Aotearoa Rugby Pod

The All Blacks ran away from the Wallabies at Eden Park—but how many of their biggest questions did that performance answer?

James Parsons and Ross Karl break down what changed after halftime and ask if the All Blacks produce the same game when they aren’t winning the collisions.

Plus, did Australia really test their aerial defence, Josh Lord’s unseen work and the case for giving Timoci Tavatavanawai an opportunity.

The boys also answer your lineout questions, debate rugby’s hip-drop tackle crackdown, and join Karl Tily for the TAB Match Centre.

Catch all our content across @aotearoarugbypodofficial channels

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The ARP crew reacts to the teams named for Bledisloe Cup 1.

From DMac at 10 to the bench makeup, plenty to talk here!

Catch all our content across @aotearoarugbypodofficial channels

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The All Blacks still have questions to answer — and could Kyren Taumoefolau provide one of them?

We look at where the athletic Mako and Chiefs winger could fit, what he could offer heading towards the end-of-year tour and the World Cup, and the competition already building for places in the All Blacks back three.

Plus, with the Bledisloe Cup heading to Eden Park, we assess the Wallabies threat, the big selection decisions facing both sides, and what New Zealand still needs to improve after the South Africa series.

A few audio issues meant we had to keep this episode shorter than usual, but there’s plenty more ARP coming this week. Keep an eye out for our live shows and more Bledisloe Cup coverage across the Aotearoa Rugby Pod channels.

Catch all our content across @aotearoarugbypodofficial channels

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bryn Hall is heading back to Super Rugby — and in 2027 he’ll be wearing Hurricanes colours.

Bryn explains why the Canes became the right destination, what attracted him to the way they play, and why returning to New Zealand rugby appealed after his time in Japan.

(00:00) Bryn Hall is a Hurricane

(00:33) Why Bryn chose the Canes

(01:16) What attracted him to Wellington

(01:35) The Hurricanes coaching group

(02:19) Bryn’s role in the squad

(03:33) Why his body feels ready for Super Rugby

(04:51) When does he start learning the attack?

(05:35) Who Bryn spoke to before signing

(06:31) Moving to Wellington

(07:19) A message for Canes fans

Catch all our content across @aotearoarugbypodofficial channels

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did South Africa find a loophole in rugby’s HIA rules — or did something go badly wrong with the replacement process?

The Springboks’ chaotic finish against the Wallabies raised bigger questions about how concussion replacements are supposed to work and who controls the process.

Ross Karl, James Parsons and Bryn Hall also break down what Australia did so well for most of the test, plus four yellow cards, referees on phones, and one of the strangest ends to a test in recent memory.

Warning: Audio quality is varied because of online recording.

(00:00) Boks Watch: Wallabies v Springboks

(00:49) How strong was this Springboks team?

(02:43) What really happened at scrum time

(05:50) Taniela Tupou causes the Boks problems

(08:22) How scrum angles actually work

(11:29) Australia’s front-row weapons

(13:39) The Springbok back who caught our eye

(15:59) What Australia did differently to the All Blacks

(17:37) How the Wallabies attacked the breakdown

(19:09) Why Australia kept things simple

(20:31) Are the Wallabies building real belief?

(21:50) Four yellow cards and complete chaos

(23:25) Did the officials lose control?

(24:12) The referee phone call explained

(26:11) The Boks’ HIA replacement controversy

(27:12) Can the HIA system be manipulated?

(29:13) Why this could become a much bigger problem

Catch all our content across @aotearoarugbypodofficial channels

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

ARP goes live on YouTube to discuss the All Blacks squad for the Bledisloe.

Hookers: Codie Taylor (capt), Asafo Aumua, Samisoni Taukei'aho Props: Ethan de Groot, George Bower, Xavier Numia, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi

Locks: Scott Barrett, Josh Lord, Fabian Holland, Tupou Vaa'i

Loose forwards: Simon Parker, Shannon Frizell, Anton Segner, Ethan Blackadder, Peter Lakai, Wallace Sititi

Halfbacks: Cam Roigard, Cortez Ratima, Kyle Preston

First five-eighths: Richie Mo'unga, Josh Jacomb

Midfielders: Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Rieko Ioane

Outside backs: Fehi Fineanganofo, Leroy Carter, Josh Moorby, Will Jordan, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie.

Catch all our content across @aotearoarugbypodofficial channels

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The All Blacks squad is named tomorrow — and one of the biggest questions is whether Dave Rennie can find room for Leicester Fainga’anuku AND Timoci Tavatavanawai.

With injuries reshaping the Bledisloe Cup picture, Bryn Hall, James Parsons and Ross Karl discuss whether Shannon Frizell has done enough to force his way back into the mix — and if this is the moment for the All Blacks to take a few risks.

The boys also discuss Ardie Savea’s Super Rugby future and what the All Blacks loose forward mix could look like without him.

NOTE: This episode was recorded before Australia v South Africa.

Catch all our content across @aotearoarugbypodofficial channels

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The All Blacks showed progress — so why do the Boks still seem one step ahead?

Ross, James and Bryn unpack a revealing series, the moments that mattered and the questions New Zealand must answer before these rivals meet again.

Plus, the players pushing their claims, a listener’s bold scrum idea and North Harbour’s big NPC win.

Catch all our content across @aotearoarugbypodofficial channels

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

ARP goes live to discuss the All Blacks and Springboks teams for the third Greatest Rivalry test in Soweto

🇳🇿 ALL BLACKS 🇿🇦 SPRINGBOKS

1. Ethan de Groot 1. Ox Nche

2. Codie Taylor (c) 2. Malcolm Marx

3. Fletcher Newell 3. Wilco Louw

4. Patrick Tuipulotu 4. Eben Etzebeth

5. Sam Darry 5. Ruan Nortje

6. Tupou Vaa’i 6. Siya Kolisi (c)

7. Ethan Blackadder 7. Pieter-Steph du Toit

8. Peter Lakai 8. Jasper Wiese

9. Cam Roigard 9. Morne van den Berg

10. Richie Mo'unga 10. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu

11. Josh Moorby 11. Ethan Hooker

12. Jordie Barrett 12. Damian de Allende

13. Anton Lienert-Brown 13. Jesse Kriel

14. Will Jordan 14. Kurt-Lee Arendse

15. Damian McKenzie 15. Damian Willemse

RESERVES

16. Asafo Aumua 16. Deon Fourie

17. Xavier Numia 17. Gerhard Steenekamp

18. Tyrell Lomax. 18. Thomas du Toit

19. Josh Lord 19. Lood de Jager

20. Wallace Sititi 20. Andre Esterhuizen

21. Kyle Preston 21. Cameron Hanekom

22. Rieko Ioane. 22. Cobus Reinach

23. Beauden Barrett 23. Manie Libbok

Catch all our content across @aotearoarugbypodofficial channels

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The All Blacks showed they can hurt South Africa. So why do the Springboks still keep finding a way to take control?

After the Boks moved 2–1 ahead in the Greatest Rivalry series, James Parsons, Bryn Hall and Ross Karl break down the areas that keep swinging these contests South Africa’s way — and what New Zealand has to change.

There are genuine reasons for optimism in the way the All Blacks are playing. But there are also problems that will matter far beyond this series.

So, can they solve their Springbok problem before the World Cup?

Catch all our content across @aotearoarugbypodofficial channels

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.