Outmuscled, outpriced and a Lions wake-up call

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?Want more from Rugby Unity? Subscribe to our Substack for exclusive content, blogs, behind-the-scenes insights, tour guides, and full podcast access — all in one place: Rugby Unity | SubstackOne sport. Millions of voices. This is Rugby Unity.📧 Get in touch: [email protected] TikTok | Instagram | YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.