Rugby Direct

On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier react to Dave Rennie fronting the media for the first time since he took charge of the All Blacks. 

They also unpack the surprise return of Sir Graham Henry as a selector, and look ahead to a crucial round 14 of Super Rugby Pacific.  

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In this special episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier are joined in studio by the new New Zealand Rugby CEO Steve Lancaster.

The trio dive into the game’s biggest talking points - from governance and the future of Super Rugby to player pathways and the challenges shaping rugby in Aotearoa.

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On this week’s episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier break down all the biggest talking points from Round 13.

Another All Black is set to head offshore at season’s end, NZ Rugby digs in on its stance around Mo’unga and Frizell returning via the NPC, and the pressure mounts on Moana Pasifika — is there still time to turn it around?

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On this week’s episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier delve into the big breaking news: the appointment of Steve Lancaster as NZ Rugby’s new CEO. The boys give their first reaction and unpack what the appointment means for the game. 

There’s also a cause for concern for the Hurricanes with Cam Roigard sidelined – is the ‘Cain Train’ starting to derail?

Plus, they open up the mailbag and tackle your questions. 

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On this week’s episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier dissect round 12 of Super Rugby.

The top three are pulling clear - but who’s best placed to grab the final three playoff spots as the race tightens?

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On this week’s episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier break down the Christchurch Super Round – what worked, what didn’t, and whether it could help revive Super Rugby. 

Plus, they preview round 12 of the competition and debate the return of the ANZAC Day Bledisloe Cup – is it a winner or a risk worth taking? 

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On this week’s episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier were joined by Hurricanes co-owner Malcolm Gillies for a wide-ranging chat about Super Rugby Pacific, including the growing challenges surround team ownership in the competition. 

The boys also look ahead to the highly anticipated Super Round, set to play out this weekend at Christchurch’s brand new One NZ Stadium at Te Kaha. 

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On this week’s episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier rip into a massive Round 10.

The Hurricanes’ title charge takes a serious hit after a stumbling loss to the Chiefs, the Black Ferns flex their muscle with a statement win over Canada, and there’s no shortage of other talking points across the rugby landscape.

Don’t miss the latest episode of Rugby Direct.

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On this week’s episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier delve into the uncertain future of Moana Pasifika and what their potential exit could mean for Super Rugby as a whole. How would the competition be reshaped if they were to walk away? 

The boys also preview Round 10 of Super Rugby Pacific, before opening the mailbag to pick their first All Blacks XV of the 2026 season. 

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On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier unpack all the fallout from Round 9 of Super Rugby Pacific.

The boys break down the biggest talking points from the weekend - including the big question of whether anyone can slow down the red‑hot Hurricanes.

They also review the Black Ferns’ opening win of their 2026 campaign and the Crusaders officially turn the page on a storied past - ushering in a new era at their new stadium by retiring the famous horses.

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