Podcasts about New Zealand Rugby

The deck is stacked with Kiwi teams rolling into the Super Rugby Pacific semi-finals. The Chiefs are taking on the Crusaders in Hamilton tonight, followed by the Hurricanes and “lucky loser” Blues' clash in Wellington tomorrow. Though many believe the outcome of the tournament is predictable, NZ Rugby CEO Steve Lancaster is pushing back against the sentiment. He told Heather du Plessis-Allan this is the first time in thirty years four New Zealand teams have been in the semi-finals. “Every year it throws us something new, and this year, I actually, as an All Blacks fan, I feel pretty excited that we've got four teams in the semis.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This weekend the Super Rugby Aupiki season begins, with the Blues taking on the Hurricanes Poua and the Chiefs taking on Matatu. Hannah Porter is the Head of Women's High Performance at New Zealand Rugby, she joined D'Arcy to chat about the upcoming season. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John Maytham speaks to Craig Ray, Daily Maverick sports editor, about Tony Brown's confirmed move to the All Blacks after the 2027 Rugby World Cup, the impact he has had on the Springboks, and Rassie Erasmus' efforts to build depth through the inclusion of a large group of emerging players. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local and international news coupled with the latest in business, sport, traffic and weather. The host’s eclectic interests mean the program often surprises the audience with intriguing book reviews and inspiring interviews profiling artists. A daily highlight is Rapid Fire, just after 5:30pm. CapeTalk fans call in, to stump the presenter with their general knowledge questions. Another firm favourite is the humorous Thursday crossing with award-winning journalist Rebecca Davis, called “Plan B”. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Afternoon Drive with John Maytham Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays from 15:00 and 18:00 (SA Time) to Afternoon Drive with John Maytham broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/BSFy4Cn or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/n8nWt4x Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5 Follow us on social media: CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was big news yesterday that New Zealand Rugby managed to secure the signature of attacking coach maestro Tony Brown from the Springboks for two years post the Rugby World Cup. However, it marks a shift in the mindset of NZR, as typically it is the head coach who selects their coaching group. Is the call to bring on Tony Brown so early the right move? Gregor Paul is a rugby writer for the New Zealand Herald, he joined D'Arcy to discuss. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tony Brown is set trade the bottle green and gold of the Springboks for the much more familiar black of home. The current South Africa attack coach has signed on as an All Blacks assistant coach for the two years after the 2027 Rugby World Cup. The All Blacks will still face Brown as South Africa's current attack coach during the Greatest Rivalry tour this year, and in a likely World Cup quarterfinal next year if both teams win their pool. Former Highlander and Māori All Black Joey Wheeler told Heather du Plessis-Allan that bringing, arguably, one of our most innovative and creative coaches back into New Zealand rugby is a master stroke by NZR. He says regardless of who the head coach will be following the Rugby World Cup, knowing Brown, he'll be able to work with anyone. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier react to a major coaching coup for New Zealand Rugby, with Tony Brown signing on as an All Blacks assistant coach from 2028. The boys also turn their attention to the Super Rugby Pacific semi-finals - can anyone stop the Cane train as the business end of the season heats up? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Springboks assistant coach Tony Brown will join the All Blacks coaching staff - but not until after next year's Rugby World Cup. New Zealand Rugby today announced the former All Blacks and Highlanders first five-eighth has signed on to join Dave Rennie's coaching staff from 2028. Former All Black Lima Sopoaga joined Piney to discuss. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 double World Cup-winning centre Damian de Allende could also make his way back to the Mother City.Ivan van Rooyen admitted the Lions were taught a harsh lesson by Leinster after their 59-10 defeat in Saturday's Vodacom URC quarter-final in DublinSpringbok flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu injured his ankle in the act of scoring a second-half try and was walking with crutches after the match,Ruan Jacobs will be the Sharks' new talent recruiter.Ruan Venter's knee injury has messed up Rassie Erasmus' plans to use him at No 4 lock for the Springboks.Lions and Springbok prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye has little appetite to challenge the ruling that will keep him sidelined until November 2027.Former Springbok flyhalf Elton Jantjies is reportedly being pursued by both Sars and creditors over unpaid debts.New Zealand Rugby has reportedly intervened with Hurricane Fehi Fineanganofo's Newcastle Red Bulls negotiations in hopes of keeping the star winger on home shores.

New Zealand Rugby and Touch New Zealand Rugby are today announcing they're formally partnering together. New Zealand Rugby Chief Executive Steve Lancaster and Touch New Zealand Chief Executive Joe Sprangers joined John Campbell in the studio.

So, I'm fascinated by this article in the New Zealand Herald, which argues the All Blacks should be forced to give up business class and travel premium economy instead. The reasoning is the cost of international travel has become so expensive that moving our teams in black around the planet is now costing nearly $87 million a year. Dropping them back a class on the plane would bring that cost down to $80 million a year and nearly wipe out the $7 million loss that New Zealand Rugby just reported for the financial year, which is great maths. But the idea is ridiculous, isn't it? I mean, you can't ask a two-metre-tall man like Fabian Holland to move down from business class. But even the shorter guys - you can't ask them to travel to South Africa in a few weeks, which is literally on the other side of the world. It's close to a full day's travel, even on the most direct route through Perth, and then expect them to get over their jet lag and start playing top-level rugby against the best team in the world. You're asking them to do all of that after they've been sitting upright on a plane for the entire flight. That's impossible. We sometimes disparage rugby as not being a “real job” when we say things like, “Oh, it's not that hard to throw a ball around a paddock,” which may be true - but it's still a job, isn't it? And when you're asking someone to fly that distance for work - not just once but multiple times in a season - it should be in business class. Now, there is an argument about how many people go on these trips and I'm happy to have that conversation. There are apparently more than 40 players and nearly 30 staff heading to South Africa in a few weeks' time, which seems excessive for a game that only requires 15 men on the field at any one time. And by the way, it's not just the All Blacks who do this - who take these enormous squads around the world and put them in business class. It's also the Black Ferns and the Sevens teams. But as for the idea of dropping these players down a class on the plane to bring them down a peg and save some money - I suspect there are people who will look at this and think it's a great idea. And that's the part that fascinates me. How many people out there like the idea that our best rugby players should be forced to sit further down the plane, just like the rest of us? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newly appointed New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Lancaster has doubled down on the organisation's eligibility policy, confirming returning first five-eighth Richie Mo'unga will not be selected for the All Blacks' initial squads for the July series or the tour to South Africa. Mo'unga has signed an 18-month contract with New Zealand Rugby (NZR) to return home after spending the past three years with Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo in Japan. The deal begins in July and runs through until the end of next year's Rugby World Cup. The timing of the contract means the 31-year-old must first play for Canterbury in the NPC before becoming eligible for All Blacks selection again in October. The NPC season kicks off in late July. That means Mo'unga would miss the three tests in New Zealand against France, Italy and Ireland before the team heads to South Africa for a four-test tour, which also features midweek matches against provincial sides. Lancaster said NZR had discussed Mo'unga's situation internally but had not asked the board to relax the rules at the recent AGM, which require overseas-based players returning to New Zealand to play domestically before becoming eligible for the All Blacks. Speaking to Newstalk ZB's Jason Pine on Weekend Sport, Lancaster reaffirmed the current policy remained the best long-term option for NZR. “This is something we regularly revisit with the board,” Lancaster said. “It's a relevant thing for our board as governors of the game to regularly consider and reflect on. “We haven't asked the board to relax that policy around Richie. We think the policy works for us. It keeps our best players in New Zealand playing in our competitions. “We've got some world-class players in the same position, and a number of those have committed to stay in New Zealand and play on the basis of the policy. We've got to think about the implications of the policy and relaxing the policy at any point in time.” The same rules also apply to Shannon Frizell, who is currently playing alongside Mo'unga at Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo, but is set to return to New Zealand at the end of the Japan season to link up with Tasman. Lancaster said All Blacks coach Dave Rennie wanted Mo'unga available for selection, although he had not formally requested an exemption. When Rennie was announced as All Blacks coach in March, he was asked about the overseas selection policy and said he would love to have former All Blacks lock and test centurion Brodie Retallick available for his squad. New All Blacks coach Dave Rennie wanted wanted Mo'unga available for selection. Photo / Dean Purcell Retallick plays for Rennie's club in Japan, the Kobe Kobelco Steelers. “Dave's very clear, he would like Richie to be available for selection because his job is to ultimately win the World Cup next year and he wants the best talent available to the All Blacks,” Lancaster said. “That's a really healthy tension for us to have, where we've got a coach who rightly has a focus on winning today and tomorrow, and then we've got ourselves as the administrators of the game who have to have a systems lens and a medium to long-term lens on what's best for the game.” While the current policy means Mo'unga will miss the initial squads for both campaigns, Lancaster said he could become available for the latter stages of the South Africa tour if injury strikes in the All Blacks squad, similar to what happened with Leicester Fainga'anuku last year. “Once Richie's back in New Zealand and playing and if we do have injuries, then potentially he could be eligible,” Lancaster said. Ben Francis is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers breaking sports news. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ISIS-brides charged with ‘Crimes against Humanity’ as well as terror and slavery offences; All Blacks coach asks New Zealand Rugby to intervene and stop Fehi Fineanganofo from leaving to play overseas; charges of selling ‘fake whisky’ against Tasmanian bar dismissed after long court case. Katie Macdonald shares all the details with Lester Kiewit. Good Morning Cape Town with Lester Kiewit is a podcast of the CapeTalk breakfast show. This programme is your authentic Cape Town wake-up call. Good Morning Cape Town with Lester Kiewit is informative, enlightening and accessible. The team’s ability to spot & share relevant and unusual stories make the programme inclusive and thought-provoking. Don’t miss the popular World View feature at 7:45am daily. Listen out for #LesterInYourLounge which is an outside broadcast – from the home of a listener in a different part of Cape Town - on the first Wednesday of every month. This show introduces you to interesting Capetonians as well as their favourite communities, habits, local personalities and neighbourhood news. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Good Morning Cape Town with Lester Kiewit. Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays between 06:00 and 09:00 (SA Time) to Good Morning CapeTalk with Lester Kiewit broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/xGkqLbT or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/f9Eeb7i Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5 Follow us on social media CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalkSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dame Lisa Carrington won't be competing as expected at this weekend's Canoe Sprint World Cup, New Zealand Rugby's announced its new CEO, and the White Ferns and Black Caps spending time in England.

Steve Lancaster has been appointed to the top job, after stepping in as interim six months ago.

New Zealand Rugby's global search for a new chief executive has led them back to their own offices. Steve Lancaster has been confirmed as the new boss of NZR. The former Crusader has been serving as the interim CEO for the last six months, having stepped up from his role as general manager of community rugby. Chairman David Kirk told Mike Hosking that originally they didn't have a strong understanding of the executive talent, so they thought they had to go global to find a new CEO. However, he says, when Lancaster was executing the interim role, it became more obvious to them that he was highly capable in a broader role than they had suspected. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 8th of May, Finance Minister Nicola Willis discusses the OECD report on the future impact of our current Superannuation settings. NZR Chairman David Kirk answers questions about the new CEO, new President, and the economic state of rugby in this country. And on Wrapping the Week, Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson listen in as Mike calls a young fan with a special invite! Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 7 May, 2026, Steve Lancaster is finally confirmed as the new chief executive of New Zealand Rugby. We talk about the prospect of an Anzac test. Conservation Minister Tama Potaka on changes that could see reserve land put up for sale. Youthline chief executive Shae Ronald tells us about the biggest issues confronting those aged 12 to 24. And on The Huddle, Mark Sainsbury and Thomas Scrimgeour are aghast at Wellington City Council's highest earners still potentially getting "golden handshakes" if they're fired. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand Rugby has appointed Steve Lancaster as the organisation's new chief executive, after he spent six months as the interim CEO. In a statement, NZR chairman David Kirk congratulated Lancaster on the appointment - and said he brings 'strong experience at all levels of the game'. Lancaster says he's intent on turning up and doing the best job he can and he's focused on making the business sustainable. "I guess the board decided they're happy with the job I'm doing - so here I am." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newly appointed NZR Chief Executive Steve Lancaster joins Ric & Chappy following his appointment as CEO for New Zealand Rugby, and what the future looks like for the business. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New Zealand Rugby finally has a new CEO. Today, it was announced that Steve Lancaster will become the next permanent CEO of New Zealand Rugby - this follows a six month period where he served as the interim CEO upon the departure of Mark Robinson late last year. Gregor Paul is a rugby writer for the NZ Herald and he joined D'Arcy to discuss the appointment. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier delve into the big breaking news: the appointment of Steve Lancaster as NZ Rugby's new CEO. The boys give their first reaction and unpack what the appointment means for the game. There's also a cause for concern for the Hurricanes with Cam Roigard sidelined – is the ‘Cain Train' starting to derail? Plus, they open up the mailbag and tackle your questions. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Don Tricker will return to New Zealand Rugby on a permanent basis as the governing body's high performance director. He'll start in November, once he's finished commitments with the San Diego Padres in Major League Baseball. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand Rugby have announced another appointment heading into the World Cup next year. Don Tricker will be returning to the organisation after eight years to become the new High Performance Director overseeing both the All Blacks and the Black Ferns. He will begin the role in a full time capacity in November as he sees out his contract with the San Diego Padres in Major League Baseball. Steve Lancaster is the current interim CEO of New Zealand Rugby, he joined D'Arcy to discuss. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was reported today that New Zealand Rugby and Rugby Australia are close to agreeing on a historic ANZAC day test match between the All Blacks and the Wallabies next year as part of preparation for the Rugby World Cup. RA originally floated the idea in 2024 but were shut down by NZR, but with a different leadership group the organisation looks to have had a change of heart on the issue. Former Wallabies midfielder Tim Horan joined the Afternoons team to discuss. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we've been looking at the success of the Warriors and what that means for our national game - rugby union. Steve Lancaster, interim CEO of New Zealand Rugby spoke to John Campbell.

What does it take to lead the people strategy for one of the most iconic and scrutinized sporting brands in the world? Toni Grimshaw, Chief People, Safety, and Wellbeing Officer at New Zealand Rugby, joins us to go behind the curtains of the All Blacks and Black Ferns. She reveals the "Operator's Playbook" for building a culture that thrives under the weight of a nation's expectations.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hurricanes co-owner Malcolm Gillies has warned he'll walk away from his Super Rugby investment without drastic change. Five months into his involvement, the board chair says the current model isn't set up for investors, players or New Zealand Rugby to succeed. He's pushing for privatisation of the competition - and says he won't be patient awaiting change. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I know there's a suggestion that maybe - just maybe - Moana Pasifika can be saved. But do yourself a favour and don't waste your time hoping for it because I think this is going to be the club's last season. I don't relish saying that because Moana Pasifika was absolutely one of the highlights of last year's Super Rugby season. But it has never stacked up financially, has it? The only reason it was able to pay its way for a while was because it received a temporary injection of Government money from various agencies. There was a bit of financial help from New Zealand Rugby, a bit from World Rugby and of course the fact it was majority owned by a charity that drew tens of millions of dollars in Government income. Once that Government contract was cut, the financial support came to an abrupt end. Now the money has run out. It's lost its big star - Ardie Savea is now in Japan. It's losing games, sitting at the bottom of the table again and the fans have drifted away. You could argue - and it would be a fair argument - that Moana Pasifika was never really given a fair go because it doesn't even have a true home ground. But even if you gave it a home ground and even if you had a star like Ardie Savea every single season, I'd still say it wouldn't make enough money to wash its face - because none of the clubs do. Or very few of them, anyway. So if you're hoping against hope that someone swoops in to save Moana Pasifika, tell me who? It can't be New Zealand Rugby - because if they step in for Moana Pasifika, are they also going to start bailing out the Hurricanes when they make a loss? It can't be the Government either, especially with the prospect of a global recession hanging over us. That basically leaves private business. And if private business people do step in, it will be entirely out of generosity. And how long does generosity last if there are no results in the bank and no results on the field? So I'd say: put your hopes away. This will be Moana Pasifika's last season. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand rugby commentator Elliott Smith joins Brett McKay on the AUS Rugby scene this week, with news of Moana Pasifika's demise dominating all discussion around the competition. Please note, Moana Pasifika confirmed their intentions to disband at the conclusion of the 2026 season soon after this episode was recorded, and before it was released, but the concerns expressed and thoughts on the way forward remain valid. This does feel like a tipping point for Super Rugby Pacific, and it's inherent on Rugby Australia and New Zealand Rugby that all options are not properly explored for the competition to regain lost ground. #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #SuperRugbyPacific Find Elliott hosting the Rugby Direct podcast, along with Liam Napier wherever you get your podcasts. Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby' on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New Zealand Rugby needs a new face to lead its high-performance system, and there's plenty of speculation about who it might be. New reports indicate former Black Sox coach Don Tricker will pick up the role. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shannon Frizell has set his sights on a third trip to a Rugby World Cup with the All Blacks, returning to New Zealand Rugby later this year. The 33-test All Blacks flanker will return from Japanese club Toshiba mid-year to join Tasman for the NPC before linking up with the Highlanders for Super Rugby in 2027. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A pathologist has diagnosed former Maori All Black and Highlander Shane Christie with a brain disease likely to be connected with repeated head knocks. They say he had "high stage" chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, before his death by suspected suicide last year. New Zealand Rugby says it recognises an association between repeated head impacts and CTE, and takes the issue seriously. Samantha Gee reports.

All Black Ardie Savea appears to have reconciled with New Zealand Rugby after a potential estrangement last year. The Herald reports he came close to international retirement after the defeat to England at Twickenham. Savea was understood to have become disillusioned with the amount of the sport he was playing and time away from home, despite moving from the Hurricanes to Moana Pasifika and opting for a couple of sabbaticals in Japan. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand Rugby has locked in one of its brightest stars. Teenage Black Ferns fullback Braxton Sorensen McGee has recommitted to Aotearoa, with sevens set to be her focus. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

New Zealand Rugby's head of high performance chief Mike Anthony is set to make a move over to football. He's set to join English Premier League side Brighton as the club's first head of player development and high performance. He joined Piney to discuss the move. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand Rugby is acknowledging an ongoing shortage of specialist front rowers at a club level. Some clubs are even struggling to field teams due to a lack of props and hookers available to them. NZR's Head of Rugby Participation and Development, Mike Hester told Piney it's unfortunately not a new problem. He says it's one they've faced for some years now, and they're doing some work in both the short and long term to try and address it. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An impasse could be brewing between Dave Rennie and New Zealand Rugby as the new All Blacks coach seeks to finalise his coaching team next week. No contracts at this stage have been offered to any All Blacks assistants, but speculation indicates an announcement will be made soon. NZ Herald rugby writer Gregor Paul joined D'Arcy to discuss. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After weeks of deliberation, the new All Blacks head coach has been named. Dave Rennie is succeeding Scott Robertson in the role, beating out the other top contender, Jamie Joseph. Rennie's first test at the helm will be in the July series against France, Italy, and Ireland, but his assistants have still yet to be named. NZ Rugby Chair David Kirk told Mike Hosking that the panel spent hours discussing the merits of the two candidates, and were very rigorous and analytical in discussing their strengths and relative weaknesses. He says they concluded quite firmly and certainly unanimously that Rennie was the person they wanted to appoint. WATCH ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Top-tier experience and a systematic approach to rugby have won Dave Rennie the All Blacks' head coach job. After nine years offshore, the former Chiefs mentor will return home - appointed Scott Robertson's successor. New Zealand Rugby chair David Kirk has outlined what ultimately gave Rennie the edge. "The game is very global at the moment, innovation's coming from lots of different parts of the world, and I think we've got, frankly, plenty to learn from the rest of the world. So he can bring that back to us." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand Rugby will open applications for a rescoped high performance director role, to replace Chris Lendrum who is leaving after 20 years. Lendrum, who is NZR's general manager of professional and performance, will leave at the end of May. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave speculated further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former All Black Dane Coles will sit on the panel charged with finding the coach to replace Scott Robertson. New Zealand Rugby has confirmed the 90-test veteran will join a five-man panel which also includes fellow former All Blacks hooker Keven Mealamu and NZR chair David Kirk. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is it a bombshell? A moment too weird to properly comprehend and, because of that, is that why it isn't real? And if it's not real then it's not worth speculating on. And yet here I am speculating. The NZ Rugby Union has approached Steve Hansen and Ian Foster and asked them to apply for the coach's job. Is that the most absurd, bizarre, nutty, unbelievable, possibly stupid thing you have ever heard around rugby, or perhaps even sport? And yet it's suggested it's true. In a way I hope it isn't, unless it is. But first I'll deal with the 'isn't'. I hope it isn't because the union already have enough reputational issues without adding to them, like the panel, the rules and the criteria. For goodness sake, just go get a rockstar. Surely the All Blacks coaching job still has enough prestige that getting great talent isn't an issue? That's if you haven't already targeted someone, which they should have! But then I hope it is true because I love Hansen and I love Foster and I'm an old romantic who fizzes over the edge of the glass in excitement at what would be/could be one of the great redemption stories in all of sport. Both have issues with rugby and rules and unions. Foster especially got treated abysmally. How good could it feel to march back into the dressing room and say "Hello lads. Now where were we before I was so rudely interrupted?" But for the union, this is why it can't be true. You don't go to a Hansen or a Foster and say have an application form and see what you think. You beg for such talent to frequent your business! And if you're asking them to apply, what are you saying to Jamie Joseph and Co. who might be asking why they're looking for reheats when they're there. Not a bad point. See? It would be way better if none of this were true. Mind you it would be way better if they hadn't sacked Scott Robertson mid-term with a mass pay out and a restraint of trade with no clear plan going forward. This is almost so good it can't be real, while also being so bad it shouldn't be real. The key of course is to win the world cup and if we do that no one will care who the coach is. But that bit seems a long way off when we currently have no coach and in front of us what could be a stroke of genius, or sheer insanity. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand Rugby has approached Sir Steve Hansen and Ian Foster to gauge interest in applying for the vacant role of All Blacks head coach, the Herald understands. However, it is unclear if either would be interested in returning to the role they vacated in 2019 and 2023 respectively. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave unpacked the odds of the pair considering this move. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode of The Agenda, Matt Heath and Finn Caddie welcome the return of ACC Head G Lane from Japan (00:00)! WATCH THE FULL EPISODE ON YOUTUBE!The fellas get into New Zealand Rugby laying out the criteria for the new All Blacks coach. Is there only one man who fits the strict criteria (06:00)?Then, discuss the Black Caps getting pounded in the T20Is in India. But do we really care (12:15)?Plus, a hybrid edition of Matt Heath's NFL & F1 Corner (16:30)! Finally, they get to your feedback in 'Yours Please' (31:30)... Did you know that we've launched a new Facebook Group called 'The Caravan' JOIN HERE! Brought to you by Export Ultra! Follow The ACC on Instagram or Facebook or TikTok Subscribe to The Agenda Podcast now on iHeartRadio, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts! iHeartRadio Apple Spotify YouTube THANKS MATE! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The hunt for a new All Blacks coach officially starts this week. New Zealand Rugby has set up a five-person panel - which includes a number of former players - that will help appoint the new coach. However, anyone gunning for the job will have to check their CV first due to a new guideline that could rule out several hopeful applicants. Sports reporter Jamie Wall spoke to Lisa Owen.

New Zealand Rugby interim boss Steve Lancaster has clarified the organisation's position on the appointment of a replacement for former coach Scott Robertson with less than two years until the World Cup. The successful candidate must be a New Zealander with international experience in a head role. Lancaster says that with only two years until the World Cup, they simply don't have time for someone to find their feet at this level, so they're looking for someone that can hit the ground running. He told Mike Hosking it's very much a point in time criteria given where we're at in the cycle, and the overall context. Lancaster says assistants will be decided once the initial set-up is in place. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tony Brown has admitted to frustrations around the vacant All Blacks coaching role. The former first-five has confirmed he intends to honour his contract as an assistant with South Africa, rather than make himself available for inclusion in any New Zealand group. Brown was a part of Jamie Joseph's pitch for the job in 2023, which lost out to Scott Robertson. Brown revealed to Mike Hosking that Robertson sounded him out about joining the All Blacks a couple of months ago. But he says his commitment to South Africa was four years and he's always wanted to honour that. “I'm just so frustrated that no one talked to me two years ago.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand Rugby have given Scott 'Razor' Robertson the cut just half way through his four year contract. RNZ Sports Reporter Joe Porter spoke to Lauren Crimp.

A former All Blacks captain says New Zealand Rugby was left with no option but to sack Scott Robertson. Taine Randell spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

A former All Blacks captain says New Zealand Rugby was left with no option but to sack Scott Robertson; With an internet blackout in place in Iran, only scant details about what is happening on the ground are emerging via the Elon Musk-owned internet satellite Starlink; The Government is investing $3.7 million to market New Zealand's regions internationally, encouraging visitors to travel beyond traditional hotspots during autumn and winter. However, critics warn infrastructure and environmental issues should be addressed before attracting more tourists; The new chief executive of Federated Farmers says he wants to create an "unfair" advantage for kiwi farmers at home and on the world stage; A new report from a global cybersecurity company says online scammers are using our "number 8 wire" mentality against us.