DSPN - Devlin Sports Podcast Network

The man behind the All Blacks' mental fortitude for over two decades is back. Gilbert Enoka joins us to discuss his return to the management team under Dave Rennie and why leadership is about who you are, not where you sit. We dive into the "No Dickheads" policy, the challenge of winning versus losing environments, and how the All Black jersey remains the ultimate multiplier for talent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Mo'unga debate isn't going away. We dive into the "wide gulf" between Dave Rennie’s plans and New Zealand Rugby’s eligibility rules. Is it time to "push the eject button" on archaic paperwork and pick our best 23 for the most important series in 50 years? Plus, we break down Sir Graham Henry’s return and why Rennie is hunting for "brutality" over Instagram highlights. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We welcome Irish rugby royalty Bernard Jackman to the show for a proper deep dive into the state of the game. From Rieko Ioane’s positional shift at Leinster to why Super Rugby is falling off the radar in the North, we cover it all. Bernard gives us the inside word on Andy Farrell’s impact and what the All Blacks can expect when Ireland heads south. Image Credit: Highlanders Timoci Tavatavanawai during the Highlanders v Waratahs, Super Rugby Pacific match, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, New Zealand. Saturday, 9 May 2026, (Photo by Michael Thomas / action press) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff McGregor from Web Wonks joins Martin to dissect a controversial weekend of Super Rugby officiating. We’re talking Marcus Playle’s "shocking" night in Brisbane, the Reds’ post-match fury, and why Angus Gardner is setting the standard for referees. Image Credit: Chiefs George Dyer in action during the Reds v Chiefs, Super Rugby Pacific match, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Australia. Friday, 8 May 2026, (Photo by Pat Hoelscher / action press) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The All Blacks management group opened the doors at NZR HQ, and we were there to see what the Dave Rennie era actually looks like. From the shock return of Sir Graham Henry as a selector to the "conundrum" of Richie Mo’unga’s eligibility, there is plenty to unpack. Martin and Jamie break down the injury concerns, the midfield puzzle, and why Brodie Retallick won't be heading to South Africa. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Leicester Fainga'anuku’s move to flanker has gone from a "roll of the dice" to a genuine tactical revolution. We break down the Crusaders' dominant defensive win over the Blues and discuss why Leicester's hybrid skills make him the ultimate All Black weapon. Plus, we audit the refereeing controversies from Brisbane to Dunedin and look at the Under-20s' gritty draw in South Africa. Image Credit: Highlanders Caleb Tangitau scores during the Highlanders v Waratahs, Super Rugby Pacific match, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, New Zealand. Saturday, 9 May 2026, (Photo by Michael Thomas / action press) Crusaders Leciester Fainga'anuku during the Crusaders v Blues, Super Rugby Pacific match, One NZ Stadium, Christchurch, New Zealand. Friday, 8 May 2026, (Photo by Craig Butland / action press) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We dive back into the mailbag to tackle the biggest calls in Kiwi sport. Martin and Jamie break down the Ruben Love hype, the "boring" winning culture of Auckland rugby, and why everyone needs to calm down about the All Blacks. Plus, we look at the logistics of Super Round and whether Steve Hansen should start narrating bedtime stories for anxious fans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jamie Wall joins the starting lineup full-time as we tackle a massive Round 13 in Super Rugby. We’re looking at the fallout of Cam Roigard’s "significant" injury and whether the Hurricanes have the depth to stay top. Plus, the horses are returning to Christchurch for a sell-out clash against the Blues. We ask if home euphoria is enough to save the Crusaders' season or if the Blues will shut down the party. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Crusaders and All Blacks great Daryl Gibson joins us to celebrate the opening of Christchurch’s new roofed stadium. We dive deep into the state of Super Rugby, why Daryl finds himself watching the Top 14 for excitement, and his bold plan for a "relaxation" of the overseas selection rules. Plus, we talk All Black identity—can the team move away from "copying other nations" and return to the innovative, unstructured rugby that made them famous? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rugby legend and dual All Black/England international Jamie Salmon joins Martin to break down the widening gap between the two hemispheres. We dig into why the Top 14 is becoming the world’s powerhouse, the "Erasmus model" for player selection, and whether Super Rugby still prepares Kiwis for the brutality of Test matches. Plus, a look ahead to the ultimate litmus test: the All Blacks' upcoming tour of South Africa. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Martin Devlin and "Jeff the Ref" tackle a weekend of absolute chaos on the grass. We break down the shockers from the Hurricanes and Crusaders clash, from forward passes that weren't called to officials who seemingly forgot the 2026 lineout laws. Plus, Jeff opens up about the dangerous trap of "balancing the ledger" and why coward hits on try-scorers need to go. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The trickle has become a river. Martin Devlin, John Day, and Mark Watson dive into the massive talent drain hitting New Zealand rugby, with 11 big names already signed away. We ask the hard questions: Has the All Black jersey lost its value? Should we start selecting from overseas? Plus, we tackle the "negative narrative" claims from NZ Rugby and why Super Rugby is struggling to keep us awake. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re breaking down a massive Round 12 where the Crusaders might have every right to feel aggrieved over a shocker of a forward pass. Tony Johnson joins us to look at the Hurricanes’ grit, the Blues' second-half surges, and why the Brumbies’ defense has completely fallen off a cliff. We ask the big question: in a competition where anyone can beat anyone, who actually has what it takes for the playoffs? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let’s be honest, we all saw it coming — or in the case of that Crusaders try, we all saw the forward pass that the TMO somehow missed. Martin breaks down six key takeaways from Super Rugby Round 12, from the Hurricanes sitting in the box seat to the "round robin of pain" ahead for the top Kiwi sides. We look at why the Waratahs are underdelivering again and if Auckland really has a shot at hosting the Super Round. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s an emotional final mailbag as we bid farewell to Lachlan Waugh before he heads off to Sky. We dive into the massive success of the Christchurch Super Round, debate whether Ardie Savea can captain the All Blacks from the bench, and tackle the "naff" state of halftime entertainment. Plus, we explore the retro jersey trend and why Athletic Park’s urinals are a smell you never forget. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sir Steve Hansen is back with Martin, and as always, there is no soft serve here. From Christchurch’s new stadium buzz to the All Blacks’ future, this is a proper state-of-the-game chat. We get into Super Rugby standards, New Zealand’s player pathways, the lure of the All Blacks jersey, offshore eligibility, Dave Rennie’s coaching group, and why Hansen still believes this country has the talent to get back to the top. And yes, South Africa come up. Hansen’s view? They are brilliant, they are number one, but they are absolutely beatable. Which is handy, because staying grumpy about not being number one feels like a very Kiwi place to start. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After 15 years of waiting, planning, debating and building, Christchurch finally has its new stadium, and Marty is right in the thick of it. Martin Devlin talks with Chris Paterson and former Wallaby Al Baxter from Populous, the architecture firm behind Te Kaha, about what it takes to design a stadium that feels big, close, loud and properly special. They discuss the emotional weight of the project, Christchurch’s post-earthquake journey, and why this venue is about far more than rugby. From the engineering challenge of a roof in a heavy seismic zone to the dream of creating a “factory of memories", this is a look inside a building designed for sport, concerts, community and a fair bit of noise. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever watched a game and thought, “how on earth is that the rule?” Yeah, same. That’s where Jeff the Ref comes in. This week, Jeff McGregor joins us to break down some of the biggest refereeing moments from Super Rugby, including head contact calls, obstruction, a spider cam intervention, and one of the strangest tries you’ll see all season. We get into the grey areas around shoulder-first tackles, why some calls feel inconsistent, and how much referees can realistically process in real time. Plus, there’s a proper deep dive into grounding the ball, and why something that looks wrong can still be technically right. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Christchurch finally got its big rugby weekend, and fair play, it looked and felt like the sort of thing Super Rugby has been begging for. But should Super Round stay there, move around the country, or is Watto right to be the bloke grumbling about chips and long-term crowds? This week on DSPN’s Rugby Roundtable, Martin is joined by Mark Watson and John Day to dig into the Super Round glow, the Crusaders’ shaky-but-dangerous resurgence, and whether the Blues are actually title contenders or just professionally stressful. The boys also debate Leicester Fainga’anuku as a loose forward option, whether Fehi Fineanganofo should be picked before heading overseas, Ruben Love’s All Blacks case at 10, and why Sunday rugby feels like the most obvious idea rugby keeps treating like advanced physics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Now we get into the rugby. After the buzz of Christchurch, Tony Johnson sticks around to break down a massive Super Rugby round and what it means for the run home. All five New Zealand teams got the job done, but the bigger story sits in the table. The Chiefs and Hurricanes are setting the pace, the Blues are right there, and the Crusaders are quietly climbing into a spot no one will want to deal with come finals time. Tony unpacks why they’re still dangerous, even without hitting top gear. There’s also a look at the Brumbies slide, the Reds showing real fight despite another loss, and what’s next for Moana Pasifika as the competition faces a potential shake-up. Plus, we get into that bizarre Drua try, the laws around grounding the ball, and the ongoing All Blacks first-five debate between Barrett, McKenzie and Love. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Super Rugby's Super Round absolutely delivered! After a cracking weekend in Christchurch, we’re back from Te Kaha Stadium with Tony Johnson to unpack why this one hit differently. From the packed stands and city buzz to fans in colours from every corner of Super Rugby Pacific, there was a proper festival feel around the whole weekend. Tony and Martin talk through the timing, the new stadium, the walk to the ground, and why locking Christchurch in for the next couple of years might be the smartest move rugby can make. There’s also chat about what Te Kaha means for other New Zealand cities, whether Auckland has missed its stadium moment, why Dunedin still has a strong case, and how sport can give a city the kind of economic and emotional lift we all noticed over the weekend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At Super Rugby’s Super Round, Dan Carter joins Martin Devlin on the DSPN for a wide-ranging chat. He reflects on the city’s earthquake recovery, Crusaders history, and the buzz around the new stadium, while highlighting his work with UNICEF delivering clean water to Pacific communities. Carter also weighs in on the All Blacks’ No.10 depth, the challenge of locking down the jersey, and why New Zealand’s Rugby future remains full of potential. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This one starts in the Mailbag and ends with a proper farewell. We get stuck into your feedback on Super Rugby, from whether the comp is actually sustainable to draft systems, salary caps, provincial pride, and why league keeps pinching hearts and minds. There’s plenty on the Chiefs vs Hurricanes thriller too, including the Cam Roigard substitution, Ruben Love at 10, golden point, and whether a draw is actually the smarter option. We also get into Silver Lake, dodgy tackle calls, the state of rugby administration, and why some media still seem determined to moan their way through a genuinely good comp. Then, right at the end, there’s the big one: Lachlan is off to Sky, and next week’s Mailbag will be his last. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We caught up with Crusaders legend and ex All Blacks captain Todd Blackadder to talk about the brand new stadium in Christchurch - it is a massive moment for the city. We also get his honest take on the current state of Super Rugby, the Crusaders' season so far, and what he thinks about players moving between international competitions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Riley Higgins is off, Ardie Savea’s next move is suddenly a proper talking point, and we’re still no closer to a clean answer on the All Blacks No. 10 jersey. This week on the DSPN’s Rugby Roundtable, we get into what Higgins leaving actually says about New Zealand Rugby, whether players should be free to move right across Super Rugby, and why Damian McKenzie might have pushed himself back to the front of the first-five queue. We also dig into whether the Chiefs and Hurricanes are giving us proper test-level footy, and whether the Crusaders are cooked or just biding their time. Plus, Whitney Hansen’s influence on the Black Ferns, why that win over Canada felt different, and the argument over whether Auckland is a rugby city anymore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some of rugby’s toughest calls went under the microscope this week, and we got Jeff the Ref in to break it all down properly. We go through a stack of big moments from across Super Rugby, including the Zarn Sullivan tackle that had everyone split on red versus yellow, head-on-head collisions, forward pass debates, and whether the TMO is getting involved in the right situations. There’s also a really interesting chat around quick tap penalties near the line and why defending them might be close to impossible. As always, Jeff brings the law book, the real-world ref perspective, and a bit of common sense to it all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who should wear six, seven and eight for the All Blacks? We got Murray Mexted back on to do what he does best - get right into the guts of loose forward play and explain what actually matters when selectors start circling names. We dig into Chiefs vs Hurricanes, the back row battle inside that game, and why Mex still believes the All Blacks trio will come from those two sides. He breaks down the different roles of six, seven and eight, explains why size still matters, and gives his thoughts on players like Jacobson, Kirifi, Lakai, Flanders and Sititi. We also get into the bigger picture, including whether Kiwi players should be allowed to head offshore and still be picked, and why Murray reckons rugby’s decline in New Zealand is very real if the grassroots game keeps getting neglected. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

That was one of those Super Rugby weekends where the table shifted, the pressure cranked up, and nobody got to hide. We get into the Chiefs’ statement win over the Hurricanes in Hamilton, why Damian McKenzie’s influence mattered so much late, and what golden point does to the blood pressure. Then it’s on to the Drua pulling off one of the biggest away wins the comp’s seen, the Crusaders looking vulnerable again, and the Blues doing enough before nearly leaving the back door open. We also finish on the Black Ferns, with Whitney Hansen’s first big marker as coach. The result over Canada mattered, but so did the way it happened. More structure, more control, and a performance that looked like a side with a clear plan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Super Rugby Vibe Rankings are back and, honestly, it is absolute carnage. This week on DSPN, we try to make sense of a Super Rugby comp where the Chiefs have muscled their way to the top, the Hurricanes picked the wrong time to get loose, and half the ladder feels like it could beat the other half on any given day. We get into why the Chiefs now deserve the flowers after closing out a huge win over the Canes, why Wellington’s game management let them down late, and why the Blues are still sitting right in the mix. We also try to work out what on earth to do with the Brumbies, Crusaders, Reds, Waratahs, Force, Highlanders and Drua, who all seem to be taking turns confusing us. Plus, there’s some love for Moana Pasifika’s effort, some proper chat about form versus feel, and a reminder that Super Round is nearly here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This round had everything. A golden-point gut punch in Hamilton, the Drua pulling off a proper stunner in Canberra, and the Crusaders coughing up a 19-nil lead. Just a normal weekend in Super Rugby, obviously. On this episode, Martin and Jamie rip through all the big Round 10 talking points, starting with whether the Hurricanes blew their shot against the Chiefs and what Damien McKenzie’s control said about the first five battle. We get into the Drua’s away win, the Crusaders’ latest wobble, whether the Blues showed title-winning signs, and where the All Blacks loose forward pecking order is heading. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ruben Love at 10? We’re done dancing around it. This week’s DSPN Mailbag gets stuck into the big one, with plenty of you making the case to just hand him the jersey and find out if he’s the real deal. We also rip through overseas eligibility, whether New Zealand should loosen the rules with a few caveats attached, and if Super Rugby is actually enough to prepare players for test footy. On top of that, there’s a proper yarn about Springbok-style bench splits, why the rolling maul still does everyone’s head in, and whether people have completely overcooked the reaction to our Sir Graham Henry and Brent Impey interview. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Super Rugby is back in the spotlight, and not always for the right reasons. We get stuck into what happens next for the competition after Moana Pasifika’s demise, whether the current model is actually working, and why there are still big questions around crowds, structure, and long-term sustainability. From there, we shift into All Blacks selection and the big calls coming up. Ruben Love is putting his hand up, but is it too soon, or exactly the right time? And then there’s the loose forward debate, where suddenly we’ve got plenty of names, but no clear answers. We wrap by looking ahead to a massive Hurricanes vs Chiefs clash, with All Blacks spots on the line all over the park and another big test for the competition’s best form team. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Moana Pasifika is all but done, and we’re still trying to work out what that really means. We get Jamie Wall in to unpack the sadness around the club’s collapse, the funding model that was always under pressure, and the bigger picture for Pacific rugby. We also get into what a 10-team Super Rugby comp looks like from here, why coaches keep heading offshore, and whether New Zealand rugby is just caught in the same cycle again. Then we finish on this weekend’s big matchups, including the Hurricanes and Chiefs, Patrick Tuipulotu’s return for the Blues, and whether the Crusaders can lift without the horses and without much rhythm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What actually needs to change if the All Blacks want to stay at the top? That’s the big question in this one, and we get stuck into it with two men who know the game inside out, Sir Graham Henry and former NZ Rugby chair Brent Impey. In a very special extended chat, we talk Super Rugby, offshore eligibility, player depth, club rugby, the financial squeeze on the game, and why Sir Graham believes New Zealand cannot keep doing the same thing and expect to stay the best in the world. Brent counters with the economic reality, the value of a strong domestic competition, and why the community game still needs far more attention. There’s also plenty on Dave Rennie’s new coaching group, player ownership, the lessons from 2007 and 2011, and why both men still reckon the All Blacks have the talent to be right in the fight. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Not every big hit is a good hit, and not every whistle needs to blow. This week on the DSPN, we get Jeff the Ref back in to work through some of the trickiest calls from the Super Rugby weekend. We get into tip tackles, head clashes, yellow cards that maybe should not have been, and a few moments where the refs probably left everyone scratching their heads. Jeff also owns a correction from last week, explains why player safety has to stay front and centre, and gives us the referee’s view on penalty counts, back chat, mauls and TMO intervention. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The vibe rankings are back and things are starting to feel very real. On the DSPN, Marty and Lachie break down where every Super Rugby team actually sits right now, and more importantly, who’s already out of the race. The Hurricanes are clear at the top, the Chiefs and Blues are chasing, and the big question becomes whether anyone can genuinely disrupt what’s starting to look like a locked-in top six. We get into the struggles of the bottom teams, why the Highlanders and Force might have missed their moment, and how the Brumbies have quietly built one of the strongest cases in the competition. Plus, we debate just how far the Crusaders can really go and whether their inconsistency rules them out of title contention. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Hurricanes are humming, the Chiefs are waiting, and suddenly every big Super Rugby matchup feels like an All Blacks trial. On the DSPN, Marty is joined by Ant Strachan to break down just how good the Hurricanes really are after putting away the Blues, why Cam Roigard is right at the top of his game, and what Ruben Love is doing to force his way into the test conversation. We also get into the value of combinations, the pressure building around the 10 jersey, and where Damian McKenzie fits into it all. Then we zoom out to the bigger picture. We talk fresh eyes in the All Blacks coaching group, why these next few weeks matter so much for selection, and whether Super Rugby is giving our best players the platform they need heading into a huge international season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Hurricanes are flying and Martin can barely hide it. On the DSPN today, Marty and Tony Johnson get stuck into a wild round nine of Super Rugby Pacific, starting with the Canes’ statement win over the Blues. We get into what made them so sharp, why their kicking game keeps putting teams under the pump, and whether Ruben Love is turning every big game into another selection headache for the All Blacks. There is plenty more on the menu too. The Chiefs did what they had to against Moana Pasifika, but is their form rock solid or still a bit flattering? The Crusaders and Reds served up a slippery mess in Brisbane, the Brumbies kept their hoodoo over New Zealand sides rolling, and Martin and Tony also chew over a couple of refereeing calls that had everyone scratching their heads. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marty and Young Producer Lachlan dive into a massive Mailbag session this week, questioning if the All Blacks are looking backwards by sticking with Rieko Ioane and Beauden Barrett. They tackle the bizarre excuses for the Super Rugby Pacific Easter schedule, debate who should lead the team under Dave Rennie, and preview the massive Hurricanes vs Blues clash. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Murray Mexted is back with us on DSPN and this one covers a lot of ground. From Ian Foster’s book to the inner workings of NZ Rugby, there’s plenty to unpack and not all of it is comfortable listening. We get into the pressure Foster faced behind the scenes, the decision to name a new coach before a World Cup, and why Mexted believes the All Blacks setup wasn’t properly supported. There’s also a strong take on how coaches develop over time, why experience matters, and what Dave Rennie brings to the role. Then we shift to something Mexted knows better than most, loose forwards. He breaks down the modern demands of the position, why size matters against teams like South Africa, and names the players he believes can handle it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Halfway through Super Rugby Pacific, we’ve done what rugby fans love doing most: picked a team and invited the arguments. Jamie Wall joins us to name a pure form XV after eight rounds. Not an All Blacks side, not a projected test squad, just the players who’ve been the best in their positions so far. That means big calls, a few uncomfortable omissions, and plenty of names right on the edge. We get into a front row that practically picks itself, a locking debate that’s suddenly full of depth, a loose forward mix with real bite, and the first-five conversation that still refuses to sit still. There’s also plenty on Cam Roigard, Jordie Barrett, Tupou Vaa’i, Will Jordan and the midfield pairing that might finally give the All Blacks some proper continuity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The DSPN crew is back to tear into the absolute mess that was the Super Rugby Easter schedule. Martin, Mark, and John don't hold back on the "lame" excuses from the board and why the fans deserve better. Plus, we look at Shannon Frizell’s return, the looming battle for the All Blacks midfield, and why referees need to stop trying to coach the players during the game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Martin and Jeff the Ref are back to break down a strange weekend of Super Rugby Pacific. With only three games on the slate, there was still plenty of drama to dissect, from cynical yellow cards to massive hits that tested the laws. Jeff explains why the Crusaders were pinged for slowing the ball and debates whether rugby needs to take a leaf out of league’s book when it comes to intercepts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Super Rugby Pacific hits the halfway mark and, honestly, it still feels like the comp is making it up as it goes. We get Sean Maloney and Brett McKay on with us to make sense of the Easter schedule, the state of the Australian teams, and whether anyone can actually stop another New Zealand side winning the title. We get into the Brumbies’ case as Australia’s best hope, why the Reds are still so hard to trust, and whether the Force just saved their season. There’s also a look at the Chiefs, the Blues, the Hurricanes, and that ongoing obsession with finding the right halfback and first-five combinations. It’s sharp, funny, a little chaotic, and full of proper rugby chat from both sides of the Tasman. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Super Rugby gave us only three games over Easter, but there was still plenty to get stuck into. On this episode, Martin and Tony Johnson unpack why the competition missed a trick with the long weekend schedule, then dive into the biggest talking points from round eight. We get into Codie Taylor’s ridiculous 150th game celebration, why the Chiefs made a real statement, and what the Force’s win over the Reds says about the Aussie sides right now. There’s also some love for the skill level on show, a look at how open this comp still feels, and a proper build-up to what already feels like a season-shaping Hurricanes vs Blues clash on Saturday night. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What actually makes the All Blacks successful? It is not just what happens on the field. Martin Devlin sits down with former All Blacks manager Darren Shand for a rare, deep dive into what really drives performance at the highest level. From leadership and culture to the importance of the “team behind the team,” Shand breaks down the ecosystem that powered one of the most dominant eras in rugby history. We also get into pressure, legacy, player ownership, and what it takes to build an environment where players thrive. It is honest, insightful and packed with lessons that go well beyond rugby. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

All Black legend Beauden Barrett joins Martin to talk about the "deep feeling of hurt" that’s driving him toward the 2027 World Cup. He opens up about the "unsettling" coaching changes within the All Blacks, his new life as a father of three, and why he’s not ready to head offshore just yet. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are diving deep into the mailbag this week as Martin and Lachlan tackle the big questions in New Zealand rugby. From the "swimming" tactics in the mall to the mental dread of facing a sixth-placed Crusaders side in the playoffs, no stone is left unturned. We also look at the All Blacks' need for individual upskilling and the structural challenges facing Moana Pasifika. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are halfway through the Super Rugby season, and there is plenty to celebrate. From the All Whites’ historic win over Chile to the emergence of Ruben Love, Martin, John, and Mark, break down the standout performers. We also dive into the tricky future of Moana Pacifica and debate who should lead the All Blacks as captain this year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who should captain the All Blacks right now? It sounds simple, but once you start pulling at the thread, it gets complicated pretty quickly. We get stuck into the big leadership debate, with Ardie Savea widely tipped as the front-runner. But is it that clear cut? Martin, Jamie and Lachlan break down the cases for Scott Barrett, Codie Taylor and even Jordie Barrett, looking at what actually matters in a modern captain. From on-field decision making to leadership groups, media responsibilities and even the social media question, we cover the lot. There’s also a proper look at whether captaincy elevates a player or risks dragging their game down, plus why timing, form and perception all play a bigger role than we probably admit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices