The British and Irish Lions rolled through Canberra — and while the rugby hit hard, the atmosphere didn’t. This week on Rugby Unity, David Pembroke and Eddie Jones break down what’s working, what’s missing, and what must change.

From the Brumbies' brave but outgunned performance to Gibson-Park’s box-kicking masterclass, we analyse the tactics, the test selections, and the talent gaps between north and south. Is Finn Russell the most dangerous player in the series? Has Tom Hooper’s move to Exeter left a hole Australia can’t fill?

But it’s off the field where the questions hit hardest.

• Why are ticket prices pricing fans out?
• Why does the stadium still feel quiet?
• And why did Rugby Australia ditch an Australia A match for a Lions “Barbarians” game featuring Kiwi players?

Eddie calls it a “massive mistake” — and he’s just getting started.

We also unpack rugby’s fading off-field theatre. Where’s the drama? The noise? The tension? With 10,000 minutes between matches, David argues we’re wasting the best chance to win hearts and headlines.

The big question: The Lions look sharp. The Wallabies are prepped. But who’s winning the battle for hearts, minds and momentum?

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The Lions were rattled. The Wallabies got lucky. And the Brumbies are next.

After an eventful week of rugby around the world. The Waratahs showed just what it takes to upset the Lions while Rugby Australia put on a masterclass of fan-first engagement in Newcastle. Today Rugby Unity is back with a bumper Lions Tour special.

David Pembroke is joined once again by former Wallaby and Brumbies stalwart Ben Alexander, and RugbyPass journalist Finn Morton, to discuss everything that matters about the Lions tour to Australia.

This episode includes:

• Ben unpacks how the Waratahs rattled the Lions — and why Charlie Gamble’s four turnovers matter.
• Finn shares what it felt like inside a packed Allianz Stadium— has the “low-energy” tour turned a corner?
• David fires up over TMO chaos: is the obsession with perfection killing rugby’s momentum?
• They dig into Tupou’s scrum dramas, Noah Lolesio’s injury, and a potential James O’Connor comeback. Plus: Aussie fan culture, jersey pride, and the power of post-game singalongs.

Then it’s onto Canberra, where the Brumbies aim to repeat their 2013 magic and knock over the Lions.

Don’t miss THE FANZONE. Midday at The Dock — legends like David Nucifora, Laurie Fisher and Stephen Larkham, singalongs, raffles, and a legendary jersey auction. All proceeds support grassroots rugby. Get your tickets here.

One sport. Millions of voices. This is Rugby Unity.

📧 Get in touch: info@rugbyunity.com.au

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Japan stuns Wales. The Lions underwhelm. The TMO ruins everything.

In this episode, David Pembroke and Eddie Jones wrap a huge weekend of rugby from Kitakyushu in Japan to La Plata in Buenos Aires. Eddie unpacks Japan’s first Tier 1 win since 2019 and the leadership masterclass from 37-year-old Michael Leitch.

The pair call out the Lions’ lack of cohesion against the Waratahs, highlight standout Wallabies like Harry Wilson and Taniela Tupou, and take aim at the TMO system that is frustrating fans all over the world.

But it’s not all bad.

The Fijians brought flair, the Wallabies delivered off the field, and Aussie kids swarmed the pitch post-match. Proof that a fan-first mindset still works.

🎟️ LIVE IN CANBERRA THIS WEEK: Tickets here.

Join us at THE FANZONE at the Dock– Brumbies vs Lions, rugby legends, live music, pie-eating comps, and a big singalong. Let’s bring the noise back to Aussie rugby.

One sport. Millions of voices. This is Rugby Unity.

📧 Get in touch: info@rugbyunity.com.au

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