Rugby Direct
Episodes
Rugby Direct: Episode 218
16 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On this week’s episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier delve into the uncertain future of Moana Pasifika and what their potential exi...
Rugby Direct: Episode 217
14 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier unpack all the fallout from Round 9 of Super Rugby Pacific. The boys break down t...
Rugby Direct: Episode 216
09 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On the latest Rugby Direct podcast, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier discuss a busy post-Easter weekend of news in the rugby world, with former All Black...
Rugby Direct: Episode 215
02 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier unpack the reaction and wider implications of Gregor Paul’s Ardie Savea column ...
Rugby Direct: Episode 214
29 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier dive into all the fallout from Round 7 of Super Rugby Pacific. The boys break dow...
Rugby Direct: Episode 213
26 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and producer Mark Kelly break down the newly released 2026 NPC schedule. The duo also preview Roun...
Rugby Direct: Episode 212
23 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On the latest Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier return for an emergency episode breaking down the major news out of New Zealand Rugby. ...
Rugby Direct: Episode 211
23 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On this week’s episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Nick Bewley discuss how the cream is rising to the top of Super Rugby Pacific. With two mo...
Rugby Direct: Episode 210
19 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On the latest Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier return on the latest Rugby Direct to preview Round 6 of Super Rugby Pacific. The boys dive i...
Rugby Direct: Episode 209
11 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier discuss suggestions Tana Umaga is a contender for an All Blacks coaching role und...
Rugby Direct - Episode 208
08 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On the latest Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier break down a dramatic Round 4 of Super Rugby Pacific — a weekend where the Crusaders w...
Rugby Direct - Reaction / analysis to Dave Rennie announcement
04 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On the latest Rugby direct Elliott Smith and Liam Napier discuss the announcement of the new All Blacks coach Dave Rennie. Liam shares new details on ...
Rugby Direct - New All Blacks coach announced
03 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Elliott Smith breaks down the breaking news that Dave Rennie has been confirmed as All Blacks coach, succeeding Scott Robertson. See omnystudio....
Rugby Direct Episode 205
01 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On the latest Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Nick Bewley review round three of Super Rugby pacific, with only one New Zealand side winning over the w...
Rugby Direct: Episode 204
26 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Nick Bewley preview the third round of Super Rugby Pacific. They also discuss the lates...
Rugby Direct - Episode 203
22 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On this week’s episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Nick Bewley review round two of Super Rugby Pacific, The Brumbies thump the Crusaders, Wha...
Rugby Direct - Episode 202
18 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On this week’s episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Nick Bewley preview round two of Super Rugby Pacific. They also discuss Dalton Papali’i’...
Rugby Direct - Episode 201
15 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On the latest Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier review round one of Super Rugby Pacific who shone who didn't and who has the most to work on...
Rugby Direct - Episode 200
11 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier are back to discuss the team lineups for the opening round of Super Rugby Pacific...
Rugby Direct - Episode 199
09 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On the latest edition of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier preview the Super Rugby season - who will be the big movers and who is likely to ...
Rugby Direct - Episode 198
26 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier are back to discuss the fallout around Scott Robertson's departure from the All B...
Rugby Direct - Episode 197
15 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The New Zealand Rugby Union has confirmed the news they have parted ways with All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson just 2 years in to his 4-year cont...
Rugby Direct - Episode 196
14 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In the wake of a scathing internal review on the All Blacks coaching squad, pressure is mounting on NZR to make changes as players revolt. Elliot Smit...
Rugby Direct - Episode 195
08 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On the final Rugby Direct for the year, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier return from Europe and some time away to review the All Blacks' season - what ne...
Rugby Direct - Episode 194
20 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On the latest Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier assess the All Blacks side named to face Wales and whether it's a missed opportunity on the ...
Rugby Direct - Episode 193
18 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On the latest Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier check in from Cardiff for a post-mortem to the All Blacks' humbling defeat to England - wher...
Rugby Direct - Episode 192
13 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Rugby Direct - Episode 191
10 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 gl...
Rugby Direct - Episode 190
06 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 morni...
Rugby Direct - Episode 189
02 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Rugby Direct - Episode 188
31 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 an...
Rugby Direct - Episode 187
22 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Rugby Direct - Episode 186
14 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Rugby Direct - Episode 185
05 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 pe...
Rugby Direct - Episode 184
02 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Rugby Direct - Episode 183
28 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Rugby Direct - Episode 182
25 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...
Rugby Direct - Episode 181
22 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 th...
Rugby Direct - Episode 180
14 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 w...
Rugby Direct - Episode 179
08 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Rugby Direct - Episode 178
04 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 wil...
Rugby Direct - Episode 177
01 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 a...
Rugby Direct - Episode 176
25 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Rugby Direct - Episode 175
18 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier break down the All Blacks' Rugby Championship opener against Argentina and their ascension to...
Rugby Direct - Episode 174
10 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Rugby Direct - Episode 173
04 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 extend...
Rugby Direct - Episode 172
22 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 w...
Rugby Direct - Episode 171
14 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 h...
Rugby Direct - Episode 170
07 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Rugby Direct - Episode 169
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Bonus Episode - Rivals with Sir John Kirwan and Victor Matfield
27 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Rugby Direct - Episode 168
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Rugby Direct, it's a bumper edition of the podcast as Elliott Smith and Liam Napier wrap the first All Blacks squad of 2025 - who's in an...
Rugby Direct - Episode 167
16 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier wrap the Super Rugby semi-finals and assess the way the Crusaders and Chiefs were able to get...
Rugby Direct - Episode 166
09 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier react to the breaking news of Mark Robinson's impending departure as the chief executive of N...
Rugby Direct - Episode 165
02 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier review the last round of the Super Rugby Pacific regular season and assess the top 6 sides le...
Rugby Direct - Episode 164
26 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier wrap up the penultimate round of Super Rugby Pacific - as the Chiefs make a statement against...
Rugby Direct - Episode 163
19 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier reflect on Ardie Savea's standout game that inspired Moana Pasifika to their first victory ov...
Rugby Direct - Episode 162
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier review a big weekend of Super Rugby with the Chiefs storming back to beat the Crusaders in Ch...
Rugby Direct - Episode 161
05 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Nick Bewley wrap up round 12 of Super Rugby Pacific, in which the Hurricanes made a major statement and t...
Rugby Direct - Episode 160
28 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier wrap the week in Super Rugby and ask the vital questions, like whether the 'Cane Train' is ba...
Rugby Direct - Episode 159
21 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 Woodma...
Rugby Direct - Episode 158
14 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Rugby Direct - Episode 157
07 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ex...
Rugby Direct - Episode 156
31 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 bo...
Rugby Direct - Episode 156 (1)
31 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 bo...
Rugby Direct - Episode 155
24 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Rugby Direct - Exclusive interview with Scott Robertson and Mark Robinson
17 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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' Rob...
Rugby Direct - Episode 154
17 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 po...
Rugby Direct - Episode 153
11 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 aft...
Rugby Direct - Episode 152
03 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 cont...
Rugby Direct - Episode 151
24 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Rugby Direct - Episode 150
18 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 '...
Rugby Direct - Episode 149
11 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 is...
Rugby Direct - Episode 148
04 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 pen...
Rugby Direct - Episode 147
19 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Rugby Direct - Episode 146
12 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 - ...
Rugby Direct - Episode 145
05 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Rugby Direct - Episode 144
28 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Rugby Direct - Episode 143
24 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 Jap...
Rugby Direct - Episode 142
14 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 Bl...
Rugby Direct - Episode 141
30 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier review the second Bledisloe Cup test in Wellington with the All Blacks beating Australia and ...
Rugby Direct - Episode 140
23 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier review the Bledisloe Cup opener in Sydney - and how the All Blacks nearly let what was headin...
Rugby Direct - Special Edition: Bledisloe 1 Preview
19 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Elliott Smith and Liam Napier are in Sydney this week for the opening Bledisloe Cup and in a crossover special, stopped by the ESPN Scrum Reset podca...
Rugby Direct - Episode 139
18 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier are in Sydney and celebrate touching down by jumping straight into a podcast. They discuss th...
Rugby Direct - Episode 138
09 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier assess another All Blacks' defeat to the Springboks, this time in Cape Town as opportunities ...
Rugby Direct - Episode 137
03 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Rugby Direct, ZB's own Elliott Smith reviews the first All Blacks v Springboks test and unpacks what went wrong towards the second half t...
Rugby Direct - Episode 136
27 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Elliott's landed in Johannesburg and he and Liam assess the stunning news that Leon MacDonald has quit the All Blacks coaching staff after just five t...
Rugby Direct - Episode 135
19 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier discuss the All Blacks' comeback victory over Argentina at Eden Park - and whether or not the...
Rugby Direct - Episode 134
12 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier review the All Blacks' stunning defeat against Argentina in Wellington and dig into how it ha...
Rugby Direct - Episode 133
05 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier return from a week off to talk the Black Ferns Sevens' gold medal in Paris and how to try and...
Rugby Direct - Episode 132
22 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier discuss Ardie Savea's bombshell Super Rugby switch from the Hurricanes to Moana Pasifika and ...
Rugby Direct - Episode 131
15 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier wrap the second test against England and discuss the All Blacks' game plan - or seeming lack ...
Rugby Direct - Episode 130
07 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier assess the first All Blacks' test of the 'new era' and a tight win over England under the roo...
Rugby Direct - Episode 129
01 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier put forward their arguments for the first All Blacks team of the year and how the first test ...
Rugby Direct - Episode 128
25 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier are in Christchurch following the All Blacks squad announcement and reflect on the five new n...
Rugby Direct - Episode 127
17 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier review the Super Rugby semi-finals as the Blues and Chiefs advance to Saturday night's decide...
Rugby Direct - Episode 126
10 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier assess the four Super Rugby quarter-finals from the weekend and say farewell to the Rebels (f...
Rugby Direct - Episode 125
04 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier wrap a big week of rugby, beginning with the final round of the Super Rugby regular season an...
Rugby Direct - Episode 124
28 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier count down to the crunch governance vote that will shape New Zealand Rugby, assess the fortun...
Rugby Direct - Episode 123
22 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Elliott and Liam catch up with legendary All Blacks halfback Aaron Smith on a range of topics after the completion of his first season playing for Jap...