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Artwork for Rugby Direct

Rugby Direct

Newstalk ZB
Super Rugby
All Blacks
Hurricanes
Crusaders
Blues
New Zealand Rugby
Chiefs
Highlanders
Rugby World Cup
Melbourne Rebels
Sam Cane
Super Rugby Pacific
England Rugby
Black Ferns
Women's Rugby
Aaron Smith
Steve Borthwick
Scott Robertson
Alex Mitchell
Richie Mo'unga

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.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes208Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Sports NewsRugbySportsNews

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Artwork for Rugby Direct

Latest Episodes

On the final Rugby Direct for the year, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier return from Europe and some time away to review the All Blacks' season - what needs work, what went right and what are the big fixes required ahead of 2026.

We also look at the R... more

On the latest Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier assess the All Blacks side named to face Wales and whether it's a missed opportunity on the selection front or if banking a win is the most important thing for Scott Robertson's men.

See omny... more

On the latest Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier check in from Cardiff for a post-mortem to the All Blacks' humbling defeat to England - where is this All Blacks side at, are they stagnant or going backwards and does there need to be a re-as... more

On the latest Rugby Direct from London, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier review the two sides named for Sunday morning's test between the All Blacks and England.

We discuss the key selections including moving Wallace Sititi to the bench and whether it... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Jason Holland
Assistant coach for the All Blacks
All Blacks
Episode: Rugby Direct - Episode 175
Jordie Barrett
All Blacks player who recently returned from playing at Leinster
New Zealand Rugby
Episode: Rugby Direct - Episode 170
Scott Robertson
Head Coach of the All Blacks
New Zealand Rugby
Episode: Rugby Direct - Episode 168
Jason Ryan
Forward Coach for the All Blacks
New Zealand Rugby
Episode: Rugby Direct - Episode 168
Sam Darry
Blues lock currently sidelined with an injury
Auckland Blues
Episode: Rugby Direct - Episode 163
Bryce Heem
Recently retired Blues midfielder
Blues
Episode: Rugby Direct - Episode 162
Joseph Akuso Soolei
A versatile sports commentator covering Rugby and Rugby League
NZMe
Episode: Rugby Direct - Episode 161
Mark Robinson
New Zealand Rugby Chief Executive
New Zealand Rugby
Episode: Rugby Direct - Exclusive interview with Scott Robertson and Mark Robinson
Jack Mesley
Chief Executive of Super Rugby Pacific
Super Rugby Pacific
Episode: Rugby Direct - Episode 149

Hosts

Elliott Smith
Host and lead rugby commentator, providing insights and analysis on various rugby events and discussions.
Liam Napier
Co-host and sports journalist, focusing on rugby insights and developments, bringing in-depth analysis to every episode.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 44 ratings
  • Impressed

    I listen for the first time I was impressed to what I heard it covered a lot of things. Nice job guys.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mailmun
    Australia2 years ago
  • Simon

    Listening from Bangkok. Excellent.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Simon Drought
    New Zealand2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Feedback highlights the relevance of topics covered, resonating well with fans of both male and female rugby competitions.
The hosts are praised for their expertise and engaging commentary, making it a go-to source for rugby enthusiasts.
Listeners appreciate the insightful analysis and in-depth discussions surrounding rugby events.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#160
United States/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#85
Canada/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#171
United Kingdom/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#66
Germany/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#78
Australia/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#85
France/Sports/Rugby

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Rugby Direct - Episode 195
Q: What are the implications of the new World Rugby draw structure for the All Blacks?
The draw structure has been criticized for its lack of seeding, potentially leading to top teams facing each other in early knockouts.
Rugby Direct - Episode 195
Q: What needs to change for the All Blacks as we head into the 2026 season?
There are calls for a more clearly defined coaching structure and specialist attack coaches to improve performance and communication.
Rugby Direct - Episode 191
Q: What were your initial thoughts on that performance?
It was a hard game to break down, but the All Blacks were really good for large parts of the first half, though they showed inconsistency.
Rugby Direct - Episode 184
Q: What themes have you been looking at in your preparations for Perth?
We've focused on mental preparation and ensuring consistency in performance to secure a win against Australia.
Rugby Direct - Episode 184
Q: What did the review after the South African test tell you?
The review highlighted improvement in the aerial game, which led to better ball possession and more penalties against opponents, but also noted areas where the team was outmuscled.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Rugby Direct

What is Rugby Direct about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast provides a comprehensive overview of rugby, focusing primarily on notable teams such as the All Blacks and Black Ferns, as well as competitions like the NPC and Farah Palmer Cup. Episodes often analyze team performances, player selections, and upcoming matches, providing insights into strategy and competitions at all levels of the sport. This show is characterized by in-depth discussions about the ongoing developments in the rugby world, making it appealing to both casual fans and deeply invested followers of the sport. The hosts share their expertise and opinions, creating an engaging experience for listeners who are passionate about rugby and want to stay well-informed about the latest happenings.

Where can I find podcast stats for Rugby Direct?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Rugby Direct. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Rugby Direct and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Rugby Direct get?

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What are the audience demographics for Rugby Direct?

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How many subscribers and views does Rugby Direct have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Rugby Direct has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Rugby Direct?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Rugby Direct:

1. The Good, The Bad & The Rugby: Australia & New Zealand
2. Aotearoa Rugby Pod
3. What a Lad
4. The Rugby Run
5. Between Two Beers Podcast

How many episodes of Rugby Direct are there?

Rugby Direct launched 4 years ago and published 208 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Rugby Direct?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Rugby Direct?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Rugby Direct from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Rugby Direct?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Rugby Direct. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Rugby Direct?

Recent guests on Rugby Direct include:

1. Jason Holland
2. Jordie Barrett
3. Scott Robertson
4. Jason Ryan
5. Sam Darry
6. Bryce Heem
7. Joseph Akuso Soolei
8. Mark Robinson

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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