Play On : the rugby referee podcast

It's Test week on  Play On Pod ! Candace, Rob and Pearcey kick things off with our busiest yellow card weekend of the season, a trip to Woollahra. This week the pod unpack the confirmed Pacific Nations Cup schedule, World Rugby's quiet rankings overhaul, important law updates and why the Waratahs are setting records they'd rather avoid. Super Rugby Women's - they review several big foul play...

It's another packed episode of Play On! Candace and Rob cover the latest rugby news from around the globe, including the Behind the Whistle panel ahead of the Wallabies vs Ireland Test, Australian Schools Championships, and the countdown to Rugby World Cup 2027. They dive into Rugby Australia's new zero-tolerance Match Official Abuse Directive. Unpack a huge week of law changes with four Global La...

This week on  Play On , we're tackling the biggest talking points in rugby- FINALS! Candace, Rob and Pearcey unpack World Rugby's decision to lower the legal tackle height in community rugby, the latest Rugby World Cup 2027 ticket frenzy, and what those new law changes really mean for referees and players. In the main segment we dive into a wild weekend of Super Rugby Pacific Finals and break...

This week on Play On Pod, Candace goes from Colts to AR in 1st Grade and shares an important reminder about the rarely-heard "Mayday" call after a player suffered a serious shoulder injury. They dive into a spicy State Champs rant, previews the launch of Rugby Premier League, and explores the rise of hybrid players blurring the lines between forwards and backs. They share World Rugby's latest Wome...

The Play On Pod team is back after a huge week of rugby! Candace survives the marathon that is State Championships, Peacey takes charge in Orange, and they give some well-earned love to the Match Official Developers and volunteers who keep community rugby rolling. Candace and Rob unpack Australia's Rugby 7s victory, celebrate Jorja Miller's Sevens Player of the Year award, and discuss the growing...

From Molong to Madrid, the Play On Podcast covers another massive week in rugby and officiating. Candace, Rob and Pearcey dive into Super Rugby, the launch of Super Rugby Women’s, and Australia's impressive SVNS campaign despite Maddi Levi's injury setback. Then unpack key referee moments including a dramatic TMO intervention in the SVNS final, a rare "no maul" decision, red card discussions, and...

Candace, Rob and Pearcey are back with all things rugby! Diving into a massive week across rugby union and beyond. From Jo Yapp making history as the first-ever Women’s Lions Head Coach, to discussions around player welfare, HIA protocols and tackle technique following recent rugby league headlines- there’s plenty to unpack. The crew also previews the upcoming 7s action in Valladolid, counts down...

Candace, Rob and Pearcey are back! With Super Series venues to wild on-field drama, this episode covers it all! They catch up on Cowra, Mudgee, Holroyd, and Primrose Park before diving into general rugby news. The Naughty Corner:  shocking bans hit Georgia with an  11-year suspension  for former captain Merab Sharikadze, while verbal abuse and dangerous tackles land players and even...

Candace, Rob and Pearcey are back with more rugby referee review. Rugby news including the new maul law application guideline, rankings movement, and the latest on the Third Division Boat Race Trophy. Kylian Jaminet’s ProD2 collision- YC or red? Decoy runners and inside-ball variations Talking Points: U20: South Africa v New Zealand red card review W6N: key calls from England v Italy, France v Sco...

Canadce, Rob and Pearcey are back talking all things rugby. Oh, and yes… May the Fourth was strong. Rugby News: Mental Health Round brought the odd socks energy, and don’t forget- you can nominate your grassroots legends for the Harvey Norman monthly awards. W6N returns this weekend, TRC U20s are underway, and there’s plenty of chatter around Daniel Botha’s suspension- tough call, but ultimately o...

Candace and Rob are back this week with the Play On Pod: This week, they break down a huge slate of rugby! From the announcement of Ireland vs Japan rugby match in Newcastle to the chaos and clarity across the Women's Six Nations and Pacific Four Series. Topics covered: • TMO drama, double movements & those tight try-line calls • Yellow cards galore (and when upright just d...

The Play On Pod is back with Candace, Rob and Pearcey- reviewing weather chaos hitting rugby across the globe. Lightning in Sydney, tornadoes in Kansas City, and comms challenges in Perth- testing both players and match officials in all conditions. Rob unpacks the latest  World Rugby rankings shifts , plus a crackdown on  dangerous tackles in Super Rugby Pacific , before diving into the&...

Play On Pod - W6N Returns and PAC4 Chaos Women’s rugby is  flying  right now- Candace, Rob and Pearcey unpack a huge opening round of W6N and PAC4, with drama, big moments and some seriously sharp officiating- with Aimee Barrett - reaching her 50th Test ! From last-minute yellow cards and wild finishes, to a try scorer dodging a pigeon (yep, really), there was no shortage of talking poin...

The Play On Pod fire questions at the big boss of World Rugby! This weeks special guest is Chair of World Rugby- Dr Brett Robinson. The Play On Pod keep it sharp, fun, and match official focused (as usual). They cover it all with Brett- from life in the top job to the future of refereeing, TMO consistency, and law changes shaping the game. There’s chat around the rise of match officials as pe...

This week on  Play On Pod , Candace, Rob and Pearcey are back. They break down rugby’s biggest talking points. From props adding kicking to their toolkit to the Six Nations Player of the Tournament debate. Over in Super Rugby, there’s plenty to unpack: A controversial referee collision in Highlanders vs Hurricanes- accidental or avoidable? Positioning, game awareness, and how referees ca...

This week Candace, Rob and Pearcey dive into a massive mix of rugby action, officiating moments, and global headlines shaping the game. We kick things off with  Mudgee 10s and ongoing trials , plus a light-hearted but very important debate- what’s the best food at the footy?   In global rugby news, the buzz around the  Rugby World Cup  continues with  750,000 tickets alrea...

Candace, Rob and Peacey are back breaking down a massive week across rugby — from local match officials to the global game. Candace shares her  eventful weekend at Ella 7s  handing out three red cards, while the team chats  colts trials and the Mod Squad  developments. With  International Women’s Day  just passed, the pod also highlights the incredible women shaping r...

Candace, Rob and Pearcey are back with news from Kiama 7s and highlighting referee performances across Super Rugby They unpack the latest in match official news and global rugby talking points. World Rugby’s  Shape of the Game  update- what it means, what’s changing (and what’s not) The new Blue Card protocol Speed: “Use It” at the ruck, and the role of Game Management Guidelines (GMGs)....

Candace, Rob and Pearcey are back to chat about rugby news and the 6 Nations. After some rugby news and highlighting some funny referee moments from the week. The 6 Nations takes priority as the main segment with Andre getting injured and Pierre stepping in the pitch, it’s so impressive on how elite referees keep so calm and cool under pressure. Rugby Trends: Letting it breathe at the ruck Hustlin...

Candace, Rob and Pearcey meet up again to review some trends within rugby and 6 Nations round two. Rugby News: Whats up with the new Super Rugby Referee kit ? World Rugby Women’s in Rugby Career Program 2026 Heat Policy - used in Force vs Moana match Trends: Jumping into tries HOLLIE HOLLIE HOLLIE Scrum penalties Forward passes Referee down- Jordie’s pancake moment Recognize and Remove- well done-...

Candace, Rob and Pearcey meet up again to discuss some rugby news, Perth 7s highlights and of course the 6 Nations. Perth 7s: -French player- very dangerous tackle -AJ speedy boots -ARs involved during tournament Rugby News: -Bundee Aki backchat -Anzac Day test for womens rugby -World Rugby Rankings 6 Nations: -Rob keeps score on the pods predictions -AR running inside touches the ball. -Italy v S...

Candace, Rob and Pearcey are reunited to go through some exciting law innovations coming through Super Rugby. They reflect on Singapore 7s and penalty tries in 7s matches. Perth 7s and 6 Nations on this weekend. Rob gives low down of appointments. The main segment focuses on the Super Rugby Law Innovations. With Candace and Pearcey voting green, amber and red for their favourites. #PlayOnPod @Rob_...

Candace and Rob this week with all the updated rugby news and trends in the game. They chat about the below: Sara Cox - retirement Tarsh Ganley - refereeing the PWR Grow the Rose Development Macron - kit for referees Rugby Trends- the ruck/ box kick - reviewing offside line getting closer and positioning Ending the pod with a UK prem video review that links with the law of the week: 18:2 d Golden...

The pod is back for season 3 ! Candace, Rob and Pearcey unite with reviewing some rugby news and trends. Rugby news: 2026 Law Book is out ! 6 Nations Appointments and debuts Rugby World Cup Draw - inside scoop from Rob HSBC 7s - in Cape Town Lower tackle height trial - U20 Championship Whistles & Whiteboards UK Prem: Sliding off feed for a tackle 2nd rowers punch-up Head on head- 20 min red ca...

Candace, Rob and Pearcey bring back the all popular ‘Candace’s quickie’ to discuss Maul set-up. We discuss from the definition of a Maul—Law 16. Game context All important Line-out to maul Maul set up- what is the legal formation Maul contest and the arriving players and it moving or not! #PlayOnPod @Rob_McKay @play_on_pod @robgmckay YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@Play_On_Podcast Instagram: http...