Opinion
The Rugby Championship
{{item.n}}
Contributors
Brett McKay
@BMcSport
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.
59 Articles
Latest
19 days ago Australia
Can Australia find a ruthless edge to sink the dominant Lions?
26 days ago Australia
Lolesio injury an indictment of Australian fly-half depth
33 days ago Australia
Six selection questions for Joe Schmidt as Lions loom large
40 days ago Australia
Morahan's try for Reds and Brumbies' win over Lions in 2013 remembered
Opinion
Brumbies backed to rebound despite more semi-final heartbreak
ACT may have lost a fourth straight Super Rugby Pacific semi-final, but Laurie Fisher doesn’t believe it will leave any mental s…
Brett McKay
18 Jun 2025, 0:46
Opinion
Are Brumbies good enough to take next step? Will Reds ever make final four?
Questions abound for the top two Australian sides, with ACT eyeing history and Queensland stuck in a familiar rut.
Brett McKay
11 Jun 2025, 1:45
Interview
Tom Hooper: Brumbies’ ‘Land Cruiser in low gear’ revs up for Hurricanes
The versatile ACT forward talks Hurricanes, Wallabies, Scott Fardy and his move to 'Exeter Brumbies'.
Brett McKay
04 Jun 2025, 0:45
Opinion
Putting for birdie, saving par, or rounds to forget? How have Aussie sides fared in SRP?
What to make of the campaigns of the Brumbies, Reds, Waratahs and Force heading into the final round of Super Rugby Pacific?
Brett McKay
28 May 2025, 2:06
Opinion
Why Australian rugby pins its hopes on the Brumbies to wrest the Super Rugby crown from New Zealand hands
Stephen Larkham's side underlined their status as the nation's premier franchise and burnished their title-winning credentials by …
Brett McKay
20 May 2025, 5:25
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
13 May 2025, 21:22
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
23 Apr 2025, 15:58
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
16 Apr 2025, 4:38
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
08 Apr 2025, 17:48
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
01 Apr 2025, 19:04
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
25 Mar 2025, 21:50
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
19 Mar 2025, 5:12
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
12 Mar 2025, 1:05
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
06 Mar 2025, 21:52
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
26 Feb 2025, 18:14
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
18 Feb 2025, 18:43
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
13 Feb 2025, 23:14
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
05 Feb 2025, 17:57
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
04 Dec 2024, 19:24
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
27 Nov 2024, 3:41