About this episode

Steve Hansen discusses the upcoming match between Ireland and New Zealand at Eden Park, along with other international rugby fixtures and refereeing issues.

Eden Park. 32 years. 52 matches. The All Blacks’ fortress is on the line as Ireland roll into Auckland with a full-strength mindset, and David Pembroke, Steve Hansen and Ewen McKenzie lay out exactly where this Test will be won: set piece, breakdown chaos, aerial contests and whether New Zealand’s timing and depth can beat Ireland’s line speed and ruck dark arts. There’s also a big refereeing focus with Nic Berry in the middle, plus a frank debate on scrums, quick-ball interpretations, and whether the game has made it too easy to go straight to free kicks. Off the field, World Rugby’s TMO “centre of excellence” trial sparks a proper rethink of who runs the game: the referee, the TMO, or everyone at once. Then it’s across the weekend: Japan v France in Tokyo, Wallabies v Italy in Perth, Fiji v Scotland, Springboks v Wales, and Argentina v England. Also in this episode: ● Can Ireland break the Eden Park streak? ● New Zealand and Ireland selections, benches, and lineout clues ● Nic Berry’s refereeing style and breakdown expectations ● Scrums, free kicks, and the missing contest for possession ● World Rugby’s remote TMO trial and bunker debate ● Nations Championship previews…

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• How the ABs will beat the Springboks + Wallabies v Italy, New Zealand v Ireland, South Africa v Wales & England v Argentina drama! · July 20, 2026 · 1h 28m
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• LIVE in Newcastle – Gary Gold on why Japan beating South Africa in 2015 will become more regular | Rugby Unity x Hunter Rugby · July 10, 2026 · 1h 18m
• Steve Hansen on Nations Championship: All Blacks squeeze by France, Springboks power over England + Wallabies & Ireland chaos! · July 6, 2026 · 1h 19m
• Springboks v England, All Blacks v France headlines Nations Championship opening round + can the Wallabies upset Ireland? · July 3, 2026 · 1h 6m
• Nations Championship is here – plus ANZAC Day Bledisloe + U-20 Championship · June 29, 2026 · 1h 8m

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