Shows / Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct
Every week, Rugby Direct gives you the lowdown on all you need to know from the rugby world.
Whether it's the All Blacks, Black Ferns, NPC, Farah Palmer Cup, or just what's going down at the club grounds, we have you covered on your home for all things rugby.
Listen on iHeartRadio for every angle, every moment, and every opinion.
Episodes
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct Episode 267: Rennie names side for Scotland showdown
In the latest Rugby Direct from Edinburgh, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier break down Dave Rennie’s team set to face Scotland as the All Blacks chase Nations…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct Episode 266: All Blacks selection winners and losers
The All Blacks squad for the end-of-year tour has been named, and the selection debate is already heating up. On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct Episode 265: What We Learned From The Bledisloe Series
On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier join us from Sydney after the All Blacks' commanding victory over Australia, highlighted…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct Episode 264: All Blacks ring the changes
On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier join us from Sydney as attention turns to the second Bledisloe Cup test. The All Blacks…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct Episode 263: Fortress Eden delivers again
On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier break down another dominant All Blacks performance at Eden Park, as New Zealand extended…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct Episode 263: Bledisloe questions as injury toll mounts
On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier unpack a growing crisis at first five for the All Blacks, with Richie Mo'unga the latest…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct Episode 262: One last home test for 2026
On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier look ahead to the All Blacks' final home test of 2026 as they prepare to welcome a…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct Episode 261: Bledisloe pressure builds as Wallabies fire a warning shot
On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier break down the All Blacks’ 34-man squad for the two-test Bledisloe Cup series. With Ruben…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct Episode 260: Lessons from South Africa, questions for NZ Rugby
On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier revisit the All Blacks' tour of South Africa with the benefit of hindsight. A few weeks on…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct Episode 259: The South African reality check
On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith reflects on the All Blacks’ challenging tour of South Africa and the key factors behind the 3-1 series…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct Episode 258: One Last Shot at the Springboks
On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith dials in from Baltimore as the All Blacks unveil their side for the fourth and final test of The Greatest…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct Episode 257: Beaten by the Boks or Beaten by Themselves?
On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier join the podcast for one final dispatch from South Africa as the All Blacks' hopes of a…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct Episode 256: Taylor axed, Lakai starts - have the All Blacks got it right?
On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier join the podcast from Johannesburg as the All Blacks unveil a bold new look for the third…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct Episode 255: Cape Town Crisis? How the All Blacks Can Fight Back
On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier join the podcast from Cape Town to dissect the All Blacks' second Test defeat to South…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct Episode 254: Knockout blow or Bok fightback?
On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier join the podcast from Cape Town ahead of a massive second test between the All Blacks and…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct Episode 253: Boks Blown Away: The Ellis Park Upset
On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier dissect the All Blacks' historic 17-point victory over the Springboks at Ellis Park, one…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct Episode 252: All Blacks v Springboks - The Great Rivalry Returns
On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier break down the team lists ahead of the opening test of Rugby's Greatest Rivalry. Who were…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct Episode 251: Bulls Beaten, Boks Await, Picking Rennie's First Test Team
On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier break down the All Blacks' emphatic 50-19 victory over the Bulls as preparations ramp up…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct Episode 250: Mo'unga recalled as All Blacks finalise first test plans
On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier join us from Johannesburg to break down the shock recall of Richie Mo'unga to the All…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct Episode 249: Stormers Review, Proctor Blow & Sharks Changes
The All Blacks are up and running in South Africa, but was their win over the Stormers convincing enough? On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct Episode 248: Tour launch - The first team is in
On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier touch down in Cape Town and waste no time diving into the first team naming of the All…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct Episode 247: Rugby's greatest rivalry tour: The squad is set
Rugby Direct is back as Elliott Smith and Liam Napier break down the All Blacks' 44-man squad named for South Africa and the United States on the inaugural…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct Episode 246: Cameron Suafoa on rugby, life and his terminal cancer diagnosis
Rugby Direct is back with Elliott Smith and Liam Napier, joined in studio by Blues loose forward Cameron Suafoa for an inspiring and candid conversation…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct Episode 245: Ireland Beaten, South Africa Beckons
Rugby Direct is back as Elliott Smith and Liam Napier break down the All Blacks’ emphatic 40-21 win over Ireland, extending their remarkable unbeaten streak at…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct Episode 244: The team is in - Rennie’s big calls
Rugby Direct is back as Elliott Smith and Liam Napier discuss the upcoming clash between the All Blacks and Ireland. Dave Rennie has named his side for this…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct Episode 243: All Blacks Win Big, But Are They Getting Better?
Rugby Direct is back as Elliott Smith and Liam Napier dissect the All Blacks' far-from-convincing 47-17 victory over Italy in Wellington. Despite the…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct Episode 242: Five changes and a fresh look ABs
On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier break down the All Blacks' five changes for Saturday's test against Italy and ask the big…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct Episode 241: A Winning Start, Rennie’s All Blacks Era Begins
On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier dissect the All Blacks' winning start to the Dave Rennie era after their victory over…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct Episode 240: Rennie's first big calls: Right or wrong?
On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier break down Dave Rennie's first All Blacks team naming ahead of the test against France…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct Episode 239: Rennie’s first roll of the dice - who makes the 23?
On the latest episode of Rugby Direct with Elliott Smith and Liam Napier, the boys are in Christchurch counting down to the first All Blacks test under Dave…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct Episode 238: In, out, and unlucky - breaking down Rennie’s first squad
On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier break down Dave Rennie’s first All Blacks squad - who’s in, who’s new, and who can feel…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct Episode 237: Finals Fever and All Blacks Picks
On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier count down to the Super Rugby Pacific final – the teams are locked in, but who’s lifting…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct Episode 236: Blowouts Before the Big Dance
On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier break down a pair of one-sided Super Rugby Pacific semi-finals and what they mean heading…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct Episode 235: Semi-final showdowns - who's making the big dance?
On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier dive headfirst into the business end of the Super Rugby Pacific season, previewing the…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct Episode 234: Cane train charging: Semis loom and ABs coaching coup
On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier react to a major coaching coup for New Zealand Rugby, with Tony Brown signing on as an All…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct Episode 233: Breaking down the key matchups of the Super Rugby playoffs
On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier dive headfirst into the business end of the Super Rugby Pacific season, breaking down all…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct Episode 232: All eyes on the title - looking ahead to the Super Rugby Pacific finals
On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier break down a blockbuster playoff weekend as the race for the title heats up. With the…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct - Bruce Sharrock tackles the biggest issues facing rugby
A big-name guest on Rugby Direct this week, as Elliott Smith and Liam Napier were joined in studio by the highly influential player agent Bruce Sharrock. The…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct: Episode 230
Big news on Rugby Direct! Elliott Smith and Liam Napier discuss the news the Crusaders are set to usher in a new head coach for 2027 – a story broken by Napier…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct Ep 229
On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier break down the Crusaders keeping their hopes of a home playoff alive, while the Hurricanes…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct: Episode 228
On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier look ahead to the penultimate round of Super Rugby Pacific — can we expect any upsets as…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct: Episode 227
On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier break down the Super Rugby run home — with the top two all but locked in, can anyone stop…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct: Episode 226
On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier react to Dave Rennie fronting the media for the first time since he took charge of the All…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct - Steve Lancaster talks challenges shaping rugby in Aotearoa
In this special episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier are joined in studio by the new New Zealand Rugby CEO Steve Lancaster. The trio dive…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct: Episode 224
On this week’s episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier break down all the biggest talking points from Round 13. Another All Black is set to head…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct: Episode 223
On this week’s episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier delve into the big breaking news: the appointment of Steve Lancaster as NZ Rugby’s new…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct: Episode 222
On this week’s episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier dissect round 12 of Super Rugby. The top three are pulling clear - but who’s best placed…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct: Episode 221
On this week’s episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier break down the Christchurch Super Round – what worked, what didn’t, and whether it could…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct: Episode 220
On this week’s episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier were joined by Hurricanes co-owner Malcolm Gillies for a wide-ranging chat about Super…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct: Episode 219
On this week’s episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier rip into a massive Round 10. The Hurricanes’ title charge takes a serious hit after a…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct: Episode 218
On this week’s episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier delve into the uncertain future of Moana Pasifika and what their potential exit could…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct: Episode 217
On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier unpack all the fallout from Round 9 of Super Rugby Pacific. The boys break down the…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct: Episode 216
On the latest Rugby Direct podcast, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier discuss a busy post-Easter weekend of news in the rugby world, with former All Black Shannon…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct: Episode 215
On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier unpack the reaction and wider implications of Gregor Paul’s Ardie Savea column published…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct: Episode 214
On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier dive into all the fallout from Round 7 of Super Rugby Pacific. The boys break down the…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct: Episode 213
On today’s episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and producer Mark Kelly break down the newly released 2026 NPC schedule. The duo also preview Round 7 of…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct: Episode 212
On the latest Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier return for an emergency episode breaking down the major news out of New Zealand Rugby. They discuss…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct: Episode 211
On this week’s episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Nick Bewley discuss how the cream is rising to the top of Super Rugby Pacific. With two months still…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct: Episode 210
On the latest Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier return on the latest Rugby Direct to preview Round 6 of Super Rugby Pacific. The boys dive into Clark…
- Rugby Direct
Rugby Direct: Episode 209
On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier discuss suggestions Tana Umaga is a contender for an All Blacks coaching role under Dave…