Rugby Direct

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier review the All Blacks' end of year tour squad and the companion All Blacks XV squad for their own tour north and recap the breaking news around Patrick Tuipulotu being withdrawn through injury.

We also dig into the NPC quarter-finals, the latest out of R360 and Josh Jacomb's switch to the Highlanders - from 2027.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier mop up the All Blacks-Wallabies test in Perth and debate what can be read into the win and performance, and if certain players have solidified their selections as a result.

We also look ahead to the possible end of year tour squad and ask what is going on with secondary schools rugby in NZ?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the latest Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier are in Perth and react to the All Black and Wallabies sides named for Saturday night's Rugby Championship test in the city, as well as the latest news out of the R360 breakaway league.

Elliott and Liam also chat to All Blacks assistant coach Jason Holland ahead of Saturday's match.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier review the opening Bledisloe Cup test for the All Blacks and assess what went right and wrong as well as whether criticism of referee Andrea Piardi is justified. 

We also review the Black Ferns’ bronze medal win at the World Cup and assess where to next for the women’s programme and game. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the latest Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier assess the All Blacks' side named for the first Bledisloe Cup test at Eden Park, featuring the returns of Codie Taylor, Cam Roigard and Caleb Clarke to the run-on side.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Newstalk ZB's Canterbury rugby commentator Nick Bewley reflect on the Black Ferns being knocked out of the Women's World Cup in England at the hands of Canada and ask how it happened and whether the Black Ferns were prepared for what they were facing.

We also count down to the opening Bledisloe Cup test against the Wallabies as the All Blacks look to bounce back from the horror defeat to South Africa and we talk the Ranfurly Shield changing hands once again in the NPC.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier dive into the All Blacks' worst ever defeat - 43-10 to South Africa in Wellington - and ask what went wrong and perhaps more importantly, why lessons aren't being learned.

We debate everything from whether the coaching set-up is right to whether the All Blacks gave up in the last quarter against the Springboks.

We also wrap the Black Ferns' World Cup quarter-final win against a daring South Africa.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier wrap the All Blacks' win over the Springboks at Eden Park and pull apart how they managed to deny the Springboks and how they might approach the rematch in Wellington.

We also laud the Black Ferns' demolition of Ireland and celebrate - well, one of the hosts does - Canterbury winning the Ranfurly Shield off Southland.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elliott Smith and Liam Napier react to the All Blacks side named for South Africa at Eden Park on Saturday and offer a prediction on how the match will play out.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier get stuck into the big All Blacks-Springboks test at Eden Park this weekend, with the 'Boks aiming to end the All Blacks 50-match unbeaten record at Eden Park. We discuss the possible make-up of the All Blacks side and whether Leicester Fainga'anuku will make it in.

We also mark the sad passing of Shane Christie and whether rugby is doing enough around head contact, while we reflect another move for the Ranfurly Shield.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.