Aotearoa Rugby Pod

Former Scotland halfback Mike Blair has been named All Blacks attack coach — but for many New Zealand fans, he’s still an unknown.

So who is he, and why does Dave Rennie trust him with one of the most important roles in world rugby?

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What will Tana Umaga bring as the All Blacks defence coach?

In this episode of Aotearoa Rugby Pod, Jip and Bryn bring first-hand insight from inside a Tana Umaga environment, breaking down his coaching style, standards and the impact he could have on the All Blacks defence.

New episodes, analysis and interviews every week covering the biggest stories in rugby.

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Who should be the next All Blacks attack coach?

With Dave Rennie's deputies due to be named soon, we analyse leading contenders Mike Blair and Scott Hansen, while asking whether Chiefs attack guru Roger Randle should also be considered.

The ARP boys give the inside word what makes Tana Umaga a great fit at defence coach, then get into the big issues this week in Super Rugby.

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Is Canes loose Devan Flanders set to be an All Black?

The Hurricanes loose forward is in red-hot form in Super Rugby, putting himself firmly in the frame for national selection. But with fierce competition in the loose forwards, does he force his way into the squad — or is he still on the outside looking in?

In this episode, Aotearoa Rugby Pod breaks down:

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The Aotearoa Rugby Pod crew break down why France won the Six Nations, analysing the tactics, players and key moments that made them the best team in Europe.

We look at England's performance and why it was a move forward, Ireland's classy win over Scotland and how the Welsh pulled a rabbit out of the hat.

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After an incredible Six Nations tournament, we ask whether France, Ireland and the best of the North can knock over the Boks or All Blacks in the inaugural Nations Championship.

We deep dive into Super Rugby's latest crazy results, ask if Devan Flanders should be the All Blacks number eight and discuss if World Rugby should introduce the 3+ try bonus point.

As requested by a viewer .. here's a link to our Springboks scrum analysis from last year... https://youtu.be/n3C_55JcqzI?si=VpFvnod297spsOQY

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We catch up with Hurricanes and All Blacks open side Du'Plessis Kirifi to talk the ruthless Hurricanes attack, Asafo Aumua's 300kg squats and Dave Rennie's selection criteria.

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The ARP crew break down whether Scotland can beat Ireland and win the Six Nations, plus what on earth is happening with England?

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The Aotearoa Rugby Pod team dig deep into New All Blacks coach Dave Rennie's methods with former Chiefs and All Blacks prop Ben Afeaki, while also getting reaction from current All Black Du'Plessis Kirifi.

From team hitch-hikes to the incredible detail Rennie brings to tactics and selection, we give you the inside word.

We also break down the crazy weekend, with unpredictable Super Rugby and Six Nations results!

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Dave Rennie's now has the most pressured job in rugby.

Here's the Rennie supercut from the ARP deep dive into his preferred approach to coaching, including former Wallaby Justin Harrison on Rennie's legacy as coach of Australia.

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The ARP crew quiz one of NZ Sport's great innovators, new Blues CEO Karl Budge, about taking the lessons he learnt in tennis and applying them to rugby.

Budge brought superstars like Venus Williams, Caroline Wozniacki and Maria Sharapova to Auckland's small tennis event, and the fans clocked, so what can he do with rugby at Eden Park?

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The ARP crew deep dive into All Blacks coaching candidates Dave Rennie and Jamie Joseph as a decision draws nearer. What styles do they coach and which suits the All Blacks best?

We're joined by former Wallabies lock Justin Harrison to talk about Dave Rennie's legacy in Australia, as well as the Aussie teams topping Super Rugby.

Plus, we look at round four of the Six Nations. Can Scotland upset France and throw the tournament wide open?

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After playing his 100th test for England, the ARP crew debates whether Maro Itoje is an all-time great.

Is he on the modern Mt Rushmore?

Catch ARP full episodes, extra content and short clips on all audio podcast networks.

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The Aotearoa Rugby Pod crew break down the latest round of the Six Nations, as England fall apart at the hands of an Ireland team rekindling its form.

Plus, why the Scots almost got pipped by the Welsh.

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Jip, Bryn and Ross break down how the Crusaders capitulated and what the Brumbies' form means for the title race.

They look at whether the Chiefs have reached their potential, the Hurricanes' epic start, why the Landers defence is superb and whether Caleb Tangitau has all the pieces to be a test winger.

Oh yeh .. and the Blues can get up against the Brumbies this week!

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After Caleb Tangitau reportedly clocked 43 kilometres an hour, the ARP crew asks who the fastest player is in Super Rugby.

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The Aotearoa Rugby Pod crew break down Ireland's escape against Italy and England's ongoing Scotland problems.

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The Aotearoa Rugby Pod crew break down the difficulties side have integrating their All Blacks returning to Super Rugby.

We also look at the big statements made by the likes of Highlanders, Chiefs, Waratahs and Brumbies in week 1, as well as the players that made the biggest impacts.

The team examines this weekend's Six Nations. Can England bounce back?

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All Blacks and Blues playmaker Stephen Perofeta's latest injury layoff descended into darkness, as he isolated himself from family and friends.

Back, and with a new lease on life, Perofeta tells Aotearoa Rugby Pod his story.

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Referee Angus Mabey answers viewer questions about the laws that hack you off!

He also delves into how he balances epilepsy with pro reffing.

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France and England looked slick in the opening round of the Six Nations. Are they the Boks' biggest threats at RWC2027?

The Aotearoa Rugby Pod crew analyse round 1 and look ahead to this weekend's action.

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Scott Robertson’s a man in pain, after losing his Dream job.

Aotearoa Rugby Pod’s Bryn Hall won six Super Rugby titles under Razor and explains what will be hurting him most.

The ARP team then examine why hiring the right assistants is as important as the head coach.

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Aotearoa Rugby Pod brings you the lowdown on the Super Rugby new season, with James Parsons, Bryn Hall and Ross Karl.

Plus, we break down the effect of the new laws Boks management don’t like with referee Angus Mabey.

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The ARP rates the All Blacks progress and who the top contenders are two years from the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

We decide whether the Boks scrum is possibly rugby's greatest weapon, weigh-in on the great Dublin card game and celebrate Malcolm Marx finally getting Player of the Year.

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The ARP crew ask what the fallout will be from the All Blacks' loss to England. Will there be coaching changes and is the game plan fit for purpose?

Grand Slam winning Welsh midfielder Hadleigh Parkes joins the crew to talk about NZ's last test of the year and they break down the one that got away for Italy against South Africa.

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The ARP crew break down how the All Blacks got out of jail against Scotland and how England's young stars pose a big threat this weekend.

Former England player Brad Shields spins a yarn about Eddie Jones creating life-size card board cutouts of All Blacks before the 2018 test.

We get into whether De Jager deserved a full red card and how the Boks scrum dismantled France on their ball.

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The ARP crew dive into Tadgh Beirne’s red card, whether Tupaea and Fainga’anuku could be the future All Blacks midfield pairing band what that would mean for Jordie Barrett.

They break down whether Scotland will finally knock over the All Blacks, after a couple of close calls, and how the Springboks continue to innovate before their massive showdown against France.

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It’s time for the All Blacks and Ireland to go at it again!

The ARP crew breakdown where the game will be won and lost. We catch up with Ireland’s kiwi attack coach Andrew Goodman about the Chicago clash, Andy Farrell, Joe Schmidt and Jamison Gibson-Park.

In the wake of Jason Holland’s announced departure from the All Blacks attack job, who should replace him and what do teams actually need from an assistant coach? How does coaching instability affect the players?

Plus, we talk Bryn’s old flat mat...

Rugby's most bizarre rules explained! Top ref Ben O'Keeffe joins the ARP crew to give insight into weird and wonderful world of rugby rules, as well as life as a ref.

Jip, Ben and Ross also break down the NPC semis and ask whether Otago or Canterbury will win the trophy.

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The ARP crew discuss whether the fuss about Dylan Pledger's All Blacks omission is fair.

Jippa raises three rules he'd bring in to make rugby even better and we debate who'll make the NPC final.

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The ARP review the Rugby Championship and where the All Blacks stack up in comparison to the Springboks.

Is Quinn Tupaea the long term answer at 13, considering the All Blacks' game plan and where's the best spot for Leicester Fainga'anuku?

Why is the Boks' scrum so dominant and why do they dominate second halves more than the other sides?

Also, NPC quarterfinals time! Can Counties upset Canterbury and who is the dark horse for the title?

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The ARP crew breaks down whether there's a contender to pass Dan Carter as the greatest 10 if all time. Does rising Boks star Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu have what it takes, after his incredible 37 point haul against Argentina?

Bryn, Jip and Ross analyse where the All Blacks improved in Bledisloe 1 and how they need to do better at muscling up in Perth.

We look at whether getting 7s players, like Jorja Miller, to commit to Aupiki will give the Black Ferns a better chance in the next World Cup.

Plus, who buys...

The ARP crew look into what the All Blacks must change to hold onto the Bledisloe Cup.

How much of a difference will Cam Roigard make and what tactics must be used to freshen up the attack?

Ross and Bryn catch up with All Blacks cult hero Timoci Tavatavanawai about his nickname "Jimmy the difference," turnovers and his successful move to the midfield this year.

We look at whether Argentina can upset the Boks in Durban, how the Black Ferns struggles with the ref ended their Rugby World Cup dreams...

The ARP team breaks down exactly what changed in the second half that led to the Springboks' demolition of the All Blacks. From the courage of the Boks attack to the damning statistics showing NZ's Achilles heel, we deep dive into the All Blacks' record loss..

Ross and Jippa look into what the All Blacks must do to fix their scrum with 2015 World Cup winner Charlie Faumuina.

Speaking of World Cups, we analyse how the Black Ferns are tracking before taking on nemesis Canada in the semifinals this weekend in England,

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The ARP crew breaks down how the All Blacks coaches out-thought the Boks, as they took first blood at Eden Park.

James, Bryn and Ross ask whether the All Blacks were masters of the law book or if they used illegal tactics.

They analyse how Black Ferns' kicking and defensive tactics have taken their game to the next level before the RWC quarterfinals, look at the Makos' chances of taking the Shield from Canterbury and Australia's newfound resilience against Argentina.

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The ARP crew breaks down which areas will be key for the All Blacks to end their four-match losing streak against the Springboks.

We catch up with Jordie Barrett about his Ireland experience, Damian De Allende and the Boks.

There's a full analysis of the Black Ferns progress before their vital pool clash against Ireland. Plus, we chat with NZR Head of Women's Development Emily Davidson about the infrastructure being put in place to help build the game at grass roots level.

And of course, Southland's big Ranfurly Shield win...

The sky is falling in. The All Blacks have lost for the first time in Argentina.

The ARP crew asks what needs to change to eliminate the discipline issues, high ball problems and the inability for the midfield to make breaks.

With the halfback injury crisis, should the All Blacks call back Aaron Smith as cover?

We also break down the Black Ferns' opening performance at the Rugby World Cup and discuss what separates England from the pack.

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The ARP crew get to the bottom of how the Wallabies upset the Springboks and talk about how the angry South African side will respond.

We talk why the All Blacks kicked it old school when Argentina was pressuring their attack and catch up with openside Du'Plessis Kirifi about his rise, breakdowns and working on the Barrett farm as a kid.

Plus, the Women's Rugby World Cup kicks off this weekend, so we talk with Black Ferns co-captain Kennedy Tukuafu about preparations and black eyes before their match against Spain.

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It's Rugby Championship time and ARP gets into who looks best placed for wins!

Argentina have beaten the All Blacks three times in recent years. We look into why, as well as breaking down Australia's chances against the Boks.

With Richie Mo’unga returning in 2026, we ask whether NZ needs a first choice 10, or whether Scott Robertson should follow Rassie's lead and have a horses for courses approach.

Plus, we look at the challenges Rugby 360 faces in getting off the ground.

And fun-loving All Bl...

We get into the skill that new All Blacks halfback Kyle Preston has that no other halfback in NZ can match. How could that change the game for the All Blacks?

Why Simon Parker has been selected and who should be picked at loose forward and lock?

The boys talk the Wallabies' new abrasive approach will help them beat the Boks and debunk some Lions conspiracy theories.

Plus, Black Ferns legend Kelly Brazier joins us to talk returning to the team at 35 for the Rugby World Cup.

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