From Clubrooms to the All Blacks: The State of Rugby in New Zealand

Is rugby still working the way we think it is? In this Summer Series episode of the DSPN, Martin Devlin and Mark Philpott from United Rugby Fans talk honestly about the state of the game, from grassroots clubrooms right through to the All Blacks. It’s a wide-ranging conversation about where rugby is thriving, where it’s broken, and why so many volunteers are holding the whole thing together with little support. Martin reflects on his own journey as a rugby fan, the moments that hooked him for life, and what decades behind the microphone have taught him about fans, pundits, and the difference between opinion and reality. The chat dives deep into officiating, the role of technology, the frustrations around the TMO, and why rugby feels more complicated than it needs to be. There’s also a blunt assessment of the All Blacks’ year, grassroots struggles, pathways for young players, and why winning still matters more than ever in New Zealand rugby. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices