Aotearoa Rugby Pod

The All Blacks are 1-0 up after Ellis Park – but the biggest questions may be ahead of them.

Bryn Hall and James Parsons break down how New Zealand can fix the scrum and aerial issues exposed in the first test, what needs to change in Cape Town, and how Rassie Erasmus might respond as the Springboks look to level the Greatest Rivalry series.

Plus, could mass changes be coming for the Boks – and will they stick with their evolving style or return to the rugby that has made them World Champions?

Catc...

ARP goes live to discuss the All Blacks and Springboks teams for the opening Greatest Rivalry clash at Ellis Park.

Apologies for the audio quality on this one.

What are the surprises? Which squad looks strongest?

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All Blacks attack coach Mike Blair joins ARP before the first test against the Springboks to discuss what New Zealand have learned from their three warm-up games in South Africa.

Blair explains what has developed, where the biggest challenges will come from and how the All Blacks are preparing to deal with South Africa’s pressure.

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The All Blacks have won all three warm-up games in South Africa, but one of the Springboks’ most effective weapons has barely been faced.

Coincidence — or was that always part of South Africa's plan? Bryn Hall, James Parsons and Ross Karl examine the battle that could look very different at Ellis Park.

Plus, the major selection calls facing Dave Rennie: the back three, Preston v Ratima, the lock squeeze and whether this is finally the week for a 6-2 bench.

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ARP goes live after Dave Rennie's team naming for the opening Greatest Rivalry Tour game against the Bulls.

We also react to Richie Mo'unga's announcement and look back at the first two performances.

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World Cup-winning Springbok prop Steven Kitshoff joins Ross Karl and Bryn Hall for a Aotearoa Rugby Pod x For The Love Of Rugby South Africa collaboration.

We break down what happens behind the scenes to make the Boks so good — from brutal scrum preparation and Rassie’s winning foundations to the systems keeping their wider squad Test-ready.

Plus, what the Stormers and Argentina exposed about the All Blacks and Boks.

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The All Blacks got the win in Cape Town but it wasn't slick.

Their attack didn’t impress like earlier in the season. Bryn Hall and James Parsons break down what changed against the Stormers, why it matters ahead of the Springbok tests, and which players pushed their case for bigger roles on tour.

Plus, what Argentina showed against South Africa — and whether there were clues the All Blacks can use.

Did much change for Australia in the first test under Les Kiss' and an NPC wrap.

Catc...

ARP goes live to react to the team Dave Rennie's named for the opening Greatest Rivalry Tour game against the Stormers.

Who is in and who isn't and why? What does it mean in the context of test selections?

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Thirty years after the All Blacks made history in South Africa, former All Blacks winger and master story teller Eric Rush takes us back to one of the wildest and most significant tours in New Zealand rugby history.

He shares brilliant stories from the 1996 tour: hostile crowds, sleepless hotels, a mysteriously missing kicking tee, Nelson Mandela’s powerful message to the team, Jonah Lomu and the unforgettable off-field antics of Mark Ellis.

Oh yeh .. and the rugby!

What is your greatest memory of the 1996 All Blacks tour? Let us know in...

What are critics overlooking about Ardie Savea’s delayed arrival in South Africa — and how can Beauden Barrett force his way back into the All Blacks’ test team.

Ross Karl, Bryn Hall and James Parsons examine the decision to rest the captain and how it actually effects the inner workings of the team.

They also look at a rare challenge for Beauden Barrett. After more than a decade as a near-automatic test selection, the All Blacks great now has to prove himself against the Stormers.

Plus, what really happens inside the op...

In this special collab, Aotearoa Rugby Pod and South Africa's Behind the Ruck podcast debate the Greatest Rivalry Tour!

Who will win, how will they win, who makes a combined team?

Join Bryn, Ross and former Springboks Rudy Paige and Juan de Jongh as they banter about the tour to come!

And please give the BTR a follow!

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In this week's Boks Watch, Ross and Jip take a look at the Boks squad.

We focus on the tough calls Rassie will have to make, considering their outrageous depth that has grown. Will some massive stars miss the 23 for the first Greatest Rivalry test?

They also deep dive into the success of the flyhallf options, digging into their success against the major nations - New Zealand, France and Ireland.

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All Blacks assistant coach and selector Neil Barnes joins the Aotearoa Rugby Pod to explain how New Zealand will manage an unusually demanding tour of South Africa.

Barnes discusses the challenge of preparing separate teams for Test and midweek matches, why every player will remain in contention for the top side and how the selectors constructed a squad capable of handling the physical demands of the tour.

He also reveals that the coaching group has sought advice from experienced All Blacks figures, including Sir Graham Henry and John Hart, as it prepares for...

Dave Rennie has named his latest All Blacks squad — and one selection is certain to divide opinion.

Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, Josh Jacomb and Siale Lauaki have earned their first call-ups, while Ethan Blackadder returns. But Du’Plessis Kirifi’s omission raises the biggest question: has Rennie found the right balance between form, specialist roles and the physical profile he wants?

Ross Karl and James Parsons break down the new faces, the players who missed out and what the squad reveals about Rennie’s priorities.

They also examine whether the squad is s...

The Greatest Rivalry is almost here—but are the All Blacks genuinely ready to beat the Springboks in South Africa?

Ross Karl, James Parsons and Bryn Hall compare the two sides after the July internationals and ask whether the contest is now as close as 50–50. They examine South Africa’s remarkable depth, the return of New Zealand’s attacking DNA and the tactical areas that could decide the series.

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Picking the All Blacks’ match-day 23 for South Africa just got seriously difficult.

In this excerpt from the podcast, the panel examines Tupou Vaa’i’s impact at blindside flanker, the fight for places in the loose forwards and whether a 6–2 bench could help New Zealand match the Springboks’ physicality.

They also assess the All Blacks’ depth across the field, the growing reliance on Cam Roigard and Ruben Love’s remarkably assured start at Test level.

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Unbeaten in the Nations Championship, the All Blacks and Springboks are now on a collision course for the Greatest Rivalry Tour.

Aotearoa Rugby Pod unpacks the All Blacks’ impressive 40-21 victory over Ireland and the attacking identity emerging under Dave Rennie. What does “continuity plus brutality” mean, why has New Zealand’s ball retention improved, and can its high-tempo approach succeed in South Africa?

Plus, the panel analyses the rise of Tupou Vaa’i at blindside, Ardie Savea’s captaincy, the All Blacks’ improving aerial game and the growing influence of Cam Roigard and Ruben Love...

Audio of ARP's Youtube Live after Dave Rennie's press conference for his team naming v Ireland.

Please excuse the audio. We'll upgrade our home microphones soon.

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All Blacks lock Tupou Vaa’i joins the Aotearoa Rugby Pod ahead of the clash with Ireland at Eden Park.

Tupou opens up about becoming one of the All Blacks’ biggest on-field menaces and how Brodie Retallick inspired it.

He also explains why there is “no hiding anymore” in the new All Blacks regime and how Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan inspired one of his Super Rugby tries.

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In our weekly Boks Watch segment, as we gear up for the Greatest Rivalry Tour:

The Springboks were scratchy but the depth of talent coming through should worry the rest of world rugby.

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Did Scotland also uncover genuine flaws in the Boks’ defensive system or were they able to exploit a few moments of poor execution?

Plus, we break down Boan Venter’s ridiculous strong-man carry and ask how anyone was supposed to stop it.

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...

Is Will Jordan already rugby’s greatest-ever right winger?

With 50 tries from his first 56 tests, the All Blacks finisher is producing unprecedented numbers. We compare Jordan with New Zealand greats John Kirwan, Jeff Wilson and Doug Howlett, along with modern stars Cheslin Kolbe and Damian Penaud.

We also break down the latest Nations Championship, including the struggles of the All Blacks and Springboks, France’s emphatic win over Australia and the major trends emerging across the competition.

Finally, we look ahead to the All Blacks against Ireland at Eden Park and...

Listen to second of our weekly All Blacks team naming reaction Youtube Lives.

This week it's Ross talking the All Blacks v Italy team, including the midfield switch-up and two debutants, as well as answering the questions from the Live comments section.

Keep an eye out for the scheduled lives each week.

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With the Greatest Rivalry Tour coming in August, ARP brings you Boks watch, a regular segment dedicating to understanding the All Blacks' greatest foe!

This week we talk where England went wrong, whether anyone is better than Damian Willemse, Rassie Erasmus' effect on the maul laws and how halfbacks are running the game worldwide.

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The All Blacks have their attacking identity back.

Dave Rennie's first Test in charge delivered a clear shift in philosophy against France. New Zealand played with more tempo, kept the ball alive and attacked with an optimism that supporters have been craving.

Is this the blueprint to beat the Springboks?

We also wrap up all the biggest talking points from the opening weekend of the All Nations Championship, including:

• 🇿🇦 South Africa v England

• 🇦🇺 Australia v Ireland

• 🇦🇷 Argentina v Wales

🔔 Subscribe for weekly All Blacks analy...

What is the best way for the All Blacks to use Beauden Barrett and Quinn Tupaea?

This week we're answering two of the biggest viewer questions following the first Test squad selection.

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Tana Umaga On How Ardie Inspires & Building Rennie’s All Blacks

All Blacks legend Tana Umaga joins the Aotearoa Rugby Pod after returning to the national team as defence coach.

Tana explains what makes Ardie Savea such an influential leader and how he inspires those around him during the toughest moments. 

He also takes us behind the scenes of Dave Rennie’s first camp, discussing the challenge of bringing a coaching group together from different parts of the world, preparing a Test side in a short timeframe, building relationships with players a...

Few in New Zealand know all the French players and Dave Rennie as well as Brad Weber.

Aotearoa Rugby Pod brings in the former All Blacks, Stade Francais and Chiefs halfback to give us the lowdown on both teams before Saturday's first test!.

He explains how French rugby thinks, why Bordeaux's systems are likely to shape France's attack this week, and whether the absence of Toulouse's stars—including Antoine Dupont—really changes the contest. 

The crew also debates the All Blacks midfield combination, Beauden Barrett's role under Rennie, South Africa v Eng...

Yes, it was only the Barbarians.

But the performance reinforced a feeling many rugby fans already have: the Springboks' depth of talent is becoming frightening.

Ross Karl, Bryn Hall and James Parsons discuss South Africa's 80-31 win over the Barbarians.

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Fresh off the press - the ARP crew breaks down Dave Rennie's first All Blacks squad!

The 34 man squad, captained by Ardie Savea, includes four new caps, one eyebrow raising inclusion at halfback and the return of a veteran from Japan.

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The Hurricanes didn't just beat the Chiefs in the Super Rugby Pacific final — they dismantled them.

Ross Karl, James Parsons and Bryn Hall break down why the Hurricanes tore apart the Chiefs and why the visitors couldn't find a way back into the contest.

Have the Canes changed the All Blacks selection conversation? Does their style offer a blueprint for the All Blacks?

Plus, reaction to South Africa's demolition of the Barbarians and what it tells us about the Springboks ahead of the international season.

Don't miss ou...

Ardie Savea and Wallace Sititi are surely a lock when the All Blacks are named next week. But, our deep dive into the loose forward stats reveal a couple of surprises could be come Monday.

Using ARP's Super Rugby Form Statistics Index, which feeds into our Test Selection Index, we assessed every major contender for Dave Rennie's side.

Some names will surprise you.

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Two different styles. One showdown for the Super Rugby title.

The Hurricanes have lit up Super Rugby with their width and strike power. The Chiefs have built their season on territory, set-piece and ruthless counter-attack.

In this episode, we break down the their philosophies, stats and key match-ups.

Plus, don't miss two signed jersey giveaways and a chance to watch the final with us at Sky City.

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Why do the Hurricanes click?

Hurricanes centre Billy Proctor joins the Aotearoa Rugby Pod ahead of the team's Super Rugby semifinal against the Blues to explain the foundations of their success.

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Bryn Hall reveals how Kubota Spears prepared for the Japan Rugby League One final against Dave Rennie's Kobe Steelers.

From opposition analysis and tactical trends to identifying weaknesses, Bryn explains the detail that goes into building a game plan against one of rugby's most respected coaches.

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Who replaces Scott Barrett?

That's the question dominating this week's ARP.

With Barrett and Fabian Holland injured, the race for All Blacks locking spots is wide open. Jamie Hannah has emerged as a genuine contender and Sam Darry is pushing hard.

Ross Karl, James Parsons and Bryn Hall debate who should be in Dave Rennie's squad and whether the lock hierarchy has shifted.

The team also previews the Super Rugby semifinals, discussing the ominous form of the Crusaders and Hurricanes and whether either side can be stopped...

The All Blacks front row suddenly isn't as straightforward as it looked a month ago.

Fletcher Newell's injury and Tamaiti Williams' absence have opened the door for a new wave of contenders.

Tyrel Lomax and Ethan de Groot are sure things, Aotearoa Rugby Pod assess the leading candidates, including top and comers like Xavier Numia.

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Anton Segner joins the Aotearoa Rugby Pod for an in-depth conversation about transforming from a prospect into one of Super Rugby's most influential loose forwards.

The Blues flanker discusses bulking up, earning a starting role, his relentless drive for improvement, lessons from Richie McCaw and Kieran Read, his friendship with Crusaders star Leicester Fainga'anuku and the challenge awaiting the Blues in Christchurch this weekend.

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The Super Rugby Pacific playoffs have arrived, amidst final round chaos.

The Hurricanes are top qualifiers despite a heavy loss to the Crusaders, the Chiefs are confident after dismantling the Blues, and the Brumbies are under pressure from a shock defeat to Moana Pasifika. 

ARP's Ross Karl, James Parsons and Bryn Hall look at who will win and why.

We also get into who should be the All Blacks props and who you'd have with the squad as an apprentice.

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The final round of Super Rugby Pacific has plenty to play for.

The Hurricanes and Chiefs have secured home finals, but the battle between the Blues, Crusaders and Brumbies for the remaining home playoff spot will help define the finals series. 

The Aotearoa Rugby Pod crew breakdown how it could play out.

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Anton Segner is making a serious push for the All Blacks.

The Blues openside has emerged as one of Super Rugby Pacific’s form loose forwards, combining breakdown menace, defensive work-rate and strong carrying to put himself firmly in Dave Rennie’s selection frame. 

Aotearoa Rugby Pod debates whether Segner deserves an All Blacks call-up, alongside Ardie Savea, and whether his all-round game now makes him impossible to ignore.

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