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The Rugby Run

Sport Nation
All Blacks
Super Rugby
Crusaders
Chiefs
Blues
Hurricanes
New Zealand Rugby
Wallabies
Super Rugby Pacific
Rugby
Rugby Championship
New Zealand
South Africa
France
Rugby World Cup
Moana Pacifica
Brumbies
Rugby Union
Highlanders
Scott Robertson

Rugby Run is Sport Nation's action-packed show dedicated to New Zealand's national game, with expert interviews and high-level insights. Listen live every Sunday from 12 pm on Sport Nation.

PublishesDailyEpisodes400Founded4 years ago
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RugbySports

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Artwork for The Rugby Run

Latest Episodes

The Rugby Run with Mark Watson - Full Show, in the show today Mark Watson speaks on the All Blacks losing a second test against the Springboks in South Africa, Kevin Schuler speaks on the game and what he saw out of both the All Blacks & Springboks s... more

Former All Black Kevin Schuler joins Mark Watson to chat about the All Blacks losing the Third Test against the Springboks, What can the squad improve on, What has to change if they want to win the fourth match, Do we need fresh people on the back e... more

The Rugby Run with Mark Watson - Full Show featuring South African correspondent John O'Connor, and broadcaster Duncan Garner.

Plus, we hear your thoughts and reactions to the second Test of the Greatest Rivalry tour between the All Blacks and Sprin... more

Kiwi broadcaster Duncan Garner joins Mark Watson on The Rugby Run to talk about the state of NZ Schoolboy rugby off the back of Westlake winning the 1A competition over the weekend.

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Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Duncan Garner
Broadcaster, guest discussing state of NZ schoolboy rugby
Episode: Duncan Garner | Kiwi broadcaster on the state of NZ Schoolboy rugby (30/8/26)
Phil Holtz
Northland Ranfurly Shield era participant
Northland, MPC
Episode: The Rugby Run with Mark Watson | Full Show (23/8/26)
Phil Halse
Former Northland forward, member of the 1978 Ranfurly Shield-winning side
Northland Rugby Union
Episode: Phil Halse | Former Northland forward on Ranfurly Shield win against Canterbury (23/8/26)
Ngatua Akoi
Bay of Plenty captain, Ranfurly Shield veteran
Bay of Plenty
Episode: The Rugby Run with Mark Watson | Full Show (16/8/26)
Ofisa Tonu'u
Former All Black
New Zealand rugby
Episode: Ofisa Tonu'u | Former All Black reviews good win against the Bulls in South Africa (16/8/26)
John O'Connor
South African rugby correspondent
South Africa
Episode: The Rugby Run with Mark Watson | Full Show (9/8/26)
Cody Nielson
Former head of Auckland Rugby Referees
Auckland Rugby Referees
Episode: Cody Nielson | Auckland Rugby Event Director on signing new sponsorship deal for Auckland referees (2/8/26)
Ofisa Junior Tonu'u
Member of the 1996 All Blacks tour to South Africa
All Blacks
Episode: Ofisa Tonu'u | Looking back at the All Blacks 1996 tour of South Africa (2/8/26)
Stephen Bates
Coach commenting on Auckland performance expectations
Auckland rugby
Episode: The Coaches Corner | NPC coaches ahead of the 50th season (26/7/26)

Hosts

Mark Watson
Host of The Rugby Run; prominent NZ rugby commentator and facilitator of discussions across NPC, All Blacks, and touring topics.
Daniel McHardy
Host of The Rugby Run; involved in guest coordination and on-air discussions.
Kevin Schuler
Former All Black, MPC commentator; offers NZ rugby development insights.
Shane Howarth
Former All Black and Welsh international; discusses NPC, selection, and touring opinions.
Oliver Lee
Irish rugby writer/journalist; provides Ireland/Irish rugby insights and publishing context.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 33 ratings
  • Great use if the bench

    Far better combo than last weeks whingers

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    otago111
    Australia3 years ago

Listeners Say

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

The mix of NZ and international rugby voices helps give a broader context beyond NZ-only coverage.
Hosts and guests keep the conversation lively with a balance of tactical analysis and cultural anecdotes.
Listeners appreciate the depth of rugby knowledge and candid, informed discussions.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#102
United States/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#78
Canada/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#121
United Kingdom/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#56
Germany/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#83
Australia/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#10
China/Sports/Rugby

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Phil Halse | Former Northland forward on Ranfurly Shield win against Canterbury (23/8/26)
Q: What was it like seeing the shield travel around Northland after the win?
He describes the shield being passed around Whangarei and subunits, with many fans and communities embracing the moment, highlighting the shield's role in uniting the province.
Phil Halse | Former Northland forward on Ranfurly Shield win against Canterbury (23/8/26)
Q: Take us back to 1978. How vivid was that game? What are your memories of it?
Phil Halse recalls the build-up around Northland's campaign, the tough matches, and the sense that the Shield could be lifted, culminating in a historic victory that felt like a landmark moment for Northland rugby.
Ofisa Tonu'u | Former All Black reviews good win against the Bulls in South Africa (16/8/26)
Q: What do you think was the most decisive factor in the performance today?
The emphasis on tempo and ball-in-play kept the pressure on the South Africans, which allowed us to create momentum and stretch them, while the bench rotation provided fresh energy to sustain that tempo.
The Rugby Run with Mark Watson | Full Show (16/8/26)
Q: Is there room for Segner in the All Blacks' loose forwards, potentially starting or on the bench for the first Test?
Yes, Segner has shown enough impact in the previous matches to push for inclusion, and coaches may use him as a flexible option off the bench or even in the starting lineup depending on form, fitness, and opposition.
Kevin Schuler | Former All Black on Canterbury retaining the Ranfurly Shield & Manawatu reunion (16/8/26)
Q: Kevin, what would it mean for the people of Bay of Plenty to win Ranfurly Shield again?
It would reinforce the pride of the Bay and show that the province's rugby culture remains strong, with generations of players, staff, and supporters connected by a shared history and passion for the shield.

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 The Rugby Run

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

A rugby-focused talk show centered on New Zealand's national game, with high-level analysis, post-match reflections, and tactical breakdowns. Regular discussions cover All Blacks performance, NPC/MPC dynamics, refereeing, and cross-continental rugby perspectives from seasoned guests, journalists, and former players. The show frequently features live calls and guests who bring deep experience across NZ rugby, South Africa, Ireland, and Australia, along with sponsorship conversations and community-focused updates. Notable for its breadth of rugby insiders, candid critique of officiating, and a willingness to compare different rugby cultures while staying firmly rooted in NZ rugby identity. Listeners can expect energetic host banter, expert br... more

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How many listeners does The Rugby Run get?

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To see how many followers or subscribers The Rugby Run 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 The Rugby Run?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Rugby Run:

1. DSPN -RUGBY
2. Aotearoa Rugby Pod
3. Rugby Direct
4. Weekend Sport with Jason Pine
5. What a Lad

How many episodes of The Rugby Run are there?

The Rugby Run launched 4 years ago and published 400 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 The Rugby Run?

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

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What guests have appeared on The Rugby Run?

Recent guests on The Rugby Run include:

1. Duncan Garner
2. Phil Holtz
3. Phil Halse
4. Ngatua Akoi
5. Ofisa Tonu'u
6. John O'Connor
7. Cody Nielson
8. Ofisa Junior Tonu'u

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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