Rugby Direct

This week on Rugby Direct, ZB's own Elliott Smith reviews the first All Blacks v Springboks test and unpacks what went wrong towards the second half the match. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elliott's landed in Johannesburg and he and Liam assess the stunning news that Leon MacDonald has quit the All Blacks coaching staff after just five tests. Elliott and Liam also offer some thoughts on where the first test between the All Blacks and Springboks will be won and lost, as well as the latest in the NPC and FPC. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier discuss the All Blacks' comeback victory over Argentina at Eden Park - and whether or not the team is ready to face off against South Africa. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier review the All Blacks' stunning defeat against Argentina in Wellington and dig into how it happened and what needs to be changed for the rematch against Los Pumas at Eden Park this weekend. We also put some perspective into the reason behind so many empty seats at Sky Stadium. We also pick through the highlights of the opening round of the NPC and Farah Palmer Cup, the Springboks win over the Wallabies and Twickenham's surprising name change.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier return from a week off to talk the Black Ferns Sevens' gold medal in Paris and how to try and solve the men's Sevens issues at the Olympics. We dig into the All Blacks squad for the Rugby Championship ahead of this weekend's test against Argentina, debate some contract news for the All Blacks and ask the question... is Antoine Dupont the GOAT? Plus plenty more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier discuss Ardie Savea's bombshell Super Rugby switch from the Hurricanes to Moana Pasifika and the implications for him as well as both franchises before we dig into the All Blacks third test of the year against Fiji in San Diego. We also rank the All Blacks halfbacks, discuss the chances of gold medals for the sevens sides at the Olympics and whether the NZ U20s finishing third is a positive result, as well as an assessment of Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt and Japan coach Eddie Jones' starts to their tenures.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier wrap the second test against England and discuss the All Blacks' game plan - or seeming lack thereof, as well as the impact of Beauden Barrett, line-out struggles and how they might line up against Fiji in San Diego.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier assess the first All Blacks' test of the 'new era' and a tight win over England under the roof in Dunedin. We assess who stood out and where the improvements will need to be made for the second test in Auckland on Saturday. We also run the rule over the other test matches around the globe over the weekend and reveal some battle scars of our own from Dunedin.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier put forward their arguments for the first All Blacks team of the year and how the first test against England will be won and lost. We also hear from England coach Steve Borthwick and assess the standouts from the Maori All Blacks first hitout under new coach Ross Filipo.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier are in Christchurch following the All Blacks squad announcement and reflect on the five new names in the squad of 32, as well as the big omissions from the group including Hoskins Sotutu and Ruben Love. We also hear from All Blacks forwards coach Jason Ryan and uncapped prop Pasilio Tosi. We also dig into a dominant Blues performance in the Super Rugby final against the Chiefs, that ended their 24 year drought.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier review the Super Rugby semi-finals as the Blues and Chiefs advance to Saturday night's decider, at the expense of the Brumbies and top-seeded Hurricanes. We also chat with Kevin Malloy, the Super Rugby Pacific board chair to review the season and discuss the future shape of the competition. And with the All Blacks squad days away from being named, we give our respective 32-man squads we think will be named next week.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier assess the four Super Rugby quarter-finals from the weekend and say farewell to the Rebels (for good) and the Highlanders, Drua and Reds for this season. We also look ahead to the semis and assess what Patrick Tuipulotu's injury means for the All Blacks this year, as well as reflect on the departure of Akira Ioane to Japan after this season.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier wrap a big week of rugby, beginning with the final round of the Super Rugby regular season and the quarter-finalists being set and the Crusaders missing the top 8 for the first time since 2015. We also dig deep into the news the Melbourne Rebels will be axed at the conclusion of their current campaign, while NZR's governance has come and gone and there are still a lot of questions left unanswered.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier count down to the crunch governance vote that will shape New Zealand Rugby, assess the fortunes of the Black Ferns and wrap up the penultimate round of Super Rugby. We also dive into the new reports around the Springboks-All Blacks tours from 2026 and look back at a wild week for Rob Penney.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elliott and Liam catch up with legendary All Blacks halfback Aaron Smith on a range of topics after the completion of his first season playing for Japanese club Toyota Verblitz. We reflect on Aaron's All Blacks career, his first season in Japan, the successors to him at halfback for the All Blacks, the continuing eligibility saga in New Zealand Rugby and the special plan he has for some of his jersey collection.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier break down the news around Sam Cane's departure from New Zealand Rugby after this year and who leads the race to be both captain and openside flanker for the All Blacks in 2024. We dig into the weekend that was in Super Rugby, with the Blues taking another step towards top seeding and we analyse a shock Black Ferns defeat to Canada.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier run through the reaction from their interview with Chris Lendrum, specifically the desire to bring Richie Mo'unga back to new Zealand Rugby sooner rather than later. We dig into the Blues going top of the ladder after denying the Hurricanes at Eden Park, as well as more questions on the Crusaders front after the Highlanders taught them a lesson or two under the roof in Dunedin. We also dig into the Black Ferns and New Zealand under-20s posting impressive victories.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On a special edition of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier catch up with New Zealand Rugby's general manager - professional rugby and performance Chris Lendrum, canvassing a range of rugby topics. We delve into how his job has changed over time, sabbaticals and whether contracting is working the right way for New Zealand rugby, whether players will be selected from offshore in the next while, the future of Super Rugby and NPC, the Olympics and plenty more across nearly an hour.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott and Liam discuss the latest in Super Rugby as the Hurricanes bounce back, the Blues find their way late against the Rebels and the Crusaders sink again, this time to the Reds. We also dig into talk of the Qataris investing into rugby's new Nations Cup and ponder the future of the Melbourne Rebels following another twist in the sorry saga.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Rugby Direct this week, Elliott and Liam debate whether the Hurricanes are still the Super Rugby favourites after their loss to the Brumbies, or whether the Blues now have claims to that title. The Crusaders are back... or so Elliott claims, while we dive in-depth to talk about the Highlanders vs Force. Liam also breaks some news around the Melbourne Rebels' future and debate whether an ANZAC Day Bledisloe Cup test would work.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Rugby Direct, we review the round that was in Super Rugby as the Hurricanes and Blues continue to soar and the Crusaders and Highlanders flop towards the bottom of the ladder after heavy defeats. Liam and Elliott put their selection hats on and pick 33-man All Blacks squads for the July tests, if they were to be named this week. We also dig a little deeper on the Crusaders' recruitment and future proofing, as well as discussing the union switch of Joey Manu and if he'll find success in the 15-man game.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the latest episode, Elliott and Liam ask... can anyone stop the Hurricanes this year? They review their win over the Chiefs as well as the other sometimes confounding results of week eight of Super Rugby Pacific. We also dive into the Super Rugby Aupiki final and ask about the future of the competition, as well as a whip around of the week's other big news including the Club World Cup on the verge of confirmation, coaching movements abound and the news of Blues forward Cameron Suafoa's cancer battle.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott and Liam review big wins for the Blues and Chiefs in Super Rugby Pacific, discuss the impending departures of Fergus Burky and possibly Josh Moorby and hail the success of the All Blacks Sevens and Black Ferns Sevens after winning the prestigious Hong Kong Sevens. We also catch up with Black Ferns 15s assistant coach Steve Jackson to talk the Aupiki season to date and what he and the fellow coaches are looking for ahead of their first squad being named later this month.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott and Liam discuss the big breaking news that former All Blacks scrum doctor Mike Cron is joining Joe Schmidt's Wallabies coach and ask whether NZ Rugby should be worried. We dig into Cam Roigard's likely lengthy sidelining through a knee injury and ask whether the Crusaders are back. And we break down the governance issues plaguing NZR.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier dive into round five of Super Rugby Pacific as the Hurricanes continue to surge, the Chiefs and Blues bank important wins and the Crusaders continue to crumble. All Blacks legend Jeff Wilson also stops by for a chat to review the opening month and a half while we also talk the prospect of Sam Whitelock returning to the All Blacks in 2024 out of France.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier review the fourth round of Super Rugby Pacific, which has seen the Hurricanes continue their unbeaten run and the Crusaders continue their winless streak. We review the Six Nations and cast an eye to the England tour of New Zealand later this year and where their strengths might lie. And we discuss the news of the late Billy Guyton's CTE diagnosis and ask... where to for rugby?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier take a look at the Hurricanes being unbeaten in Super Rugby Pacific and the Crusaders yet to nab a win, Ireland lose in the Six Nations and Italy wins away at home for the first time in a long time. We also stick our oar into the Hurricanes Poua haka saga which has dominated headlines for the past week.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott and Liam review Super Round in Melbourne, with three teams still unbeaten after the opening two weeks of the competition. We ask if the Crusaders decline is anything other than to be expected and also discuss the news the Jaguares may be returning to Super Rugby Pacific after a five-year absence.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier review the opening round of Super Rugby Pacific and discuss the so-called mouth-guard controversy which has become a major talking point from the first weekend. We also take a look at the Six Nations.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this special edition of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier sit down with New Zealand Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson to discuss a wide range of issues facing rugby, including the Shape of the Game, Super Rugby's future, NRL rivalry, the provincial unions, Rugby Championship's future, women's rugby and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the first Rugby Direct for 2024, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier begin by looking back at a mega off-season of rugby news - from Joe Schmidt's appointment to the Wallabies to the glut of rugby documentaries and the start of Six Nations. We also look ahead to the Super Rugby Pacific season starting Friday with a deep dive into every New Zealand side.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the final edition of Rugby Direct for 2023, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier reflect on Ian Foster's tenure as All Blacks coach, with the benefit of a few weeks having passed since the World Cup finishing. We also look ahead to 2024 and Scott Robertson's first year in charge and what his biggest challenges will be in what could be up to 15 test matches in total.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the latest Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier reconvene three weeks on from the World Cup final - to talk the latest in rugby news including Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan being dumped, a new specialist coach joins the Blues staff, Sam Cane takes an overseas sabbatical and Beauden Barrett eyes an earlier than expected return to New Zealand Rugby among others.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the latest (and final) Rugby Direct from Paris, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier review the Rugby World Cup final, won by South Africa 12-11 in Paris. We break down the decider from the yellow and red cards, to TMO intervention to the actual rugby itself and whether it was a "good"final and showpiece for the game. We break down Ian Foster's somewhat complicated legacy in charge of the All Blacks and where to next for him, as well as touch on the news out of Australia that Eddie Jones is out at Wallabies coach. All that and an ode to the things we've lost/had stolen on tour, on Rugby Direct.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the latest edition of Rugby Direct, the scene is set for the World Cup final and Elliott Smith and Liam Napier dive into the two sides named by the All Blacks and South Africa for the big dance. We talk the make-up of the sides and how we expect them to play as well as the emotion of the match, as well as the new World Rugby Awards nominations and some form of conclusion to the racism saga in the sport this week.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the latest Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier review the contrasting ways the All Blacks and Springboks punched their tickets to the Rugby World Cup final - the All Blacks comfortably, South Africa less so. We talk about the wider media reaction to both games and whether it was fair, while we also discuss the impending departures of several key All Blacks players and staff and if that will have a role in RWC final week.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the latest Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier check in from Paris after the All Blacks name their team to face Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals, we review the changes and offer some predictions on how the two semis might play out. We also chat about the latest in "Jones Gate", or "Eddie Gate" (take your pick) from Australia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the latest edition of Rugby Direct, it's bonjour once against from Paris as we say Au Revoir to the Irish and the hosts France on a big 100th episode of Rugby Direct Elliott Smith and Liam Napier review the most astonishing quarter-final weekend in Rugby World Cup history with the All Blacks marching into the semi-finals with a stunning win over Ireland. We also take in the other three quarter-finals and ponder what the defeat for France might do for the interest levels here on the ground.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the midweek edition of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith (Newstalk ZB ) and Liam Napier (NZ Herald) discuss the breaking news out of Paris that Mark Tele'a has been stood down for a breach of team protocol and won't appear in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final against Ireland. We also analyse the team named by Ian Foster and his selectors and cast an eye over the other 3 RWC quarter-finals.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier convene post midnight to discuss Portugal's historic win over Fiji at the Rugby World Cup, before branching out into the All Blacks and Ireland quarter-final this weekend and where both teams are placed heading into it and if the All Blacks can stop a seemingly unstoppable Ireland. Elliott and Liam each pick a combined All Blacks-Ireland XV, as well as discuss where the truth lies on the Scott Robertson saga.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elliott Smith and Liam Napier check in from Lyon to review the All Blacks side named to face Uruguay in their final RWC pool match (Live on Gold Sport and iHeart Radio). We also take stock of the games to come this weekend and update French captain Antoine Dupont's superhuman return from injury.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier are in Lyon and assess the All Blacks' big win over Italy and how it reshapes the Rugby World Cup - if at all. We also take stock of the Ranfurly Shield damage scandal story from back home, wonder if the Rugby World Cup should expand and discuss potential changes for the All Blacks' final pool game against Uruguay Friday morning.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this midweek edition of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier assess the All Blacks side named to face Italy in their crunch World Cup Pool A match in Lyon, as well as run the rule over the other major news of the World Cup in the week to date.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elliott Smith and Liam Napier jump on for Rugby Direct from Lyon, as the All Blacks take a backseat for a few days with the Rugby World Cup ramping up with two big pool games with major ramifications. First we review the Wallabies almost certain pool play exit and where the sport goes to in Australia after their dismal showing, before jumping into the Ireland-South Africa blockbuster and discussing how the Irish were able to quell the reigning World Cup champions. We also take a look at New Zealand's next match against Italy and make more possibly disastrous tipping predictions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the latest edition of Rugby Direct, Elliott and Liam check in from Bordeaux - to discuss and update the midweek happenings at the tournament in France. We review Ethan de Groot's suspension, the All Blacks finding a useful stat to guide them in their week off, the Springboks opting for a 7-1 bench against Ireland this week and Drew Mitchell coming off the long run against Eddie Jones.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott and Liam are in Toulouse to review the second week of the Rugby World Cup, including the All Blacks' win over Namibia, Ethan de Groot's red card and where it leaves New Zealand after two games. We also review Fiji's impressive win over the Wallabies and wonder whether this is a death knell for Australian rugby.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the latest edition of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier recap the opening weekend of the World Cup - leading with a big focus on the All Blacks' 27-13 loss to France and how they were defeated...and why. We delve into where to from here for the All Blacks and if they simply just don't have a seat at the top table currently in the sport. We also review the other big games of the first week - including whether Fiji can feel hard done by losing to Wales in the final game of the opening weekend.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elliott and Liam react to the All Blacks' 23 selected for the tournament opener against France Saturday morning NZT and react to the news that Emoni Narawa is out of the tournament.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier count down to the opening weekend of the 2023 Rugby World Cup - looking at the All Blacks pool as well as the other three pools and picking who is likely to emerge from there into the quarters. We also touch on our earliest and favourite Rugby World Cup memories and pick who will win the tournament. Elliott and Liam also comb through NZR's governance review and what it means for the sport in the future and what tangible change might take place.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elliott Smith and Liam Napier are again in London for this week's Rugby Direct podcast, reviewing the All Blacks' worst-ever defeat in the Qatar Airways Cup match against South Africa. What does this mean ahead of the World Cup and is it panic stations? We also update the Scott Barrett saga and review some of the weekend's other big warm-up matches including the Flying Fijians beating England at Twickenham.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.