Rugby Direct

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Newstalk ZB's Canterbury rugby commentator Nick Bewley reflect on the Black Ferns being knocked out of the Women's World Cup in England at the hands of Canada and ask how it happened and whether the Black Ferns were prepared for what they were facing.

We also count down to the opening Bledisloe Cup test against the Wallabies as the All Blacks look to bounce back from the horror defeat to...

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier dive into the All Blacks' worst ever defeat - 43-10 to South Africa in Wellington - and ask what went wrong and perhaps more importantly, why lessons aren't being learned.

We debate everything from whether the coaching set-up is right to whether the All Blacks gave up in the last quarter against the Springboks.

We also wrap the Black Ferns' World Cup quarter-final win against...

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier get stuck into the big All Blacks-Springboks test at Eden Park this weekend, with the 'Boks aiming to end the All Blacks 50-match unbeaten record at Eden Park. We discuss the possible make-up of the All Blacks side and whether Leicester Fainga'anuku will make it in.

We also mark the sad passing of Shane Christie and whether rugby is doing enough around head contact, while we ...

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier pore over the All Blacks' defeat to Argentina in Buenos Aires and contemplate what went wrong and whether the issues in the All Blacks are now systemic - and how to fix them as the prospect of South Africa bears down on the All Blacks next week at Eden Park.

We also discuss the Black Ferns' opening World Cup, New Zealand Rugby renewing its broadcast partnership with Sky and a...

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier break down the All Blacks' Rugby Championship opener against Argentina and their ascension to the top of the world rankings despite an at times imperfect showing, and ask why the forwards are clicking but the back play appears clunky and whether changes might be in the offing for the second test.

And as the All Blacks move on to Buenos Aires for the second test, Liam catches ...

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier discuss Richie Mo'unga's impending return to New Zealand Rugby in 11 months time and what it means for the All Blacks, Crusaders and Canterbury.

We also preview the Rugby Championship starting this weekend, with a specific eye to the All Blacks and Argentina this weekend in Cordoba. We ask what success looks like in the Rugby Championship for the All Blacks this year and disc...

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier digest and dissect the All Blacks' Rugby Championship squad with three new faces in an extended squad to travel to Argentina and beyond - we dig into the surprise selections, the recalls and everything in between.

We also wrap up the British and Irish Lions' tour of Australia and whether the Wallabies have taken a step forward, while we take a keen eye at the NPC.

See omnystud...

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier wrap the third test against France and review the series as a whole - what did we learn and which players were the big movers across the three matches? We also look ahead to the Rugby Championship and where the All Blacks must improve.

We also dig into the latest on the R360 saga, the opening test of the Lions series and plenty more in the rugby world.

See omnystudio.com/liste...

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier wrap up the All Blacks' big win over France in Wellington and analyse who stood out for the home team, before looking ahead to the third and final test in Hamilton.

We also ask whether the current Lions tour of Australia could be the worst in history, what David Kidwell might add to the Highlanders' coaching staff and assess the final Black Ferns hit out before the Rugby Worl...

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier take a look at the All Blacks' 31-27 win over France in Dunedin to open the year and discuss whether it was underwhelming or whether France's so-called 'B-team' deserve more respect than they'd been given.

We discuss the big key moments of the game, where it was won and what changes, both personnel and tactically wise, are required for game two in Wellington.

We also sweep up...

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier count down to the opening All Blacks test of 2025 against France in Dunedin and speculate on what a couple of injury withdrawals might mean for the make up of the first test side.

We also assess what to expect from France across the series and if you can really prepare for a side with so few international caps between them.

We also dig into the opening British and Irish Lions...

This weekend we've got a bonus episode for you in the Rugby Direct feed - The new podcast 'Rivals' from Sir John Kirwan and Victor Matfield. Episodes are released every Thursday, and a perfect complement for Rugby Direct.

Follow the podcast on iHeartRadio, or wherever you listen to podcasts: Rivals | iHeart

The Wallabies refusing to release their top players for the British & Irish Lions’ tour games against Super Rug...

This week on Rugby Direct, it's a bumper edition of the podcast as Elliott Smith and Liam Napier wrap the first All Blacks squad of 2025 - who's in and who's out - and who should be there that isn't. Rugby Direct speaks to All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson and forwards coach Jason Ryan to dive into the key selections and their plans for 2025.

We also review the Super Rugby final as the Crusaders hoisted the trophy again and ask...

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier wrap the Super Rugby semi-finals and assess the way the Crusaders and Chiefs were able to get there in contrasting fashion. We look ahead to this week's final and discuss who has more to gain or lose by winning this weekend.

We also select our prospective 35-man squads for the All Blacks test series against France, a week out from the real squad being named and drill down int...

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier react to the breaking news of Mark Robinson's impending departure as the chief executive of New Zealand and reflect on how he will be remembered and where to next.

We also wrap the week that was in a dramatic Super Rugby playoff round, with the Hurricanes gone and the Blues keeping their season alive but flipping the run to the trophy on its head.

We also examine the mooted R...

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier wrap up the penultimate round of Super Rugby Pacific - as the Chiefs make a statement against Moana Pasifika, the Hurricanes and Crusaders take contrasting wins with eight teams left standing in the playoff race.

We also dissect the Black Ferns' big win over the USA and assess the impact of the Sevens stars, offer some thoughts on the All Blacks mix and dish out some MVP vote...