DSPN -RUGBY

Martin Devlin and Jamie Wall jump back into the studio for a massive mailbag episode on DSPN. We confront the growing fan backlash surrounding head coach Dave Rennie following three consecutive test match losses. The team breaks down the pressure on the All Blacks to defend their 42-year Eden Park record against a confident Wallabies side. IMAGE CREDIT: All Blacks Beauden Barrett during the All Blacks v Lions match, Rugbys Greatest Rivalry, Ellis Park, Johannesburg, South Africa, Tuesday, 25 August 2026. (Photo by Nic Bothma / action press) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

CODE Sports journalist Jamie Pandaram joins us to break down the Wallabies ahead of Bledisloe One at Eden Park. We discuss why Australian fans remain optimistic, how Les Kiss has injected genuine spark into the squad, and the tactical areas where Australia will look to rattle the All Blacks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

All Black legend John Afoa joins Martin Devlin to celebrate Counties Manukau locking away the Ranfurly Shield for the summer. John breaks down the technical art of scrummaging, the physical mindset needed to dominate set piece, and warns why the Wallabies pose a genuine threat at Eden Park. IMAGE CREDIT: All Blacks Cam Roigard and South Africa Cobus Reinach during the All Blacks v South Africa test match, Rugbys Greatest Rivalry, FNB Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday, 5 September 2026. (Photo by Nic Bothma / action press) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Damian McKenzie gets the nod at 10 after Richie Mo’unga’s injury, all three Barrett brothers start and Shannon Frizell returns. Is this the All Blacks team to put the Wallabies away at Eden Park? Martin Devlin, Nigel Yalden and Jamie Wall break down the Bledisloe Cup selections, the big omissions and the options off the bench. They debate McKenzie’s role, Scott Barrett’s return and what must change after the South Africa tour. Plus, could Australia spring an ambush, and why Eden Park’s crowd needs to bring the noise. Join Changing Sheds at plus.rova.nz or text DSPN to 3598. DSPN, proudly supported by HBO Max. All Killer. No Filler Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Time to reset. With six tests left in the All Blacks season, Martin Devlin breaks down the seven crucial areas our team must address starting with Australia at Eden Park. From accepting the reality of the South Africa losses to fixing the high ball nightmare, returning veterans, and demanding six wins from six to finish the year. IMAGE CREDIT: Dave Rennie during the All Blacks v Sharks, Rugbys Greatest Rivalry Tour, Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban, South Africa, 11 August 2026. (Photo by Shaun Roy / action press) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NZ Rugby CEO Steve Lancaster joins Martin Devlin and Jamie Wall in studio for an unfiltered interrogation. Steve fronts up on the three consecutive losses to South Africa, the financial reality behind the $66M forecast numbers, and why Dave Rennie remains locked in for the World Cup. IMAGE CREDIT: General view before the All Blacks v Ireland international test match, Nations Championship 2026, Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand, 18 July 2026. (Photo by John Cowpland / action press) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Martin Devlin, John Day, and Mark Watson return to set the record straight ahead of the Bledisloe Cup at Eden Park. We question whether giving the squad three weeks off after consecutive losses to South Africa was the right move, tackle ongoing issues under the high ball, and demand accountability from the coaching staff. IMAGE CREDIT: Dave Rennie during the All Blacks v France international test match, Nations Championship 2026, One NZ Stadium, Christchurch, New Zealand, 04 July 2026. (Photo by Aaron Gillions / action press) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tony Johnson joins Martin Devlin in the studio to preview the upcoming Bledisloe Cup opener at Eden Park. We break down the absolute minimum requirements for the All Blacks after a tough series against South Africa, address the ongoing high ball issues, and look at the squad selection changes heading into Thursday. IMAGE CREDIT: All Blacks Josh Moorby and South Africa Kurt-Lee Arendse during All Blacks v South Africa, Rugbys Greatest Rivalry Tour, Baltimore, USA, 13 September 2026. (Photo by Jack Megaw / action press) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jamie Wall and John Day sit down for a special mailbag edition of DSPN. We pay tribute to New Zealand sports journalism legend Phil Gifford following his passing at 79. Plus, we react to Ardie Savea signing a one-year deal with the Blues, address Scott Barrett's reluctant captain label, and answer your burning questions ahead of the Bledisloe Cup opener at Eden Park. IMAGE CREDIT: New Zealand Scott Barrett is dejected after losing during the All Blacks v South Africa, Lipovitan-D Rugby Championship Test, Wellington, New Zealand, Saturday, 13 September 2025. (Photo by Aaron Gillions / action press) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on the Rugby Roundtable we're breaking down Dave Rennie's 34-man All Blacks squad for the upcoming Bledisloe Cup series. Codie Taylor takes the captaincy with Ardie Savea out injured, while Scott Barrett and Shannon Frizell return to the forward pack. We discuss the selection surprises, the casualty ward, and whether we have the right mix to take down the Wallabies after their shock victory over the Springboks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brenden Nel returns to DSPN to break down the fallout from the Springboks loss to the Wallabies in Perth. We discuss whether making 13 changes backfired on Rassie Erasmus, how South African fans are reacting, and why Brenden believes this loss will only make the world champions stronger in the long run. IMAGE CREDIT: South Africa Rassie Erasmus during All Blacks v South Africa, Rugbys Greatest Rivalry Tour, Baltimore, USA, 13 September 2026. (Photo by Jack Megaw / action press) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stan Sport’s Sean Maloney joins us after an unbelievable night of test footy in Perth. We break down the Wallabies' 42-38 victory over the Springboks, praising Ryan Lonergan's game management, Len Ikitau's midfield presence, and how Australia held on with just 11 men. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dave Rennie has named his 34-man All Blacks squad for the upcoming Bledisloe Cup series against the Wallabies. Codie Taylor takes the captaincy reins with Ardie Savea sidelined through injury, while Scott Barrett and Shannon Frizell make big returns to the forward pack. We run through all the inclusions, the casualty ward, and the selection headaches ahead of Eden Park. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tony Johnson and Jamie Wall break down Australia's impressive win over the Springboks in Perth. We look at Len Ikitau's move to centre, Ryan Lonergan's clutch goal-kicking, and whether Rassie Erasmus's squad depth was exposed? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former All Black Ant Strachan joins us to answer five pressing questions following the 3-1 series loss to the Springboks. We break down where the squad sits, how to fix set-piece and high-ball struggles, coaching pressure, and which NPC standouts could make the end-of-year tour. IMAGE CREDIT: All Blacks Ardie Savea during the All Blacks v South Africa second test match, Rugbys Greatest Rivalry, DHL Stadium, Cape Town, South Africa, Saturday, 29 August 2026. (Photo by Shaun Roy / action press) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Wallabies are heading to Perth on a five-match unbeaten streak, but Rassie Erasmus is bringing a scary-looking Springbok bench to town. We chat with Aussie rugby writer Christie Doran about whether Australia can stay in the fight for more than fifty minutes, or if South Africa's nuclear bomb squad will blow them off the park. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ross Karl from the Aotearoa Rugby Pod joins us to reflect on the Springboks series and what the All Blacks can learn from Rassie Erasmus. We discuss Rassie’s media tactics, how South Africa manipulates refereeing gray areas, the shocking collapse of the Kiwi lineout, and why New Zealand Rugby needs a major structural reality check. IMAGE CREDIT: Dave Rennie during All Blacks captains run, Rugbys Greatest Rivalry Tour, Baltimore, USA, 12 September 2026. (Photo by Jack Megaw / action press) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tony Johnson, Nigel Yalden, and Jamie Wall take the reins on DSPN while Martin Devlin takes a break. The team breaks down the upcoming test in Perth between the Wallabies and Springboks, Jamie’s wild experience losing his passport in the United States, and why judging the All Blacks' season right now is far too early. Plus, a chaotic look at women's test rugby and the ongoing financial battles inside New Zealand Rugby. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are opening up the DSPN mailbag to go through your feedback after the Springboks swept the tour. We tackle the hard questions around Super Rugby's ability to prepare us for test footy, ongoing high-ball disasters, forward pack mindsets, and why heeding these brutal lessons is the only way forward for Dave Rennie's side. IMAGE CREDIT: All Blacks Codie Taylor during All Blacks v South Africa, Rugbys Greatest Rivalry Tour, Baltimore, USA, 13 September 2026. (Photo by Greg Sabin / action press) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

All Black legend Murray Mexted joins Martin Devlin to wrap up our post-mortem of the four-test series against the Springboks. Mexted reflects on the wild atmosphere in Soweto, the massive gulf between Super Rugby and test match footy, and why Dave Rennie's side must learn from this physical wake-up call. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices