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

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

We’re joined by the one and only Eddie Jones for a deep dive into the state of the game. Eddie doesn’t hold back on the All Blacks' coaching merry-go-round, why sacking a seven-time Super Rugby winner like Razor makes no sense, and how the "commercialization" of the jersey is affecting performance. We also look at the rise of the Warriors and why rugby league is winning the "working class" battle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are back for the business end of the summer as Super Rugby Pacific finally kicks off. Martin and Tony Johnson break down a massive opening round, including why this is the perfect time for the Highlanders to strike a resting Crusaders side. Plus, we look at the Six Nations fallout: are England truly the second-best team in the world, and what on earth is going on with Welsh rugby? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The first round of the Six Nations is in the books and it was a weekend of statements, heartbreaks, and one massive shock. Chris Jones joins us from England to break down how France bludgeoned Ireland, why England looks more professional than ever, and the absolute "car crash" currently happening in Welsh rugby. Plus, we look at Italy’s historic win and what it means for Gregor Townsend’s future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Super Rugby is officially back, and we’re straight into it at the launch with players, journos, coffee, and plenty of opinions flying around. We chat to a stack of familiar faces about what’s changed, what’s working, and why less TMO might be one of the best things to happen to the competition. There’s talk around rule interpretations, fatigue, ball-in-play time, and why the fan-first mindset has brought Super Rugby back to where it belongs. And of course, we can’t ignore the big question hanging over the season. Who should be the next All Blacks coach? We put it to players and pundits, get a few names thrown around, and unpack why that job is one of the toughest seats in world rugby. Add in team predictions, old rivalries, and a bit of nostalgia for 30 years of Super Rugby, and you’ve got a proper scene-setter for the season ahead. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We got along to the Super Rugby 2026 launch and ended up with a proper sit-down yarn with Jeff Wilson. And as you’d expect, it didn’t take long before the conversation went well beyond just fixtures and formats. Jeff talks honestly about where Super Rugby sits in the wider rugby ecosystem, why entertainment still matters, and how the competition can reconnect fans with the game. There’s plenty on how the modern game is being played, what’s changed since his era, and why instinct and belief still sit at the heart of great rugby. We also get into the All Blacks, the weight of the black jersey, and why standards can never slip, especially with a new coach on the horizon and a massive South African tour coming up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Six Nations is back, and we’re not easing into it. With a Thursday night (Friday morning New Zealand time) opener in Paris and pressure everywhere you look, this year’s championship already feels uncomfortably tight. We’re joined by former Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan, who gives a brutally honest read on where Ireland actually sit right now, why France are more dangerous than their autumn form suggests, and how England have quietly rebuilt into a seriously hard team to beat. There’s plenty on injuries, ageing squads, momentum, and just how fine the line really is between a Grand Slam and a forgettable campaign. We also look beyond the Six Nations to South Africa’s growing dominance, what the new Nations Championship really means, and why knockout rugby still changes everything. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Rugby Roundtable is back and there’s no easing into this one. We kick off with a genuinely jaw-dropping sporting moment as 16-year-old Sam Ruthe breaks Sir John Walker’s New Zealand mile record, a mark that’s stood since 1982. Just how rare is what he’s done, and why does it matter so much for New Zealand sport? From there, the conversation turns sharp. Sir Steve Hansen and Ian Foster being approached by New Zealand Rugby raises serious questions about planning, coaching depth, and whether the organisation is quietly panicking. Is this breaking glass in case of emergency, or just good optics masking a deeper issue? We also dig into Super Rugby’s faster approach to officiating, why limiting the TMO actually improves the product, and whether it will ever translate to the international game. Finally, we look north to the Six Nations, with France vs Ireland shaping as a blockbuster way to start the tournament. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People are getting way too far ahead of themselves and we reckon it’s time to steady on. On the DSPN today, we dig into Super Rugby Pacific’s recommitment to limiting TMO interference and why trusting referees might actually be the best thing for the game. Martin delivers a full sermon on flow versus flawlessness, the price of perfection, and why rugby was never meant to be officiated frame by frame. We talk Six Nations, England hype, and why genuine hatred still matters in international rugby. The Tight Five is back as well, with Sam Ruthe’s stunning mile, T20 World Cup build-up, Arsenal’s title push, NRL pre-season chatter, and a Super Bowl preview to wrap it all up. Plenty of opinions, plenty of disagreement, and absolutely no sitting on the fence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Super Rugby is nearly here and we’re back where rugby feels closest to the people. DSPN heads on tour to Sacred Heart College in Auckland for a stinking hot preseason clash between the Blues and the Hurricanes. We soak up the atmosphere on a school field, chat to fans, parents, and rugby tragics, and get a real sense of what this competition still means when the sun’s out and the season’s just around the corner. There’s excitement, optimism, and plenty of opinions on where Super Rugby and the All Blacks are heading. We also hear from coaches post-match on what preseason actually tells you, what matters and what doesn’t, and why games like this still matter in a professional era. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mailbag time on DSPN, and as always, the gloves are well and truly off. We dive into your comments, questions and hot takes from across YouTube and social, and there’s no shortage of strong opinions this week. From where Max has gone, to player interviews that challenge lazy narratives, to claims we’re “too negative” about the All Blacks, we respond to it all. We unpack the current coaching situation, the state of New Zealand rugby, and why being honest isn’t the same as being negative. There’s debate around governance, selection processes, overseas players, potential coaching combinations and whether the All Blacks job is still the most prized role in world rugby. Plus, a few lighter moments, some unexpected gifts, and the usual DSPN chaos that keeps the mailbag a must-listen every week. 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

What does real belief actually look like when it’s earned, not gifted? Brad Thorn joins Martin Devlin for one of the most open and powerful conversations we’ve had on the DSPN. From anxiety and self-doubt to faith, discipline and mental resilience, Brad reflects on the moments that shaped him long before the trophies arrived. They talk through Brad’s new book Champions Do Extra, the lessons passed down from his father, the pressure of World Cup finals, State of Origin, and why belief only comes after the work is done. Brad also opens up about anxiety, leadership, coaching at the Reds, and why you’re never truly defeated if you’re willing to stand and fight. It’s honest, grounded, and full of perspective from a man who’s been to the very top and knows exactly what it costs to stay there. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This season comes with expectations, and Glen Jackson isn’t shying away from them. The Fijian Drua head coach joins Martin Devlin ahead of Super Rugby Pacific to talk pressure, progress, and why making the playoffs is non negotiable. From paying their own way to New Zealand, to learning how to win away from Fiji, Glen gives an honest look at what the Drua are trying to fix this year. They also cover the emotional week in Mount Maunganui, training alongside the Chiefs, the challenge of travelling as a young squad, and why staying grounded matters just as much as winning. Glen reflects on leadership, experience, and the balance between Fijian flair and shutting games down when it counts. It’s a candid, thoughtful chat about growth, responsibility, and what success really looks like for one of Super Rugby’s most watchable teams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when the game gets taken away from you for the first time? Today on the DSPN, Martin sits down with All Blacks and Chiefs forward Tupou Vaa’i as he opens up about his knee injury, a long road back to fitness, and what being sidelined taught him about rugby and life. From lonely mornings watching the boys on tour to finding clarity through family time, Tupou reflects on a season that changed him. We also get into confidence, imposter syndrome, and the moments that helped lift his game to another level back in 2024. Tupou talks honestly about working alongside Scott Barrett, the impact of mental skills coaching, and how becoming a father shifted his entire perspective. It’s a grounded, thoughtful conversation with one of the All Blacks’ most quietly important players. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's Rugby Roundtable, we’re covering two very different sporting flashpoints that somehow end up in the same place. Pressure, performance, and who really controls the narrative. We kick things off with the Coco Gauff racket smash at the Australian Open, and whether elite athletes should expect privacy anywhere off the court. Is it fair game, or are we crossing a line when emotion spills over away from the spotlight? Then it’s full noise on the All Blacks coaching situation. From Scott Robertson’s exit to the narrow pool of available replacements, we dig into whether New Zealand Rugby actually had a plan. We talk Jamie Joseph, Dave Rennie, coaching depth, culture breakdowns, player management, and why Super Rugby fans keep getting short-changed. It’s passionate, frustrated, and very Kiwi. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is the All Blacks coaching process really as simple as we’re being told? We’re told to trust it, respect it, and be patient. But when you strip it back, there are some uncomfortable questions that refuse to go away. In this sermon, we dig into how New Zealand Rugby has arrived at this point, why timing matters more than people want to admit, and what the current criteria actually means for who can and cannot be considered. We look at the names fans keep raising, the ones who are unavailable, unwilling, or already committed elsewhere, and why that narrows the field far more than most realise. This isn’t about negativity or hindsight. It’s about realism. The All Blacks are meant to be the best team in the world. So doesn’t that job deserve the best possible coach in the world, not just the best option available right now? Because history tells us that process alone won’t win anything unless everything around it is right too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The All Blacks coaching conversation just shifted again, and we finally have some clarity. With New Zealand Rugby publicly outlining the criteria for the next head coach, the speculation is narrowing fast, and a few big names are already out of the race. Marty and TJ unpack Vern Cotter’s surprise decision to leave the Blues, what it means for the All Blacks shortlist, and why international coaching experience is now non-negotiable. They dig into the five-person selection panel, the mystery retired All Black still to be named, and which candidates are realistically left standing. There’s also a deep dive into Super Rugby Pacific preseason as the competition fires back up. From disciplinary debates to high-ball tactics and what these warm-up games really tell us, it’s a wide-ranging, honest look at where the game is heading as another massive year begins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This one’s a proper rugby pub yarn. Tony Johnson joins us to tackle one of the biggest debates in New Zealand sport. Who are the greatest All Blacks captains of all time? No stats spreadsheets, no definitive rankings. Just leadership, mana, and the moments that define greatness. TJ and Marty work through names that shaped generations. From pioneers like David Gallaher, through statesmen such as Wilson Whineray and Graham Mourie, to modern-era icons including Sean Fitzpatrick and Richie McCaw. It’s about courage under fire, thinking the game differently, and the calm heads who carried the jersey when it mattered most. We also give credit where it’s due to leaders like Wayne Shelford, whose impact went far beyond the win-loss column. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The inbox exploded and honestly, we’re not surprised. This week’s DSPN Mailbag takes on the All Blacks coaching fallout, the Razor decision, and the sheer volume of opinions flying around New Zealand rugby right now. Martin and Lachlan dig into everything from Wayne Smith’s reaction to Razor's departure, to the ongoing debate around player power, accountability, and whether this All Blacks group is really as weak as some fans claim. There’s also a deep dive into the England comparison, why Baltimore is hosting a Test against South Africa, and what that actually means for travelling fans. Along the way, we read the good, the bad, and the downright unhinged comments. Some fair. Some funny. Some that probably should’ve stayed in drafts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hurricanes preseason, Super Rugby Pacific playoffs, team culture and player development all come under the microscope as former All Black and current Canes assistant coach Cory Jane joins Martin Devlin on the DSPN. Cory breaks down how the Hurricanes have approached their summer, why connection and belonging inside the group matters, and how that culture held firm even when results weren’t coming. We talk about accountability within the squad, how players take ownership, and why creating a safe environment leads to better performance. There’s also a deep dive into Super Rugby realities. Cory explains why playoff rugby is a different beast, what mistakes get punished harder, and what Hurricanes need to do differently if they want to win the competition. We finish with a detailed look at high-ball contests, law interpretations, refereeing trends, and why fans may see far more kicking this season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coming home is one thing. Coming home after nearly a decade in Europe is something else entirely. This week on DSPN, Martin sits down with Pita Ahki to talk about his long stint overseas, the grind of French rugby, and what it really takes to survive and thrive in a relentless competition. From winning titles in France to learning how to look after his body and mind over a ten month season, Pita opens up about how much the experience shaped him both as a player and as a person. Now back in New Zealand and settling into life with the Blues, Pita reflects on returning home, reconnecting with family, and the challenge of earning his spot in a talented midfield. There’s also chat about playing for Tonga, the inspiration of veterans still going strong, and why overseas rugby can be such a powerful growth experience for Kiwi players. 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

This one cuts through the noise. Tony Brown finally speaks, and in doing so answers just about every question New Zealand rugby fans have been asking for months. From his current commitment to South Africa, to his openness about wanting the All Blacks job, this was honesty you don’t often hear from someone in his position. We react to Tony’s interview with Mike Hosking on Newstalk ZB, unpack what it says about the All Blacks coaching process, and ask why NZ Rugby keeps finding itself on the back foot when it comes to controlling the narrative. There’s praise where it’s deserved, frustration where it’s earned, and plenty of curiosity about how things might have played out differently. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Well, this one’s a proper rabbit hole. Scott Robertson is gone, the dust still hasn’t settled, and New Zealand Rugby feels more confused than confident right now. On this episode of DSPN's Rugby Roundtable, we unpack what’s really happened since the decision dropped. From the timeline around the All Blacks coaching review, to the growing assumption that Jamie Joseph is next cab off the rank, and the big unanswered question around Tony Brown, nothing feels straightforward. We also dig into the rumours, the leaks, and why the longer New Zealand Rugby stays quiet, the louder the speculation gets. There’s empathy for Razor as a person, frustration with the process, and a real concern about public trust, perception, and whether this reset actually fixes anything. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s been a bruising few weeks for everyone connected to the All Blacks, and today on DSPN, we’re not sugar-coating it. Martin opens with a sermon from the mountaintop, laying out a simple but serious wishlist for what comes next in New Zealand rugby. No corporate buzzwords, no fluffy slogans. Just three survival words that matter right now: experience, unity, and stability. We dig into why international rugby eats “vibes” for breakfast, why learning on the job doesn’t cut it at this level, and why New Zealand Rugby needs to lean on the people who’ve actually been there, won it, and felt the full weight of World Cup pressure. There’s also a clear message about egos, alignment, and the reality that everything from here to the next World Cup will be under a microscope. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What actually happens when a top coaching job starts to unravel? And how much warning do you really get? Martin Devlin sits down with former Wales and Fiji coach Wayne Pivac for a wide-ranging and brutally honest conversation about elite rugby, leadership, and what life looks like after the biggest job of your career ends. Wayne reflects on his journey through international coaching, the realities of national team pressure, losing the dressing room, and why consistency is the hardest thing to achieve in test rugby. The chat also dives into the All Blacks, the gap to South Africa, player power, overseas eligibility, and what a new coach actually needs to fix when they walk through the door. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Five days on from Scott Robertson’s removal, and the questions are only getting louder. On this episode of DSPN, we get stuck into what’s actually happened behind closed doors at the All Blacks, why the silence from Razor doesn’t sit right, and why fans deserve more than a PR statement. This isn’t about witch hunts or pitchforks. It’s about accountability, transparency, and respect for the jersey. We dive into a massive mailbag, tackling everything from player unrest and leadership failures, to culture, performance, captaincy, and what success even looks like from here. Was this a rugby decision or a player-driven one? Was the experiment rushed? And what does the next coach walk into? It’s honest, uncomfortable at times, and exactly the conversation a lot of supporters have been waiting for. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The All Blacks coaching bombshell is still reverberating, and we’re not done talking about it. With Scott Robertson out mid-cycle, questions around timing, process, player feedback and leadership are everywhere. Tony Johnson joins us to unpack what really drove the decision, why New Zealand Rugby felt they had no choice but to act now, and how much weight was given to performance versus trajectory. We dig into the player power debate, the role of feedback from senior players, and whether that narrative does justice to the review process. There’s also a hard look at what comes next. Potential coaching combinations, the importance of international experience, what this means for the current playing group and whether the All Blacks have enough time to reset before a brutally demanding year. We close with a heartfelt tribute to former All Black Grant Batty, who passed away on Saturday, reflecting on his impact, personality and legacy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We didn’t expect to be talking about this in January, but here we are. Scott Robertson is out as All Blacks coach, and the shockwaves are still rippling through world rugby. On this episode of DSPN, Marty goes global, checking in with South Africa, the UK, and Australia to unpack how this decision landed and what it means next. From Brenden Nel’s surprise in Pretoria, to Chris Jones’ blunt assessment from the Northern Hemisphere, and Christy Doran’s warning signs from across the ditch, the reaction is unanimous. This is seismic. We dig into player power, whether New Zealand Rugby blinked too early, and the big question everyone’s asking. Is this actually a change for the better? With Jamie Joseph, Tony Brown, and other names circling, the pressure is already on whoever steps in next, with a South African tour and a World Cup cycle ticking away. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is one of the biggest days in New Zealand rugby history. Scott Robertson is no longer the All Blacks head coach, and for the first time ever, NZ Rugby has made the call to remove a coach mid-cycle. We go live as the news breaks, unpacking the statements from David Kirk and Scott Robertson, the review process, and why this decision was made now. There’s empathy first, because Razor is a good man who’s just lost his dream job in the harshest way possible. But there’s also honesty about performance, player power, and why this situation became untenable. Martin Devlin, producer Lachlan Waugh, and broadcaster Mark Watson dig into what went wrong, what it says about NZ Rugby’s new leadership, and where the All Blacks go next. From Jamie Joseph and Tony Brown to Wayne Smith, Joe Schmidt, and beyond, this is the full, unfiltered DSPN reaction to a seismic moment in the game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This might be one of the biggest rugby stories New Zealand sees this year, and it’s only January. We break down everything we know so far about the All Blacks review into the 2025 campaign, the future of the coaching group, and why this process feels unlike anything we’ve seen before. With reports of deep player dissatisfaction, cultural issues, and serious questions around leadership, this is no longer just about wins and losses. Martin Devlin is joined by Jamie Wall to unpack Liam Napier’s reporting, the role of new chair David Kirk, and the growing conversation around player power, transparency, and trust inside New Zealand Rugby. With the review expected imminently, we talk through what could happen next, what must happen next, and why this moment feels critical for the future of the All Blacks. Find every episode and discover your next favourite podcast on the rova app or rova.nz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Super Rugby is nearly back, and the pressure is already building. With preseason just around the corner, we sit down with Nigel Yalden to take a proper look at where the New Zealand sides are really at heading into 2026. From the Highlanders’ continuity and depth, to the Crusaders being ruthless when it matters most, Nigel breaks down why some teams are judged differently, and why expectations don’t disappear just because names do. We get into the Hurricanes’ growing connection, the Chiefs’ unfinished business, and the Blues’ championship-or-bust mindset. There’s also a wider conversation about player management, All Blacks workloads, squad depth, and why Super Rugby has no easy games anymore. Add in a detour through NFL misery and coaching pressure, and it’s a classic DSPN deep dive to kick the year off. Find every episode and discover your next favourite podcast on the rova app or rova.nz 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

This roundtable kicks off 2026 with the questions every rugby fan is already asking. What does this year actually hold, and how much hangs on what comes next? We dig into preseason predictions across Super Rugby and the Six Nations, debate who’s best placed to lift silverware, and look hard at why South Africa looms as the defining tests for the year ahead. If you want a benchmark for where the game really sits, that tour is it. The conversation then turns to the All Blacks end-of-year review. How transparent does it need to be, what should the public know, and where does accountability actually sit between coaches, players, and the board? Find every episode and discover your next favourite podcast on the rova app or rova.nz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A brand new year, and plenty to talk about. We kick off 2026 by welcoming back Tony Johnson, as he joins Martin Devlin to lay out the five rugby storylines he’s most looking forward to this year. From Super Rugby and the Six Nations, to the All Blacks’ massive tour to South Africa, there’s no shortage of big questions. Tony shares his thoughts on the Crusaders as defending champions, the Highlanders’ potential, Moana Pasifika’s importance to the competition, and what a new Christchurch stadium could mean for rugby in New Zealand. There’s also a frank discussion around refereeing, the role of the TMO, and whether the game needs to accept a bit more human error. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy New Year and welcome to 2026 on DSPN! We kick things off with a sermon from Marty that sets the tone for what might be the most important year New Zealand rugby has faced in a long time. This is a year of optimism, but also honesty. With a packed rugby calendar ahead, including Super Rugby, the Six Nations, major test matches and the long road toward the 2027 World Cup, we ask the big questions. How good are the All Blacks really? Are the players and coaches aligned? And can this group rebuild belief after a shaky season? Find every episode and discover your next favourite podcast on the rova app or rova.nz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 1996 All Blacks tour of South Africa remains one of the most important moments in New Zealand rugby history, and in this DSPN Summer Series episode, Sean Fitzpatrick explains why. Fitz takes Martin Devlin back inside that iconic tour, reflecting on what it meant to finally win a test series in South Africa after decades of heartbreak. He talks about the pressure of carrying history, the significance of neutral referees, the transformation of South Africa through sport, and the lifelong bonds formed with teammates. Tony Johnson then joins Martin to revisit the most memorable All Blacks versus Springboks matches they’ve seen, including the 2015 Rugby World Cup semi-final, Eden Park classics, Cape Town battles, and moments that swung entire campaigns in a single lineout or tackle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Running a Super Rugby franchise looks glamourous from the outside. The reality is a whole lot tougher. On the DSPN, Marty sits down with Hurricanes CEO Avan Lee as he prepares to step away after more than a decade in the role. Avan reflects on the highs of winning in 2016, the lows of recent financial pressure, and what it’s really like trying to balance performance, people, and profit in modern rugby. They get into crowd numbers, star power, NZ Rugby’s influence, player payments, and why Super Rugby viewership is booming while bums on seats are not. Avan also opens up about leadership under scrutiny, tough calls, and the Hurricanes haka controversy, speaking candidly about what he learned from one of the most challenging moments of his career. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it really take to be an All Black? According to Murray Mexted, it starts in the head. In this DSPN Summer Series chat, Marty catches up with one of New Zealand rugby’s most respected voices to talk frankly about where the All Blacks are at and where they need to go. Murray questions selection instability, constant experimentation, and the growing focus on fitness over mental toughness. They discuss the pressure of wearing the jersey, the responsibility that comes with it, and why chopping and changing players risks damaging the All Blacks’ winning culture. Murray also reflects on the heavy Wellington loss to South Africa, the impact of replacements on team resilience, and why test rugby is no place for experimentation. With a brutal South African tour looming, Murray believes this is the ultimate test. A chance to rebuild belief, consistency, and the All Blacks’ edge ahead of the next World Cup. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

Being a Warriors fan isn’t for the faint hearted. And few people understand that better than Zane, also known as The Warriorholic. In this chat on the DSPN, Marty catches up with one of the most passionate and positive voices in Warriors fandom. Zane talks about why perspective matters, how COVID changed the way he viewed sport, and why remembering players are people first has become central to everything he does online. They dive into the Warriors’ recent seasons, expectations versus reality, Andrew Webster’s impact, squad depth, injuries, and what’s still missing to genuinely contend for a premiership. Zane also explains why his optimism isn’t blind faith, but grounded in watching reserve grade, tracking development players, and understanding how clubs actually build success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The DSPN summer series rolls on with one of the great characters of New Zealand cricket. Danny Morrison joins us for a wide-ranging chat about his Black Caps career, the era that shaped him, and why test cricket still matters. We dive into replacing Richard Hadlee, touring with legends, facing the West Indies at their peak, and what it was really like being part of the so-called Wild Bunch. Danny reflects on the responsibility of leading the attack, the freedom of playing in a different time, and how much the game and the world around it has changed. There’s also nostalgia for the 1992 World Cup, the romance of long days at the cricket, and frustration at a modern summer without test matches. Honest, funny, and full of heart, this is a love letter to cricket as it once was. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Another Formula One season wrapped, and there was only one person we wanted to call. Vincenzo Landino joins us to unpack whether the right driver won the championship, why Lando Norris deserves the title, and why the debate around it misses the point entirely. We dig into the final race drama, steward decisions, team politics, and what really separates champions from contenders. There’s also a deep dive into why McLaren’s car was so dominant, what made it work everywhere, and why Max Verstappen might still be the best driver on the planet regardless of trophies. Plus, we talk Oscar Piastri, Liam Lawson’s tough road back to the grid, and whether Formula One risks losing its soul as calendars expand and traditional tracks disappear. 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

Two PGA Tour wins in one season should feel like pure celebration. For Ryan Fox, it came with pride, exhaustion, and some hard reflection. We catch up with Foxy as he opens up about winning in playoffs at Myrtle Beach and the Canadian Open, what it really takes to stay competitive at the highest level, and why chasing perfection can be both the best and worst part of golf. He talks honestly about burnout, the toll of a relentless schedule, and why stopping made him realise just how empty the tank was. There’s also perspective. Foxy reflects on his career, what he would have taken as a dream outcome years ago, and how he balances ambition with gratitude. We get into majors, pressure moments, team golf, the Presidents Cup goal, and why the Masters qualification was a quietly massive milestone. Plus, a few thoughts on the All Blacks, because of course. Find every episode and discover your next favourite podcast on the rova app or rova.nz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We love chatting footy with Andrew Webster, and this one’s as honest as it gets. The Warriors coach joins us to reflect on the 2025 NRL season, what finals footy really exposes, and why this year felt different to runs past. We get into the Pacific Championships and why Webster reckons representative footy deserves a proper place in the middle of the season. He opens up on injuries, squad depth, developing young players the right way, and why sometimes the flashy moments don’t tell the full story. There’s also insight into the Warriors’ halves picture, the growth of players like Erin Clark, the challenge of managing expectations, and why Webster believes the club is closer than many think, even if the work ahead is still massive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Martin Devlin and Lachlan Waugh sit down for the first ever DSPN Rugby awards. They talk about the highlights, lowlights and surprises from throughout the year as they present awards in categories such as Best Player, Best Game and Biggest disappointment. 04:34 Biggest Disaster and Memorable Matches 05:25 Team of the Year 07:42 Player of the Year 09:31 Most Disappointing Moment 11:50 Memorable Games and Experiences 13:23 Exciting Matches and Surprising Results 15:16 Key Players and Positions for Next Year 17:02 Biggest Disappointments 19:24 Looking Forward to 2026 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices