Rugby Direct
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 Cup, or just what's going down at the club grounds, we have you covered on your home for all things rugby. Listen on iHeartRadio for every angle, every moment, and every opinion.
Episodes
This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier react to a busy week of news in the rugby world, including the breaking news of Portia Woodman-Wickliffe coming out of retirement to have a crack at the World Cup for the Black Ferns.
We also discuss Rieko Ioane's shock loan move to Leinster and how he might be welcomed by the Irish fans and teammates given his spat with Johnny Sexton and we discuss where to next for the Blue...
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 Su...
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 ...
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 delv...
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 delv...
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 ...
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 catc...
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.
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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 S...
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.
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...
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 repla...
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 li...
On Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier wrap up the 2024 All Blacks season and hand out some awards from the campaign and get out their red pens and mark the season that was.
We dig into the eligibility saga as it continues to rage around New Zealand rugby, ask whether Joe Schmidt will stay in charge of the Wallabies beyond the Lions series and also flag a potential job he could take up if not and give our thoughts on the Se...
This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith (in Turin) and Liam Napier review the All Blacks' 1-point loss to France in Paris and how the defeat changes the complexion of the end of year tour. We also look ahead to the final test of the year against Italy and consider the likely make-up of the 23.
We also talk the news of Harry Plummer's impending departure from New Zealand Rugby, the continued noise about a F1/LIV Golf style rugby br...
This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith in Paris and Liam Napier discuss the All Blacks' win over (now former) world number ones Ireland in Dublin - what it means in both the context of the tour and the year and how they managed to wear down Ireland. We also look ahead to the penultimate test of 2024 against France this weekend and ponder some selection headaches for the selectors.
We also wrap up the rest of the weekend in the en...
This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith in Dublin is joined by Liam Napier to reflect on the All Blacks' tight win over England at Twickenham and we break down the performance - the good and the bad.
We also look ahead to Ireland and the remainder of this weekend's test matches as the end of year internationals ramp up.
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This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier review the All Blacks win over Japan in Yokohama and look ahead to Sunday morning's big test against England, we also review the NPC final and sit down with New Zealand Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson in London to chat some of the burning issues in the sport.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith dials in from Tokyo to run through with Liam Napier the All Blacks team named for Saturday's test against Japan in Yokohama and what it means for the rest of the tour.
We also preview the NPC final, discuss Rugby Sevens being given the heave-ho from the pared-back 2026 Commonwealth Games and big moves in the commercial arm of NZ Rugby.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier recap all the big news of the rugby world from the last fortnight - beginning with the All Blacks and All Blacks XV squads selected for tours north - who were the unlucky ones that missed out and who can count themselves lucky to be there?
We review the Black Ferns' WXV1 campaign and assess their stocks a year out from the Rugby World Cup in England, as well as look at the NP...
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