DSPN - RUGBY

Sir Graham Lowe is a Kiwi rugby league icon, and one of the most lovable sports personalities NZ has to offer. He joins Marty Devlin on the DSPN to discuss the three South Island bids for a second NRL franchise in New Zealand.

Sir Graham is involved in one of the three bids, and he believes his well-funded and comprehensive proposal stands out. Despite not having direct communication with the NRL yet, Sir Graham remains optimistic. There are also potential issues surrounding the crowded bidding field and the NRL’s broader plans, including expansion to Perth and Papua New Guinea.

Website: https://www.rova.nz/podcasts/dspn

Instagram: @martindevlin_dspn

TikTok: @martindevlin_dspn

Welcome to episode three of the DSPN - Devlin Sports Podcast Network...

• Kiwi football icon Wynton Rufer raves about Chris Wood, who's banging in goals for fun in the Premier League. Wood was recently named EPL player of the month - the first ever New Zealander to do so.
• Rugby league legend Sir Graham Lowe goes in-depth on the three separate South Island bids for a second Kiwi franchise in the NRL.
• Miles Davis - an expert on sport and all sorts of other nonsense - chats Premier League football and test rugby, among other things.

All that and much more!

Website: https://www.rova.nz/podcasts/dspn

Instagram: @martindevlin_dspn

TikTok: @martindevlin_dspn

Matt Gunn - amusing Australian who just LOVES the bitter cold down in Twizel - joins Marty Devlin on the DSPN. Gunny and Marty present Let's Be Positive, where they do their best to put a positive spin on a variety of sports results, news and views. There's plenty to discuss including Pakistan beating Australia in a one-day cricket series across the ditch, the Wallabies upsetting England at Twickenham, and David Campese having to eat humble pie.

Website: https://www.rova.nz/podcasts/dspn

Instagram: @martindevlin_dspn

TikTok: @martindevlin_dspn

Welcome to episode two of the DSPN - Devlin Sports Podcast Network...

• Wallabies legend David Campese eats humble pie after ripping into Aussie players ahead of their test win over England, saying they 'only care about money and lack respect for the past'.
• Marty and young producer Lachlan Waugh work their way through quotes from the All Blacks stand-up featuring Jason Ryan and Cam Roigard. Ryan sheds a bit more light on Ethan de Groot's absence from the last two tests.
• Twizel's favourite Australian Matt Gunn sprinkles some positivity over a number of sporting topics, including Pakistan beating the Aussies.

All that and much more!

Website: https://www.rova.nz/podcasts/dspn

Instagram: @martindevlin_dspn

TikTok: @martindevlin_dspn

Welcome to episode one of the DSPN - Devlin Sports Podcast Network...

• It's all about the All Blacks' impressive 23-13 win over Ireland in Dublin. Marty Devlin is joined by ex-All Black and rugby commentator Justin Marshall to recap.
• Tony Kemp - former Warriors coach - reviews the Pacific Championships with a focus on the Kiwis' 54-12 hammering of Papua New Guinea in West Sydney.
• Experienced broadcaster Mark 'Watto' Watson talks rugby, offering his thoughts on the ABs win.
• PLUS, Marty moans about rugby refereeing, and he and producer Lachlan Waugh debate sports topics aplenty on the Tight 5.

All that and much more!

Website: https://www.rova.nz/podcasts/dspn

Instagram: @martindevlin_dspn

TikTok: @martindevlin_dspn

On The DSPN, Martin Devlin interviews Justin Marshall - former All Blacks halfback and now one of the most renowned rugby commentators around the world. The ABs defeated Ireland 23-13 in a titanic rugby test in Dublin over the weekend, handing New Zealand a fifth-straight test win and arguably the sweetest for coach Scott Robertson since he took charge. Marshall praises the All Blacks' ability to close out a test match against the world's best side in their own backyard. He and Marty also unpack Damian McKenzie's man of the match display back in the 10 jumper, and the performance of referee Nic Berry. The conversation concludes with reflections on other international matches including Australia's last-gasp win over England, South Africa beating Scotland, and Fiji upsetting Wales.

Website: https://www.rova.nz/podcasts/dspn

Instagram: @martindevlin_dspn

TikTok: @martindevlin_dspn

Before we launch, this is a taste of what's to come on The DSPN.

OPINION:

The All Blacks are not beating Ireland this weekend, brace for it folks. And no I’m not being a negative nelly about this.

We, very simply, at our best aren’t good enough to beat them at their best.

Based on what you ask?

Based on form, based on players, based on what we’ve seen throughout the year thus far, culminating in another worthy but hardly wildly impressive win over England last weekend.

That game mirrored our entire season to date. Performance wise I gave us a B - good bits, some great bits, moments of sheer brilliance, and then, and it’s been so frustrating and annoying and consistently so throughout each of the nine major matches we’ve played in 2024.

Too many errors, unnecessary infringements, bonehead cards and botched opportunities that if you want to be the best test rugby team in the world, you simply cannot afford.

This is not a great All Black side. Not yet, not by a long shot. Three tries to one we outscored England. For the first time all year we also came back in the last quarter and did enough to reclaim the lead and clinch the game. Major pluses in our favour them both.

But the margins are also so very fine. The Kiwis lost to Tonga by a field goal, the Poms in the last minute or two were a penalty hitting the upright followed by a failed drop kick from 20 metres away from a loss that would’ve dumped us straight back to where we were after getting dicked by the Argies in Wellington. 

Ireland are a great side. 6 Nations champs, ranked above us in the world right now, they have also already achieved something this year which we couldn’t which was beat the Saffers in Africa.

They are at home, ready, waiting, motivated and still scorned after last year’s World Cup quarter-final upset defeat. And it was an upset. 

Yes we can win, of course we can. It’s a game of sport, nothing is set in stone. Will we though? I don’t believe so. 

Yes the All Blacks are improving , we’re getting better.

But yes, right now, Ireland are better. 

What we saw, the way we played versus England won’t beat this side.

Brace yourselves because this is what this season is… she’s a bumpy ride.

Before we launch, this is a taste of what's to come on The DSPN.

The All Blacks take on Ireland In Dublin on Saturday morning in what is considered the toughest match of their northern tour. After a narrow win against England last weekend, New Zealand now face an Irish side that hasn't played since their two July tests against South Africa. Longtime Sky Sport rugby commentator Tony Johnson joins Marty in the studio to discuss All Black team changes and the growing rivalry between the two nations. Key topics include the unpredictability of Damian McKenzie at first-five, the real reasons behind Ethan De Groot's continued omission, and the importance of this test in context of the whole season.

Before we launch the DSPN we are giving you a taste of what's to come. 

Ali Williams discusses his investment in Auckland FC, a new A-League franchise, alongside his wife Anna Mowbray and notable partners including Bill Foley, Steven Adams, Winston Reid and Tim Brown. Auckland FC has had a stellar start to their maiden season, winning their first three games without conceding a goal, that alone equalling an A-League record. Williams reflects on the unique and vibrant atmosphere of football compared to rugby, emphasising the community engagement and lighthearted fan interactions. He highlights the importance of fun in sport and the need for all sports in New Zealand to thrive. Williams also touches on the financial and community-driven aspects of running a football club, noting their long-term commitment despite expected initial financial losses.