Brett McKay
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bmcsport.bsky.social
Brett McKay
@bmcsport.bsky.social
Rugby writer and commentator🏉+🎙️Trucking it up for 8/9Rugby on YouTube, podcast & now Substack! (@89Rugby.bsky.social)

Sport Comms & Media. Ex-ABC Sport🏌️‍golf lover, 📈 spreadsheeter, pie researcher, but still unknown to baristas 😠
Reposted by Brett McKay
The pre-season is nearly done, and over on the Substack page @bmcsport.bsky.social wrapped up the 'Is this their year?' series with the Brumbies and Force, which might join a few dots

open.substack.com/pub/89rugby/...
Is this their year? Part 3 – ACT Brumbies & Western Force
They won’t be seen as being at the same level by the experts, but there’s familiar feel about the two rebuilding teams
open.substack.com
February 5, 2026 at 9:17 PM
Loved this chat with Ben, a perfect way to start the new weekly AUS Rugby scene program..
NEW! Not just a new episode, a whole new show!

For the debut Ep of the AUS Rugby scene,
@bmcsport.bsky.social was joined by Ben Darwin to see what the numbers and the draw says about the start of #SuperRugbyPacific in 2026

All draws definitely are not equal!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNkF...
Whose draw will actually help in 2026? | the AUS Rugby scene with Ben Darwin
YouTube video by 8/9 Rugby
www.youtube.com
February 5, 2026 at 1:59 AM
Reposted by Brett McKay
NEW! Not just a new episode, a whole new show!

For the debut Ep of the AUS Rugby scene,
@bmcsport.bsky.social was joined by Ben Darwin to see what the numbers and the draw says about the start of #SuperRugbyPacific in 2026

All draws definitely are not equal!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNkF...
Whose draw will actually help in 2026? | the AUS Rugby scene with Ben Darwin
YouTube video by 8/9 Rugby
www.youtube.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:18 AM
Fantastic to get the first @89rugby.bsky.social Rugby Episode for 2026 done and out there - the 8/9 evolution is now properly underway!

Huge thanks to @charliemorgan.bsky.social for being first cab off the rank in the New Year..

#SixNations #89Rugby
Happy New Year!

Ep.1 of the all new 8/9 Rugby is LIVE and out there, with the great @charliemorgan.bsky.social joining @bmcsport.bsky.social for a first look at the #SixNations for 2026

On the 8/9 YouTube + pods everywhere

www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jo2...
Six Nations: “Lads, it’s Spurs…” | 8/9 Rugby with Charlie Morgan
YouTube video by 8/9 Rugby
www.youtube.com
February 3, 2026 at 11:55 AM
Reposted by Brett McKay
Happy New Year!

Ep.1 of the all new 8/9 Rugby is LIVE and out there, with the great @charliemorgan.bsky.social joining @bmcsport.bsky.social for a first look at the #SixNations for 2026

On the 8/9 YouTube + pods everywhere

www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jo2...
Six Nations: “Lads, it’s Spurs…” | 8/9 Rugby with Charlie Morgan
YouTube video by 8/9 Rugby
www.youtube.com
February 3, 2026 at 6:09 AM
Reposted by Brett McKay
New in 2026: the AUS Rugby scene!

A new offering each week focussing more of the Australian teams, on the NZ teams too, and on #SuperRugbyPacific more broadly.

The same 8/9 Rugby format, just looking more locally.

We can't wait.
NEW in 2026: the AUS Rugby scene | 8/9 Rugby
Brett McKay outlines the evolution of 8/9 Rugby, the brand new AUS Rugby scene, focussing primarily on Australian rugby and Super Rugby Pacific. The long list of guests will rotate through the…
www.youtube.com
February 2, 2026 at 1:15 AM
Reposted by Brett McKay
The evolution will be televised!

@bmcsport.bsky.social has fired up YouTube & the pod platforms to explain what's coming in 2026

Lots, to sum it up:
- 8/9 Rugby pod every Tues
- the AUS Rugby scene every Wed (NEW!)
- 8/9 Rugby on Substack w. Geoff Parkes

#joinus
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaFr...
We're back in 2026! Very similar, but a little different | 8/9 Rugby
YouTube video by 8/9 Rugby
www.youtube.com
February 1, 2026 at 2:23 AM
Reposted by Brett McKay
Following Geoff's great news this morning, @bmcsport.bsky.social is back with the next part in his pre-season series.

And a warning to Reds fans desperate to hold onto the underdog tag, this one might not be for you 😜 #embraceit

89rugby.substack.com/p/is-this-th...
Is this their year? Part 2 – Queensland Reds
2026 should be the year Queensland’s love of the underdog tag is debunked good and proper. They’re too good and too deep a squad not to
89rugby.substack.com
January 30, 2026 at 2:44 AM
We've been quietly blown away by the reception to @89rugby.bsky.social Rugby on Substack, and so thank you if you're already part of the subscription base.

Geoff Parkes will be dropping an update Note about his plans for The Wrap tomorrow, so drop by and have your say!

89rugby.substack.com
8/9 Rugby on Substack | Brett McKay | Substack
You know and love the Great Rugby Chats with Brett McKay and a host of familiar co-hosts on YouTube and the pods, now enjoy Great Rugby Insights from opinions you respect - including 'The Wrap' from G...
89rugby.substack.com
January 29, 2026 at 8:52 AM
We've just launched @89rugby.bsky.social on Substack today, the subscriptions are flowing in, and so here's some new content!

The first of a pre-season series to follow...

Geoff Parkes & I looking forward to getting into it all!

89rugby.substack.com/p/is-this-th...
Is this their year? Part 1 – New South Wales Waratahs
You don’t have to have played for the ACT Brumbies to get a start for the Waratahs in 2026, but it certainly doesn’t hurt
89rugby.substack.com
January 28, 2026 at 3:43 AM
Reposted by Brett McKay
Subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack now, and have full & free access to all our content through until mid-March, when nominal subs will come into effect.

So come and join us, come and have your say on these and any topic you want to discuss.

There's always plenty to talk about!
January 27, 2026 at 11:04 PM
Reposted by Brett McKay
Really pleased to kick off *8/9 Rugby on Substack*!

An idea @bmcsport.bsky.social & Geoff Parkes have had for a little while - where they and a list of contributors you know well cover off all the key issues in rugby in AUS, NZ and around the globe

open.substack.com/pub/89rugby/...
Welcome to the new hub for rugby - featuring some of the game’s most respected writers
8/9 Rugby on Substack will deliver you all of the rugby content you need to keep you updated and abreast of the key issues in rugby
open.substack.com
January 27, 2026 at 11:04 PM
Reposted by Brett McKay
👀 28/01/2026
a penguin standing next to a paper that says sneak peak when
ALT: a penguin standing next to a paper that says sneak peak when
media.tenor.com
January 27, 2026 at 10:26 AM
So the Waratahs have handed down a four-week suspension to lock Miles Amatosero for his training track flurry of fists on new backrow recruit Angus Scott-Young…

And if high tackle suspensions are reduced with ‘tackle school’, I guess that makes this program… ‘Fight Club’? 😂
January 24, 2026 at 12:54 AM
So, I've done the Substack thing.

Nothing happening yet, but stay tuned. Might be something cooking.

Keen to learn more, keen to hear tips + recommendations. Anyone out there?

bmcsport.substack.com?r=76t8h8&utm...
Brett McKay | Substack
Australian Rugby writer, content creator, commentator. Founder & co-host of 8/9 Rugby with that Harry guy. RugbyPass, ABC Sport, + plenty more previously. Sport lover, spreadsheeter, Gilbert collector...
bmcsport.substack.com
January 10, 2026 at 12:51 AM
If you're a ball nerd - and I am - this is a fantastic read!
In the sport of rugby, we use a bizarre ellipsoidal ball. Lovingly referred to as an 'egg' or as 'egg-shaped' by many rugby union fans, the ball has become an icon of the sport. But how exactly did we end up with such a shape in the first place?

🔗 therugbyhistoryproject.com/2026/01/01/c...
January 1, 2026 at 12:15 PM
Excited to evolve the 8/9.

Very much looking forward to what 2026 brings..
A New Year's resolution for 2026:

The 8/9 will continue!

@bmcsport.bsky.social has been in discussion with potential co-hosts and some favourite guests, and it's already clear - the show must go on!

And stay tuned for an Australian-tuned spin off!
January 1, 2026 at 9:52 AM
Reposted by Brett McKay
And scene.

@bmcsport.bsky.social & @haribaldijones.bsky.social one last time, to outline how the 8/9 Combo came to be, what they loved so much, and what they miss the most now that it's coming to an end.

On the 8/9 YouTube channels and pod platforms everywhere.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0fn...
This has been a blast | the 8-9 Combo Finale
Brett McKay and Harry Jones come together for one last time on The 8/9 Combo Rugby Podcast, to wrap up more than 300 episodes as a duo over four wonderful years. From their humbles beginnings on The…
www.youtube.com
December 10, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Reposted by Brett McKay
What better way to end than going back to the beginning - we all love an origin story.

It was never dull and provided many an insight and guffaw. Thoroughly enjoyed sharing the ride with you @bmcsport.bsky.social and @haribaldijones.bsky.social. All the best with what comes next.

Thank you.
The finale.

@bmcsport.bsky.social & @haribaldijones.bsky.social one last time, outlining how the 8/9 Combo came to be, what they loved so much, and what they miss the most now that it's coming to an end.

On the 8/9 YouTube channels and pod platforms everywhere.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0fn...
This has been a blast | the 8-9 Combo Finale
YouTube video by The 8-9 Combo Rugby Podcast
www.youtube.com
December 10, 2025 at 10:49 PM
I'm blown away by the reaction to the fairly significant
@89combo.bsky.social news this week, and I must admit, it's giving me lots to think about around what life post-
@haribaldijones.bsky.social looks like.

Lots to think about. Which is actually pretty cool.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0fn...
This has been a blast | the 8-9 Combo Finale
YouTube video by The 8-9 Combo Rugby Podcast
www.youtube.com
December 11, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Reposted by Brett McKay
The finale.

@bmcsport.bsky.social & @haribaldijones.bsky.social one last time, outlining how the 8/9 Combo came to be, what they loved so much, and what they miss the most now that it's coming to an end.

On the 8/9 YouTube channels and pod platforms everywhere.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0fn...
This has been a blast | the 8-9 Combo Finale
YouTube video by The 8-9 Combo Rugby Podcast
www.youtube.com
December 10, 2025 at 4:38 AM
It's a bittersweet final week of the year for the 8/9 Combo.

We'll wrap it all up on Wednesday with plenty of memories and laughs, and more of the back story of how the 8 and 9 came to combine..
December 8, 2025 at 7:50 AM
Reposted by Brett McKay
After four years and more than 300 episodes together, @bmcsport.bsky.social & @haribaldijones.bsky.social have some news...

youtu.be/H9LG1xmZlB4
A message from The 8/9 Combo: “We have some news”
YouTube video by The 8-9 Combo Rugby Podcast
youtu.be
December 7, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Reposted by Brett McKay
Mitchell Starc has now faced more deliveries in this match than every England batter except Joe Root.
December 6, 2025 at 6:07 AM
An open question for AUS rugby fans (or rugby fans in AUS)

What's missing in our rugby coverage? What would we love to see, but can't really find?

And is web/online the main source, or we exploring elsewhere now?

Very slight @89combo.bsky.social motives, but I'm more curious than anything else..
December 6, 2025 at 3:13 AM