Rugby Direct

On the latest Rugby Direct from London, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier review the two sides named for Sunday morning's test between the All Blacks and England. We discuss the key selections including moving Wallace Sititi to the bench and whether it will be enough to counter the 'Pom Squad' named by Steve Borthwick. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier have moved on to London but first they need to assess the win over Scotland through both a glass half full and glass half empty approach.  We investigate what changes could be made for the test against England and also look ahead to Twickenham - is the hosts' 9 game winning streak something to fear? And we take a look around the rest of...

On the latest Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier check in from Edinburgh to review the All Blacks side named to face Scotland on Sunday morning and their predictions for how the match will unfold See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the latest edition of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier wrap up the All Blacks win over Ireland at Soldier Field and analyse the efforts of the All Blacks' bench in sealing the victory, while also pondering the success of the venture overall.  We also look ahead to this weekend's match at Murrayfield and what to expect. Also, we look at the other games of the weekend and update t...

On Rugby Direct this week, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier are in Chicago as they analyse the All Blacks side named to face Ireland on Sunday morning and how they might look to diffuse the Irish - and vice-versa. We also dig into the context of the tour as a whole, along with the impending departure of Jason Holland from the side's staff and we have a quick word on the NPC as Canterbury take the tit...

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Nick Bewley discuss the impending NPC final between Canterbury and Otago and determine where it might be won and lost, as well as contend with the fact the sides won't be able to call on All Blacks players for the big dance. We also chat changes to the Super Rugby squad structure for next year and reveal where one of the country's most promising young t...

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the companion All Blacks XV squad for their own tour north and recap the breaking news around Patrick Tuipulotu being withdrawn through injury.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....

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 in...

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 bo...

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'...

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/list...

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 en...

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier pore over the All Blacks' defeat to Argentina in Buenos Aires and contemplate what went wrong and whether the issues in the All Blacks are now systemic - and how to fix them as the prospect of South Africa bears down on the All Blacks next week at Eden Park. We also discuss the Black Ferns' opening World Cup, New Zealand Rugby renewing its b...

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier break down the All Blacks' Rugby Championship opener against Argentina and their ascension to the top of the world rankings despite an at times imperfect showing, and ask why the forwards are clicking but the back play appears clunky and whether changes might be in the offing for the second test. And as the All Blacks move on to Buenos Aires...

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier discuss Richie Mo'unga's impending return to New Zealand Rugby in 11 months time and what it means for the All Blacks, Crusaders and Canterbury. We also preview the Rugby Championship starting this weekend, with a specific eye to the All Blacks and Argentina this weekend in Cordoba. We ask what success looks like in the Rugby Championship fo...

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier digest and dissect the All Blacks' Rugby Championship squad with three new faces in an extended squad to travel to Argentina and beyond - we dig into the surprise selections, the recalls and everything in between. We also wrap up the British and Irish Lions' tour of Australia and whether the Wallabies have taken a step forward, while we take...

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier wrap the third test against France and review the series as a whole - what did we learn and which players were the big movers across the three matches? We also look ahead to the Rugby Championship and where the All Blacks must improve. We also dig into the latest on the R360 saga, the opening test of the Lions series and plenty more in the r...

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier wrap up the All Blacks' big win over France in Wellington and analyse who stood out for the home team, before looking ahead to the third and final test in Hamilton. We also ask whether the current Lions tour of Australia could be the worst in history, what David Kidwell might add to the Highlanders' coaching staff and assess the final Black...

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier take a look at the All Blacks' 31-27 win over France in Dunedin to open the year and discuss whether it was underwhelming or whether France's so-called 'B-team' deserve more respect than they'd been given. We discuss the big key moments of the game, where it was won and what changes, both personnel and tactically wise, are required for game...

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier count down to the opening All Blacks test of 2025 against France in Dunedin and speculate on what a couple of injury withdrawals might mean for the make up of the first test side. We also assess what to expect from France across the series and if you can really prepare for a side with so few international caps between them. We also dig into...

This weekend we've got a bonus episode for you in the Rugby Direct feed - The new podcast 'Rivals' from Sir John Kirwan and Victor Matfield. Episodes are released every Thursday, and a perfect complement for Rugby Direct. Follow the podcast on iHeartRadio, or wherever you listen to podcasts:  Rivals | iHeart The Wallabies refusing to release their top players for the British & Irish Lions...