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 this week’s episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier break down all the biggest talking points from Round 13.
Another All Black is set to head offshore at season’s end, NZ Rugby digs in on its stance around Mo’unga and Frizell returning via the NPC, and the pressure mounts on Moana Pasifika — is there still time to turn it around?
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On this week’s episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier delve into the big breaking news: the appointment of Steve Lancaster as NZ Rugby’s new CEO. The boys give their first reaction and unpack what the appointment means for the game.
There’s also a cause for concern for the Hurricanes with Cam Roigard sidelined – is the ‘Cain Train’ starting to derail?
Plus, they open up the mailbag and tackle your questions.&n...
On this week’s episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier dissect round 12 of Super Rugby.
The top three are pulling clear - but who’s best placed to grab the final three playoff spots as the race tightens?
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On this week’s episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier break down the Christchurch Super Round – what worked, what didn’t, and whether it could help revive Super Rugby.
Plus, they preview round 12 of the competition and debate the return of the ANZAC Day Bledisloe Cup – is it a winner or a risk worth taking?
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On this week’s episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier were joined by Hurricanes co-owner Malcolm Gillies for a wide-ranging chat about Super Rugby Pacific, including the growing challenges surround team ownership in the competition.
The boys also look ahead to the highly anticipated Super Round, set to play out this weekend at Christchurch’s brand new One NZ Stadium at Te Kaha.
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On this week’s episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier rip into a massive Round 10.
The Hurricanes’ title charge takes a serious hit after a stumbling loss to the Chiefs, the Black Ferns flex their muscle with a statement win over Canada, and there’s no shortage of other talking points across the rugby landscape.
Don’t miss the latest episode of Rugby Direct.
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On this week’s episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier delve into the uncertain future of Moana Pasifika and what their potential exit could mean for Super Rugby as a whole. How would the competition be reshaped if they were to walk away?
The boys also preview Round 10 of Super Rugby Pacific, before opening the mailbag to pick their first All Blacks XV of the 2026 season.
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On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier unpack all the fallout from Round 9 of Super Rugby Pacific.
The boys break down the biggest talking points from the weekend - including the big question of whether anyone can slow down the red‑hot Hurricanes.
They also review the Black Ferns’ opening win of their 2026 campaign and the Crusaders officially turn the page on a storied past - ushering in a new era at ...
On the latest Rugby Direct podcast, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier discuss a busy post-Easter weekend of news in the rugby world, with former All Black Shannon Frizell returning home and New Zealand Rugby closing in on a high performance director announcement.
We also look back at a truncated round eight of Super Rugby and ahead to a full slate in round nine of the competition, with a particular focus on the top of the table Hurrica...
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 o...
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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On the latest Rugby direct Elliott Smith and Liam Napier discuss the announcement of the new All Blacks coach Dave Rennie. Liam shares new details on the potential make up of the coaching group and Elliott believes its time to move on from Scott Barrett as the captain. Also, where to now for Jamie Joseph.
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Elliott Smith breaks down the breaking news that Dave Rennie has been confirmed as All Blacks coach, succeeding Scott Robertson.
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On the latest Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Nick Bewley review round three of Super Rugby pacific, with only one New Zealand side winning over the weekend, what went wrong for the rest of them. We dive into the good, the bad and the ugly of it all.
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