DSPN - RUGBY

Welcome to the debut of "Jeff the Ref." Seasoned referee Jeff McGregor joins Martin Devlin to break down the most contentious calls of the weekend. We tackle why the Tupou Vaa'i try was later "reversed" by NZR, the high tackle controversy, and why a dangerous high knee went unpunished. If you’ve ever screamed at the TMO, this is for you.

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Mark Watson takes a victory lap after his "delusional" Scotland pick came true, while the Highlanders leave John Day eating humble pie. We’re tearing into the All Blacks coaching saga—is the Japan scouting trip just theater? Plus, we debate if Dalton Papali'i is a massive loss to New Zealand rugby and why State of Origin coming to Eden Park has Watto acting like the Grinch.

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A true icon joins the studio. Sean Fitzpatrick, one of the greatest All Black captains of all time, sits down with Martin Devlin to talk about the current state of New Zealand rugby. From his thoughts on Super Rugby Round 1 to the looming coaching decision between Jamie Joseph and Dave Rennie, Fitzy provides unparalleled insider insight. We dive into the "1996 blueprint" for winning in South Africa and why the All Blacks must reconnect with their legacy to find success in 2027.

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Is it taking too long? We’re standing at the window, staring down the drive, waiting for the next All Blacks coach to arrive. Martin Devlin breaks down the latest intel on Jamie Joseph and Dave Rennie, why New Zealand Rugby’s rigid process feels like an eternity for fans, and why we can't afford a part-time boss turning up in late winter.

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Huge news out of Eden Park today—State of Origin is officially coming to Auckland in 2027! Martin Devlin and Tony Johnson break down what this means for the stadium and the "relaxation" of laws that could finally turn Eden Park into a world-class venue. We also dive into the latest intel on the All Blacks coaching search and review a wild weekend of Six Nations action where Scotland turned England’s "infallible" reputation upside down.

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Super Rugby is back with a bang! Martin Devlin and Tony Johnson break down a wild opening round that saw the "worst" team beat the best. We dive into Cam Millar’s clutch penalty for the Highlanders, Moana Pasifika’s historic win in the graveyard of Lautoka, and why the Chiefs' win over the Blues proves they are the team to beat. Plus, we look at the breakout stars making an early claim for the All Black jersey.

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It’s official. State of Origin is coming to New Zealand.

We catch up with Sir Graham Lowe, the only Kiwi to coach Queensland, after the massive announcement that Game Two will be played at Eden Park. Lowe calls it the biggest moment for rugby league here since the Warriors were born, and he’s not exaggerating.

We talk expansion, tribalism, what makes Origin different to anything else in sport, and why Auckland could end up feeling like Queensland territory. Plus, how much it actually costs to bring a spectacle like this across the Tasman and why it’s an investment that’ll pay off in spades.

If you’ve never experienced Origin live, Lowe says you simply haven’t seen anything like it.

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Mailbag time! We’re diving into the best (and worst) of your comments from the last few weeks. Martin and Lachlan tackle everything from the "Messiah" Scott Robertson to Simon Parker. Martin also weighs in on why the "Super Rugby is dead" crowd needs to find their remote controls, the state of the All Black player pool, and why we boomers actually get it right occasionally.

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The wait is over—Super Rugby kicks off tomorrow night! Martin Devlin is joined by RNZ’s Jamie Wall for our first weekly Thursday preview. We tackle the "triple whammy" facing the Highlanders, why the Waratahs vs Reds is the rivalry to watch, and why the "early season" moaners need to pipe down. Plus, we look at the Six Nations odds where France and England look untouchable.

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Super Rugby is back, and so are the refs. Martin Devlin sits down with old mate and professional referee Angus Mabey to pull back the curtain on life with the whistle. From training inside the Blues camp to dealing with "unhinged" social media abuse and the nuances of the deliberate knock-on rule, Angus explains why referees are the most misunderstood people in the game.

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