Aotearoa Rugby Pod

Thirty years after the All Blacks made history in South Africa, former All Blacks winger and master story teller Eric Rush takes us back to one of the wildest and most significant tours in New Zealand rugby history.

He shares brilliant stories from the 1996 tour: hostile crowds, sleepless hotels, a mysteriously missing kicking tee, Nelson Mandela’s powerful message to the team, Jonah Lomu and the unforgettable off-field antics of Mark Ellis.

Oh yeh .. and the rugby!

What is your greatest memory of the 1996 All Blacks tour? Let us know in the comments.

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What are critics overlooking about Ardie Savea’s delayed arrival in South Africa — and how can Beauden Barrett force his way back into the All Blacks’ test team.

Ross Karl, Bryn Hall and James Parsons examine the decision to rest the captain and how it actually effects the inner workings of the team.

They also look at a rare challenge for Beauden Barrett. After more than a decade as a near-automatic test selection, the All Blacks great now has to prove himself against the Stormers.

Plus, what really happens inside the opposition training team, whether Leroy Carter could provide emergency halfback cover, the need for another lock against the Springboks, who has more to lose in the series, Richie Mo’unga’s return and the opening weekend of the NPC.

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In this special collab, Aotearoa Rugby Pod and South Africa's Behind the Ruck podcast debate the Greatest Rivalry Tour!

Who will win, how will they win, who makes a combined team?

Join Bryn, Ross and former Springboks Rudy Paige and Juan de Jongh as they banter about the tour to come!

And please give the BTR a follow!

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In this week's Boks Watch, Ross and Jip take a look at the Boks squad.

We focus on the tough calls Rassie will have to make, considering their outrageous depth that has grown. Will some massive stars miss the 23 for the first Greatest Rivalry test?

They also deep dive into the success of the flyhallf options, digging into their success against the major nations - New Zealand, France and Ireland.

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All Blacks assistant coach and selector Neil Barnes joins the Aotearoa Rugby Pod to explain how New Zealand will manage an unusually demanding tour of South Africa.

Barnes discusses the challenge of preparing separate teams for Test and midweek matches, why every player will remain in contention for the top side and how the selectors constructed a squad capable of handling the physical demands of the tour.

He also reveals that the coaching group has sought advice from experienced All Blacks figures, including Sir Graham Henry and John Hart, as it prepares for a style of touring rarely seen in the modern game.

The ARP panel then examines the thinking behind the new selections, whether the squad has enough locking cover, which players could emerge during the tour and why Damian McKenzie may finally have found his long-term position at fullback.

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Dave Rennie has named his latest All Blacks squad — and one selection is certain to divide opinion.

Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, Josh Jacomb and Siale Lauaki have earned their first call-ups, while Ethan Blackadder returns. But Du’Plessis Kirifi’s omission raises the biggest question: has Rennie found the right balance between form, specialist roles and the physical profile he wants?

Ross Karl and James Parsons break down the new faces, the players who missed out and what the squad reveals about Rennie’s priorities.

They also examine whether the squad is short of a lock and how the All Blacks can balance their Test combinations with opportunities in the midweek games.

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The Greatest Rivalry is almost here—but are the All Blacks genuinely ready to beat the Springboks in South Africa?

Ross Karl, James Parsons and Bryn Hall compare the two sides after the July internationals and ask whether the contest is now as close as 50–50. They examine South Africa’s remarkable depth, the return of New Zealand’s attacking DNA and the tactical areas that could decide the series.

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Picking the All Blacks’ match-day 23 for South Africa just got seriously difficult.

In this excerpt from the podcast, the panel examines Tupou Vaa’i’s impact at blindside flanker, the fight for places in the loose forwards and whether a 6–2 bench could help New Zealand match the Springboks’ physicality.

They also assess the All Blacks’ depth across the field, the growing reliance on Cam Roigard and Ruben Love’s remarkably assured start at Test level.

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Unbeaten in the Nations Championship, the All Blacks and Springboks are now on a collision course for the Greatest Rivalry Tour.

Aotearoa Rugby Pod unpacks the All Blacks’ impressive 40-21 victory over Ireland and the attacking identity emerging under Dave Rennie. What does “continuity plus brutality” mean, why has New Zealand’s ball retention improved, and can its high-tempo approach succeed in South Africa?

Plus, the panel analyses the rise of Tupou Vaa’i at blindside, Ardie Savea’s captaincy, the All Blacks’ improving aerial game and the growing influence of Cam Roigard and Ruben Love.

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Audio of ARP's Youtube Live after Dave Rennie's press conference for his team naming v Ireland.

Please excuse the audio. We'll upgrade our home microphones soon.

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