The discourse surrounding the R360 League is growing increasingly heated.

The rugby unions of New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, England, Ireland, Scotland, France and Italy issued a joint statement on Wednesday (NZT) refusing to endorse the proposed Saudi-funded competition.

Sport commentator Sam Ackerman says the unions are overreacting- "that's like saying back in the day, if you had converted to, to rugby league, then you could never go back to rugby union or vice versa."

He told Ryan Bridge that the players shouldn't be blamed for taking a good opportunity.

LISTEN ABOVE 

The discourse surrounding the R360 League is growing increasingly heated.
The rugby unions of New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, England, Ireland, Scotland, France and Italy issued a joint statement on Wednesday (NZT) refusing to endorse the proposed Saudi-funded competition.
Sport commentator Sam Ackerman says the unions are overreacting- "that's like saying back in the day, if you had converted to, to rugby league, then you could never go back to rugby union or vice versa."
He told Ryan Bridge that the players shouldn't be blamed for taking a good opportunity.
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Sam Ackerman: Sport commentator rejects international concerns over R360

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/273e2604-f11b-4fdd-8e8a-b370017d07fb/transcript

The Foreign Affairs Minister's claims around our trade deal with India have an immigration expert warning the settings could be more tough than usual. 

Winston Peters let loose accusations last week National was covertly changing immigration settings in bad faith.  

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford now says initial decisions consistent with the FTA have been sent to ministers for feedback. 

Queen City Law's Sonny Lam told Ryan Bridge the proposed restrictions will likely be more extreme than previous examples – like Chinese special policy and Thai chef visas. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

The Foreign Affairs Minister's claims around our trade deal with India have an immigration expert warning the settings could be more tough than usual.&nbsp;
Winston Peters let loose accusations last week National was covertly changing immigration settings in bad faith. &nbsp;
Immigration Minister Erica Stanford now says initial decisions consistent with the FTA have been sent to ministers for feedback.&nbsp;
Queen City Law's Sonny Lam told Ryan Bridge the proposed restrictions will likely be more extreme than previous examples – like Chinese special policy and Thai chef visas.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Sonny Lam: Queen City Law Immigration Expert on the potential changes to the immigration settings in the India FTA

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/73a18961-ec6e-4a1f-8b1b-b47b0188d4d1/transcript

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday 3rd of July 2026, seems like the Government is moving to put restrictions Indian immigration, Sonny Lam, Immigration expert at Queen City Law shares his thoughts. 

The All Blacks take on France in the first test of the season at the sold out One New Zealand stadium, Chief Executive Venues Otautahi, Caroline Harvie-Teare tells Ryan how big of a deal this will be for the garden city. 

Erica Stanford's rolling out a big expansion of early language support in ECE centres, Advocates for Early Learning Excellence Chair Kelly Seaburg shares her thoughts on the programme. 

Plus, UK Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on Sir Keir Starmer apologising on behalf of the British state for its role in historical forced adoptions in England and Wales and the ringleader of a Rochdale grooming gang that targeted girls as young as 12 has been released from prison. 

Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.          

LISTEN ABOVE  

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday 3rd of July 2026, seems like the Government is moving to put restrictions Indian immigration, Sonny Lam, Immigration expert at Queen City Law shares his thoughts.&nbsp;
The All Blacks take on France in the first test of the season at the sold out One New Zealand stadium, Chief Executive Venues Otautahi, Caroline Harvie-Teare tells Ryan how big of a deal this will be for the garden city.&nbsp;
Erica Stanford's rolling out a big expansion of early language support in ECE centres, Advocates for Early Learning Excellence Chair Kelly Seaburg shares her thoughts on the programme.&nbsp;
Plus, UK Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on Sir Keir Starmer apologising on behalf of the British state for its role in historical forced adoptions in England and Wales and the ringleader of a Rochdale grooming gang that targeted girls as young as 12 has been released from prison.&nbsp;
Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Full Show Podcast: 03 July 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/eac12d2b-916e-420e-a001-b47b012abd1a/transcript

There are hopes new progress in language learning will go beyond early childhood education. 

The Government's widening access to ENRICH for a further 450 centres. 

The programme is now backed by three decades of evidence, with practical tools to increase toddler-teacher communication. 

Advocates for Early Learning Excellence Chair Kelly Seaburg told Ryan Bridge it paves the way for a zero-to-18 years literacy pathway. 

She says strong foundational language leads onto early literacy and structured curriculum. 

LISTEN ABOVE

There are hopes new progress in language learning will go beyond early childhood education.&nbsp;
The Government's widening access to ENRICH for a further 450 centres.&nbsp;
The programme is now backed by three decades of evidence, with practical tools to increase toddler-teacher communication.&nbsp;
Advocates for Early Learning Excellence Chair Kelly Seaburg told Ryan Bridge it paves the way for a zero-to-18 years literacy pathway.&nbsp;
She says strong foundational language leads onto early literacy and structured curriculum.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Kelly Seaburg: Advocates for Early Learning Excellence Chair on the ENRICH programme

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/cdb05b45-aa3d-4b2b-bd25-b47b012bfa43/transcript

Sam Ackerman: Sport commentator rejects international concerns over R360

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