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Rugby Direct

Newstalk ZB
All Blacks
Super Rugby
Crusaders
New Zealand Rugby
Hurricanes
Blues
Chiefs
Rugby Championship
Highlanders
Super Rugby Pacific
Rugby World Cup
Scott Robertson
Black Ferns
Moana Pacifica
Moana Pasifika
Wallabies
South Africa
Brumbies
Springboks
England

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 weeklyEpisodes253Founded5 years ago
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Artwork for Rugby Direct

Latest Episodes

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.

Has Rennie got the big calls right?

With Ruben Love at No. 10, Luke Jacobson wearing the ... more

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 Rennie.

Who will make his first 23? Plus the ANZAC Day Bledisloe is locked in, is this a ... more

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 unlucky to miss out.

The boys also reflect on a one-sided Super Rugby Pacific final, with t... more

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 the trophy on Saturday night?

The boys also give their predictions for the All Blacks sq... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Bruce Sharrock
Long-time player agent, works with rugby and rugby league clients
Agent (rugby/rugby league)
Episode: Rugby Direct - Bruce Sharrock tackles the biggest issues facing rugby
Nick Buehle
Rugby Direct contributor, third wheel
Rugby Direct
Episode: Rugby Direct: Episode 230
Bruce Sharick
Long time player agent
Rugby Direct Studio (guest on episode teaser)
Episode: Rugby Direct: Episode 230
Steve Lancaster
New Zealand Rugby Chief Executive
New Zealand Rugby
Episode: Rugby Direct - Steve Lancaster talks challenges shaping rugby in Aotearoa
Malcolm Gillies
Hurricanes Chair & co-owner (guest)
Hurricanes
Episode: Rugby Direct: Episode 220
Peyton Spencer
Blues fullback, debutant in Blues jersey
Blues (Super Rugby)
Episode: Rugby Direct: Episode 213
Nick Bewley
Sports journalist
Episode: Rugby Direct: Episode 211
Bill Buell
Co-host/analyst
Episode: Rugby Direct: Episode 211
Gregor Paul
New Zealand rugby columnist and writer
New Zealand Herald
Episode: Rugby Direct - Episode 197

Hosts

Elliott Smith
Co-host of Rugby Direct; experienced rugby writer/analyst with involvement in NZ rugby media and coverage of governance, teams, and players.
Liam Napier
Co-host of Rugby Direct; long-standing rugby journalist and analyst with deep involvement in NZ rugby coverage and commentary.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 50 ratings
  • o/

    Happy birthday brah. Top pod btw

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ryviewed
    Australia3 months ago
  • Simon

    Has Liam quit the show? If so, will stop following this. Just be honest.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Simon sauce
    New Zealand4 months ago
  • 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 Zealand3 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Guests and topics stay timely and relevant to NZ rugby and Super Rugby.
Hosts deliver sharp, opinionated rugby analysis with clear insights into governance and strategy.
Listener comments show strong engagement but occasional calls for consistency in hosting.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#21
United States/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#22
Canada/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#45
United Kingdom/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#13
Germany/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#17
Italy/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#29
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?

Rugby-focused discussion show that analyzes weekly Super Rugby action, NZ rugby governance, and the wider rugby landscape with clear, opinionated takes. Episodes regularly dissect coaching moves, team form, player injuries, and the business side of the sport, often weaving in interviews or tease notable guests such as agents or executives. The tone is candid, frequently data-driven, and banter-heavy, which makes it valuable for listeners who want quick, sharp analysis and practical takeaways for clubs, sponsors, and media partners. Notable strengths include long-running host chemistry, timely coverage of governance and financial issues, and a willingness to preview and reflect on potential World Cup cycles and format changes. This makes it ... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Rugby Direct?

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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. Aotearoa Rugby Pod
2. What a Lad
3. The Good, The Bad & The Rugby: Australia & New Zealand
4. DSPN - Devlin Sports Podcast Network
5. The Rugby Run

How many episodes of Rugby Direct are there?

Rugby Direct launched 5 years ago and published 253 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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What guests have appeared on Rugby Direct?

Recent guests on Rugby Direct include:

1. Bruce Sharrock
2. Nick Buehle
3. Bruce Sharick
4. Steve Lancaster
5. Malcolm Gillies
6. Peyton Spencer
7. Nick Bewley
8. Bill Buell

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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