Rugby Direct

On the latest edition of Rugby Direct, it's bonjour once against from Paris as we say Au Revoir to the Irish and the hosts France on a big 100th episode of Rugby Direct

Elliott Smith and Liam Napier review the most astonishing quarter-final weekend in Rugby World Cup history with the All Blacks marching into the semi-finals with a stunning win over Ireland.

We also take in the other three quarter-finals and ponder what the defeat for France might do for the interest levels here on the ground.

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On the midweek edition of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith (Newstalk ZB ) and Liam Napier (NZ Herald) discuss the breaking news out of Paris that Mark Tele'a has been stood down for a breach of team protocol and won't appear in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final against Ireland.

We also analyse the team named by Ian Foster and his selectors and cast an eye over the other 3 RWC quarter-finals.

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This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier convene post midnight to discuss Portugal's historic win over Fiji at the Rugby World Cup, before branching out into the All Blacks and Ireland quarter-final this weekend and where both teams are placed heading into it and if the All Blacks can stop a seemingly unstoppable Ireland.

Elliott and Liam each pick a combined All Blacks-Ireland XV, as well as discuss where the truth lies on the Scott Robertson saga.

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Elliott Smith and Liam Napier check in from Lyon to review the All Blacks side named to face Uruguay in their final RWC pool match (Live on Gold Sport and iHeart Radio). 

We also take stock of the games to come this weekend and update French captain Antoine Dupont's superhuman return from injury.

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This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier are in Lyon and assess the All Blacks' big win over Italy and how it reshapes the Rugby World Cup - if at all.

We also take stock of the Ranfurly Shield damage scandal story from back home, wonder if the Rugby World Cup should expand and discuss potential changes for the All Blacks' final pool game against Uruguay Friday morning.

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On this midweek edition of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier assess the All Blacks side named to face Italy in their crunch World Cup Pool A match in Lyon, as well as run the rule over the other major news of the World Cup in the week to date.

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Elliott Smith and Liam Napier jump on for Rugby Direct from Lyon, as the All Blacks take a backseat for a few days with the Rugby World Cup ramping up with two big pool games with major ramifications.

First we review the Wallabies almost certain pool play exit and where the sport goes to in Australia after their dismal showing, before jumping into the Ireland-South Africa blockbuster and discussing how the Irish were able to quell the reigning World Cup champions.

We also take a look at New Zealand's next match against Italy and make more possibly disastrous tipping predictions.

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On the latest edition of Rugby Direct, Elliott and Liam check in from Bordeaux - to discuss and update the midweek happenings at the tournament in France.

We review Ethan de Groot's suspension, the All Blacks finding a useful stat to guide them in their week off, the Springboks opting for a 7-1 bench against Ireland this week and Drew Mitchell coming off the long run against Eddie Jones.

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This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott and Liam are in Toulouse to review the second week of the Rugby World Cup, including the All Blacks' win over Namibia, Ethan de Groot's red card and where it leaves New Zealand after two games.

We also review Fiji's impressive win over the Wallabies and wonder whether this is a death knell for Australian rugby.

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On the latest edition of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier recap the opening weekend of the World Cup - leading with a big focus on the All Blacks' 27-13 loss to France and how they were defeated...and why.

We delve into where to from here for the All Blacks and if they simply just don't have a seat at the top table currently in the sport.

We also review the other big games of the first week - including whether Fiji can feel hard done by losing to Wales in the final game of the opening weekend.

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