DSPN - RUGBY

Martin Devlin and Tony Johnson preview a massive fifth round of the Nations Championship. We look at why France naming Antoine Dupont at first five feels like a desperate roll of the dice against a ruthless Springboks outfit, ask if the All Blacks are destined to face England twice, and break down what has gone wrong with a Wallabies side leaking 44 points a game.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Martin and Tony dissect the All Blacks matchday 23 named to face Wales in Cardiff. We look at ten changes across the squad, Richie Mo'unga returning at first five, and Beauden Barrett taking the captaincy in his 149th test. Plus, we debate why young playmaker Josh Jacomb misses out again and how Leicester Fainga'anuku fits into a 6-2 bench split.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Martin dives into a massive DSPN mailbag. We tackle listener theories on teams intentionally giving away scrum free kicks to dodge penalties, debate Damian McKenzie's goal kicking numbers, and ask why defending the rolling maul has become impossible. Plus, we look at the search for genuine line busters and whether Ruben Love should wear ten or fifteen next season.

IMAGE CREDIT:

Damian McKenzie during an All Blacks training session, Edinburgh, Scotland, Nations Championship Northern Series, 03 November 2026. (Photo by John Cowpland / Alphapix)
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jamie joins Martin from Bath with huge news out of the All Blacks camp ahead of the Wales test. We break down the grim prognosis for Will Jordan's hamstring and Jordie Barrett passing his HIA. Plus, we look at where Richie Mo'unga and Josh Jacomb fit into Dave Rennie's plans.

IMAGE CREDIT:

Will Jordan during the All Blacks training session, Sydney, Australia, 13 October 2026. (Photo by John Cowpland / Alphapix)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

All Blacks icon Murray Mexted joins Marty on DSPN to run the ruler over our 43-21 win against Scotland. We look at the rise of Tupou Vaa'i at blindside flanker, examine why holding just 49 percent possession will not cut it at Twickenham, and get Mexted's unfiltered take on Henry Pollock.

IMAGE CREDIT:

All Blacks Tupou Vaa’i during the All Blacks v South Africa test match, Rugbys Greatest Rivalry, FNB Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday, 5 September 2026. (Photo by John Cowpland / action press)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices