Aotearoa Rugby Pod

Dave Rennie has named his latest All Blacks squad — and one selection is certain to divide opinion.

Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, Josh Jacomb and Siale Lauaki have earned their first call-ups, while Ethan Blackadder returns. But Du’Plessis Kirifi’s omission raises the biggest question: has Rennie found the right balance between form, specialist roles and the physical profile he wants?

Ross Karl and James Parsons break down the new faces, the players who missed out and what the squad reveals about Rennie’s priorities.

They also examine whether the squad is short of a lock and how the All Blacks can balance their Test combinations with opportunities in the midweek games.

Catch all our content across @aotearoarugbypodofficial channels

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Greatest Rivalry is almost here—but are the All Blacks genuinely ready to beat the Springboks in South Africa?

Ross Karl, James Parsons and Bryn Hall compare the two sides after the July internationals and ask whether the contest is now as close as 50–50. They examine South Africa’s remarkable depth, the return of New Zealand’s attacking DNA and the tactical areas that could decide the series.

Catch all our content across @aotearoarugbypodofficial channels

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Picking the All Blacks’ match-day 23 for South Africa just got seriously difficult.

In this excerpt from the podcast, the panel examines Tupou Vaa’i’s impact at blindside flanker, the fight for places in the loose forwards and whether a 6–2 bench could help New Zealand match the Springboks’ physicality.

They also assess the All Blacks’ depth across the field, the growing reliance on Cam Roigard and Ruben Love’s remarkably assured start at Test level.

Catch all our content across @aotearoarugbypodofficial channels

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Unbeaten in the Nations Championship, the All Blacks and Springboks are now on a collision course for the Greatest Rivalry Tour.

Aotearoa Rugby Pod unpacks the All Blacks’ impressive 40-21 victory over Ireland and the attacking identity emerging under Dave Rennie. What does “continuity plus brutality” mean, why has New Zealand’s ball retention improved, and can its high-tempo approach succeed in South Africa?

Plus, the panel analyses the rise of Tupou Vaa’i at blindside, Ardie Savea’s captaincy, the All Blacks’ improving aerial game and the growing influence of Cam Roigard and Ruben Love.

Catch all our content across @aotearoarugbypodofficial channels

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Audio of ARP's Youtube Live after Dave Rennie's press conference for his team naming v Ireland.

Please excuse the audio. We'll upgrade our home microphones soon.

Catch all our content across @aotearoarugbypodofficial channels

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.