Big Mike’s roundup highlights the weekend’s biggest rugby stories: New Zealand’s NPC semi-finalists are set, with Otago, Bay of Plenty, Canterbury and Hawke’s Bay advancing — Otago reaching the top-flight semis for the first time since 2006.

Paraguay stunned Brazil 39-19 to take a 20-point lead into the deciding leg and sit within one game of the final World Cup qualification tournament, while Bordeaux suffered a shocking 56-13 loss in the Top 14. Munster and the Stormers remain unbeaten in the URC.

Also noted: Australia A vs Japan A on the weekend and ongoing headlines around the controversial Rugby 360 competition.

This episode of the Rugby Roundup (8 October 2025) recaps the Springboks winning the Rugby Championship, Waikato lifting the Farrah Palmer Cup, and the Waratahs claiming the inaugural Super Rugby Australia title in Perth, plus key club results from the URC, Premiership and Top 14.

Looking ahead, the show previews NPC quarterfinals, the Rugby Europe Super Cup kick-off, and the Sudamerica 3 playoff between Brazil and Paraguay as teams vie for World Cup qualification spots.

England’s Red Roses win the Women’s World Cup at Twickenham, South Africa move clear at the top of the Rugby Championship, Chile qualify for the 2027 Men’s World Cup, and club competitions deliver shocks and big finals across the URC, Top 14, Premiership, NPC and Super Rugby Australia.

This episode of the Rugby Roundup covers the weekend’s international and club action, key results and standings, upcoming fixtures and the top games to watch next.