DSPN -RUGBY

Tony Johnson joins Martin Devlin after calling Northland's epic NPC semifinal win to break down the All Blacks' Bledisloe Cup performance in Sydney. We look at that dominant first half, the mounting 19-player injury list, and what lies ahead on the Northern Hemisphere tour. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Seven tries and another big win over the Wallabies. So why did the final whistle feel a little flat? Martin Devlin and Ross Karl from Aotearoa Rugby Pod unpack the All Blacks’ 43–21 victory in Sydney, with Jamie Wall reporting from the ground. A sensational first half promised a hiding, but a scoreless final 35 minutes left plenty to debate. Beauden Barrett strengthens his World Cup case, Cam Roigard delivers another masterclass and Timoci Tavatavanawai gets his opportunity in the starting midfield. But the missed tackles, shaky lineout and second-half drop-off raise questions about how far this team has progressed. Fourteen tries across two Tests against Australia. Are the All Blacks back on track, or will the northern tour tell the real story? Brought to you by HBO Max. All Killer. No Filler. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Du’Plessis Kirifi is back and Timoci Tavatavanawai gets his shot. But how much time will they get to make an impact against the Wallabies? Martin Devlin and Nigel Yalden dissect the All Blacks team for the second Bledisloe Cup Test, with Jamie Wall joining from Sydney. Dave Rennie has backed the core of his Eden Park winners. Is consistency exactly what this team needs, or should he be taking a few more risks? Plus, the McKenzie–Roigard combination, the questions around Tyrel Lomax, and an injury list that puts New Zealand’s depth into perspective. One big win is a start. Now the All Blacks need to do it again. Join our rugby community for more: plus.rova.nz or text DSPN to 3598. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

All Black icon Murray Mexted joins Martin Devlin to dissect the All Blacks' dominant 50-19 victory against Australia at Eden Park. Mex breaks down the physical performance, loose forward depth, and what needs to improve before the second test in Sydney. IMAGE CREDIT: New Zealand Jordie Barrett during the All Blacks v Australia, Bledisloe Cup, international test match, Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand, 10 October 2026. (Photo by Aaron Gillions / Alphapix) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Martin, John, and Watto jump into the studio to dissect the All Blacks' dominant win against Australia at Eden Park. Watto addresses his comments from last week, the panel breaks down Scott Barrett's physical return, and we look ahead to what needs fixing before the second test in Sydney. IMAGE CREDIT: New Zealand Scott Barrett during the All Blacks v Australia, Bledisloe Cup, international test match, Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand, 10 October 2026. (Photo by Aaron Gillions / Alphapix) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tony Johnson joins Martin Devlin to postmortem the All Blacks' 33-5 second-half surge against the Wallabies at Eden Park. We break down the clinical performance, praise Andrew Brace's refereeing, address hip drop tackles, and preview the upcoming NPC semi-finals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The selections raised eyebrows. The preparation came under scrutiny. Then the All Blacks put 50 points on Australia. Time to reconsider? Martin Devlin, Jamie Wall and former All Black Ant Strachan return with their morning-after verdict on New Zealand’s 50–19 Bledisloe Cup win at Eden Park. Ant explains why Damian McKenzie, Beauden Barrett and Codie Taylor answered his concerns, while Jamie brings insight from the post-match press conferences. Plus, Tana Umaga’s blunt warning to the players, why an emphatic victory still earns seven out of 10, and the injury updates shaping selection for Sydney. A night’s sleep, a fresh perspective and plenty to debate. Join the DSPN community at plus.rova.nz or text DSPN to 3598. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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

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

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

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