From Aussie Sevens to the Melbourne Rebels on a minimal contract, and now over in Japan with Suntory Sungoliath - Sean McMahon’s journey is a story of making the most of an opportunity and becoming impossible to ignore. Sean joins us to discuss his rise to the Wallabies, the move to Japan and what his rugby journey taught him on and off the field. We will also explore his new social media segment, ETW (Earn The Weekend - the discipline and habits behind it) plus, we break down the upcoming Bledisloe clash. Will the Wallabies challenge the All Blacks, the key battles to watch our score predictions and taking a wider look at the international game. You don't want to miss this one.

Fresh off an unforgettable trip to Baltimore — and battling a bit of post-travel sickness — I’m recapping a genuine rugby bucket-list experience: the All Blacks and Springboks in the United States, historic attendance at MT&T Bank Stadium, incredible access to the teams, and what an event of that scale can mean for rugby’s growth in America.

Then we get into a massive week across New Zealand rugby. I break down NZ Rugby’s reported $66 million financial challenge, why the NPC and Ranfurly Shield remain vital to the game’s future, and why it matters that players including Beauden Barrett, Noah Hotham, Cortez Ratima, George Bell, Emoni Narawa and others are returning to represent their provinces.

I also unpack the Black Ferns’ heartbreaking Red Roses defeat, Counties Manukau’s emotional Ranfurly Shield win, Northland’s incredible Shield journey, and the attacking ambition of Auckland’s Rico Simpson.

In the second half, it is all about one of the wildest Tests of the year: the Wallabies’ 42–38 win over the Springboks. Australia held on with just 11 men, lifted the Mandela Challenge Plate, and delivered a major statement against the reigning world champions.

Plus, I reflect on making my play-by-play commentary debut for UCLA Rugby’s last-minute win over Michigan, and look ahead to UCLA’s upcoming home fixtures against Brown and Southern Nazarene.

In this episode:

• Baltimore recap: All Blacks, Springboks and a record U.S. rugby crowd
• What NZ Rugby’s financial challenge means for the game
• Why All Blacks returning to the NPC matters
• Black Ferns v Red Roses reaction
• Counties Manukau win the Ranfurly Shield
• Wallabies survive with 11 men against South Africa
• UCLA Rugby commentary debut and upcoming matches

In Episode 80, Tj is joined by Dane Sherratt from Kick On Rugby to break down New Zealand’s strong tour start, including the win over the Stormers and the 54–0 result against the Sharks, before the final pre-Test audition against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld.

TJ and Dane also unpack the Springbok challenge: scrum pressure, the aerial battle, competing fly-half options, New Zealand’s outstanding lock and loose-forward depth, and whether the All Blacks can impose enough tempo to disrupt South Africa across a four-Test series.

In this episode:

• All Blacks tour takeaways from the Stormers and Sharks matches
• Bulls v All Blacks: the final Springboks Test audition
• Richie Mo’unga’s return and the No. 10 debate
• All Blacks injury and selection watch
• Cam Roigard, Kyle Preston and the scrum-half race
• How the All Blacks match the Springbok scrum and kicking game
• Springbok fly-half options: Libbok, Pollard or Feinberg-Mngomezulu
• Is the northern hemisphere finally closing the gap on the south?
• First-Test selection calls and series predictions

Subscribe to The Bonus Point Podcast, follow Kick On Rugby, and let us know: Who starts at 10 for the All Blacks in the first Test against South Africa?