Aotearoa Rugby Pod

South Africa are favourites to win the Nations Championship, but their toughest challenges may still lie ahead.

Can France or Ireland derail the Springboks, and what needs to happen for the All Blacks to reach the final?

Ross Karl and Bryn Hall break down the contenders, Scotland's chance to make history against New Zealand, and the crucial clashes that could decide the championship.

The TAB Match Centre breaks down the odds with Paul Maoate.

Chapters

00:00 Nations Championship: The race to the final

01:45 Can anyone stop South Africa?

03:15 Ranking the world's best rugby teams

07:28 Who makes the Nations Championship final?

09:24 Why points differential could decide everything

12:22 Why the All Blacks need France and Ireland to win

14:10 Can Scotland finally beat the All Blacks?

20:22 The All Blacks' discipline and set-piece challenges

22:50 All Blacks selection: Who starts against Scotland?

25:13 Fergus Burke interview preview

26:51 Italy v South Africa: Can the Springboks be challenged?

29:43 Wales v Japan preview

32:21 France v Fiji and the Dupont debate

38:47 Argentina v Ireland: A potential upset?

40:57 England v Australia: Who has the edge?

43:53 TAB Match Centre: Nations Championship contenders

48:00 Scotland's historic opportunity against New Zealand

52:04 England v Australia predictions

54:13 Melbourne Cup preview

59:37 Wrap-up

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What did the All Blacks discover after their South Africa tour that changed their approach to attack?

Anton Segner reveals the message that "really hit home" with the squad, and how it helped transform their attacking performances against Australia.

He also opens up about the shock of training under Dave Rennie, his difficult road back from injury, and the excitement of returning to Europe in an All Blacks jersey.

Chapters

00:00 Anton Segner returns to the All Blacks

01:01 Leicester Fainga'anuku's loose forward role

02:14 What Rennie demands from his loose forwards

04:21 Why All Blacks training was a shock

07:19 The mental toll of injuries and concussion

08:40 Mike Blair's influence on the All Blacks' attack

09:43 The message that hit home after South Africa

11:41 How the All Blacks unlocked their attacking potential

13:01 The detail behind the All Blacks' line breaks

15:13 Building combinations amid mounting injuries

16:34 Will the All Blacks change their approach in Europe?

18:00 Preparing for the northern hemisphere tour

19:56 Playing in front of family from Germany

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The ARP boys react to Dave Rennie's squad for the Nations Championship tour in November.

Fainga'anuku back in and Lio-Willie recalled!

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With the All Blacks' northern tour squad about to be named, some big names are facing disappointment.

Injuries, emerging talent and fierce competition have created some huge selection dilemmas.

Ross and James debate the toughest calls, who deserves a chance and which players could be the unlucky ones.

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Beauden Barrett has reminded everyone what he's capable of, but has he done enough to secure his place at the 2027 Rugby World Cup?

Ross Karl, Bryn Hall and James Parsons break down the All Blacks' remarkable first half against Australia, the second-half struggles and the selection headaches facing Dave Rennie.

From Timoci Tavatavanawai's starting audition to the fierce competition in the loose forwards and lock, some big decisions are looming.

Plus, can Northland upset Canterbury in the NPC final?

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction

03:00 – All Blacks v Wallabies: A game of two halves

10:43 – Can Rennie's attacking style win a World Cup?

17:30 – Why aren't the Wallabies using Suaalii's aerial threat?

21:13 – Tavatavanawai's World Cup audition at 12

26:18 – Fabian Holland's massive performance

29:00 – Who starts alongside Scott Barrett at the World Cup?

31:22 – The All Blacks' loose forward selection dilemma

38:12 – Cody Taylor's captaincy resurgence

40:25 – Has the TMO system gone too far?

47:18 – Has Beauden Barrett secured his World Cup place?

53:17 – NPC final preview: Canterbury v Northland

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The ARP crew goes Live on Youtube to discuss the sides named for Bledisloe 2, including the recall of Timoci Tavatavanawai and Du'Plessis Kirifi.

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What happens when the pressure of rugby’s biggest matches follows you home?

Ben O’Keeffe joins the Aotearoa Rugby Pod for a deeply personal conversation about the moments that have tested him, the toll criticism has taken and the people who have helped him through his toughest times.

From World Cup pressure to the fallout surrounding Rassie Erasmus’ infamous Lions tour video, Ben opens up about the human side of refereeing that fans rarely get to see.

For tools to help with your mental health:: https://www.mindsetengage.co.nz/

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The All Blacks ran away from the Wallabies at Eden Park—but how many of their biggest questions did that performance answer?

James Parsons and Ross Karl break down what changed after halftime and ask if the All Blacks produce the same game when they aren’t winning the collisions.

Plus, did Australia really test their aerial defence, Josh Lord’s unseen work and the case for giving Timoci Tavatavanawai an opportunity.

The boys also answer your lineout questions, debate rugby’s hip-drop tackle crackdown, and join Karl Tily for the TAB Match Centre.

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The ARP crew reacts to the teams named for Bledisloe Cup 1.

From DMac at 10 to the bench makeup, plenty to talk here!

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The All Blacks still have questions to answer — and could Kyren Taumoefolau provide one of them?

We look at where the athletic Mako and Chiefs winger could fit, what he could offer heading towards the end-of-year tour and the World Cup, and the competition already building for places in the All Blacks back three.

Plus, with the Bledisloe Cup heading to Eden Park, we assess the Wallabies threat, the big selection decisions facing both sides, and what New Zealand still needs to improve after the South Africa series.

A few audio issues meant we had to keep this episode shorter than usual, but there’s plenty more ARP coming this week. Keep an eye out for our live shows and more Bledisloe Cup coverage across the Aotearoa Rugby Pod channels.

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Bryn Hall is heading back to Super Rugby — and in 2027 he’ll be wearing Hurricanes colours.

Bryn explains why the Canes became the right destination, what attracted him to the way they play, and why returning to New Zealand rugby appealed after his time in Japan.

Chapters

(00:00) Bryn Hall is a Hurricane

(00:33) Why Bryn chose the Canes

(01:16) What attracted him to Wellington

(01:35) The Hurricanes coaching group

(02:19) Bryn’s role in the squad

(03:33) Why his body feels ready for Super Rugby

(04:51) When does he start learning the attack?

(05:35) Who Bryn spoke to before signing

(06:31) Moving to Wellington

(07:19) A message for Canes fans

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Did South Africa find a loophole in rugby’s HIA rules — or did something go badly wrong with the replacement process?

The Springboks’ chaotic finish against the Wallabies raised bigger questions about how concussion replacements are supposed to work and who controls the process.

Ross Karl, James Parsons and Bryn Hall also break down what Australia did so well for most of the test, plus four yellow cards, referees on phones, and one of the strangest ends to a test in recent memory.

Warning: Audio quality is varied because of online recording.

(00:00) Boks Watch: Wallabies v Springboks

(00:49) How strong was this Springboks team?

(02:43) What really happened at scrum time

(05:50) Taniela Tupou causes the Boks problems

(08:22) How scrum angles actually work

(11:29) Australia’s front-row weapons

(13:39) The Springbok back who caught our eye

(15:59) What Australia did differently to the All Blacks

(17:37) How the Wallabies attacked the breakdown

(19:09) Why Australia kept things simple

(20:31) Are the Wallabies building real belief?

(21:50) Four yellow cards and complete chaos

(23:25) Did the officials lose control?

(24:12) The referee phone call explained

(26:11) The Boks’ HIA replacement controversy

(27:12) Can the HIA system be manipulated?

(29:13) Why this could become a much bigger problem

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ARP goes live on YouTube to discuss the All Blacks squad for the Bledisloe.

Hookers: Codie Taylor (capt), Asafo Aumua, Samisoni Taukei'aho Props: Ethan de Groot, George Bower, Xavier Numia, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi

Locks: Scott Barrett, Josh Lord, Fabian Holland, Tupou Vaa'i

Loose forwards: Simon Parker, Shannon Frizell, Anton Segner, Ethan Blackadder, Peter Lakai, Wallace Sititi

Halfbacks: Cam Roigard, Cortez Ratima, Kyle Preston

First five-eighths: Richie Mo'unga, Josh Jacomb

Midfielders: Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Rieko Ioane

Outside backs: Fehi Fineanganofo, Leroy Carter, Josh Moorby, Will Jordan, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie.

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The All Blacks squad is named tomorrow — and one of the biggest questions is whether Dave Rennie can find room for Leicester Fainga’anuku AND Timoci Tavatavanawai.

With injuries reshaping the Bledisloe Cup picture, Bryn Hall, James Parsons and Ross Karl discuss whether Shannon Frizell has done enough to force his way back into the mix — and if this is the moment for the All Blacks to take a few risks.

The boys also discuss Ardie Savea’s Super Rugby future and what the All Blacks loose forward mix could look like without him.

NOTE: This episode was recorded before Australia v South Africa.

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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.

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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

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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?

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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

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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. 🏉

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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.

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