Tony Johnson joins us for a full, honest debrief on the All Blacks season, and we get straight into what worked, what didn’t, and what absolutely has to change. Martin fronts with his C+ assessment of the year, pointing to those three costly losses and the frustrating habit of following big wins with flat performances.
Tony digs into the big-picture issues - leadership on the field, the domino effect of mistakes, and why the England loss felt so deflating even after a strong start. There’s plenty of positivity too, from the emergence of real depth at lock and prop.
We look at the next two years, the coaching questions that still linger, what the attack is actually trying to be, and the brutal schedule ahead.
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
--------
26:41
--------
26:41
Let's Be Positive About The All Blacks, And 2026 Test Season Outlook
We start with Martin’s five positives from the All Blacks season: the crucial Eden Park win over South Africa, the undeniable world-class status of Cam Roigard and Ardie Savea, the loyal “rah-rah” fans, next year’s stacked schedule, and the blessing that the World Cup isn’t until 2027 .
Then, Marty and young producer Lachlan rip through What Has More Chance Of Happening? Will the All Blacks win their four-test South Africa series? Could Razor realistically lose his job if results crumble? Are England any chance of winning the Ashes if they refuse to change their approach? All that and much more!
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
--------
15:24
--------
15:24
Murray Mexted Rates All Blacks' 2025 Season And Their Future
We’re closing the book on the All Blacks season, and there’s only one man we trust to call it exactly how he sees it - Murray Mexted. Mex joins us in the studio and doesn’t waste a second getting straight into it.
We talk through everything from rotation and the modern mindset, to where the loose forwards sit, why the scrum has slipped, and why letting a player walk off after 43 minutes still winds him up. Murray takes us inside his view of the tight five, the lineout issues that keep showing up, and why he thinks we haven’t improved since France.
Razor’s role, the assistants, the structure around the team, the aura of the jersey - nothing’s off-limits as Murray hands out his end-of-year grade and tells us what has to sharpen up before next season.
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
--------
33:40
--------
33:40
Razor's Shocking All Blacks Admission - Who Truly is the Coach? | Marty's Mailbag
This week on DSPN we dive headfirst into one of the spiciest Mailbags we’ve ever had. You sent us a mountain of comments about the All Blacks season, and we took the lot on. Are we improving? Are we repeating old mistakes? Are the coaches getting it right? And why on earth did Razor admit Scott Hanson is effectively running the show?
We talk leadership, selection standards, and whether the All Blacks have slipped into “just okay” territory. We also get into the big ones: conceding tries, the scrum going soft at the wrong moments, and whether fans are justified in demanding more. Plus a bit of England cricket chat, Team New Zealand comparison, and the eternal struggle between stats and the eyeball test.
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
--------
31:14
--------
31:14
All Blacks Failed Season? Or Has A Corner Been Turned? | Rugby Roundtable
We’ve brought the whole crew in for this one. Marty, John Day and Mark 'Watto' Watson sit down for a full Rugby Roundtable and things get honest fast. Grades are handed out for the All Blacks’ 2025 season, and they’re not pretty. From record losses to South Africa, to the stumble in Argentina, to leaking four tries against one of the weakest Welsh sides in years, the pattern is hard to ignore.
We dig into Razor’s “we’ve turned a corner” claim and ask the obvious question: where exactly is the corner? The boys break down player depth, the 9-10, 12-13 combinations, and why the coaching group looks like it’s in real trouble.
And yes, there’s still hope. The talent is there. The passion is there. But the bad days keep coming, and the All Blacks don’t get judged on 10-3 records. They get judged on the losses that matter.
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
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