Rugby Direct
Every week, Rugby Direct gives you the lowdown on all you need to know from the rugby world. Whether it's the All Blacks, Black Ferns, NPC, Farah Palmer Cup, or just what's going down at the club grounds, we have you covered on your home for all things rugby. Listen on iHeartRadio for every angle, every moment, and every opinion.
Episodes
On the latest edition of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier preview the Super Rugby season - who will be the big movers and who is likely to be spat out the back? We give our predictions for winners and circle a few players who might have a breakout season.
We also cover the latest in the All Blacks coaching race, the Six Nations underway and cast an eye over the Rugby World Cup schedule for 2027.
On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier are back to discuss the fallout around Scott Robertson's departure from the All Blacks, the criteria NZ Rugby has set for coaching applicants, and who the contenders are in what looks to be a small-field race.
We also discuss Vern Cotter being ruled out of said race by taking on the Queensland Reds job from next year.
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The New Zealand Rugby Union has confirmed the news they have parted ways with All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson just 2 years in to his 4-year contract.
Following an in-depth review of the 2025 season, NZR Chair David Kirk confirmed the trajectory of the team is not where it needs to be in the current Rugby World Cup cycle and the search for a new head coach will start immediately.
Newstalk ZB rugby editor Elliott Smith and New ...
In the wake of a scathing internal review on the All Blacks coaching squad, pressure is mounting on NZR to make changes as players revolt.
Elliott Smith and Liam Napier discuss the breaking news.
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On the final Rugby Direct for the year, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier return from Europe and some time away to review the All Blacks' season - what needs work, what went right and what are the big fixes required ahead of 2026.
We also look at the Rugby World Cup draw for 2027, assess the state of New Zealand Rugby as a whole and the big issues confronting the game over the Christmas break.
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On the latest Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier assess the All Blacks side named to face Wales and whether it's a missed opportunity on the selection front or if banking a win is the most important thing for Scott Robertson's men.
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On the latest Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier check in from Cardiff for a post-mortem to the All Blacks' humbling defeat to England - where is this All Blacks side at, are they stagnant or going backwards and does there need to be a re-assessment of the side's coaching make-up in the wake of the third defeat of the year.
We also check in on the other results of the weekend, as well as predict how the All Blacks might li...
On the latest Rugby Direct from London, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier review the two sides named for Sunday morning's test between the All Blacks and England.
We discuss the key selections including moving Wallace Sititi to the bench and whether it will be enough to counter the 'Pom Squad' named by Steve Borthwick.
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This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier have moved on to London but first they need to assess the win over Scotland through both a glass half full and glass half empty approach.
We investigate what changes could be made for the test against England and also look ahead to Twickenham - is the hosts' 9 game winning streak something to fear?
And we take a look around the rest of the rugby world with a big weekend...
On the latest Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier check in from Edinburgh to review the All Blacks side named to face Scotland on Sunday morning and their predictions for how the match will unfold
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On the latest edition of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier wrap up the All Blacks win over Ireland at Soldier Field and analyse the efforts of the All Blacks' bench in sealing the victory, while also pondering the success of the venture overall.
We also look ahead to this weekend's match at Murrayfield and what to expect.
Also, we look at the other games of the weekend and update the search for the new NZR CEO. ...
This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Nick Bewley discuss the impending NPC final between Canterbury and Otago and determine where it might be won and lost, as well as contend with the fact the sides won't be able to call on All Blacks players for the big dance.
We also chat changes to the Super Rugby squad structure for next year and reveal where one of the country's most promising young talents will land at Super Rugby lev...
This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier review the All Blacks' end of year tour squad and the companion All Blacks XV squad for their own tour north and recap the breaking news around Patrick Tuipulotu being withdrawn through injury.
We also dig into the NPC quarter-finals, the latest out of R360 and Josh Jacomb's switch to the Highlanders - from 2027.
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This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier mop up the All Blacks-Wallabies test in Perth and debate what can be read into the win and performance, and if certain players have solidified their selections as a result.
We also look ahead to the possible end of year tour squad and ask what is going on with secondary schools rugby in NZ?
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On the latest Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier are in Perth and react to the All Black and Wallabies sides named for Saturday night's Rugby Championship test in the city, as well as the latest news out of the R360 breakaway league.
Elliott and Liam also chat to All Blacks assistant coach Jason Holland ahead of Saturday's match.
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This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier review the opening Bledisloe Cup test for the All Blacks and assess what went right and wrong as well as whether criticism of referee Andrea Piardi is justified.
We also review the Black Ferns’ bronze medal win at the World Cup and assess where to next for the women’s programme and game.
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On the latest Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier assess the All Blacks' side named for the first Bledisloe Cup test at Eden Park, featuring the returns of Codie Taylor, Cam Roigard and Caleb Clarke to the run-on side.
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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...
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