Rugby Unity

Building Rugby World Cup 2027 with Chris Stanley

David Pembroke sits down with Rugby World Cup 2027 Managing Director Chris Stanley, the man overseeing planning, operations and delivery across 52 matches, 24 teams, and a tournament running 1 October to 13 November. Stanley walks through how a “pop-up” organisation goes from employee number one to a full-scale event engine, from locking in cities, venues and team base camps to wrangling hotels, flights and hundreds of contracts. They dig into what’s keeping leadership awake: cashflow timing, commercial partners still “waiting to see”, and global uncertainty that could impact travel. There’s also a clear-eyed look at ticketing after a first phase that sold 750,000 tickets across 135 countries, plus what to do in the current application window. Add in pricing from $40 seats (and $20 standing in Newcastle and Adelaide) to a $1,950 final ticket, and why Rugby World Cup revenues matter to World Rugby. Also in this episode: ● Chris Stanley’s journey from UK to Australia ● How Sydney 2000 shaped his event delivery mindset ● Why Rugby World Cup crowds feel different to FIFA ● Team base camps, hotels, training venues, and logistics ● Ticket ballot explained: timelines, oversubscription, and October release ● Partners, media rights, and building momentum with 500 days PLUS: What a “uniquely Australian” Rugby World Cup fan experience could look like, from stadium food and drink to fan festivals and travel between cities. RUGBY UNITY LIVE! IN NEWCASTLE 10 JULY 2026: https://tickets.iwannaticket.com.au/event/hunter-rugby-luncheon-japan-v-ireland-61ffdo [https://tickets.iwannaticket.com.au/event/hunter-rugby-luncheon-japan-v-ireland-61ffdo] SIGN UP TO THE BIG 3 HERE: https://tinyurl.com/big3rugbyunity [https://tinyurl.com/big3rugbyunity] 👈👈 Ask Eddie Jones and Ewen McKenzie anything! Fill out the form below 👇 https://tinyurl.com/rugbyunityquestions [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 [https://rugbyunitypod.substack.com/]   📧 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 [https://www.tiktok.com/@rugby_unity_podcast] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/rugbyunitypodcast/] | YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@Rugby_Unity] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Eddie Jones Sanctioned + Rampaging Red Roses, Doping Bans, URC & Super Rugby Action!

Rugby Unity starts with sad news, marking the passing of Scotland and British and Irish Lions great Scott Hastings, remembered as a top class player and an even better man. From there, the weekend’s rugby storylines fly: England’s Red Roses clinch another Guinness Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam with a 43–28 win over France in Bordeaux, as crowds and revenue figures underline the surge in women’s sport. David Pembroke and Ewen McKenzie then unpack a weekend of monster scorelines across the Prem, URC and Super Rugby, and ask whether attack is now winning too easily. There’s also a sharp discussion on Henry Pollock’s growing profile, South Africa’s talk of leaving European competitions, and Eddie Jones being sanctioned by the Japanese Rugby Football Union after abuse towards match officials. Plus doping bans for Georgian rugby figures and Springbok prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye, and listener questions on World Cup finals venues, Spain’s World Cup bid, and the Nations Championship player availability problem. Also in this episode: ● Tribute to Scott Hastings and his rugby legacy ● England Red Roses win Grand Slam in Bordeaux ● Women’s sport revenue growth and rugby’s commercial gap ● Big Premiership and URC blowouts raise balance questions ● South Africa discuss leaving European competitions for welfare ● Eddie Jones sanctioned after abuse of match officials PLUS: The audience drives big calls on 2027 final venues, Spain’s World Cup bid, and Nations Championship selection windows. RUGBY UNITY LIVE! IN NEWCASTLE 10 JULY 2026: https://tickets.iwannaticket.com.au/event/hunter-rugby-luncheon-japan-v-ireland-61ffdo [https://tickets.iwannaticket.com.au/event/hunter-rugby-luncheon-japan-v-ireland-61ffdo] SIGN UP TO THE BIG 3 HERE: https://tinyurl.com/big3rugbyunity [https://tinyurl.com/big3rugbyunity] 👈👈 Ask Eddie Jones and Ewen McKenzie anything! Fill out the form below 👇 https://tinyurl.com/rugbyunityquestions [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 [https://rugbyunitypod.substack.com/]   📧 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 [https://www.tiktok.com/@rugby_unity_podcast] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/rugbyunitypodcast/] | YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@Rugby_Unity] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

The RFU backs Borthwick for RWC 2027 – Rugby Unity Reacts!

A big weekend of rugby, and Rugby Unity goes wide: Super Rugby’s finals race, the reality of Aussie inconsistency against the New Zealand sides, and what that means for Wallaby selection thinking. David Pembroke and Ewen McKenzie also dig into the global game: Top 14 ladder pressure (and relegation nerves), the Premiership’s ugly scorelines (including Harlequins piling points on Newcastle), and the URC table that’s suddenly crowded and hard to call. There’s a sharp take on the player drain from New Zealand, sabbaticals, and where Japan fits in the modern rugby economy, plus a clear view on Richie Mo’unga’s eligibility call. Then it’s all eyes on the women’s Six Nations: record crowds, big scores, and a winner-takes-all England vs France decider in Bordeaux. Also in this episode: ● Super Rugby ladder squeeze for fifth and sixth spot ● Reds stung by a disallowed try and refereeing swings ● Wallaby selection: avoid knee-jerk calls, reward form over time ● New Zealand player drain and Japan’s star-studded competition pull ● Richie Mo’unga return rules and All Blacks eligibility line ● Women’s Six Nations records and England vs France finale in Bordeaux PLUS: The RFU backs Steve Borthwick - the panel reacts! RUGBY UNITY LIVE! IN NEWCASTLE 10 JULY 2026: https://tickets.iwannaticket.com.au/event/hunter-rugby-luncheon-japan-v-ireland-61ffdo [https://tickets.iwannaticket.com.au/event/hunter-rugby-luncheon-japan-v-ireland-61ffdo] SIGN UP TO THE BIG 3 HERE: https://tinyurl.com/big3rugbyunity [https://tinyurl.com/big3rugbyunity] 👈👈 Ask Eddie Jones and Ewen McKenzie anything! Fill out the form below 👇 https://tinyurl.com/rugbyunityquestions [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 [https://rugbyunitypod.substack.com/]   📧 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 [https://www.tiktok.com/@rugby_unity_podcast] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/rugbyunitypodcast/] | YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@Rugby_Unity] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Can Ireland Win the Rugby World Cup?

After 1 year of Rugby Unity, David Pembroke and Ewen McKenzie unpack what’s working in the modern game (more wingers scoring, smarter kicking, lineout contests returning, less nonsense around yellow cards), and what’s still flashing red, especially Super Rugby crowds and rugby’s battle to stay relevant in a crowded entertainment market. They also spotlight the women’s game as the big success story: strong Six Nations crowds, huge engagement, and a style and connection with fans the men can learn from. Plus, a clear-eyed look at World Rugby’s Nations Championship and the real issue underneath it all: who actually has access to the top players. There’s European Cup semi-final wrap and finals in Bilbao, a nod to Louis Bielle-Biarrey, plus Rugby Europe scorelines, U20 Rugby Championship results, and World Rugby’s IMG deal ahead of 2031 and 2033. Also in this episode: ● Wingers scoring more tries shows the game’s shift ● Super Rugby trial laws and the end of caterpillar rucks ● Women’s Six Nations crowds, humility, and fan connection ● Nations Championship format excitement, but player access questions ● Champions Cup and Challenge Cup semi-finals and Bilbao finals ● Third Voice: Moana Pasifika, Ireland World Cup hopes, grassroots links PLUS: A blunt look at how money, logistics, and culture shape rugby’s future. RUGBY UNITY LIVE! IN NEWCASTLE 10 JULY 2026: https://tickets.iwannaticket.com.au/event/hunter-rugby-luncheon-japan-v-ireland-61ffdo [https://tickets.iwannaticket.com.au/event/hunter-rugby-luncheon-japan-v-ireland-61ffdo] SIGN UP TO THE BIG 3 HERE: https://tinyurl.com/big3rugbyunity [https://tinyurl.com/big3rugbyunity] 👈👈 Ask Eddie Jones and Ewen McKenzie anything! Fill out the form below 👇 https://tinyurl.com/rugbyunityquestions [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 [https://rugbyunitypod.substack.com/]   📧 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 [https://www.tiktok.com/@rugby_unity_podcast] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/rugbyunitypodcast/] | YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@Rugby_Unity] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Eddie Jones on Rugby Australia’s $70.6m Surplus

Eddie Jones joins David Pembroke solo (no Ewen McKenzie this week) from a monster scouting trip through Australia, stopping in Townsville ahead of Japan’s August Test against the Wallabies. They unpack what Eddie took from visiting the North Queensland Cowboys, then zoom out to a blockbuster Super Rugby weekend in Christchurch and what it did and did not prove about the comp. There’s big-picture talk on Rugby Australia’s record surplus (fuelled by the British and Irish Lions Tour) and the hard question: where should the money actually go, especially with the Wallaroos still well behind the Black Ferns? Eddie fires up on World Rugby politics too, slamming Japan’s “home” Nations Championship match against Ireland being shifted to Newcastle. Plus listener questions on bringing back a national academy, Super Rugby’s future, and what Australia must do to keep elite talent from drifting to the NRL. Also in this episode: ● Eddie Jones’ Townsville scouting ahead of Wallabies Test ● Super Rugby Christchurch doubleheaders and Australia’s ongoing struggles ● Rugby Australia’s $70.6m surplus after Lions Tour windfall ● Wallaroos, Black Ferns, and women’s rugby inequality debate ● Japan v Ireland in Newcastle and World Rugby power dynamics ● National academy pathways to stop talent leaking to NRL PLUS: A straight-talking look at governance reform, development models, and what keeps rugby growing worldwide. RUGBY UNITY LIVE! IN NEWCASTLE 10 JULY 2026: https://tickets.iwannaticket.com.au/event/hunter-rugby-luncheon-japan-v-ireland-61ffdo [https://tickets.iwannaticket.com.au/event/hunter-rugby-luncheon-japan-v-ireland-61ffdo] SIGN UP TO THE BIG 3 HERE: https://tinyurl.com/big3rugbyunity [https://tinyurl.com/big3rugbyunity] 👈👈 Ask Eddie Jones and Ewen McKenzie anything! Fill out the form below 👇 https://tinyurl.com/rugbyunityquestions [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 [https://rugbyunitypod.substack.com/]   📧 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 [https://www.tiktok.com/@rugby_unity_podcast] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/rugbyunitypodcast/] | YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@Rugby_Unity] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.