Free Daily Podcast Summary
Ashes Rugby League: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Rugby League Coach
Ashes Rugby League is a podcast dedicated to previewing the most anticipated international series in two decades! Join Lee Addison and John Davidson for analysis, news, interviews with guests, history lessons and lots more to help whet your appetite for the 2025 series between England and Australia!Lee is an Englishman who has coached at NRL clubs and lived in Australia a LONG time. John is an Australian journalist based in the UK for many a year!You can find and reach out to Lee at rugbyleaguecoach.com.au and John on X at @johnnyddavidson
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 4 days ago1h 27m
WHY CAN'T THE POMS BEAT THE AUSSIES? 54 Years of FAILURE & The Untold History!
Host Lee Addison had a similar memory to Adrian Morley, former Sydney Roosters, Leeds Rhinos, England and Great Britain star of a July day in 1988. Great Britain were playing Australia in a match, in a sport neither had fallen in love with yet. Britain were ahead with only moments to go and would go on to win. A seed was sown then for both Lee and Moz. A love for rugby league. Have no doubt, that win ignited a flame in so many children who went on to play rugby league in the UK. Great Britain went on to defeat Australia 26–12 in the third and final test of the 1988 Rugby League Ashes series, ending a 15-game Australian winning streak and a 10-year losing run against the Kangaroos. Today, GB or England have not won a match v Australia since 2006. But this shouldn’t be a shock. There are some disturbing statistics that outline a half-century of British failure against the top rugby league nation. In this podcast, we look at the reasons why this may have happened, looking at clues from history. Whilst also looking back on some of the more memorable moments, some of the close shaves and of course, some of the tonkings! The Rugby League History Podcast is a weekly or bi-weekly pod about exactly what it says in the title! Reflecting what is going in during each stage of the season, renowned historians Andrew Ferguson (Aus) and Prof. Tony Collins (UK) join host Lee Addison to reflect on all that happened in rugby league history around the time each podcast is released! So, expect historical World Cup content during World Cup times, club content during domestic league times and...well you get the picture! Andrew Ferguson is a much-published author / writer on the subject of rugby league history, is co-owner of the amazing Rugby League Project and co-host of the Fergo and the Freak podcast. Professor Tony Collins is the DOYEN of rugby league history. He’s a professor of history, fourth generation Hull KR supporter, and the author of 'Rugby’s Great Split', 'Rugby League: A People’s History', and last year’s ‘Roy Francis: Rugby’s Forgotten Black Leader’. Host Lee Addison is a former coach at NRL clubs, World Cups and Elite High Schools. He is the owner of Rugby League Coach. Please email Lee with questions or suggestions for the podcast on admin@rugbyleaguecoach.com.au You can also message and follow us @rugbyleaguehistorypod on Facebook, Instagram and X
- 1 weeks ago52 min
THE KIWI COUP! When the Kangaroos LOST Their World Crown!
THE KIWI COUP! When the Kangaroos LOST Their World Crown!2008. Because the year starts with a 2, it doesn’t seem long ago does it? But it was 18 Years ago! The iPhone 3G arrived in Australia in July. We are currently on Iphone 18 Pro YouTube was only three years old. It now has 2.6 BILLION Users Netflix was still a DVD-by-mail company in the US. People still tended to watch television at scheduled times rather than streaming – Netflix is now the top streaming service in the world with 325 million users in 190 countries. Newspapers, radio and television were still enormously influential. All three are now in severe, long term decline as digital platforms and social media take over. People used taxis and Ubers were still 5 years off being widely used Australia were the reigning world rugby league champions and had been since the mid 1970’s. On paper they looked almost unbeatable. New Zealand, meanwhile, had never won a World Cup. They had come close. But when it came to the biggest stage, Australia had usually been the team standing in their way. Then came the 2008 Rugby League World Cup. There’d not been a World Cup for 8 years. 10 teams played in 12 Australian venues to determine who would be champion of the 13th Rugby League World Cup And nobody quite knew what was about to happen. Because over the next few weeks, a New Zealand team containing players like Benji Marshall, Sonny Bill Williams, Nathan Cayless and a host of other stars would begin to believe that they were there to win. And in the final in Brisbane, the Kiwis did something that had never been done before. This is the story of the 2008 Rugby League World Cup... The year New Zealand shocked the rugby league world. The Rugby League History Podcast is a weekly or bi-weekly pod about exactly what it says in the title! Reflecting what is going in during each stage of the season, renowned historians Andrew Ferguson (Aus) and Prof. Tony Collins (UK) join host Lee Addison to reflect on all that happened in rugby league history around the time each podcast is released! So, expect historical World Cup content during World Cup times, club content during domestic league times and...well you get the picture! Andrew Ferguson is a much-published author / writer on the subject of rugby league history, is co-owner of the amazing Rugby League Project and co-host of the Fergo and the Freak podcast. Professor Tony Collins is the DOYEN of rugby league history. He’s a professor of history, fourth generation Hull KR supporter, and the author of 'Rugby’s Great Split', 'Rugby League: A People’s History', and last year’s ‘Roy Francis: Rugby’s Forgotten Black Leader’. Host Lee Addison is a former coach at NRL clubs, World Cups and Elite High Schools. He is the owner of Rugby League Coach. Please email Lee with questions or suggestions for the podcast on admin@rugbyleaguecoach.com.au You can also message and follow us @rugbyleaguehistorypod on Facebook, Instagram and X
- 2 weeks ago1h 24m
The World Cup Invincibles! Australia’s Showpiece DOMINANCE 1975–2000
It was a period that started with no mobile phones, everyone scared of sharks thanks to Jaws and were soon to learn of an evil empire ruling the galaxy in Star Wars. By the end of the period, we were all connected by the internet, the Jedi once again ruled the galaxy and one nation established themselves as kings of the rugby league world. From 1975 to 2000, Australia established an extraordinary record on rugby league’s biggest international stage. But what made the Kangaroos so dominant, and who were the players and teams that helped shape this remarkable era? In this episode of the Rugby League History Podcast, we look back at the World Cups that defined a generation of international rugby league. We revisit the legendary players, memorable matches, fierce rivalries and defining moments that helped Australia maintain its position at the top of the world game. From the unique 1975 tournament through to the 2000 World Cup, we explore the history, the heroes and the opposition that challenged the Kangaroos along the way. Join us for a trip back through 25 years of rugby league history, celebrating the people, performances and moments that made this era so memorable. If you love rugby league history, legendary players and the stories behind the game, this episode is for you! Listen, share and join the conversation about one of the most fascinating periods in international rugby league. The Rugby League History Podcast is a weekly or bi-weekly pod about exactly what it says in the title! Reflecting what is going in during each stage of the season, renowned historians Andrew Ferguson (Aus) and Prof. Tony Collins (UK) join host Lee Addison to reflect on all that happened in rugby league history around the time each podcast is released! So, expect historical World Cup content during World Cup times, club content during domestic league times and...well you get the picture! Andrew Ferguson is a much-published author / writer on the subject of rugby league history, is co-owner of the amazing Rugby League Project and co-host of the Fergo and the Freak podcast. Professor Tony Collins is the DOYEN of rugby league history. He’s a professor of history, fourth generation Hull KR supporter, and the author of 'Rugby’s Great Split', 'Rugby League: A People’s History', and last year’s ‘Roy Francis: Rugby’s Forgotten Black Leader’. Host Lee Addison is a former coach at NRL clubs, World Cups and Elite High Schools. He is the owner of Rugby League Coach. Please email Lee with questions or suggestions for the podcast on admin@rugbyleaguecoach.com.au You can also message and follow us @rugbyleaguehistorypod on Facebook, Instagram and X
- 3 weeks ago1h 19m
The LAST TIME the Poms Conquered the Kangaroos
When we talk about Rugby League World Cups, it’s easy to think about the modern tournament — decent crowds, professional athletes, modern stadiums and between 10 and 16 nations from all around the world competing on the biggest stage.But go back more than 50 years to 1972 and you enter a very different world of rugby league. The game was still largely played by working men, international tours could involve extraordinary travel, and the World Cup itself was a much smaller, more intimate affair.Yet for all those differences, the passion, pride and fierce rivalry were every bit as real. The 1972 World Cup, staged in France, would become one of the most memorable tournaments in the history of the game.And while the tournament ultimately produced a dramatic finish that has become part of rugby league folklore, there is so much more to this World Cup than simply who won the trophy.So, in this podcast, we're going back to 1972 — to the background, the players, the characters, the matches, the controversies and the stories behind one of the great Rugby League World Cups, particularly if you are British.The Rugby League History Podcast is a weekly or bi-weekly pod about exactly what it says in the title! Reflecting what is going in during each stage of the season, renowned historians Andrew Ferguson (Aus) and Prof. Tony Collins (UK) join host Lee Addison to reflect on all that happened in rugby league history around the time each podcast is released!So expect historical World Cup content during World Cup times, club content during domestic league times and...well you get the picture!Andrew Ferguson is a much-published author / writer on the subject of rugby league history, is co-owner of the amazing Rugby League Project and co-host of the Fergo and the Freak podcast.Professor Tony Collins is the DOYEN of rugby league history. He’s a professor of history, fourth generation Hull KR supporter, and the author of 'Rugby’s Great Split', 'Rugby League: A People’s History', and last year’s ‘Roy Francis: Rugby’s Forgotten Black Leader’.Host Lee Addison is a former coach at NRL clubs, World Cups and Elite High Schools. He is the owner of Rugby League Coach.Please email Lee with questions or suggestions for the podcast on admin@rugbyleaguecoach.com.au You can also message and follow us @rugbyleaguehistorypod on Facebook, Instagram and X.
- Oct 13, 20261h 3m
A STOLEN RLWC Trophy and 13 Years That Changed Rugby League FOREVER!
Between 1957 and 1970, rugby league didn't just change on the field. It changed as a product, as entertainment, and as an international sport. And a lot of the rugby league we recognise today starts taking shape right here. In just 13 years, rugby league went from a four-team World Cup with no final to international tournaments, television, massive club rivalries and some of the most famous moments in the game's history. And there's something else happening during this period that would be almost impossible for a modern rugby league fan to appreciate. The period between 1957 and 1970 was one of the most volatile, transformative, and momentous eras in modern human history. It was defined by the Cold War, the race to the moon, the collapse of global empires, and a massive societal upheaval driven by civil rights and youth counter-culture. Rugby league was also coming into people's living rooms for the first time. Britain was already televising rugby league before Australia really got regular television coverage of the game. The first televised rugby league match in Australia came in 1961. And by the late 1960s, major rugby league matches were becoming regular television events. But Britain was ahead of the game. The BBC had shown the Challenge Cup Final as early as 1948. Great Britain against New Zealand from Swinton was televised in 1951. And by 1965, the BBC2 Floodlit Trophy was bringing rugby league into people's homes on a regular basis.And that matters. Because this is the beginning of rugby league becoming something different. It wasn't just something you WENT to watch anymore. You could sit in your living room and watch it. You could hear the commentators. You could see the stars. You could follow the big games without actually being at the ground.And by the time we get to 1970, Eddie Waring's voice is becoming synonymous with British rugby league, television is changing the way people consume sport, and the game is beginning to look much more like the professional entertainment product we recognise today. This is the story of how rugby league came into your living room.1957. 1960. 1968. 1970. Four years. Thirteen years of change. And by the end of it, rugby league would never quite be the same again.Oh, and the World Cup Trophy got STOLEN! Two of the game's finest historians, are taking you back to relive the story of the Rugby League World Cups between 1957 and 1970.The Rugby League History Podcast is a weekly or bi-weekly pod about exactly what it says in the title!Andrew Ferguson is a much-published author / writer on the subject of rugby league history, is co-owner of the amazing Rugby League Project and co-host of the Fergo and the Freak podcast.Professor Tony Collins is the DOYEN of rugby league history. He’s a professor of history, fourth generation Hull KR supporter, and the author of 'Rugby’s Great Split', 'Rugby League: A People’s History', and last year’s ‘Roy Francis: Rugby’s Forgotten Black Leader’. Host Lee Addison is a former coach at NRL clubs, World Cups and Elite High Schools. He is the owner of Rugby League Coach.Please email Lee with questions or suggestions for the podcast on admin@rugbyleaguecoach.com.auYou can also message and follow us @rugbyleaguehistorypod on Facebook, Instagram and X. @rugbyleaguehistorypod
- Oct 6, 20261h 10m
When the Kangaroos Finished THIRD! The Story of the FIRST EVER Rugby League World Cup!
Imagine if you can it's October 1954... 72 years ago. In the UK, bomb sites from WW2 still scar many cities. Food rationing has only just ended and most families don't own a television. Winston Churchill is approaching 80 and serving his second term as Prime Minister. On the other side of the world, Australia and New Zealand are embracing a new era of post-war optimism. They’ve both enjoyed a royal visit. Families are dreaming of a brick home, a car in the driveway and a brighter future. Sydney was rugby league mad, in Brisbane it was growing fast. But in France, like so many of its towns and cities, the sport only just about survived after the war. Less than a decade earlier, it had been outlawed. Rugby league was almost wiped from existence.But, it refused to die.In October 1954, Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand are heading to France and it’s not for a Test series. For the very first time, rugby league will crown a World Champion. Two of the game's finest historians, are taking you back to relive the story of the first Rugby League World Cup in 1954.The Rugby League History Podcast is a weekly or bi-weekly pod about exactly what it says in the title!Andrew Ferguson is a much-published author / writer on the subject of rugby league history, is co-owner of the amazing Rugby League Project and co-host of the Fergo and the Freak podcast.Professor Tony Collins is the DOYEN of rugby league history. He’s a professor of history, fourth generation Hull KR supporter, and the author of 'Rugby’s Great Split', 'Rugby League: A People’s History', and last year’s ‘Roy Francis: Rugby’s Forgotten Black Leader’. Host Lee Addison is a former coach at NRL clubs, World Cups and Elite High Schools. He is the owner of Rugby League Coach.Please email Lee with questions or suggestions for the podcast on admin@rugbyleaguecoach.com.auYou can also message and follow us @rugbyleaguehistorypod on Facebook, Instagram and X. @rugbyleaguehistorypod
- Aug 18, 20261h 18m
Ep 33 Super League 360
It’s squeaky bum time at the bottom and the topWigan are a team whose momentum won’t stopGiants off the bottom after four in a rowBradford and Hull suffered a devastating blowMany results didn’t go how we both thoughtFor how many pounds will Super League be bought? Super League 360 covers the top tier of the British game, as well as some lower division and NRL news! Lee Addison, based in Australia, hosts.Intrepid scribe John Davidson, a UK based Australian journalist, provides analysis whilst Lee Addison, a UK born coach in Australia, hosts the podcast, and also brings plenty of opinions.Lee has coached at NRL clubs and World Cups and owns rugbyleaguecoach.com.au. He can be found @rugbyleaguecoach on Facebook and Instagram and also hosts the Rugby League Coach Podcast. John is on X at @johnnyddavidson
- Aug 12, 20261h 33m
Ep 32 Super League 360
The weather in England will soon start to be colder John once again became another year olderHull FC with the shock of the roundThe Giants announced that they’re moving groundWigan were good and played like a top billerBut Leeds pipped Wakey in a Belle Vue thrillerSuper League 360 covers the top tier of the British game, as well as some lower division and NRL news! Lee Addison, based in Australia, hosts.Intrepid scribe John Davidson, a UK based Australian journalist, provides analysis whilst Lee Addison, a UK born coach in Australia, hosts the podcast, and also brings plenty of opinions.Lee has coached at NRL clubs and World Cups and owns rugbyleaguecoach.com.au. He can be found @rugbyleaguecoach on Facebook and Instagram, John is on X at @johnnyddavidson
Get Ashes Rugby League summaries in your inbox
Free AI-powered daily recaps. Key takeaways, quotes, and mentions — in a 5-minute read.
Get Free Summaries →Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
You Might Also Like
Listeners also like.
The Roar Rugby Podcast
Expert analysis and debates on Super Rugby, the Wallabies, and international rugby with hosts Christy Doran and Matt Toomua.
The Rugby Rundown
Expert analysis and global rugby coverage spanning international competitions, Major League Rugby, and USA Rugby with former players.
The Final Word Ashes Daily podcast
Cricket analysts discuss daily developments from the Ashes series between Australia and England.
The Official Rugby World Cup 2025 Podcast
Players, coaches, and insiders share behind-the-scenes stories and insights from the 2025 Rugby World Cup tournament in England.
CODE Cricket
CODE Sports
The Unplayable Podcast
Discussions on cricket in Australia and globally, covering news, analysis, and stories from the sport.
Women's Rugby Pod
Coverage of global women's rugby union with news, interviews, and analysis from top players and hosts Sarah Hunter and Sadia Kabeya.
The Rugby Bunker
Expert rugby analysis and tactical insights from seasoned journalists and guests, breaking down the game week by week.
Out Of Your League
Super League
Rugby Union Weekly
A weekly rugby union discussion featuring analysis, guest interviews, and major story coverage from the sport.
MLR Kickoff
MLR Kickoff
Endless Summers - The Test Cricket History of Australia
A detailed exploration of Australian Test cricket history, covering every series from 1877 to the present.
About Ashes Rugby League
Ashes Rugby League is a podcast dedicated to previewing the most anticipated international series in two decades! Join Lee Addison and John Davidson for analysis, news, interviews with guests, history lessons and lots more to help whet your appetite for the 2025 series between England and Australia!Lee is an Englishman who has coached at NRL clubs and lived in Australia a LONG time. John is an Australian journalist based in the UK for many a year!You can find and reach out to Lee at rugbyleaguecoach.com.au and John on X at @johnnyddavidson
Customized Recaps
AI-powered recaps with compact key takeaways, quotes, and insights.
Straight to Your Inbox
Get key takeaways from Ashes Rugby League in a 5-minute read.
Save Hours Every Week
Stay current on your favorite podcasts without falling behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Podzilla's Ashes Rugby League daily summary?
It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of Ashes Rugby League as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
How does the Ashes Rugby League podcast summary work?
When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
Is this an official Ashes Rugby League product?
No. Podzilla is an independent service that summarizes publicly available podcast content. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by Rugby League Coach.
Can I get summaries of other podcasts too?
Absolutely! The free plan covers up to 3 podcasts, any in the catalog. Basic raises that to 15, Pro to 40 and Max to 100. Browse our full catalog at /podcasts.
How often does Ashes Rugby League release new episodes?
Ashes Rugby League publishes weekly. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
What topics does Ashes Rugby League cover?
Ashes Rugby League covers topics including Sports, Rugby. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
Start getting Ashes Rugby League summaries tomorrow morning.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.