Rugby Direct
270 episodes — Page 1 of 6
Rugby Direct Episode 257: Beaten by the Boks or Beaten by Themselves?
Rugby Direct Episode 256: Taylor axed, Lakai starts - have the All Blacks got it right?
Rugby Direct Episode 255: Cape Town Crisis? How the All Blacks Can Fight Back
Rugby Direct Episode 254: Knockout blow or Bok fightback?
Rugby Direct Episode 253: Boks Blown Away: The Ellis Park Upset
Rugby Direct Episode 252: All Blacks v Springboks - The Great Rivalry Returns
Rugby Direct Episode 251: Bulls Beaten, Boks Await, Picking Rennie's First Test Team
Rugby Direct Episode 250: Mo'unga recalled as All Blacks finalise first test plans
Rugby Direct Episode 249: Stormers Review, Proctor Blow & Sharks Changes
Rugby Direct Episode 114: Tour launch - The first team is in
Rugby Direct Episode 247: Rugby's greatest rivalry tour: The squad is set
Rugby Direct Episode 246: Cameron Suafoa on rugby, life and his terminal cancer diagnosis
Rugby Direct Episode 245: Ireland Beaten, South Africa Beckons
Rugby Direct Episode 244: The team is in - Rennie’s big calls
Rugby Direct Episode 243: All Blacks Win Big, But Are They Getting Better?
Rugby Direct Episode 242: Five changes and a fresh look ABs
Rugby Direct Episode 241: A Winning Start, Rennie’s All Blacks Era Begins
Rugby Direct Episode 240: Rennie's first big calls: Right or wrong?
Rugby Direct Episode 239: Rennie’s first roll of the dice - who makes the 23?
Rugby Direct Episode 238: In, out, and unlucky - breaking down Rennie’s first squad
Rugby Direct Episode 237: Finals Fever and All Blacks Picks
Rugby Direct Episode 236: Blowouts Before the Big Dance
Rugby Direct Episode 235: Semi-final showdowns - who's making the big dance?
Rugby Direct Episode 234: Cane train charging: Semis loom and ABs coaching coup
Rugby Direct Episode 233: Breaking down the key matchups of the Super Rugby playoffs
Rugby Direct Episode 232: All eyes on the title - looking ahead to the Super Rugby Pacific finals
Rugby Direct - Bruce Sharrock tackles the biggest issues facing rugby
Rugby Direct: Episode 230
Rugby Direct Ep 229
Rugby Direct: Episode 228
Rugby Direct: Episode 227
Rugby Direct: Episode 226
Rugby Direct - Steve Lancaster talks challenges shaping rugby in Aotearoa
Rugby Direct: Episode 224
Rugby Direct: Episode 223
Rugby Direct: Episode 222
Rugby Direct: Episode 221
Rugby Direct: Episode 220
Rugby Direct: Episode 219
Rugby Direct: Episode 218
Rugby Direct: Episode 217
Rugby Direct: Episode 216
Rugby Direct: Episode 215
On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier unpack the reaction and wider implications of Gregor Paul’s Ardie Savea column published in the New Zealand Herald, sparking debate across the rugby landscape. The duo also cast an eye ahead to a notably light Round 8 of Super Rugby Pacific, discussing what it means for teams and fans alike as the competition only has three games. Plus, there’s time for a moment of reflection as they farewell the Crusaders’ iconic 'temporary' home stadium. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rugby Direct: Episode 214
On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier dive into all the fallout from Round 7 of Super Rugby Pacific. The boys break down the biggest talking points from the weekend — including whether anyone can stop the red‑hot Hurricanes — before going head‑to‑head on who should be the next All Blacks captain. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rugby Direct: Episode 213
On today’s episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and producer Mark Kelly break down the newly released 2026 NPC schedule. The duo also preview Round 7 of Super Rugby Pacific, before Elliott sits down with Blues fullback Peyton Spencer for an in‑depth chat. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rugby Direct: Episode 212
On the latest Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier return for an emergency episode breaking down the major news out of New Zealand Rugby. They discuss the newly unveiled coaching team of All Blacks coach Dave Rennie, which features All Blacks great and current Moana Pasifika coach Tana Umaga, and Jason Ryan as the only member carried over from Scott Robertson’s tenure. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rugby Direct: Episode 211
On this week’s episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Nick Bewley discuss how the cream is rising to the top of Super Rugby Pacific. With two months still to play, they debate whether any teams outside the top six can mount a genuine challenge, before reviewing all the action from Round Six. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rugby Direct: Episode 210
On the latest Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier return on the latest Rugby Direct to preview Round 6 of Super Rugby Pacific. The boys dive into Clark Laidlaw’s re-signing with the Hurricanes through to the end of next season and wrap up the Six Nations with a look back at the final round. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rugby Direct: Episode 209
On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier discuss suggestions Tana Umaga is a contender for an All Blacks coaching role under Dave Rennie. They also delve into the reports of punches being thrown at a Crusaders training session, and check out the mailbag to answer questions from listeners. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rugby Direct - Episode 208
On the latest Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier break down a dramatic Round 4 of Super Rugby Pacific — a weekend where the Crusaders were the only Kiwi side to fall. Are the Chiefs and Hurricanes emerging as the teams to beat? Plus, we bring you the latest on who Dave Rennie is eyeing for his All Blacks assistant coaching group.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.