Episode 167: Tony Shaw (Rugby Union) Old School Grit and Modern Rugby

In this episode of Scoreboard, Chris Titley sits down with Tony Shaw for a lively and honest conversation about rugby, leadership and the evolution of the game. From his early days at Brothers to representing Queensland and the Wallabies, Tony reflects on a career built on toughness, mateship and a deep love for the sport. Tony shares what made rugby so special in his era, long tours with teammates, strong club culture and the kind of camaraderie that lasts a lifetime. He explains how those experiences shaped not just his playing career but his approach to leadership in business and governance roles later on. Whether it was captaining teams or leading at board level, his philosophy stayed simple: care for your people, communicate clearly and back yourself to make decisions when it counts. The conversation also explores where rugby sits today. Tony gives an honest assessment of the game’s challenges in Australia, from competition with other codes to the importance of investing in pathways and developing players earlier. Despite this, he remains optimistic, pointing to growing participation, improved structures and the opportunity ahead with major events on the horizon. There is plenty of colour throughout, from classic tour stories and old school coaching methods to reflections on what actually makes great teams. For Tony, it always comes back to trust, connection and consistency, not just talent alone. 🔗 Show notes This episode was Powered by Swyftx — Where can crypto take you?👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://swyftx.com/about/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠... Join over 1.5m users in Australia and NZ The Do You Budget Segment is powered by PocketSmith. PocketSmith is personal finance software made for the household CFO — the one keeping the family budget on track, making sure the bills are paid, and the big goals are in sight.  PocketSmith’s got a special offer for Scoreboard listeners: get 50% off your first two months of PocketSmith’s Foundation plan.  👉  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.pocketsmith.com/scoreboar... More info: 📌 More episodes: ⁠⁠www.scoreboardpodcast.com⁠⁠ 🎥 YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   / @scoreboardpodcast   ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📩 Partnerships: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]