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Aotearoa Rugby Pod

Crusaders Rising, Hurricanes stumbling? Super Rugby Finals Preview

Season 7, Ep. 17
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The Super Rugby Pacific playoffs have arrived, amidst final round chaos.


The Hurricanes are top qualifiers despite a heavy loss to the Crusaders, the Chiefs are confident after dismantling the Blues, and the Brumbies are under pressure from a shock defeat to Moana Pasifika. 


ARP's Ross Karl, James Parsons and Bryn Hall look at who will win and why.


We also get into who should be the All Blacks props and who you'd have with the squad as an apprentice.

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  • 17.3. SHORT: Lomax, De Groot... Then Who? All Blacks prop debate

    13:06||Season 7, Ep. 17.3
    The All Blacks front row suddenly isn't as straightforward as it looked a month ago.Fletcher Newell's injury and Tamaiti Williams' absence have opened the door for a new wave of contenders.Tyrel Lomax and Ethan de Groot are sure things, Aotearoa Rugby Pod assess the leading candidates, including top and comers like Xavier Numia.

  • 17.2. Anton Segner interview: Behind His Rise Towards The All Blacks

    30:45||Season 7, Ep. 17.2
    Anton Segner joins the Aotearoa Rugby Pod for an in-depth conversation about transforming from a prospect into one of Super Rugby's most influential loose forwards.The Blues flanker discusses bulking up, earning a starting role, his relentless drive for improvement, lessons from Richie McCaw and Kieran Read, his friendship with Crusaders star Leicester Fainga'anuku and the challenge awaiting the Blues in Christchurch this weekend.

  • 16.3. SHORT: Who gets the last home playoff? | Blues, Crusaders or Brumbies?

    14:38||Season 7, Ep. 16.3
    The final round of Super Rugby Pacific has plenty to play for.The Hurricanes and Chiefs have secured home finals, but the battle between the Blues, Crusaders and Brumbies for the remaining home playoff spot will help define the finals series. The Aotearoa Rugby Pod crew breakdown how it could play out.

  • 16.2. Anton Segner for the All Blacks?

    16:55||Season 7, Ep. 16.2
    Anton Segner is making a serious push for the All Blacks.The Blues openside has emerged as one of Super Rugby Pacific’s form loose forwards, combining breakdown menace, defensive work-rate and strong carrying to put himself firmly in Dave Rennie’s selection frame. Aotearoa Rugby Pod debates whether Segner deserves an All Blacks call-up, alongside Ardie Savea, and whether his all-round game now makes him impossible to ignore.

  • 16. The Forgotten All Black Making A Serious Push

    01:05:24||Season 7, Ep. 16
    David Havili is back in the All Blacks conversation.Dropped by Scott Robertson in 2024 and largely forgotten in the midfield debate, the Crusaders captain reminded everyone of his quality with a match-winning display against the Chiefs.The Aotearoa Rugby Pod asks whether the 30-test veteran could force his way back into national selection this season.The crew also dives into:Super Rugby Pacific’s tightening top six raceThe teams most likely to surge lateAnd one of the toughest selection calls imaginable:

  • SHORT: The Selection Rule Defining Rennie’s All Blacks

    16:35|
    What is B.I.G.G.A — and why does Dave Rennie value it so highly?Bryn Hall and James Parsons explain “Back In Game, Go Again,” a Dave Rennie work-rate metric that shapes his selections.

  • 15.2. SHORT: Who Can Stop The Canes Right Now?

    07:17||Season 7, Ep. 15.2
    Their attack is electric, their defence has tightened, and they’re winning games in multiple ways.So the big question is: who can actually stop the Hurricanes, now they most likely have home advantage through the playoffs?There appears to be one major contender and one dark horse.The ARP crew also breaks down the top six contenders with two rounds to go until the playoffs.

  • 15. Should Mo’unga Walk Straight Back Into The All Blacks?

    01:03:20||Season 7, Ep. 15
    The Aotearoa Rugby Pod team debates whether Richie Mo'unga should return from Japan and immediately into the All Blacks.Would changing overseas eligibility policies strengthen New Zealand rugby or undermine the system?The crew also unpack B.I.G.G.A, the Dave Rennie work-rate metric and how it could shape future All Blacks selections. Could it make Lucas Casey a great option?Plus, the Hurricanes beating the Blues and James Parsons' tense post-match exchange with Vern Cotter.