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Rugby Unity

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Hosted by Sir Steve Hansen, Ewen McKenzie and David Pembroke, Rugby Unity is the global rugby podcast that tackles the game’s biggest issues — on and off the field.

This is where strong opinions meet smart analysis.

Steve Hansen (2 x World Cup Winning coach with the All Blacks) and Ewen McKenzie (ex-Wallabies Coach and 1991 World Cup Winner) bring decades of international coaching experience at the very top level, while David Pembroke draws on 35 years as a rugby journalist and strategist.

Together, they cut through the noise with insights you won’t hear anywhere else.

Rugby Unity is more than a podcast. It’s a community of fans, players, coaches, and leaders committed to securing rugby’s future prosperity worldwide.

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


Get in touch: info@rugbyunity.com.au

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  • 46 episodes
  • a few times a week
  • Avg 1 hr 8 min
  • English

Episodes 46

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  • S2 · E162
    Today · 1 hr 10 min

    Nations Championship Preview with Steve Hansen & Ewen McKenzie

    A tough start as David Pembroke and Steve Hansen pay tribute to Logan Cadwallader, the All Blacks’ long-serving Head of Security, after his passing in Edinburgh. Then it’s straight into a massive Nations Championship weekend: Ireland v Argentina selection calls, Italy’s injury-hit task against South Africa, and whether Scotland can finally take the Raeburn Shield off the All Blacks at Murrayfield. There’s also Wales v Japan with Eddie Jones juggling yet more injuries, France v Fiji in Lyon, and a high-stakes England v Australia clash at Twickenham. Off-field, the panel unpack what Eddie reported back from the coaches and referees meeting, including breakdown focus, tackle safety, and the deliberate knock-on shift, plus frustration at the lack of movement on TMO and 15-on-15. Ewen McKenzie and Steve Hansen also answer a listener question on what makes an elite lineout caller. Also in this episode: ● Tribute to Logan Cadwallader and his All Blacks role ● Eddie Jones on refereeing focus: break foot and breakdown ● Nations Championship previews: Ireland v Argentina, Scotland v All Blacks ● Injury load debate: training, S&C fads, and season fatigue ● Wales v Japan, France v Fiji, and England v Australia stakes ● Listener Q&A: what makes a great lineout caller PLUS: A bigger debate on World Rugby governance and speeding up meaningful change. SIGN UP TO THE BIG 3 HERE: https://tinyurl.com/big3rugbyunity 👈👈 Ask Steve Hansen, Ewen McKenzie and Eddie Jones anything! Fill out the form below 👇 https://tinyurl.com/rugbyunityquestions 👈👈 👉 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 📧 Get in touch: info@rugbyunity.com.au TikTok | Instagram | YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S2 · E161
    Tuesday · 55 min

    THE NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP RETURNS ft. Ben Youngs & Steven Kitshoff from For the Love of Rugby!

    Round four of the Nations Championship is here, and David Pembroke and Ewen McKenzie are joined by special guests Steven Kitshoff and Ben Youngs from the For the Love of Rugby podcasts! The panel digs into Ireland v Argentina (and Ireland’s structure without James Lowe), Italy’s injury-hit task against South Africa and the Rassie “chocolate wheel” of selection, plus Scotland v New Zealand in a brutal Edinburgh assignment. There’s plenty on Wales v Eddie Jones’ Japan too, including Wales’ off-field financial pressure and what it means for the players. France v unbeaten Fiji gets the spotlight under new boss Jake White (and the addition of Gert Smal), before the big one: England v Australia at Twickenham, and why this could turn the heat right up on Steve Borthwick. Also in this episode: ● Ben Youngs on Nations Championship consequences and ladder pressure ● Ireland v Argentina: structure, 10 selection, consistency debate ● Italy injuries stack up before facing the Springboks ● Scotland v New Zealand: form lines and Edinburgh difficulty ● Wales v Eddie Jones’ Japan and Wales’ off-field turmoil ● Refereeing focus: TMO interruptions, advantage length, hip drops PLUS: How teams balance World Cup planning, cohesion, and bleeding youth. SIGN UP TO THE BIG 3 HERE: https://tinyurl.com/big3rugbyunity 👈👈 Ask Steve Hansen and Ewen McKenzie anything! Fill out the form below 👇 https://tinyurl.com/rugbyunityquestions 👈👈 👉 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 📧 Get in touch: info@rugbyunity.com.au TikTok | Instagram | YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S2 · E160
    October 30 · 58 min

    Nations Championship Squads with Steve Hansen and Ewen McKenzie

    The Nations Championship is one week away, so David Pembroke, Steve Hansen and Ewen McKenzie run the ruler over every squad and storyline before an enormous November. There’s concern about the format and tie-breakers, plus a big look at who’s trending up or down: can Wales survive their off-field chaos, can Italy rediscover last year’s spark, and are Ireland slipping before they climb again? England’s pressure is front and centre ahead of Australia first up, with the warning that Japan can become a nasty banana skin if teams rotate. The All Blacks are backed to win all three, but there’s a blunt chat about “inconvenient conversations” and the areas that can still bite them. South Africa’s selections scream long-game planning, while France’s second-round showdown looms large. PLUS: WXV, Samoa’s governance mess, and a big Monday preview with Ben Youngs and Steven Kitshoff. Also in this episode: ● Nations Championship tables, pools, and who tops them ● Steve Hansen flags format flaws and tie-break concerns ● England v Australia pressure, selections, and banana skin risks ● All Blacks injuries, Scotty Barrett impact, and lineout worries ● Springboks squad rotation as Rassie plans ahead ● WXV final round, USA v England, Black Ferns v France PLUS: How tours, injuries and club calendars shape performance windows. SIGN UP TO THE BIG 3 HERE: https://tinyurl.com/big3rugbyunity 👈👈 Ask Steve Hansen and Ewen McKenzie anything! Fill out the form below 👇 https://tinyurl.com/rugbyunityquestions 👈👈 👉 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 📧 Get in touch: info@rugbyunity.com.au TikTok | Instagram | YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S2 · E159
    October 26 · 1 hr 4 min

    CANADA STUN ENGLAND + Mark Nawaqanitawase decision, Les Kiss and the Wallabies

    Canada have done it again, beating England 31–22 in Ottawa to win the series and defend the Utrecht Shield, and the big question now is what John Mitchell does next with selections, standards, and motivation. David Pembroke, Steve Hansen and Ewen McKenzie unpack how Canada used width, tempo and intent to expose an England side that looked disjointed, despite still having their World Cup-winning tools in isolation. The conversation then swings to the Wallaroos’ 38–31 win over Scotland, where a “greatest hits” of yellow cards and reviews derailed the spectacle and raised bigger questions about common sense, coaching technique, and who’s really in charge of the system. There’s also Black Ferns 31–12 France, Australia A v USA in Nashville, PWR eligibility debates, scrum refereeing in the URC, and what’s next for Eddie Jones and Japan after Fiji’s 34–28 win. Also in this episode: ● Canada’s width and tap try undo England ● Steve Hansen on motivation: it must come from players ● England selections and “serious conversations” after losses ● Wallaroos v Scotland: yellow cards wreck the flow ● PWR player limits and local development pathways ● Mark Nawaqanitawase, Les Kiss, and Wallabies priorities PLUS: A wider debate on test windows, player availability, and whether international rugby should lead the global season. SIGN UP TO THE BIG 3 HERE: https://tinyurl.com/big3rugbyunity 👈👈 Ask Steve Hansen, Eddie Jones and Ewen McKenzie anything! Fill out the form below 👇 https://tinyurl.com/rugbyunityquestions 👈👈 👉 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 📧 Get in touch: info@rugbyunity.com.au TikTok | Instagram | YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S2 · E154
    October 9 · 1 hr 26 min

    Bledisloe Cup 2026: can Wallabies shock All Blacks?

    The Bledisloe Cup is back for 2026, and David Pembroke, Steve Hansen and Ewen McKenzie lay out why this one feels bigger than usual: Australia have stacked wins, interest is spiking again, and Eden Park is waiting.

  • S2 · E152
    September 28 · 1 hr 9 min

    WHAT HAPPENED?! Wallabies stun Springboks + chaotic last 15 minutes & WXV Roundup

    The Wallabies beat the Springboks in Perth, and David Pembroke, Steve Hansen and Ewen McKenzie break down how Australia did it, why Sua'ali'i looked far more influential on the wing, and what it means heading into the Bledisloe Cup and the Nations Championship. The panel praise Australia’s aerial contest, breakdown fight, midfield running lines, and key moments like Donaldson’s try set-up and Wilson’s lineout impact, while questioning what South Africa learned from 13 changes and a shift away from their usual formula. Then it turns to the last 15 minutes: head contact, yellow cards, TMO involvement, and a communications failure that made 15 v 11 feel like a farce. The conversation expands into WXV with the Red Roses edging the Black Ferns at Twickenham, France beating Canada 21-5 in La Rochelle, and the wider concerns around integrity, stoppages, and what World Rugby needs to fix with a year to go. Also in this episode: ● Wallabies match Springbok physicality and win aerial battle ● Sua'ali'i on the wing unlocks freedom and influence ● South Africa stray from their formula despite 13 changes ● Yellow cards, head contact, and TMO protocols slammed ● Red Roses beat Black Ferns in thriller at Twickenham ● France topple Canada 21-5 as WXV tightens PLUS: With a year to go, the panel demand leadership from World Rugby on safety, integrity, and keeping 15 v 15. SIGN UP TO THE BIG 3 HERE: https://tinyurl.com/big3rugbyunity 👈👈 Ask Steve Hansen, Eddie Jones and Ewen McKenzie anything! Fill out the form below 👇 https://tinyurl.com/rugbyunityquestions 👈👈 👉 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 📧 Get in touch: info@rugbyunity.com.au TikTok | Instagram | YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S2 · E151
    September 25 · 1 hr 23 min

    13 CHANGES: Wallabies v Springboks in Perth + WXV Preview

    Rassie Erasmus has named a Springboks side with 13 changes for Perth, and it’s sparked the big question: is this a golden Wallabies opportunity, or just another Springbok test of depth? David Pembroke, Steve Hansen and Ewen McKenzie go straight to selection, match plan, and where Australia can realistically hurt South Africa, from scrum and lineout pressure to the aerial contest with Sua'ali'i moved to the wing. There’s plenty on Les Kiss’ first big selection call, Donaldson’s chance at 10, and why both Hansen and McKenzie see a path to an Australian win, while Pembroke backs the Boks’ depth, Pollard’s control, and bench impact. The episode also shifts to the women’s game with WXV: England v New Zealand at Twickenham, France v Canada, Scotland v Australia, and why governance and speed of decision-making are now make-or-break for rugby. Also in this episode: ● Steve Hansen explains how coaches think about selection ● Ewen McKenzie on charting selections to avoid emotion ● Wallabies tactics: attack Springboks strengths at set-piece ● Sua'ali'i wing move: aerial threats and roaming licence ● WXV preview: England v New Zealand at Twickenham ● Rugby governance debate: faster decisions, simpler product PLUS: What rugby can learn from the NBA, NRL and AFL on agility, marketing, and keeping fans. SIGN UP TO THE BIG 3 HERE: https://tinyurl.com/big3rugbyunity 👈👈 Ask Steve Hansen, Eddie Jones and Ewen McKenzie anything! Fill out the form below 👇 https://tinyurl.com/rugbyunityquestions 👈👈 👉 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 📧 Get in touch: info@rugbyunity.com.au TikTok | Instagram | YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Showing 1–20 of 46 episodes