Sam Worthington from Stan Sport and nine.com.au joined Brett McKay on the AUS Rugby scene this week, as things start getting serious with Super Rugby Pacific reaching the knockout stage, starting with this weekend’s Qualifying Finals. The Australian record in New Zealand in finals matches is well known, but what better time for a bit of history? The QFs start with the Hurricanes-ACT Brumbies in Wellington on Friday night, before the Crusaders host the Blues in Christchurch on Saturday afternoon, followed by the Chiefs-Queensland Reds in Hamilton that evening. #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #SuperRugbyPacific Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio)

TV’s Michael Atkinson joined Brett McKay on the AUS Rugby scene this week, making time in his busy morning TV and Stan Sport Rugby schedule, to take a look at final round permutations for Super Rugby Pacific. Despite the top six being set, and even despite the top six being set back in March essentially, the final finishing positions for four of those six teams are still a long way from set, and with plenty of options still in play this weekend. But how will they play out? And how many equations are still valid now teams have been named? #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #SuperRugbyPacific Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio)

Is this a confession? It sounds like a confession! Andrew Swain joined Brett McKay on this week's AUS Rugby Scene to swear that he wasn't responsible for Sean Maloney losing voice mid-game a few weeks back. And he also swears that it's unrelated that Seanny is having this weekend off, while Swainy calls the action for Stan Sport on Friday and Saturday night! 8/9 Rugby on YouTube, all the pods, and on Substack.

The great NZ commentator Tony Johnson joins Brett McKay on the AUS Rugby scene this week, for a timely perspective from over the ditch on Super Rugby Pacific and the view on the Australian teams in 2026. With a short round this Easter long weekend – which definitely does feel like a missed opportunity – there’s a couple of really interesting Round 8 games of importance for a few teams and for a few reasons. But clearly, there’s also been a great joy in the rugby we’ve seen played, and that will follow on the run to the finals now that we’re over the hump. #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #SuperRugbyPacific Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio)

Jonathan Drennan from the Sydney Morning Herald joins Brett McKay on the AUS Rugby scene, to celebrate another great round of Super Rugby Pacific for the Australian sides, and ponder how we can possibly keep this run going. The ACT Brumbies are atop the standings with three straight wins, but should be playing in front of much bigger crowds in Canberra. The NSW Waratahs are also unbeaten, but have to start winning outside Sydney. The Queensland Reds and Western Force were both much improved in recording their first wins. And what’s this about James Slipper and another World Cup? #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #SuperRugbyPacific Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and we’re doing more on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio)

Dan McKellar defends Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii's quiet start as the Waratahs prepare to end a decade without a win over the Hurricanes at Allianz Stadium.

Dan McKellar says there's been no top-down directive on Suaalii's position as the Waratahs sit top of Super Rugby Pacific after two bonus-point wins.

Lukhan Salakaia-Loto is turning a public-school chip on his shoulder into one of Super Rugby Pacific's early-season stories as the Reds head to Canberra.