/podcasts/rugby-direct/rss ¾ÅÒ»ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ Every week, Rugby Direct gives you the lowdown on all you need to know from the rugby world. Whether it's the All Blacks, Black Ferns, NPC, Farah Palmer Cu Sat, 19 Apr 2025 08:47:21 Z en /podcasts/rugby-direct/rugby-direct-episode-158/ /podcasts/rugby-direct/rugby-direct-episode-158/ This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith is joined by Gold Sport's Crusaders commentator Nick Bewley with Liam on sabbatical to dissect a busy weekend of action. We discuss the Super Rugby Aupiki final, with the Blues defending their title before digging into the weekend of Super Rugby men's action that leaves the Crusaders top of the table and the Blues beginning to find some form. We also discuss whether Joey Manu will land in Super Rugby and more.  Mon, 14 Apr 2025 02:45:53 Z /podcasts/rugby-direct/rugby-direct-episode-157/ /podcasts/rugby-direct/rugby-direct-episode-157/ This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier dive into the big topics of the week in rugby, beginning with Liam's quick trip to Suva to experience his first Drua home game and the Crusaders' drought-breaking win there, along with the other games in round 8 that included another win for Moana Pasifika and the Chiefs and Blues picking up victories. We also discuss how the talent in NZ Rugby can be spread more widely, the Super Rugby Aupiki final this weekend and the doomed ANZAC Day Bledisloe Cup test concept in Perth. Mon, 07 Apr 2025 01:27:41 Z /podcasts/rugby-direct/rugby-direct-episode-156/ /podcasts/rugby-direct/rugby-direct-episode-156/ This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier react to the breaking news around Damian McKenzie's re-signing and what the deal means for both himself and the All Blacks over the coming years. We also look back at round seven of Super Rugby Pacific as Moana Pasifika pull off the upset of the season against the Crusaders, while the Hurricanes give the Waratahs a reality check and put the competition on notice. We also delve into the thorny stadium saga in Auckland and the impact on rugby. LISTEN ABOVE Mon, 31 Mar 2025 08:29:12 Z /podcasts/rugby-direct/rugby-direct-episode-155/ /podcasts/rugby-direct/rugby-direct-episode-155/ This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier discuss the Crusaders' big win over the Blues - and dig further into just why the latter are struggling so bad in their title defence. We wrap the rest of round 6 in Super Rugby and also pose a few questions around international eligibility as well as the prospect of who Ian Foster might pick for the combined Australia-NZ team he's picking to face the British and Irish Lions in July. Mon, 24 Mar 2025 00:54:59 Z /podcasts/rugby-direct/rugby-direct-exclusive-interview-with-scott-robertson-and-mark-robinson/ /podcasts/rugby-direct/rugby-direct-exclusive-interview-with-scott-robertson-and-mark-robinson/ On this special episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier are joined by NZR CEO Mark Robinson and All Blacks head coach Scott 'Razor' Robertson for an exclusive and extended interview. They update us on all the big rugby issues and state of the game, including their stance on eligibility, broadcast and sponsorship, the upcoming international rugby calendar and what success looks like in 2025. Plus, what talent are catching their eyes in Super Rugby.  LISTEN ABOVE Mon, 17 Mar 2025 16:00:04 Z /podcasts/rugby-direct/rugby-direct-episode-154/ /podcasts/rugby-direct/rugby-direct-episode-154/ On the latest Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier dive into round five of Super Rugby as the Blues lose again and the Chiefs continue their position at the top of the table. We debate Du'Plessis Kirifi's incredible form and discuss where he is in the All Blacks pecking order, as well as the Six Nations wash-up from the end of the competition. LISTEN ABOVE Mon, 17 Mar 2025 03:03:11 Z /podcasts/rugby-direct/rugby-direct-episode-153/ /podcasts/rugby-direct/rugby-direct-episode-153/ This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier wrap another compelling round of Super Rugby - and ask if it's time to panic at the Blues after another defeat in their title defence. We celebrate Moana Pasifika's stunning win over the Hurricanes, and are the Crusaders here to rescue New Zealand rugby again? Super Rugby CEO Jack Mesley checks in for an update on the opening month - we also dig into the Dupont drama in the Six Nations, the Fijian Drua treatment while in New Zealand - and while their men's team may be in trouble, the Blues women are making a compelling case in Super Rugby Aupiki. LISTEN ABOVE Tue, 11 Mar 2025 04:59:05 Z /podcasts/rugby-direct/rugby-direct-episode-152/ /podcasts/rugby-direct/rugby-direct-episode-152/ This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier review the latest round of Super Rugby as the Blues finally get on the board, the Chiefs continue their form and Moana Pasifika and the Highlanders play out an odd game in Albany. We also look at the latest in broadcast negotiations for New Zealand Rugby, Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan's pending departure and who should replace him and the men's Sevens programme floundering. Mon, 03 Mar 2025 00:21:07 Z /podcasts/rugby-direct/rugby-direct-episode-151/ /podcasts/rugby-direct/rugby-direct-episode-151/ This week on Rugby Direct, with Liam away in Saudi Arabia, Elliott Smith is joined by Nick Bewley standing in to look back at week two of Super Rugby as the Chiefs assert their title favourites tag with a thumping win over the Crusaders and the Highlanders consign the defending champion Blues to another loss - we chat all of that and everything in between in Super Rugby. We also preview Super Rugby Aupiki starting this weekend with Black Ferns legend Kendra Cocksedge, pay tribute to Michaela Brake after she claimed the World Series try-scoring record and run the rule over the Fantasy landscape. Mon, 24 Feb 2025 02:22:08 Z /podcasts/rugby-direct/rugby-direct-episode-150/ /podcasts/rugby-direct/rugby-direct-episode-150/ This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier run their eye over the opening round of Super Rugby Pacific - is the competition officially 'back'. We assess the Blues' surprise capitulation against the Chiefs and address the Crusaders' come from behind effort to dismiss the Hurricanes in Christchurch, as well as the other games in the opening round. We also delve into the NZR/INEOS situation and look at the possible replacements for Warren Gatland as Wales' coach. Tue, 18 Feb 2025 00:17:44 Z /podcasts/rugby-direct/rugby-direct-episode-149/ /podcasts/rugby-direct/rugby-direct-episode-149/ This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier are back in the studio for 2025 and not a moment too soon as we reflect on the major rugby issues over the summer break including Joe Schmidt's confirmed impending departure as Wallabies coach, Richie Mo'unga not returning to New Zealand Rugby as early as hoped, the Six Nations in full swing and the TJ Perenara haka developments. We also preview the Super Rugby season, the likely contenders for the title and the big improvers ahead of Friday night's season start, as well as speak to competition CEO Jack Mesley.  Mon, 10 Feb 2025 23:51:50 Z