Nations Championship is a winner! | 8/9 Rugby with Jamie Wall

The Nations Championship is officially here, but is it the "winner" the rugby world has been waiting for? Jamie Wall joins Brett McKay this week to break down the immediate impact of the new structure and its impact on the international calendar, and whether it delivers on the hype for fans and players alike. We also dive into the technicalities of the competition, from the scheduling hurdles to the potential for new rivalries on the world stage, and explore what this means for the future of the international game. #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Rugby Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction 01:30 – Behind the scenes of the All Blacks media machine in Christchurch. 02:40 – The "soundproof" media box experience at the new stadium. 04:20 – Deep dive: Is the Nations Championship concept a winner? 09:40 – The broadcast product and standardizing the global calendar. 13:00 – Tactical shift: The pendulum swings back to attacking rugby. 14:30 – Increased engagement: Why we’re watching more than just our own teams. 19:40 – Teething issues: Website glitches and social media consistency. 22:50 – Round 1 Review: Japan’s upset and Scotland’s win in Argentina. 24:50 – England fallout: Mounting pressure on Borthwick after the SA loss. 26:55 – All Blacks vs. France: Key takeaways and standout performances. 34:10 – Wallabies vs. Ireland: Heartbreak in Sydney but signs of progress. 40:30 – Round 2 Preview: Matchups and predictions for the weekend. 49:50 – Tier 2 Nations Cup results: Georgia, USA, and Portugal. 51:20 – Join the conversation: Follow 8/9 Rugby on Substack for expert analysis. 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)