DSPN - Devlin Sports Podcast Network

Jamie Wall joins Martin Devlin straight from NZR Headquarters after the first official press conference with the new All Blacks assistants. We break down the "drill sergeant" energy of Neil Barnes, the hierarchy under Dave Rennie, and Tana Umaga’s candid admission about his reputation. Plus, we look at the "big green and gold elephant" in the room—the Springboks. Learn more about your ad choices....

Jeff "The Ref" McGregor joins Martin to pull apart the big calls from the Highlanders vs. Hurricanes and Blues vs. Waratahs. We dive into Cam Roigard’s "cheat code" try, the subtle art of angling in at the scrum, and why the referee finally snapped at Beauden Barrett. Plus, Jeff answers the ultimate listener question: Is "downward pressure" actually in the rulebook? Learn more about your ad choice...

The wait is over. Dave Rennie’s All Blacks coaching staff has been officially unveiled via press release. Martin Devlin, Mark Watson, and John Day dive into the names: Neil Barnes (Senior Assistant), Jason Ryan (Forwards), Tana Umaga (Defense), and Mike Blair (Attack). We debate if this "eclectic mix" is exactly what the doctor ordered or a "glass half-empty" appointment of yesterday’s men. Learn...

Jamie Wall joins Martin Devlin to pull apart a rambunctious round of Super Rugby. We ask the big questions: are the Hurricanes the real deal or just flat-track bullies? Why are the Waratahs the competition's biggest disappointment? Plus, we reveal a brand new Form 15 featuring a "coming out party" for Ruben Love at first-five and a massive shake-up in the loose forwards. Learn more about your ad c...

Martin and Lachlan pull no punches in this week's Vibe Rankings. We dissect the Chiefs’ inability to close big games, the Waratahs’ "comical" performance against the Blues, and why the Reds are now the biggest threat from across the ditch. Plus, we debate Will Jordan's best position and look ahead to the Hurricanes' brutal five-week gauntlet. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/ad...

What a round. We got a Blues comeback that looked unlikely, a Chiefs loss that will still sting, and a Hurricanes performance that made plenty of us sit up a bit straighter. Marty and Tony Johnson get stuck into Jason Holland taking over at the Blues, why the Reds suddenly look like the real deal, and how the Brumbies keep finding ways to annoy New Zealand teams. We also spend a bit of time on Reu...

We’re clearing out the DSPN mailbag this week and it’s a heavy one. Martin and Lachlan tackle the polarizing feedback on Tana Umaga—is his "All Black aura" enough to fix the team, or is his coaching record a red flag? We also look ahead to a dangerous, "warmed-up" Irish side arriving in July, and debate whether Henry Pollock is a future great or just "cringe". Learn more about your ad choices. Vis...

Sky Sports’ Tony Johnson joins Martin to break down the standout performers in Super Rugby so far. From Will Jordan’s leadership to the "lethal" form of Caleb Clarke and the rise of Highlanders wild card TK Howden, we build a form 15 that challenges the incumbents. Plus, we preview a massive "jeopardy round" of Super Rugby where the tipping is harder than ever. Learn more about your ad choices. Vi...

The whispers are getting louder: Tana Umaga might be joining Dave Rennie’s All Blacks coaching staff. Martin Devlin dives into whether this is a masterstroke of "aura and wisdom" or if Tana’s coaching track record should be under more scrutiny. We look at the intangibles of respect, the "been there, done that" factor, and why a "wise old head" might be exactly what this squad needs to separate the...

All Black legend Murray Mexted joins Martin to break down the "supreme continuity" seen in the Six Nations and what it means for the All Blacks. We dive deep into the appointment of Dave Rennie, the importance of mental toughness over "whiteboard slogans," and why Mexted believes the game needs a three-legged stool of leadership to succeed. Plus, thoughts on the Super Rugby talent drain and the fu...

The rugby round table reconvenes to pull apart the messy Scott Hansen situation. Martin Devlin, Mark Watson, and John Day ask the tough question: how do you sell a coach perceived as the "problem" back to a skeptical public? We also dive into the massive player exodus, with 19 stars heading offshore, and wonder if the Six Nations just proved the Northern Hemisphere is playing a better version of o...

Rugby League royalty Laurie Daley joins Martin Devlin for a deep dive into the 2026 NRL season. Daley breaks down the Warriors' "breathtaking" start, explaining how Andrew Webster has moved the team away from relying on highlight reels to mastering the "No Talent Required" effort areas. We also tackle the State of Origin passion debate, the tactical data behind Queensland’s recent dominance, and w...

Referees are under the pump, and Jeff McGregor is here to explain why. We tackle the Augustine Pulu red card, the technical mastery of international scrums, and the "shallow rugby" of box-kicking under pressure. Jeff calls out the illegal use of hands by halfbacks and explains why the TMO is increasingly becoming a "crutch" for officials. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoi...

The vibes are shifting! Martin Devlin and Lachlan Waugh break down the Round 5 Vibe Rankings, and there's a major disagreement at the top. Marty argues the Blues should technically be 5-0, while Lachlan questions if the Hurricanes have even been tested yet. We also dive into the Crusaders' "Magic 8-Ball" form and why the Drua are a literal weather weapon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit me...

The "no loyalty" era is officially underway. Martin Devlin and Jamie Wall sit down for the second edition of Form 15, selecting an All Blacks side based strictly on who fronted in Round 5. We discuss the rumors of Tana Umaga and Scott Hansen joining Dave Rennie's staff, the "administrative cock-up" of the Central Vikings, and why Beauden Barrett’s "intellectual property" is keeping him in the fram...

What a ridiculous, brilliant, all-over-the-place Six Nations that was. In this episode of DSPN, we run through six big takeaways from a tournament that seemed to deliver a new storyline every week. From France v England turning into full Instagram reel rugby, to the shift toward high-scoring, high-speed test matches, there was no shortage of chaos, quality and debate. We also look at the form swin...

Join DSPN host Martin Devlin, longtime Kiwi rugby commentator Tony Johnson, and UK rugby correspondent Chris Jones as they review all the action from the final weekend of the 2026 Six Nations. France have successfully defended their title after a thrilling 48-46 win over England in Paris. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Six Nations has been an absolute "melting pot" of unpredictable results. All Black legend Justin Marshall joins Martin Devlin to make sense of England’s spectacular fall from grace, Italy’s historic rise, and Scotland’s innovative attacking masterclass. We discuss why the All Blacks should adopt Scotland's "use the ball" blueprint and whether Dave Rennie's new coaching era will return New Zeal...

The Rugby Roundtable is back! Martin Devlin, Mark Watson, and John Day tackle the major headlines: the potential appointment of Tana Umaga as an All Blacks assistant, David Kirk’s controversial "business" framing of the national game, and a historic Six Nations where Italy is suddenly a giant-killer. Plus, we look ahead to Super Rugby Round 5 and the desperate need for a Crusaders revenge mission...

A week of massive shifts in Super Rugby Pacific! Martin Devlin is joined by Blues loose forward Anton Segner to talk about their "clinical" second-half shutout of the Crusaders and the boost of having Beauden Barrett back. Then, Justin Marshall weighs in on the "bizarre" fluctuations in team form and issues a challenge to new coach Dave Rennie: sweep the sheds and pick strictly on form, even if it...

If the All Blacks were picked purely on form right now, who actually makes the team? That’s the question we throw around in studio with esteemed rugby journo Jamie Wall today. We run through every position, from the front row through to the back three. There are some obvious selections, some tight debates, and a couple of names pushing hard for a first crack in black. There’s also the conversation...

Jeff the Ref returns to dissect a weekend that left fans screaming at their TVs. We dive into the Reds' last-gasp win over the Brumbies, why an eye-gouge was missed in the Six Nations, and the bizarre rules surrounding a player getting their pants pulled down. Plus, Jeff calls out the "impotent" Assistant Referees and explains why halfbacks are getting away with murder at the back of the ruck. Lea...

England have lost three in a row in the Six Nations, including a historic defeat to Italy. But what does their spectacular demise tell us about the All Blacks? Martin Devlin breaks down why last year’s 33-19 loss at Twickenham is now an even bigger stain on the lack jersey. From "clunky" tactics to a lack of leadership, we ask the hard question: Are the All Blacks in a much worse position than we...

Has international rugby ever been stronger? Tony Johnson joins Martin Devlin to dissect a Six Nations weekend that shredded the form book. Italy’s historic first-ever win over England, Scotland’s 50-point demolition of France, and the "spreadsheet rugby" that has Steve Borthwick on the brink. Plus, a look ahead to a final weekend where three teams can still take the crown. Learn more about your ad...

Unpredictability is the name of the game in Super Rugby Pacific. Tony Johnson joins Martin Devlin to break down a wild Round 4, including the Hurricanes' clinical dismantling of the Waratahs and the Blues' massive "statement" win over the Crusaders. We dive into the "outrageous burgle" in Canberra, the Beauden Barrett factor, and why the TMO protocols are still leaving fans scratching their heads....