St. Patrick's Day brings out the best stories. In Episode 2 the Rat Pack dives into the history of USA v Ireland — the games at RFK Stadium live on ESPN, the referee with a microphone calling commercial breaks mid-tackle, and a fight that Preston swears he's not proud of. The boys break down NRL Round 2, talk Super League Challenge Cup, reveal that York Knights are looking to return to America, and pay tribute to John Morgan — the man who started it all.

Episode 1. No studio. No producer. Just a few rugby league lifers with stories the game never got to hear.

The Rugby League Rat Pack — former AMNRL players who toured internationally and helped build the sport in America from scratch — sit down for the first time to talk about what they built, where the game is now, and where it needs to go.

In this episode: the crew comes straight off Scrum Vegas 3, reflects on what it felt like to watch NRL teams pack out Allegiant Stadium knowing they helped lay the foundation, and has a frank conversation about the NRL's US strategy — the right city, the wrong kickoff times, and why American fans couldn't find the game on TV.

Real talk from the men who washed dishes, lined fields, and spread the gospel of rugby league in America decades before Las Vegas was even a conversation.

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#rugbyleague #NRL #ScrumVegas #rugbyleagueratpack

The Rugby League Rat Pack welcomes special guest Eugene Tukumoeatu from the Utah Junior Rugby League for an in-depth conversation about growing rugby league in the United States. Eugene shares how Utah is developing youth and girls programs, engaging the Polynesian community, using American football as a pathway to rugby league, and building the Heritage Cup into a successful grassroots competition.

Of course the boys bring their weekly look around the rugby league world with an NRL Recap, Super League Round Up, Bobo's Breakdown, and Captain America's Most Valuable Preston Award, along with State of Origin III predictions, Magic Round discussion, NRLW coverage, and exclusive on location videos from Duck Arse.

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In This Episode:

Eugene Tukumoeatu joins the Rugby League Rat Pack

Growing rugby league in Utah and across the United States

Building youth and girls rugby league programs

The Polynesian community's impact on rugby league

Using American football to introduce new players

Utah Junior Rugby League Heritage Cup

NRL Recap

NRLW opening week

Super League Round Up featuring Magic Round

Bobo's Breakdown

Most Valuable Preston Award

MND Awareness

State of Origin III preview and predictions

Chapters:

00:00 State of Origin, Super League Magic Round, NRLW kickoff

00:59 233 Days until Scrum Vegas 4

04:33 Duck Arse Looking Good & Feeling Good

08:03 Eugene Tukumoeatu joins the Rat Pack

10:28 How to develop Rugby League in the U.S.A.

12:16 Polynesian community in Utah

13:15 The biggest challenge growing Rugby League

15:19 Using American Football to teach Rugby League

17:45 What model and format is Eugene using in Utah?

18:49 How Flag Rugby helps people learn the sport

19:39 Utah Junior Rugby League Heritage Cup 2026

23:09 Spirit of Community

26:12 Rugby League growth strategy

29:01 NRL Recap: Duck Arse on location

35:16 NRL Women's Recap

40:50 MND Awareness

42:11 Super League Round Up: Magic Round

50:04 Bobo's Breakdown: Is a referee's decision ever final?

1:00:46 Most Valuable Preston Award: Dayne Jennings

1:05:49 Will Sam Walker dethrone Nathan Cleary as Australia's World Cup halfback?

1:06:24 State of Origin III predictions

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Niuy, Bobo, Vassy, Duck Arse and Captain America are on the pitch for another entertaining episode of the Rugby League Rat Pack, analyzing NRL & Super League action, making 2026 NRL Grand Final predictions, previewing the deciding State of Origin clash, and breaking down a rare eight-point try and an incredible one-on-one ball steal.

Whether you're an NRL or Super League fan or love rugby league from around the world, Episode 17 delivers expert analysis, spirited debate, classic rugby league stories, grassroots coverage, and plenty of laughs from one of the game's most passionate panels.

Follow the Podcast and Subscribe on YouTube to join the Rugby League Rat Pack: https://www.youtube.com/@RugbyLeagueRatPack?sub_confirmation=1

In This Episode:

• The Rat Pack reveals 2026 NRL Grand Final predictions
• Which clubs are emerging as the true title contenders?
• Countdown to Scrum Vegas and rugby league's continued growth in the United States
• State of Origin Game 3 preview and the keys to deciding the series
• Bobo's Breakdown: Forwards evolving
• Captain America's Most Valuable Preston Award
• Video breakdown of the controversial eight-point try
• Analysis of an incredible one-on-one ball steal and why it worked
• Women's State of Origin discussion
• Local league highlights and standout performers
• Supporting the fight against MND and ALS

Chapters

00:00 Introductions - America 250, World Cup

04:24 Video: Bobo loses an eye on the pitch

11:00 Vassy on Location Video

12:35 Video: Niuy takes one from David "Cement" Gillespie

14:15 David "Cement" Gillespie most feared person in Rugby League

16:44 Storytime: Duck Arse lends his shoulder pads

19:53 NRL Recap

20:18 Video: Dolphins v Warriors

25:10 Video: Panthers v Cowboys

28:21 NRL Ladder Analysis

29:26 Grand Final Predictions from the Rat Pack

30:39 Super League Roundup

33:48 Super League Ladder Analysis

37:19 Rat Pack Goes Hollywood

39:11 Countdown to Scrum Vegas

43:17 Bobo’s Breakdown: Forwards changing the game

51:29 Most Valuable Preston Award

56:10 Video: Kicked in the Head 8-point try

59:16 Video: One on One Steal

1:02:44 State of Origin

1:12:14 Women’s State of Origin

1:17:03 A Look at the Local League

1:24:33 MND and ALS awareness and charitable efforts

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Former NRL and Super League star Phil Bailey joins the Rugby League Rat Pack for an incredible conversation about his rugby league journey from the Cronulla Sharks to the Wigan Warriors, representing New South Wales in State of Origin, and helping grow USA Rugby League.

Phil shares unforgettable stories from his playing career, coaching in America, and life after professional rugby league.

Then Niuy, Bobo, Vassy, Duck Arse & Captain America dive into another big week across the NRL, Super League and the local game. Plus, the story of the historic 1953 USARL tour in Australia!

Subscribe to Join the Rugby League Rat Pack: https://www.youtube.com/@RugbyLeagueRatPack?sub_confirmation=1

In This Episode:

Phil Bailey's rugby league journey

Growing up and getting recruited in Australia

Life with the Cronulla Sharks

Playing in State of Origin

Joining Wigan and adapting to the Super League

The biggest differences between the NRL and Super League

Coaching rugby league in the United States

Incredible stories from Phil's career, including meeting Jon Bon Jovi

Super League Round Up NRL Recap

Most Valuable Preston Award (MVP): Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad

Women's State of Origin

Match of the Week

Local Rugby League Spotlight

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Former Queensland State of Origin star, Super League Man of Steel and Castleford Tigers legend Adrian Vowles joins the Rugby League Rat Pack for an in-depth conversation about his remarkable rugby league career, his memories of representing the Maroons, his success in the Super League, and his thoughts on State of Origin Game 2.

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Join Niuy, Bobo, Vassy, Duck Arse and Captain America for another entertaining episode covering the biggest stories from across the NRL, Super League and rugby league around the world.

Special Guest: Adrian Vowles

Former Queensland State of Origin representative

271-game NRL & Super League career

1999 Super League Man of Steel

Castleford Tigers legend

Reflects on his playing career and Origin memories

Shares stories from the NRL, Super League and representing the Maroons

Weekly Rat Pack Features:

NRL Recap

Super League Round Up

Bobo's Breakdown

The Most Valuable Preston Award

A Look at the Local League

Also in this episode:

State of Origin Game 2 preview and predictions

The biggest winners and losers from the latest NRL action

The latest Super League headlines and performances

International rugby league discussion

Plenty of laughs and classic Rat Pack banter

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The Rugby League Rat Pack is back for Episode 14!

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Niuy, Bobo, Duck Arse and Captain America welcome special guests Kyle and Tiana Granby, two of the driving forces behind the growth of rugby in the United States through Roots Rugby Family.

The crew discusses Tiana's rugby journey, Kyle's transition from rugby union, playing rugby in Las Vegas, the state of USA men's and women's rugby, the Brooklyn Kings and a budding local rivalry, international competition and the mission of growing the game across America.

Plus, the Rat Pack delivers the weekly NRL Recap, then Vassy checks in from an undisclosed location with his Super League Round Up.

Bobo brings another entertaining Breakdown, Captain America hands out his MVP Award, and the team takes a look at the local rugby league scene.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

05:34 Bobo caught on tape

08:19 Social Surprise

10:06 Kyle & Tiana Granby join the Pack

11:45 Tiana’s Rugby Journey

14:25 How Kyle and Tiana got together

18:33 Life at Home 19:20 Playing Nines in Las Vegas

26:14 Kyle’s Rugby Union Journey 28:01 Insights on USA Men’s &Women’s Rugby Team

31:20 Roots Rugby Family 38:08 Kyle playing with the Hawks 39:01 Highlights of Kyle and Tiana

40:45 Family

41:15 Brooklyn Kings

43:08 International Matches on the schedule

45:00 Brooklyn Kings vs NY Knights rivalry

48:23 Super League Round Up

51:47 NRL Recap

1:09:00 Bobo’s Breakdown

1:12:38 Jalen Brunson vs Nathan Cleary

1:13:49 MVP Award

1:13:11 Wemby playing Rugby League

1:13:33 Which NBA player would be best at rugby league

1:19:49 A Look at the Local League

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Five Rugby League players. Years at the top level. Honest, unfiltered insight.

Niuy, Vassy, Duck Arse and Captain America are on the pitch with State of Origin reactions, NRL and Challenge Cup recaps, and the launch of the USARL season, plus key rugby league news and storylines across the game.

Subscribe on YouTube to Join the Pack: https://www.youtube.com/@RugbyLeagueRatPack?sub_confirmation=1

Bobo joins the show on location with an extra=special Breakdown and Captain America awards his MVP to Vermont's Favorite Son Harrison Graham.

The Rat Pack shine the spotlight on the launch of the USARL, with the boys highlighting the growth of rugby league in the United States and the clubs and players driving the game forward, including the DC Cavalry, Brooklyn Kings, New York Knights, Sarasota Bullsharks and Tampa Mayhem.

The bous also dive into State of Origin, breaking down the footage and unpacking the biggest moments from the series — including a controversial, game-changing play that sparks a full-blown debate across the panel.

🏉 In This Episode:

NRL Recap

Challenge Cup highlights

State of Origin reactions

USARL Season Launch

Bobo’s Breakdown

Most Valuable Preston Award: Harrison Graham

A Look At The Local League

Chapters:

00:00 Niuy Sets the Scene

00:29 Where’s Bobo 01:00 Scrum Vegas Countdown

02:37 Inroductions 05:01 Vassy's Face Swapping on X

06:54 NRL Recap and related topics

21:17 Challenge Cup

26:07 Coaching great John Kear dies day after covering Challenge Cup Final

27:46 The devasting impact Motor Neuron Disease (MND) has had on Rugby

31:14 Bobo’s Breakdown

32:14 Most Valuable Preston Award

36:19 State of Origin Recap

47:24 Harrison Graham Spotlight

52:54 A Look at the Local League

1:28:23 Scrum Vegas

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