Scott Robertson Reacts to All Blacks Brutal Quarter Final Path
The World Cup draw has landed and, honestly, World Rugby has cooked it again. The All Blacks are likely to face the Springboks in the 2027 quarter-finals, and everyone’s asking the same question. How does a sport end up with its top two seeds crashing into each other that early? We dig into the mess, the maths, and the madness.
Martin breaks down the draw logic that somehow rewards the loser of the opening New Zealand-Australia match with the easier path. We also look at the gulf between the top sides and the teams ranked nine to 12, and why that pushes the whole format out of shape.
We also spoke with Razor and Scott Barrett at a press conference this morning, talking through the implications, the strategy, and how you prepare when you’re already pencilled in to meet the world champions in the knockout stages. Plenty to chew on.
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Tony Johnson: All Blacks’ Tough Rugby World Cup Path Explained
We’ve got Tony Johnson back from the Northern Tour and straight into the fire, because there is so much to unpack.
The World Cup 2027 draw is out, and yep… the All Blacks have copped the toughest path. Tony walks us through how the seedings landed us here, why New Zealand and South Africa are staring at a quarterfinal collision, and whether World Rugby has painted itself into a corner by locking draws in years out.
We get into the (likely) Australia opener, the logistics versus logic debate, and the ripple effects for teams like England, Ireland, Fiji and France.
Then we shift to the All Blacks themselves. Tony breaks down the coaching structure questions swirling around Scott Robertson and Scott Hansen, what’s real, what needs clarifying, and how much of this conversation exists purely because the team didn’t close out England.
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Martin Devlin, John Day, and Mark 'Watto' Watson run a full All Blacks selection review based completely on this season’s performances. No predictions, no World Cup chatter - just a hard look at who should be on the plane to South Africa next year.
We break down every group: props, hookers, locks, loose forwards, halves, midfielders, and outside backs. Expect strong takes on Luke Jacobson, Samipeni Finau, Quinn Tupaea, Will Jordan, Caleb Clarke, and of course… the Barrett family. Mark comes in swinging. John refuses to budge. Marty keeps the peace (barely).
If you’re an All Blacks tragic or love selection drama, this is your episode.
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Naas Botha: How the Springboks Became Rugby’s Top Force
Naas Botha knows Springbok rugby better than almost anyone, and today he gives us a brutally honest look at how South Africa have become the top team in the world in 2025. We rewind the season, the early stumbles, and the moment the Boks clicked into a different gear.
Naas talks through what’s changed in attitude, selection and belief, why that second half in Wellington was the real turning point, and how Rassie Erasmus' decision-making has unlocked a level of depth South Africa have never had. He also explains the impact of Tony Brown and why the Boks are now scoring tries they simply didn’t score in past years.
We dive into the luxury problem at first-five, with Sacha, Handré and Manie all bringing something different.
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Inside Rugby’s R360 Mess with Christy Doran and Chris Jones
R360 was meant to breathe new life into rugby. Instead, it’s been shoved all the way back to 2028, and no one seems convinced it’ll ever actually launch. So, on the DSPN we brought in two of the best: Christy Doran from The Roar and long-time rugby journalist Chris Jones, to help us figure out what on earth happens next.
Christy talks through what the delay really means, why key investors walked, and why signing players six to 12 months before a World Cup makes the whole concept almost impossible. He also explains the chaos now facing league converts who quit their NRL deals expecting this thing to exist.
Then, Chris Jones joins us with 40 years of perspective, calling R360 everything from a pantomime season to rugby’s latest attempt to copy the IPL without understanding rugby’s actual market.
No players, no coaches, no broadcast deal, and a billion-euro budget? You can guess his verdict.
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Martin Devlin is a seasoned sports broadcaster in New Zealand, famous for his high-energy, no-nonsense style on both radio and TV.
He’s covered everything from the FIFA World Cup to the Rugby World Cup and is known for his passion for the game.
Now, he’s about to take things up a notch by launching the DSPN—The Devlin Sports Podcast Network.
DSPN promises to be a wild ride through the sports world, packed with Devlin’s signature energy, bold takes, and insider insights.
Get ready for sports talk that’s fast-paced and unapologetically Devlin!
New Zealand