Is rugby still working the way we think it is? In this Summer Series episode of the DSPN, Martin Devlin and Mark Philpott from United Rugby Fans talk honestly about the state of the game, from grassroots clubrooms right through to the All Blacks. It’s a wide-ranging conversation about where rugby is thriving, where it’s broken, and why so many volunteers are holding the whole thing together with little support. Martin reflects on his own journey as a rugby fan, the moments that hooked him for life, and what decades behind the microphone have taught him about fans, pundits, and the difference between opinion and reality. The chat dives deep into officiating, the role of technology, the frustrations around the TMO, and why rugby feels more complicated than it needs to be. There’s also a blunt assessment of the All Blacks’ year, grassroots struggles, pathways for young players, and why winning still matters more than ever in New Zealand rugby. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Being a Warriors fan isn’t for the faint hearted. And few people understand that better than Zane, also known as The Warriorholic. In this chat on the DSPN, Marty catches up with one of the most passionate and positive voices in Warriors fandom. Zane talks about why perspective matters, how COVID changed the way he viewed sport, and why remembering players are people first has become central to everything he does online. They dive into the Warriors’ recent seasons, expectations versus reality, Andrew Webster’s impact, squad depth, injuries, and what’s still missing to genuinely contend for a premiership. Zane also explains why his optimism isn’t blind faith, but grounded in watching reserve grade, tracking development players, and understanding how clubs actually build success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The DSPN summer series rolls on with one of the great characters of New Zealand cricket. Danny Morrison joins us for a wide-ranging chat about his Black Caps career, the era that shaped him, and why test cricket still matters. We dive into replacing Richard Hadlee, touring with legends, facing the West Indies at their peak, and what it was really like being part of the so-called Wild Bunch. Danny reflects on the responsibility of leading the attack, the freedom of playing in a different time, and how much the game and the world around it has changed. There’s also nostalgia for the 1992 World Cup, the romance of long days at the cricket, and frustration at a modern summer without test matches. Honest, funny, and full of heart, this is a love letter to cricket as it once was. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Another Formula One season wrapped, and there was only one person we wanted to call. Vincenzo Landino joins us to unpack whether the right driver won the championship, why Lando Norris deserves the title, and why the debate around it misses the point entirely. We dig into the final race drama, steward decisions, team politics, and what really separates champions from contenders. There’s also a deep dive into why McLaren’s car was so dominant, what made it work everywhere, and why Max Verstappen might still be the best driver on the planet regardless of trophies. Plus, we talk Oscar Piastri, Liam Lawson’s tough road back to the grid, and whether Formula One risks losing its soul as calendars expand and traditional tracks disappear. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two PGA Tour wins in one season should feel like pure celebration. For Ryan Fox, it came with pride, exhaustion, and some hard reflection. We catch up with Foxy as he opens up about winning in playoffs at Myrtle Beach and the Canadian Open, what it really takes to stay competitive at the highest level, and why chasing perfection can be both the best and worst part of golf. He talks honestly about burnout, the toll of a relentless schedule, and why stopping made him realise just how empty the tank was. There’s also perspective. Foxy reflects on his career, what he would have taken as a dream outcome years ago, and how he balances ambition with gratitude. We get into majors, pressure moments, team golf, the Presidents Cup goal, and why the Masters qualification was a quietly massive milestone. Plus, a few thoughts on the All Blacks, because of course. Find every episode and discover your next favourite podcast on the rova app or rova.nz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We love chatting footy with Andrew Webster, and this one’s as honest as it gets. The Warriors coach joins us to reflect on the 2025 NRL season, what finals footy really exposes, and why this year felt different to runs past. We get into the Pacific Championships and why Webster reckons representative footy deserves a proper place in the middle of the season. He opens up on injuries, squad depth, developing young players the right way, and why sometimes the flashy moments don’t tell the full story. There’s also insight into the Warriors’ halves picture, the growth of players like Erin Clark, the challenge of managing expectations, and why Webster believes the club is closer than many think, even if the work ahead is still massive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Martin Devlin and Lachlan Waugh sit down for the first ever DSPN Rugby awards. They talk about the highlights, lowlights and surprises from throughout the year as they present awards in categories such as Best Player, Best Game and Biggest disappointment. 04:34 Biggest Disaster and Memorable Matches 05:25 Team of the Year 07:42 Player of the Year 09:31 Most Disappointing Moment 11:50 Memorable Games and Experiences 13:23 Exciting Matches and Surprising Results 15:16 Key Players and Positions for Next Year 17:02 Biggest Disappointments 19:24 Looking Forward to 2026 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Martin Devlin joins Mark 'Watto' Watson and John Day for their weekly roundtable to discuss this year in rugby and give predictions for 2026. 00:54 Best Winner of the Year 03:02 Biggest Disaster of the Year 03:53 Team of the Year 06:10 Player of the Year 08:00 Most Disappointing Moment 10:22 Best Game Experiences 11:51 Memorable Matches and Surprises 13:45 Key Players and Positions 15:30 Biggest Disappointments 16:51 Changes and Future Prospects Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We wrap up the year on the DSPN with Tony Johnson, breaking down what 2025 really told us about the All Blacks, where the pressure points sit, and what’s coming next in a massive year of rugby. We get into the Six Nations, England’s rise, France’s uncertainty, and Ireland’s changing guard, before turning our focus back home. Tony gives his read on the All Blacks season, the South African reality check, missed opportunities, and why next year shapes everything heading toward the World Cup. There’s also a deep dive into Super Rugby, standout performances, emerging players, coaching questions, and the results of our end-of-year polls. Honest, measured, and sharp as always - this is the kind of rugby conversation we all need before switching off for summer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pat Lam doesn’t mince his words. And honestly, that’s why we wanted this chat. From his base in the UK as Bristol Bears Director of Rugby, Pat joins Martin to talk about where New Zealand rugby really sits right now, and why pretending we’re still the best is holding us back. They dig into Super Rugby without South Africa, the state of NPC and club rugby, coaching structures, and why fundamentals matter more than flash. Pat also opens up about his role in Europe, how success should actually be measured, why money and development are inseparable, and what New Zealand could learn from overseas systems. There’s also plenty on the All Blacks, Razor’s coaching setup, the missed opportunity with Tony Brown, and why depth alone won’t save us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greg Martin rolls in for his final DSPN appearance of the year and he is absolutely in holiday mode… just with two trolleys of alcohol to get through first. Before he disappears to an island for five weeks, we run through his best and worst moments of 2025, from wooden spoon stunts to beer-stuffed bachelor’s handbags on breakfast radio. On the rugby front, Greg’s highlight was beating South Africa in Johannesburg, while the lowlights were basically everything else the Wallabies touched. Argentina, Italy, France… the heartbreak reel is long. He’s brutally honest about Australia’s lack of depth, the player drain overseas, and why the Joe Schmidt experiment might be the final straw for Kiwi coaches in green and gold. We also get into rugby league stealing the country, the R360 delay, and what actually gives him hope heading into 2026. Plus cricket, the Broncos, the Lions, and a full serve of Greg’s trademark Aussie self-deprecation. Find every episode and discover your next favourite podcast on the rova app or rova.nz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week’s DSPN Marty's Mailbag absolutely lit up, and to be fair, we love it. Nothing says rugby season like passionate fans firing off takes about the All Blacks, the Springboks, the laws, the refs and everything in between. We sift through the best (and wildest) comments and unpack the big talking points shaping the sport right now. Martin and Lachlan dive into the eye-gouge saga, the 12-week ban, and why intent isn’t the same as action. We also get stuck into the South Africa tour expectations, the debate over whether a two-all draw is realistic or soft, and why replacements, offside lines and captain’s challenges have fans calling for change. Plus, Matt Burke’s thoughts on Aussie rugby, Tony Johnson’s fixes for the game, and a few listeners who came in absolutely swinging. Find every episode and discover your next favourite podcast on the rova app or rova.nz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The DSPN's Rugby Roundtable gets spicy fast, as Martin, John Day and Mark 'Watto' Watson dive straight into the mess around the All Blacks coaching group. Jason Holland heading back to the Hurricanes has everyone raising eyebrows, and the boys don’t hold back on what it might say about life inside the current setup. From there we rip into Eben Etzebeth’s eye-gouge defence, Razor’s role being “re-explained” by NZ Rugby, and whether Scott Hansen is actually steering the All Blacks more than anyone wants to admit. Then it’s prediction time. We map out who makes the Rugby World Cup 2027 final, who chokes in the quarters, and which powerhouse could be running on fumes by the time Australia rolls around. Find every episode and discover your next favourite podcast on the rova app or rova.nz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today Marty dives into the heat around Scott Robertson, the All Blacks review, and why NZ Rugby’s delay and vague explanations aren’t sitting well with fans. Razor’s the head coach, that much is clear, but does the setup around him actually stack up when you put it under the microscope? We talk through what this review really needs to uncover, why the public deserves more transparency, and how long it’s been since the All Blacks showed real progress. It’s not a development side. The job is to win test matches, full stop. Find every episode and discover your next favourite podcast on the rova app or rova.nz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’ve got Wallabies royalty on DSPN today, and honestly, it’s a treat. Matthew Burke joins us to talk through the state of Australian rugby, the messy World Cup draw, and why planning too far ahead in this sport is basically asking for chaos from the rugby gods. Matt opens up on everything from the physicality gap in Super Rugby to why Australia’s depth up front matters more than any superstar in the backline. He also gives a brutally honest take on league converts, the reality of building consistency, and why the new offside interpretations are driving him up the wall . We also get some gold about catching high balls, what AFL skills rugby desperately needs, and the transition to Les Kiss as Wallabies coach. It’s smart, layered chat from one of the sharpest minds in the game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on DSPN, we hand the whiteboard to Tony Johnson and ask him to redesign rugby. Not all of it… just the parts that are driving us all a bit mad. Tony turns up with a Christmas wishlist of six ideas, from reducing TMO interference to rethinking scrums, kicking contests and the chaotic length of modern test matches. We get into the balance between human error and over-officiating, whether box kicks have swung the pendulum too far, and why fatigue used to make footy better. Tony also floats a few “just hear me out” ideas that could speed the game up or open it up, depending on your point of view. It’s all up for debate, and we want your thoughts. What would you change? What did Tony miss? And yes, Sweet Caroline cops a mention. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Martin Devlin and Lachlan Waugh dive into a brutally honest look at next year’s All Blacks tour to South Africa, and Martin makes his stance crystal clear: offer him a two-all draw today and he’d take it without blinking. This isn’t defeatism. It’s rugby logic. The Springboks are operating on a different level right now, and the numbers back it up. We break down why this four-test stretch is shaping as the hardest assignment the All Blacks have faced since 1996, what the squad is missing at the moment, and why the rugby gods may need to put in overtime across Super Rugby. From there, Glass Half Full hits cricket, the Ashes, England’s bizarre decision-making, a frustrating Phoenix derby, Premier League chaos, Lando vs Oscar in F1, and Hayden Paddon’s WRC return. Plus, a chat on the All Blacks review date that has us asking… why on earth is this taking until January? Find every episode and discover your next favourite podcast on the rova app or rova.nz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on DSPN, we dive into the rivalry that shapes modern rugby, and there’s no better guide than Harry Jones. He joins us to unpack Rassie Erasmus re-signing through to 2031, what that means for South African rugby, and why Springbok fans are so welded to the man who rebuilt their entire identity. We also get Harry’s brutally honest read on where the All Blacks sit under Razor right now. Are we too cautious? Is the Springbok machine simply further ahead? And how much will next year’s four-test South Africa tour tell us about the road to 2027? From the politics of hosting future Rugby World Cups, to Tony Brown’s growing influence, to the return of the scrum as rugby’s great equaliser, this is a wide-ranging, clever, and very real chat about where the sport is heading. Find every episode and discover your next favourite podcast on the rova app or rova.nz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week’s DSPN mailbag is stacked, and honestly, the game keeps giving us material. We kick off with the Eben Etzebeth eye-gouge saga and the eyebrow-raising drop from an 18-week ban to 12. We’ve all watched the footage. No excuses, no mitigating fairy dust, just a dirty act that should’ve stayed at the top end of the scale. From there, we dive into the R360 delay and whether “strategic timing” is just a polite way of saying the whole thing’s run out of juice or players. Either way, 2028 suddenly feels very far away. And yes, the World Cup draw has everyone heated again. Six pools, 24 teams, and somehow the top two sides still collide in the quarterfinals. Throw in the All Blacks conversation around Razor, Richie Mo’unga’s return, and where Beauden Barrett fits, plus your cuts, keeps, and question marks, and it’s a wonderfully chaotic inbox. Find every episode and discover your next favourite podcast on the rova app or rova.nz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We got Matt Williams back on DSPN because the rugby world has been flipped on its head again, and we needed someone unfiltered to walk us through it. This World Cup draw has landed the All Blacks and South Africa on a quarterfinal collision course, and Matt doesn’t hold back on why that simply shouldn’t be happening. We dig into why World Rugby keeps repeating the same administrative headaches, how the top two teams could end up cancelling each other out early, and what this means for the entire tournament. Then we shift to on-field reality. Right now, South Africa look miles ahead of everyone else, and Matt explains in detail why their mix of power, skill, and insane depth is setting the standard. We finish with the tough questions around the All Blacks. Are we improving? What needs fixing? And what kind of pressure is Scott Robertson really under heading into a brutal 2025? It’s a frank, fascinating chat about where the game is heading. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices