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Contributors

Brett McKay

Brett McKay is an Australian sportswriter, broadcaster, commentator, and is one half of The 8-9 Combo Rugby Podcast. Brett covered rugby for Australian sports website The Roar for more than 15 years, has sat on Test Match and Super Rugby sidelines as a commentator for ABC Sport for more than a decade, and is a regular radio pundit for stations in Australia and New Zealand.

54 Articles
LONG READ
Opinion

Key questions for four Australian teams on final stretch of Super Rugby Pacific

Can Brumbies and Reds secure home advantage for play-offs? Can the Force and Waratahs make top six?

Brett McKay
Brett McKay
13 May 2025, 21:22
LONG READ
Opinion

Crusaders impact could put veteran O’Connor in Wallabies mix for Lions

He may be 34 and only averaging 23 minutes per game, but could the experienced No.10 return to Australia fold?

Brett McKay
Brett McKay
23 Apr 2025, 15:58
LONG READ
Interview

Ex-England cap Nic Dolly: 'As a rugby player, you obviously want to be wanted'

Nic Dolly's England career was thwarted by injury. Now the Force hooker has his sights on playing for Australia.

Brett McKay
Brett McKay
16 Apr 2025, 4:38
LONG READ
Interview

Matt Faessler: ‘To be involved in a home World Cup would be just next level’

While the Reds are focused on finessing their playing style in SRP, big rewards loom on the horizon for the Australia hooker.

Brett McKay
Brett McKay
08 Apr 2025, 17:48
LONG READ
Opinion

Four Australians racing into contention to face the Lions

Reds prop Alex Hodgman, ACT blindside Tom Hooper, NSW No.8 Langi Gleeson and Force No.10 Ben Donaldson are all pushing hard for se…

Brett McKay
Brett McKay
01 Apr 2025, 19:04
LONG READ
Opinion

Drought-busting win over Brumbies gives Waratahs platform to build on

Ending a seven-year losing run against ACT helps NSW fans fall back in love with their improving team.

Brett McKay
Brett McKay
25 Mar 2025, 21:50
LONG READ
Opinion

Will the real Queensland Reds please stand up

Having swatted aside their age-old rivals from NSW, Les Kiss' troops are well placed to live up to lofty pre-season expectations i…

Brett McKay
Brett McKay
19 Mar 2025, 5:12
LONG READ
Opinion

Statement win in Auckland gives Brumbies tools for Super Rugby success

ACT's surprise win over Blues bodes well for their chances of going beyond the SRP semi-finals this year.

Brett McKay
Brett McKay
12 Mar 2025, 1:05
LONG READ
Opinion

The numbers show Super Rugby Pacific just got even tougher

Games are faster, defences more stretched, and coaches more challenged in the early throes of the new campaign.

Brett McKay
Brett McKay
06 Mar 2025, 21:52
LONG READ
Interview

‘I tried to really line him up’: Swain holds sway as Brumbies 'brother' Ikitau feels full Force

Childhood mates whose careers followed the same path, Darcy Swain and Len Ikitau never thought they'd play against each other.

Brett McKay
Brett McKay
26 Feb 2025, 18:14
LONG READ
Opinion

Aussie fans need to ‘cool their jets’ despite opening clean sweep

Waratahs, Brumbies and Western Force all enjoyed dramatic opening wins in Super Rugby Pacific, but excitement should be tempered.

Brett McKay
Brett McKay
18 Feb 2025, 18:43
LONG READ
Opinion

Western Force and ACT Brumbies looking for signs of progress in Super Rugby Pacific

The capitulation of the Melbourne Rebels have meant the rest of the Australian franchises have strengthened and expectations have …

Brett McKay
Brett McKay
13 Feb 2025, 23:14
LONG READ
Interview

McKellar preaches patience as Rebel recruits bolster Waratahs hopes

The addition of six Wallabies including Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has raised expectations for last year's basement dwellers.

Brett McKay
Brett McKay
05 Feb 2025, 17:57
LONG READ
Opinion

Frustrating end but UK tour sparks renewed optimism in Australia

Australia may be annoyed after a narrow defeat in Ireland, but their displays bolster hope for the 2025 Lions series.

Brett McKay
Brett McKay
04 Dec 2024, 19:24
LONG READ
Opinion

18 debutants but Australia's core looking ‘more settled than ever’

A dozen players have established themselves as the heart of the Australia team through to the 2027 RWC.

Brett McKay
Brett McKay
27 Nov 2024, 3:41
LONG READ
Opinion

Key Wallabies trio running hot a year after being left in cold

Tom Wright, Len Ikitau and Noah Lolesio are playing their best rugby just over a year after being frozen out by Eddie Jones.

Brett McKay
Brett McKay
20 Nov 2024, 4:47
LONG READ
Opinion

Ripper of a performance but Wallabies must ensure it’s not another one-off

Australia will take plenty of confidence from beating England, but now have to contend with expectation and possible complacency.

Brett McKay
Brett McKay
12 Nov 2024, 17:13
LONG READ
Interview

Tom Wright: The Year of Living Dynamically

Stephen Larkham wasn't sure of the league convert's best position, but the ACT full-back is now a potent Wallabies weapon.

Brett McKay
Brett McKay
30 Oct 2024, 4:36
LONG READ
Interview

Should Fiji and Japan be included in the rejigged Rugby Championship?

With New Zealand and South Africa playing each other in 2026 and 2030, should tournament organisers look further afield?

Brett McKay
Brett McKay
22 Oct 2024, 22:53
LONG READ
Opinion

Familiar sinking feeling means Wallabies must address defensive flaws

Conceding an average of 32 points and four tries a game, Joe Schmidt's Wallabies have issues to resolve before heading to Europe.

Brett McKay
Brett McKay
01 Oct 2024, 19:45
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