Episodes

  • Weekend Post-Mortem: Those dastardly Crusaders win again + the French finale will have mermaids?

    Weekend Post-Mortem: Those dastardly Crusaders win again + the French finale will have mermaids?
    Jun 22 2025
    Already large trophy cabinets in Christchurch are now overflowing and the 2025 Lions Tour is officially underway! Brett McKay and Harry Jones rip into another Grand Final edition of the Weekend Post-Mortem for The 8-9 Combo Rugby Podcast. The British & Irish Lions got off to a rocky start with a 28-24 loss to an Argentinean team thrown together in the same timeframe, the Crusaders have won yet another bloody Super Rugby Pacific title with a performance more dominant than the scoreboard showed, and the longest season in France has finally delivered the Finale we all had pencilled in from the start Plus, the Major League Rugby Conference Champions have been crowned in the States. #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Combo #SuperRugbyPacific #UnitedRugbyChampionship #Premiership #Top14 #JapanRugbyLeagueOne #MajorLeagueRugby Find us: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@8-9Combo?sub_confirmation=1 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1BcKhb24YOtwQhKc0S3sDm Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-8-9-combo-rugby-podcast/id1729575866 Social media: #89Combo Twitter: https://twitter.com/89combo BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/89combo.bsky.social Find Brett and Harry on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport + @HaribaldiJones Music: "Stalling" by Topher Mohr & Alex Elena (via YouTube Creator Studio) Voiceovers by Chookman + Sean Maloney Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    39 mins
  • Ep.68 – Chiefs v the ominous Weight of History with Tony Johnson

    Ep.68 – Chiefs v the ominous Weight of History with Tony Johnson
    Jun 18 2025
    Legendary New Zealand commentator Tony Johnson joins Brett McKay & Harry Jones on The 8/9 Combo Rugby Podcast to contemplate the clash of styles, the different journeys, and the mouthwatering contest that awaits the Super Rugby Pacific Grand Final, where the Crusaders host the Chiefs in Christchurch. The Chiefs will be determined to kick the perennial ‘bridesmaid’ tag in their third straight decider, while the Crusaders will not want to be the team that undoes their incredible 31-game unbeaten streak in finals matches played in the Garden City. Plus, it’s also the Demi-Finales of the Top 14 in France, and it’s the Conference Finals weekend in Major League Rugby in the States. Games of the Week: Super Rugby Pacific Final: Crusaders v Chiefs, Christchurch Top 14 Demi-Finales: • Toulouse v Bayonne, Toulouse • Bordeaux v Toulon, Bordeaux MLR Conference Finals • EAST: New England v Chicago, Quincy MA • WEST: Utah v Houston, Salt Lake City #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Combo #SuperRugbyPacific #URC #Premiership #Top14 #JapanRugbyLeagueOne #MajorLeagueRugby #TonyJohnson Find us: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@8-9Combo?sub_confirmation=1 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1BcKhb24YOtwQhKc0S3sDm Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-8-9-combo-rugby-podcast/id1729575866 Social media: #89Combo Twitter: https://twitter.com/89combo BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/89combo.bsky.social Find Brett and Harry on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport + @HaribaldiJones Music: "Stalling" by Topher Mohr & Alex Elena (via YouTube Creator Studio) Voiceovers by Chookman + Sean Maloney Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • Weekend Post-Mortem: Bath + Leinster reign supreme, Super Rugby gets angry, and John Cusack?

    Weekend Post-Mortem: Bath + Leinster reign supreme, Super Rugby gets angry, and John Cusack?
    Jun 15 2025
    The first domestic silverware of the year was handed out in London and Dublin, and Brett McKay and Harry Jones rip into it all for the first Grand Final edition of the Weekend Post-Mortem for The 8-9 Combo Rugby Podcast. Bath and Leinster took the spoils in the Premiership and URC deciders respectively, the former overcoming a valiant Leicester and the latter doing enough to stay ahead of and withhold the Bulls. There were Semi Finals of contrast in the Top 14, and it was very similar in Super Rugby Pacific, just much angrier and fightier. And what on earth does any of this have to do with the 2000 film High Fidelity, starring John Cusack? It’s a great question… Plus, the conference semi-finalists are underway in Major League Rugby in the States. #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Combo #SuperRugbyPacific #UnitedRugbyChampionship #Premiership #Top14 #JapanRugbyLeagueOne #MajorLeagueRugby Find us: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@8-9Combo?sub_confirmation=1 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1BcKhb24YOtwQhKc0S3sDm Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-8-9-combo-rugby-podcast/id1729575866 Social media: #89Combo Twitter: https://twitter.com/89combo BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/89combo.bsky.social Find Brett and Harry on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport + @HaribaldiJones Music: "Stalling" by Topher Mohr & Alex Elena (via YouTube Creator Studio) Voiceovers by Chookman + Sean Maloney Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    43 mins
  • Ep.67 – Bulls, Bath & Beyond with Riaan Louw

    Ep.67 – Bulls, Bath & Beyond with Riaan Louw
    Jun 11 2025
    It’s the pointiest weekend of all in the URC and the Premiership this weekend, and rugby Youtube star Riaan Louw joined Brett McKay & Harry Jones on The 8/9 Combo Rugby Podcast to ponder style over substance, power over precision. Leinster host the Bulls in Dublin in the URC Grand Final, while all English rugby eyes turn to a sold out Twickenham, when Bath and Leicester face off in the Premiership Final. Is Dublin still in love with Leinster? Will the Bulls’ private charter plane be their secret source? And who will the neutrals follow in the Prem decider? Plus, two properly mouth-watering semi-finals await in Super Rugby Pacific, it’s Phase Finale weekend in the Top 14, and it’s conference semi-final weekend in Major League Rugby in the States. Games of the Week: United Rugby Championship Grand Final: Leinster v Bulls, Dublin Premiership Final: Bath v Leicester, Twickenham Super Rugby Pacific Semi Finals: • Crusaders v Blues, Christchurch • Chiefs v ACT Brumbies, Hamilton Top 14 Barrages: • Bayonne v Clermont, Bayonne • Toulon v Castres, Toulon MLR Conference Semi-Finals #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Combo #SuperRugbyPacific #URC #Premiership #Top14 #JapanRugbyLeagueOne #MajorLeagueRugby #RiaanLouw #RugbyUpdate Find the Rugby Update here: https://www.youtube.com/@RiaanLouw Find us: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@8-9Combo?sub_confirmation=1 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1BcKhb24YOtwQhKc0S3sDm Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-8-9-combo-rugby-podcast/id1729575866 Social media: #89Combo Twitter: https://twitter.com/89combo BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/89combo.bsky.social Find Brett and Harry on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport + @HaribaldiJones Music: "Stalling" by Topher Mohr & Alex Elena (via YouTube Creator Studio) Voiceovers by Chookman + Sean Maloney Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 13 mins
  • Weekend Post-Mortem: Chiefs get the finals format Blues, Leinster finally reach a decider

    Weekend Post-Mortem: Chiefs get the finals format Blues, Leinster finally reach a decider
    Jun 8 2025
    Finals Series are set and finals formats are up for debate, as Brett McKay and Harry Jones rip into another Weekend Post-Mortem for The 8-9 Combo Rugby Podcast. While the URC Semi Finals went pretty much as expected, a major boilover has shaken up Super Rugby Pacific, with the most unlikeliest of scenarios exposing the one slight flaw with the new six-team finals format. The Premiership is set for a proper Twickenham blockbuster that could be the making of Michael Cheika, and it was a final round of truly French surprises in the Top 14. Plus, the conference semi-finalists are all but set for Major League Rugby in the States. #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Combo #SuperRugbyPacific #UnitedRugbyChampionship #Premiership #Top14 #JapanRugbyLeagueOne #MajorLeagueRugby Find us: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@8-9Combo?sub_confirmation=1 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1BcKhb24YOtwQhKc0S3sDm Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-8-9-combo-rugby-podcast/id1729575866 Social media: #89Combo Twitter: https://twitter.com/89combo BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/89combo.bsky.social Find Brett and Harry on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport + @HaribaldiJones Music: "Stalling" by Topher Mohr & Alex Elena (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    42 mins
  • Ep.66 – Super Rugby fantasies fulfilled with Sean Maloney

    Ep.66 – Super Rugby fantasies fulfilled with Sean Maloney
    Jun 4 2025
    Super Rugby Pacific talked a big game this season, promising better, faster rugby and better contests on the field, and even more ambitiously, they promised better social media presence and a significantly better fan engagement. Stan Sport‘s Sean Maloney joined Brett McKay & Harry Jones on The 8/9 Combo Rugby Podcast to concede that yes, they might just have ticked all the boxes. The regular season of ups and downs has delivered the finals series combatants we probably picked in pre-season, but didn’t think we’d get for most of it, leaving three ripping Qualifying Finals this weekend coming. Also, a Player of the Year and Team of the Year have been crowned, so more boxes ticked. Plus, it’s Semi Final weekend in the URC and the Premiership in England, and the final rounds of the Top 14 in France, and Major League Rugby in the States. Games of the Week: Super Rugby Pacific Qualifying Finals: • Crusaders v Queensland Reds, Christchurch • Chiefs v Blues, Hamilton • ACT Brumbies v Hurricanes, Canberra United Rugby Championship Semi Finals: • Leinster v Glasgow, Dublin • Bulls v Sharks, Pretoria Premiership Semi Finals: • Bath v Bristol at the Rec • Leicester v Sale at Welford Road Top 14 Round 26: Montpellier v Clermont, Montpellier MLR Round17: San Diego v Old Glory DC, San Diego #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Combo #SuperRugbyPacific #URC #Premiership #Top14 #JapanRugbyLeagueOne #MajorLeagueRugby #SeanMaloney #StanSport Find us: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@8-9Combo?sub_confirmation=1 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1BcKhb24YOtwQhKc0S3sDm Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-8-9-combo-rugby-podcast/id1729575866 Social media: #89Combo Twitter: https://twitter.com/89combo BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/89combo.bsky.social Find Brett and Harry on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport + @HaribaldiJones Music: "Stalling" by Topher Mohr & Alex Elena (via YouTube Creator Studio) Voiceovers by Chookman + Sean Maloney Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 16 mins
  • Weekend Post-Mortem: Sneaky winks, shocking knock-ons, and no-one gets relegated

    Weekend Post-Mortem: Sneaky winks, shocking knock-ons, and no-one gets relegated
    Jun 1 2025
    Finals series are taking shape around the rugby world, as Brett McKay and Harry Jones rip into another Weekend Post-Mortem for The 8-9 Combo Rugby Podcast, and in which they explore the power of song as a coping tool for loss. The URC Quarter Finals saw a fine line between plausible cramp and genuine shithousery, Super Rugby Pacific set its top six with a couple of genuine danger teams lurking, the Premiership semi-finalists include two teams that maybe only friends and family were talking about at the start of the year, and Richie Mo’unga proved he is worth every cent as he claimed another League One title in Japan. Plus, the penultimate rounds of the Top 14 in France and Major League Rugby in the US, where some tasty matchups are falling into place. #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Combo #SuperRugbyPacific #URC #UnitedRugbyChampionship #Premiership #Top14 #JapanRugbyLeagueOne #MLR Find us: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@8-9Combo?sub_confirmation=1 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1BcKhb24YOtwQhKc0S3sDm Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-8-9-combo-rugby-podcast/id1729575866 Social media: #89Combo Twitter: https://twitter.com/89combo BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/89combo.bsky.social Find Brett and Harry on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport + @HaribaldiJones Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    37 mins
  • Ep.65 – You cannot tame zebras with Huw Griffin

    Ep.65 – You cannot tame zebras with Huw Griffin
    May 28 2025
    Rugby YouTube star Huw Griffin makes a rapid return back to The 8-9 Combo Rugby Podcast with Brett McKay & Harry Jones, as the fallout from the Champions Cup Final celebrations continue. Zebra-related injuries are not something a team typically plans for, but may feature in reviews of Bordeaux’s European campaign. From there, the URC moves into knockout mode, with Quarter Finals to be played in Scotland, South Africa, and Ireland this weekend, and with upsets possible in one, maybe two games at a stretch. Super Rugby Pacific and the Premiership line up for their final rounds of the season, and with most games having some degree of bearing on playoff berths. Plus, it’s the penultimate round of Top 14 in France and MLR in the States, and Grand Final weekend in Japan. Games of the Week: United Rugby Championship Quarter Finals: • Glasgow v Stormers, the Scotstoun • Bulls v Edinburgh, Loftus Versfeld • Leinster v Scarlets, Dublin • Sharks v Munster, Durban SRP Round 16: ACT Brumbies v Crusaders, Canberra Top 14 Round 25: Vannes v Pau, Vannes Japan Rugby League One Grand Final: Toshiba Brave Lupus v Kubota Spears, Tokyo MLR Round16: Old Glory DC v RFC Los Angeles, Maryland #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Combo #ChampionsCup #SuperRugbyPacific #URC #Premiership #Top14 #JapanRugbyLeagueOne #MajorLeagueRugby #HuwGriffin #HGRugby Check out Huw’s YouTube channel, it’s great! https://www.youtube.com/@huwgriffinrugby Find us: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@8-9Combo?sub_confirmation=1 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1BcKhb24YOtwQhKc0S3sDm Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-8-9-combo-rugby-podcast/id1729575866 Social media: #89Combo Twitter: https://twitter.com/89combo BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/89combo.bsky.social Find Brett and Harry on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport + @HaribaldiJones Music: "Stalling" by Topher Mohr & Alex Elena (via YouTube Creator Studio) Voiceovers by Chookman + Sean Maloney Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 21 mins