Rugby Direct - Episode 98

This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier take a look at the Hurricanes being unbeaten in Super Rugby Pacific and the Crusaders yet to nab a win, Ireland lose in the Six Nations and Italy wins away at home for the first time in a long time.

We also stick our oar into the Hurricanes Poua haka saga which has dominated headlines for the past week.

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This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott and Liam review Super Round in Melbourne, with three teams still unbeaten after the opening two weeks of the competition.

We ask if the Crusaders decline is anything other than to be expected and also discuss the news the Jaguares may be returning to Super Rugby Pacific after a five-year absence.

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This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier review the opening round of Super Rugby Pacific and discuss the so-called mouth-guard controversy which has become a major talking point from the first weekend.

We also take a look at the Six Nations.

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On this special edition of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier sit down with New Zealand Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson to discuss a wide range of issues facing rugby, including the Shape of the Game, Super Rugby's future, NRL rivalry, the provincial unions, Rugby Championship's future, women's rugby and more.

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On the first Rugby Direct for 2024, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier begin by looking back at a mega off-season of rugby news - from Joe Schmidt's appointment to the Wallabies to the glut of rugby documentaries and the start of Six Nations.

We also look ahead to the Super Rugby Pacific season starting Friday with a deep dive into every New Zealand side.

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In the final edition of Rugby Direct for 2023, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier reflect on Ian Foster's tenure as All Blacks coach, with the benefit of a few weeks having passed since the World Cup finishing.

We also look ahead to 2024 and Scott Robertson's first year in charge and what his biggest challenges will be in what could be up to 15 test matches in total.

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On the latest Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier reconvene three weeks on from the World Cup final - to talk the latest in rugby news including Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan being dumped, a new specialist coach joins the Blues staff, Sam Cane takes an overseas sabbatical and Beauden Barrett eyes an earlier than expected return to New Zealand Rugby among others.

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On the latest (and final) Rugby Direct from Paris, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier review the Rugby World Cup final, won by South Africa 12-11 in Paris.

We break down the decider from the yellow and red cards, to TMO intervention to the actual rugby itself and whether it was a "good"final and showpiece for the game.

We break down Ian Foster's somewhat complicated legacy in charge of the All Blacks and where to next for him, as well as touch on the news out of Australia that Eddie Jones is out at Wallabies coach.

All that and an ode to the things we've lost/had stolen on tour, on Rugby Direct.

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On the latest edition of Rugby Direct, the scene is set for the World Cup final and Elliott Smith and Liam Napier dive into the two sides named by the All Blacks and South Africa for the big dance.

We talk the make-up of the sides and how we expect them to play as well as the emotion of the match, as well as the new World Rugby Awards nominations and some form of conclusion to the racism saga in the sport this week.

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On the latest Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier review the contrasting ways the All Blacks and Springboks punched their tickets to the Rugby World Cup final - the All Blacks comfortably, South Africa less so.

We talk about the wider media reaction to both games and whether it was fair, while we also discuss the impending departures of several key All Blacks players and staff and if that will have a role in RWC final week.

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