Aotearoa Rugby Pod

The All Blacks showed progress — so why do the Boks still seem one step ahead? Ross, James and Bryn unpack a revealing series, the moments that mattered and the questions New Zealand must answer before these rivals meet again. Plus, the players pushing their claims, a listener’s bold scrum idea and North Harbour’s big NPC win. Catch all our content across @aotearoarugbypodofficial channels Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

ARP goes live to discuss the All Blacks and Springboks teams for the third Greatest Rivalry test in Soweto 🇳🇿 ALL BLACKS 🇿🇦 SPRINGBOKS 1. Ethan de Groot 1. Ox Nche 2. Codie Taylor (c) 2. Malcolm Marx 3. Fletcher Newell 3. Wilco Louw 4. Patrick Tuipulotu 4. Eben Etzebeth 5. Sam Darry 5. Ruan Nortje 6. Tupou Vaa’i 6. Siya Kolisi (c) 7. Ethan Blackadder 7. Pieter-Steph du Toit 8. Peter Lakai 8. Jasper Wiese 9. Cam Roigard 9. Morne van den Berg 10. Richie Mo'unga 10. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu 11. Josh Moorby 11. Ethan Hooker 12. Jordie Barrett 12. Damian de Allende 13. Anton Lienert-Brown 13. Jesse Kriel 14. Will Jordan 14. Kurt-Lee Arendse 15. Damian McKenzie 15. Damian Willemse RESERVES 16. Asafo Aumua 16. Deon Fourie 17. Xavier Numia 17. Gerhard Steenekamp 18. Tyrell Lomax. 18. Thomas du Toit 19. Josh Lord 19. Lood de Jager 20. Wallace Sititi 20. Andre Esterhuizen 21. Kyle Preston 21. Cameron Hanekom 22. Rieko Ioane. 22. Cobus Reinach 23. Beauden Barrett 23. Manie Libbok Catch all our content across @aotearoarugbypodofficial channels Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The All Blacks showed they can hurt South Africa. So why do the Springboks still keep finding a way to take control? After the Boks moved 2–1 ahead in the Greatest Rivalry series, James Parsons, Bryn Hall and Ross Karl break down the areas that keep swinging these contests South Africa’s way — and what New Zealand has to change. There are genuine reasons for optimism in the way the All Blacks are playing. But there are also problems that will matter far beyond this series. So, can they solve their Springbok problem before the World Cup? Catch all our content across @aotearoarugbypodofficial channels Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

ARP goes live to discuss the All Blacks and Springboks teams for the third Greatest Rivalry test in Soweto 🇳🇿 ALL BLACKS 🇿🇦 SPRINGBOKS 1. George Bower 1. Ox Nche 2. Asafo Aumua 2. Malcolm Marx 3. Tyrel Lomax 3. Wilco Louw 4. Tupou Vaa’i 4. Eben Etzebeth 5. Sam Darry 5. Ruan Nortje 6. Peter Lakai 6. Siya Kolisi (c) 7. Luke Jacobson 7. Pieter-Steph du Toit 8. Ardie Savea (c) 8. Jasper Wiese 9. Cam Roigard 9. Cobus Reinach 10. Ruben Love 10. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu 11. Leroy Carter 11. Ethan Hooker 12. Jordie Barrett 12. Damian de Allende 13. Quinn Tupaea 13. Jesse Kriel 14. Will Jordan 14. Kurt-Lee Arendse 15. Damian McKenzie 15. Cheslin Kolbe RESERVES 16. Samisoni Taukei'aho 16. Deon Fourie 17. Xavier Numia 17. Gerhard Steenekamp 18. Fletcher Newell 18. Thomas du Toit 19. Fabian Holland. 19. Lood de Jager 20. Wallace Sititi 20. Andre Esterhuizen 21. Kyle Preston 21. Cameron Hanekom 22. Anton Lienert-Brown 22. Morne van den Berg 23. Josh Moorby 23. Manie Libbok Catch all our content across @aotearoarugbypodofficial channels Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Greatest Rivalry is locked at 1–1 — so it’s time to take some receipts. 🇳🇿🇿🇦 Aotearoa Rugby Pod and Behind the Ruck reunite to break down the Springboks’ response in test two and ask the big question: have South Africa found the formula to beat the All Blacks? James Parsons, Bryn Hall and Ross Karl go head-to-head with Rudi Paige and Juan de Jongh over what changed, where the two teams now sit, and what each side needs to do in test three. Plus, we revisit our combined All Blacks-Springboks XVs, debate the selection changes that could swing the decider, and finish with some very different predictions. The rivalry continues. 🏉 Catch all our content across @aotearoarugbypodofficial channels Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rassie Erasmus and Dave Rennie’s off-field battle is becoming as fascinating as the tests matches. After South Africa levelled the Greatest Rivalry series against the All Blacks, Aotearoa Rugby Pod unpacks the gamesmanship, late selection changes and increasingly heated debate over the scrum. Plus, what the Springboks changed to win Test 2, why their aerial game caused New Zealand so many problems, where the All Blacks attack still threatened, and what needs to change before a huge third Test. Catch all our content across @aotearoarugbypodofficial channels Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

ARP goes live to discuss the All Blacks and Springboks teams for the Greatest Rivalry test in Cape Town. 🇳🇿 ALL BLACKS 🇿🇦 SPRINGBOKS 1. George Bower 1. Ox Nche 2. Codie Taylor 2. Malcolm Marx 3. Tyrel Lomax 3. Wilco Louw 4. Fabian Holland 4. Eben Etzebeth 5. Tupou Vaa’i 5. Ruan Nortje 6. Simon Parker 6. Siya Kolisi (c) 7. Luke Jacobson 7. Pieter-Steph du Toit 8. Ardie Savea (c) 8. Jasper Wiese 9. Cam Roigard 9. Cobus Reinach 10. Ruben Love 10. Handre Pollard 11. Leroy Carter 11. Ethan Hooker 12. Jordie Barrett 12. Damian de Allende 13. Quinn Tupaea 13. Jesse Kriel 14. Will Jordan 14. Kurt-Lee Arendse 15. Damian McKenzie 15. Damian Willemse RESERVES 16. Asafo Aumua 16. Deon Fourie 17. Xavier Numia 17. Gerhard Steenekamp 18. Fletcher Newell 18. Thomas du Toit 19. Patrick Tuipulotu 19. Lood de Jager 20. Peter Lakai 20. Andre Esterhuizen 21. Kyle Preston 21. Cameron Hanekom 22. Anton Lienert-Brown 22. Morne van den Berg 23. Josh Moorby 23. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu Catch all our content across @aotearoarugbypodofficial channels Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All Blacks great Aaron Smith joins the Aotearoa Rugby Pod for a deep dive into what it takes to beat the Springboks in South Africa. Smith breaks down the evolution of halfback play and why Cam Roigard impresses him so much, playing against Faf De Klerk, the challenge of the Boks’ line speed and where the All Blacks can find attacking opportunities, Plus, memories of playing at Ellis Park and what changes as the rivalry heads to Cape Town. Catch all our content across @aotearoarugbypodofficial channels Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The All Blacks are 1-0 up after Ellis Park – but the biggest questions may be ahead of them. Bryn Hall and James Parsons break down how New Zealand can fix the scrum and aerial issues exposed in the first test, what needs to change in Cape Town, and how Rassie Erasmus might respond as the Springboks look to level the Greatest Rivalry series. Plus, could mass changes be coming for the Boks – and will they stick with their evolving style or return to the rugby that has made them World Champions? Catch all our content across @aotearoarugbypodofficial channels Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

ARP goes live to discuss the All Blacks and Springboks teams for the opening Greatest Rivalry clash at Ellis Park. Apologies for the audio quality on this one. What are the surprises? Which squad looks strongest? Catch all our content across @aotearoarugbypodofficial channels Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All Blacks attack coach Mike Blair joins ARP before the first test against the Springboks to discuss what New Zealand have learned from their three warm-up games in South Africa. Blair explains what has developed, where the biggest challenges will come from and how the All Blacks are preparing to deal with South Africa’s pressure. Catch all our content across @aotearoarugbypodofficial channels Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The All Blacks have won all three warm-up games in South Africa, but one of the Springboks’ most effective weapons has barely been faced. Coincidence — or was that always part of South Africa's plan? Bryn Hall, James Parsons and Ross Karl examine the battle that could look very different at Ellis Park. Plus, the major selection calls facing Dave Rennie: the back three, Preston v Ratima, the lock squeeze and whether this is finally the week for a 6-2 bench. Catch all our content across @aotearoarugbypodofficial channels Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

ARP goes live after Dave Rennie's team naming for the opening Greatest Rivalry Tour game against the Bulls. We also react to Richie Mo'unga's announcement and look back at the first two performances. Catch all our content across @aotearoarugbypodofficial channels Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

World Cup-winning Springbok prop Steven Kitshoff joins Ross Karl and Bryn Hall for a Aotearoa Rugby Pod x For The Love Of Rugby South Africa collaboration. We break down what happens behind the scenes to make the Boks so good — from brutal scrum preparation and Rassie’s winning foundations to the systems keeping their wider squad Test-ready. Plus, what the Stormers and Argentina exposed about the All Blacks and Boks. Catch all our content across @aotearoarugbypodofficial channels Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The All Blacks got the win in Cape Town but it wasn't slick. Their attack didn’t impress like earlier in the season. Bryn Hall and James Parsons break down what changed against the Stormers, why it matters ahead of the Springbok tests, and which players pushed their case for bigger roles on tour. Plus, what Argentina showed against South Africa — and whether there were clues the All Blacks can use. Did much change for Australia in the first test under Les Kiss' and an NPC wrap. Catch all our content across @aotearoarugbypodofficial channels Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

ARP goes live to react to the team Dave Rennie's named for the opening Greatest Rivalry Tour game against the Stormers. Who is in and who isn't and why? What does it mean in the context of test selections? Catch all our content across @aotearoarugbypodofficial channels Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thirty years after the All Blacks made history in South Africa, former All Blacks winger and master story teller Eric Rush takes us back to one of the wildest and most significant tours in New Zealand rugby history. He shares brilliant stories from the 1996 tour: hostile crowds, sleepless hotels, a mysteriously missing kicking tee, Nelson Mandela’s powerful message to the team, Jonah Lomu and the unforgettable off-field antics of Mark Ellis. Oh yeh .. and the rugby! What is your greatest memory of the 1996 All Blacks tour? Let us know in the comments. Catch all our content across @aotearoarugbypodofficial channels Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What are critics overlooking about Ardie Savea’s delayed arrival in South Africa — and how can Beauden Barrett force his way back into the All Blacks’ test team. Ross Karl, Bryn Hall and James Parsons examine the decision to rest the captain and how it actually effects the inner workings of the team. They also look at a rare challenge for Beauden Barrett. After more than a decade as a near-automatic test selection, the All Blacks great now has to prove himself against the Stormers. Plus, what really happens inside the opposition training team, whether Leroy Carter could provide emergency halfback cover, the need for another lock against the Springboks, who has more to lose in the series, Richie Mo’unga’s return and the opening weekend of the NPC. Catch all our content across @aotearoarugbypodofficial channels Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special collab, Aotearoa Rugby Pod and South Africa's Behind the Ruck podcast debate the Greatest Rivalry Tour! Who will win, how will they win, who makes a combined team? Join Bryn, Ross and former Springboks Rudy Paige and Juan de Jongh as they banter about the tour to come! And please give the BTR a follow! Catch all our content across @aotearoarugbypodofficial channels Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's Boks Watch, Ross and Jip take a look at the Boks squad. We focus on the tough calls Rassie will have to make, considering their outrageous depth that has grown. Will some massive stars miss the 23 for the first Greatest Rivalry test? They also deep dive into the success of the flyhallf options, digging into their success against the major nations - New Zealand, France and Ireland. Catch all our content across @aotearoarugbypodofficial channels Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.