan can exploit Australia’s lack of combinations and set-piece rhythm.

They also zoom out to the global picture — from referee inconsistency and breakdown laws to Japan’s new tier-one status and what it means for rugby’s future.

Also in this episode:

• Wallabies selection surprises and tactical fallout
• Japan’s fast start and accuracy under pressure
• Why the “fatigue factor” is a myth in modern rugby
• Managing nerves and mindset before a home test
• Japan’s fan culture and its evolving place in world rugby
• What tier-one status really means for Japan’s future

PLUS: Your questions answered!

Want more from Rugby Unity? Subscribe to our Substack for exclusive content, blogs, behind-the-scenes insights and full podcast access — all in one place: Rugby Unity | Substack

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

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

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

TikTok | Instagram | YouTube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Japan is fast becoming one of rugby’s most exciting frontiers — but is it ready to stand among the world’s elite?

In this episode, David Pembroke sits down with Glenn Delaney, Head Coach of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Sagamihara DynaBoars, to discuss Japan’s rapid rise, its unique rugby culture, and what the nation brings to the global game. From the passion of local fans to the challenge of developing homegrown talent, Delaney shares an insider’s view of how Japan can secure its place as a true Tier 1 powerhouse.

They also look ahead to Japan v Australia, exploring how both sides’ attacking DNA could make for one of the most entertaining contests of the season.

Also in this episode:

• The legacy of the 2019 Rugby World Cup and Japan’s post-COVID resurgence
• How League One is attracting world-class talent and coaches
• The difference between Japan’s player development and the New Zealand/European systems
• What sets Japanese fans apart — loyalty, connection, and respect
• The surge of women’s rugby and how it’s changing the game
• Japan’s upcoming clashes with Australia, South Africa, Ireland, and Wales

PLUS: Glenn’s vision for rugby’s global future — and why Japan’s success matters to everyone who loves the game.

Want more from Rugby Unity? Subscribe to our Substack for exclusive content, blogs, behind-the-scenes insights and full podcast access — all in one place: Rugby Unity | Substack

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

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

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

TikTok | Instagram | YouTube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Australia A’s 71–7 win over Japan A was more than a scoreline — it was a snapshot of where Japanese rugby stands right now.

In this episode, David Pembroke and Ewen McKenzie dissect the match from Tokyo, joined by Eddie Jones, who explains what his players learned, how Japan must evolve, and why he’s focused on long-term growth over short-term wins. They also look ahead to this Saturday’s Japan v Australia test, asking what needs to change for the Brave Blossoms to compete.

From tactical breakdowns to cultural insights, this is an honest look at what went wrong, what went right, and how Japan’s identity is shaping its rugby future.

Also in this episode:

• Japan A vs Australia A — the key moments that defined the match
• Why Japan’s line-out and maul strategy failed under pressure
• Ewen McKenzie’s player-by-player analysis
• Eddie Jones on discipline, learning and adaptability
• Japan’s broadcast brilliance – lessons for world rugby
• The high-school and university system holding back Japan’s elite

PLUS: The “samurai spirit” driving Japanese rugby and how Eddie Jones plans to modernise it before facing the Wallabies this weekend in Tokyo.

Want more from Rugby Unity? Subscribe to our Substack for exclusive content, blogs, behind-the-scenes insights and full podcast access — all in one place: Rugby Unity | Substack

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

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

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

TikTok | Instagram | YouTube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Rugby Unity in Japan — a special international series exploring rugby’s global future.

Host David Pembroke is joined by Will Genia, former Wallaby and now coach in Japan, to discuss how Japanese rugby has evolved into one of the sport’s most exciting frontiers.

From the country’s grassroots tournaments to Eddie Jones’ revitalised national team, Genia shares rare insights into Japan’s unique rugby culture, its world-class talent, and its growing influence on the global game.

Also in this episode:

• The family-first spirit driving Japanese rugby
• How League One clubs could join global competitions
• Eddie Jones’ blueprint for Japan’s next generation
• Will Genia’s lessons from transitioning to coaching
• Why Japan’s grassroots engagement outshines many rugby nations
• The cultural respect that sets Japan apart on and off the field

PLUS: Rugby Unity discovers how this nation can help secure rugby’s global future.

Want more from Rugby Unity? Subscribe to our Substack for exclusive content, blogs, behind-the-scenes insights and full podcast access — all in one place: Rugby Unity | Substack

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

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

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rugby Unity hits the road this with David Pembroke heading to Land of the Rising Sun to understand how Japan can “help secure the future prosperity of Rugby Union around the world. Pemby joins Eddie Jones from a crammed space just outside the Men’s toilet at the Tokyo Club a week out from the anticipated Wallabies v Japan test — they are joined later by Ewen McKenzie to unpack selections, form, and the shifting world order in rugby.

Pemby and Eddie mix it up again about R360 while they agree that the threat of Rugby League in the Pacific is real, present and dangerous. The episode tackles the power plays, politics, and possibilities shaping the sport’s future.

Also in this episode

Japan’s 2035 World Cup bid and why it matters

The $600 million Rugby League investment changing the Pacific

R360 vs traditional rugby — disruption or destruction?

Wallabies squad depth and the risks of rotation

Ewen McKenzie on building a winning habit

Refereeing, red cards, and restoring consistency

PLUS: our regular feature of the “Third Voice’’ the global fans’ giving their views on how we can approve the appeal of Rugby and why unity above all else is the future to the game’s global success.

Want more from Rugby Unity? Subscribe to our Substack for exclusive content, blogs, behind-the-scenes insights and full podcast access — all in one place: Rugby Unity | Substack

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

Get in touch: info@rugbyunity.com.au

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

TikTok | Instagram | YouTube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eddie Jones is once again in the spotlight — coaching against Australia for the first time since the 2023 Rugby World Cup where just about everything went wrong for him. Host David Pembroke and co-host Ewen McKenzie discuss Eddie’s approach to coaching and how he will be planning to bring about an upset victory over the Wallabies.

With international rugby taking a break ahead of the Autumn internationals, this episode discusses coaching philosophies and player welfare, the challenges of different professional competitions and suggestions from the Rugby Unity audience. McKenzie shares rare insights about the knowledge he acquired in his time working alongside Eddie at the Brumbies and Wallabies. The show also pays tribute to former England Captain Lewis Moody following his diagnosis of Motor neurone disease and explores how World Rugby is reshaping player safety.

Also in this episode:

Inside Eddie’s Japan setup and training calendar

Why confidence comes from clarity, not emotion

The future of player welfare and new match-load rules

How the Top 14 and Premiership got it right — and why changing Super Rugby might have caused more troubles that it was worth.

Reviving fan culture in Australia: lessons from the Waratahs

Your ideas on referees, scrums, and yellow cards

PLUS: David heads to Tokyo for a special Japan series — conversations with Eddie Jones, Japanese Rugby leaders, and key figures shaping the game’s next decade.

Want more from Rugby Unity? Subscribe to our Substack for exclusive content, blogs, behind-the-scenes insights and full podcast access — all in one place: Rugby Unity | Substack

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

Get in touch: info@rugbyunity.com.au

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

TikTok

YouTube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rugby’s balance of power is changing fast.

In this episode, David Pembroke is joined by Eddie Jones to break down the biggest stories shaking the sport — from Carter Gordon’s return to union to South Africa’s unstoppable rise and the looming impact of the rebel R360 League.

Eddie reveals how he’s preparing Japan for clashes against the Wallabies and Springboks, why refereeing consistency is rugby’s biggest problem, and how the game must evolve to stay relevant.

Also in this episode:

• Carter Gordon’s $100k release and return to rugby
• League vs union fitness — what players gain and lose
• South Africa’s winning formula and New Zealand’s development slide
• The aerial contest — rugby’s new battleground
• The truth about R360 and player contracts
• Why Gregor Townsend’s Red Bull Rugby role is a win for coaches
• How Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie influence Japan’s game style

PLUS: How Eddie Jones is re-igniting the Brave Blossoms ahead of the Wallabies test.

Want more from Rugby Unity? Subscribe to our Substack for exclusive content, blogs, behind-the-scenes insights and full podcast access — all in one place: Rugby Unity | Substack

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

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

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

TikTok | Instagram | YouTube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.