Rugby Direct

This week on Rugby Direct, Scott Robertson has announced his All Blacks coaching team for when he takes over after the World Cup.

So what do Elliott and Liam make of it?

We also debate round nine of Super Rugby, whether Anzac Day is appropriately marked in Super Rugby and evaluate Roger Tuivasa-Sheck's decision to head back to league after this year.

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This week on Rugby Direct,

Elliott Smith (Newstalk ZB's Blues/All Blacks commentator) is joined by Nick Bewley (Crusaders commentator) standing in for Liam Napier.

We discuss the Chiefs v Hurricanes top of the table match-up in the sun in Wellington, assess Moana Pasifika's first 'real' home game in Apia and assess Rieko Ioane's re-signing with NZR until 2027.

Elliott and Nick also cast an eye at the Black Ferns assistant announcement and ask whether the lack of females in the staff was a legitimate discussion or storm-in-a-teacup.

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This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott and Liam discuss the latter's exclusive around the probable make up of Scott Robertson's coaching team for the All Blacks next year and beyond.

We also review round seven of Super Rugby, look ahead to round eight and try and figure out why rugby executives can't seem to see what the rest of us do around scheduling of games on long weekends.

In addition, two players are big movers on the MVP rankings.

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In this episode, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier run the rule over the Chiefs beating the Blues and continuing their unbeaten start to season 2023.

We also check in on the Kiwi sides and give a big round of applause to the New Zealand Sevens sides for their victories in Hong Kong.

Elliott and Liam also ponder Moana Pasifika and ask where their next win is coming from and if we really need a Wallabies squad to be named in April.

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This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott and Liam review the Super Rugby Aupiki decider which saw a shock win for Matatu.

We also examine the latest in the race for the All Blacks assistants jobs and review a round five of Super Rugby Pacific in which it felt like half the competition's players - okay maybe an exaggeration - were being rested.

Elliott and Liam also cast an eye on Rugby Australia's big spending over the weekend.

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On a special edition of the Rugby Direct podcast, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier discuss the appointment of Scott Robertson as the new All Blacks head coach.

We analyse what it means for Robertson himself, take a look at his prospective team and how it might play out this year now for both the current and future All Blacks coaching staffs.

We also hear from Robertson as well as NZR chief executive Mark Robinson in interviews from on the ground.

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This week on Rugby Direct,

Elliott Smith and Liam Napier discuss the Crusaders' bouncing back with a win over the Blues at Eden Park, while the Highlanders are also in the winners' circle for the first time this year.

Ireland wrap up the grand slam and Six Nations in dominant fashion overall, so what will it take to stop them in France.

And we assess the latest twists and turns of the All Blacks coaching race and dish out some MVP points.

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This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier analyse the state of the All Blacks coaching race after Joe Schmidt's withdrawal and whether it's just going to remain a two-horse race while also pondering if the early season wobbles of the Crusaders will have any impact.

Elliott and Liam assess the Six Nations with a round left, wonder whether there's a better format for Super Rugby Aupiki and hand one player all the points in the Rugby Direct medal race.

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This week on Rugby Direct,

Elliott Smith (Newstalk ZB's lead rugby commentator) and Liam Napier (Chief sports writer - NZ Herald) debate the key issues from Super Round in Melbourne.

The guys discuss Ardie Savea's throat-slitting gesture, the Highlanders copping a second straight heavy defeat and the Blues losing to the Brumbies in a fascinating match.

We also look at Aupiki - can anyone stop the Chiefs Manawa? - and the All Blacks coaching appointment takes another twist as more certainty emerges.

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Elliott and Liam are back to review the opening round of Super Rugby, as the Crusaders crumbled against the Chiefs, the Blues powered past the Highlanders and the Hurricanes swept past the Reds.

We also review round one of Super Rugby Aupiki, the latest Six Nations games and debate the All Blacks coaching saga, which has taken another (!) turn in recent days.

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