The Progressive Rugby League Podcast

Join us for a unique Rugby League road trip as an ensemble cast of French Rugby League luminaries takes us around the towns and villages that have made the local game tick since its arrival in France in the 1930s.

From big city Toulouse, to historic Carcassonne, Avignon and Albi and many charming towns in between, we're taken to the grandstands and then beyond to get a real feel for the beating heart of French Rugby League.

Featuring Mike Rylance, Pierre Carcau, Rodolphe Pires, Laurent Garnier and the late Steve Brady.

A memorable journey from February 2021.

Contact us via progressiverugbyleague@gmail.com

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New ep! After some tough times following the demise of the Toronto Wolfpack, Canada Rugby League is trying to rise and forge a path to become regular fixtures at future Rugby League World Cups.

Nicholas Mew explains the challenges they've faced, the lessons they've learned and the fun they're having along the way, including a trip to the upcoming RLWC in Australia. Nicholas also takes us through his unique relationship with the game, from totally oblivious 10 years ago, to becoming a Wolfpack superfan and now a Canadian Masters Rugby League veteran.

Share your thoughts, feedback and suggestions via progressiverugbyleague@gmail.com

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In August 2020, at the 125th anniversary of Rugby League's birth, Professor Tony Collins joined us to crystal ball what Rugby League could be 125 years into the future.

The Rugby split was the product of a specific period of modern history. What social, economic and cultural ingredients would be needed for reunification to ever be on the cards? Are Rugby League's core tenets strong enough to withstand a major societal shock? What about an economic meltdown? Or a hyper-capitalistic future?

It was prognostications off the back fence, with the good Professor using his limitless knowledge of Rugby League and societal history to whack some sense into proceedings.

It's Rugby League Looking Back, Looking Forward.

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New Ep! Rob Cardno joins the pod to confirm that no, the Toronto Wolfpack were not a figment of our wildest imaginings. Yes, it actually happened, and yes, it was a wild ride.

Rob was there from the beginning, bearing witness to the dizzying highs and depressing lows as the Wolfpack went from an idea, to a curiosity, to a big deal, and then to dust.

With a few years clear air, Rob reflects on a truly unique Rugby League experience, witnessed from the very front row.

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PRL Classics returns with an illuminating chat about Rugby League's role in the evolution of that strange ol' state of Queensland.

In June 2020, Joe Gorman joined the pod to take us deep into his award-winning book, Heartland: How Rugby League Explains Queensland.

Tales of Jacko, King Wally, Bigs Artie and Mal, Kerry Boustead, the rollicking back stories of the Broncs, the Cows and Super League, and of course....the mysterious power of the Maroons...

Cracking read, super chat.

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Candid, engaging, funny, Ian Roberts graced our little pod in March 2021 for a wide-ranging chat about his unique life on and off the field.

Before this chat, we'd never heard him reflect on the 1997 authorised biography on his life, Finding Out, we hadn't heard much about his time at Souths, or playing for and against Wigan at Central Park. In fact, despite having heard, seen and read much about Ian over the years, there was a lot in this chat that was fresh to us.

And upon another listen more than 5 years later, it still felt fresh.

It's time to revisit The Life and Times of Ian Roberts.

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Most old podcast episodes gather virtual dust. But some deserve a second hearing.

Introducing PRL Classics...

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How much is enough data in Rugby League? Mike Meehall Wood joins the pod to chat about how data is shaping our game in 2026.

From the micro to the macro, from the NRL to Super League, Mike breaks down the trends and the nuances, while musing on more philosophical pieces like 'what makes good Rugby League?' and 'making the risky look sensible'.

Check out Mike's excellent new Substack What You Get Is What You See at mikemeehallwood.substack.com

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Australian sports publishing heavyweight, Geoff Armstrong, joins this very special PRL Book Club to share tales from his favourite all-time Rugby League books.

As author, publisher, editor and more, Geoff has shepherded book releases that together have sold in the millions. So who better to ask about books from Rugby League's storied history that simply cannot be ignored.

As most of our PRL Book Clubs have had an international bent, we've asked Geoff to focus on Australian Rugby League books. But never fear, British fans, Geoff also finds time to shout out a few of his UK faves - that's just the kind of guy he is.

In and around talk of these immense tomes, we also chat about the tricks of the sports-writing trade, the trajectory of sports publishing and the Rugby League stories we want to read in the future.

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Rugby League largely splutters where it exists around the world. But it's a different story in New South Wales and Queensland. What is it that has made Australia's 'northern states' unique, and their capitals - Olympic cities no less - the only 'global cities' on the planet where Rugby League sits atop the sporting summit?

This (draft) essay muses on this question and ponders how it all came to be.

Contact the pod via progressiverugbyleague@gmail.com

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Roy Francis is one of the most significant figures in British Rugby League history. A Black British sporting legend, Roy followed up a distinguished playing career with a ground-breaking period as coach, where he pioneered methods decades ahead of their time.

What is less known is the impact the game in Australia had on this storied personality.

Professor Tony Collins joins the pod to take us through the remarkable times of Roy Francis, Rugby's Forgotten Black Leader, including how a stint with the North Sydney Bears went sour and changed Roy's life.

If you want to get in touch, you can do so at progressiverugbyleague@gmail.com

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Independent international Rugby League reporting raconteur, Steve Mascord, gives us the lowdown on which way the pendulum is currently swinging for French involvement in Super League. Who's on which side? Where does the NRL fit in (is 'NRL Europe' a thing)? How does it all play into the discussion of the future size of the competition - 10 teams? 12 teams? 14 teams???

As always in matters European Rugby League, things get existential...

Get in touch with the Progressive Rugby League Podcast: progressiverugbyleague@gmail.com.

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The banning of Rugby League in Vichy France continues to intrigue and appal 85 years on. Melissa McMahon, author of Unlucky 13: Amateurism as a weapon of war in Vichy France, joins the pod to discuss how it all went down, the key characters involved and the political and cultural context.

There is simply no sporting story quite like it.

Drop us a line - progressiverugbyleague@gmail.com

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It's a real treat to have the OG of Australian journalists with a penchant for foreign affairs named Hamish McDonald, Hamish McDonald on the pod to discuss his fascinating new book Melanesia: Travels in Black Oceania.

This is a brilliant mix of travelogue, history and political analysis of a under analysed and misunderstood region. The books journeys from Fiji through Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, New Caledonia and finally Papua New Guinea, where this chat mostly focuses.

Hamish helps us delve through the milestones, landmarks and checkpoints of the Australia-PNG relationship that help explain how we've arrived at place where Rugby League tops the agenda when our two Prime Ministers meet. From the early European explorers to the World Wars, independence, and all the way to the impending inclusion of a PNG team into the NRL in 2028.

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ABC commentary doyen, Quentin Hull, joins the pod to discuss the art of commentary.

This curious artform is a soundtrack to so many of our lives. Let's get under the hood to better understand how good Rugby League commentary is made, the ins and outs of radio commentary, how TV commentary differs, and the challenges of switching between sports.

Plus, Quentin shares a fascinating perspective of the Brisbane sporting landscape and how it compares with Sydney's.

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Hard Ons founding member, bassist, artist and staunch Parramatta Eels fan, Ray Ahn joins the pod to take stock of 40-plus years of the Hard Ons and the travails of being a Parramatta supporter throughout the journey.

A really engaging chat encompassing distant memories of Eels glory and not-so-distant Eels heartbreak, all while charting the rise of one of Australian rock n roll's seminal bands.

Hard Ons Bandcamp - https://hard-ons1.bandcamp.com/

Hard Ons doco trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3HgvrlDUwk

Contact The Progressive Rugby League Podcast - progressiverugbyleague@gmail.com

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It's time again to shove the thermometer where it needs to go to take the temperature of Rugby League in the Old Dart as we observe the State of the UK Rugby League Nation 2024.

Joining us is a panel (if two guests can be counted as a panel) comprising two fine UK Rugby League minds - Anthony Broxton, author of Hope & Glory: Rugby League in Thatcher's Britain and Gavin Willacy, author of No Helmets Required: The Remarkable Story of the American All Stars and Rugby League Bravehearts: The Official History of Scottish Rugby League.

IMG, the on-field product, broadcast market trends and more... on the table for your listening consideration.

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A reboot from 2022 of a great chat with Brendan Cowell about his novel Plum, which has just been turned into a beaut TV series. Plum is the tale about the turbulent post-footy life of Rugby League great, Peter Lum.

Brendan shared what he knows and what he's learnt about footy, fame, concussion, masculinity, the Johns brothers' reading habits and plenty more.

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Rugby League in New Zealand: A People's History is the definitive account of the people and the culture of the great game in Aotearoa.

Author and historian, Ryan Bodman joins us to chat about Rugby League's unique voyage in New Zealand, the events that have shaped its trajectory, and how it's faring in the modern day.

It's simply a brilliant book - warmly conveyed, thoroughly researched and beautifully produced.

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Newtown Jets CEO Stuart McCarthy joins the pod to give us a glimpse into what it's like running a Rugby League club away from the bright lights of the NRL. What are the spreadsheet tabs that matter? Is it possible to make ends meet? How does a rainy Saturday at Henson Park impact the bottom line? Who came up with the idea for the Beer Footy Food Festival? Oh and how close were we to experiencing the "Western Jets"?

There's nothing quite like second-tier sport. And no-one does second-tier sport quite like the Newtown Jets.

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