Share

cover art for What Can Stop South Africa Winning the Nations Championship?

Aotearoa Rugby Pod

What Can Stop South Africa Winning the Nations Championship?

Season 7, Ep. 38
•

South Africa are favourites to win the Nations Championship, but their toughest challenges may still lie ahead.


Can France or Ireland derail the Springboks, and what needs to happen for the All Blacks to reach the final?


Ross Karl and Bryn Hall break down the contenders, Scotland's chance to make history against New Zealand, and the crucial clashes that could decide the championship.


The TAB Match Centre breaks down the odds with Paul Maoate.


Chapters

00:00 Nations Championship: The race to the final

01:45 Can anyone stop South Africa?

03:15 Ranking the world's best rugby teams

07:28 Who makes the Nations Championship final?

09:24 Why points differential could decide everything

12:22 Why the All Blacks need France and Ireland to win

14:10 Can Scotland finally beat the All Blacks?

20:22 The All Blacks' discipline and set-piece challenges

22:50 All Blacks selection: Who starts against Scotland?

25:13 Fergus Burke interview preview

26:51 Italy v South Africa: Can the Springboks be challenged?

29:43 Wales v Japan preview

32:21 France v Fiji and the Dupont debate

38:47 Argentina v Ireland: A potential upset?

40:57 England v Australia: Who has the edge?

43:53 TAB Match Centre: Nations Championship contenders

48:00 Scotland's historic opportunity against New Zealand

52:04 England v Australia predictions

54:13 Melbourne Cup preview

59:37 Wrap-up

Catch all our content across @aotearoarugbypodofficial channels

More episodes

View all episodes

  • 38.2. The Kiwi Preparing to Beat the All Blacks | Fergus Burke

    19:28||Season 7, Ep. 38.2
    Born in New Zealand. Now preparing to help Scotland beat the All Blacks. What does Fergus Burke know about the challenge ahead—and why does this Scottish team believe they can end their drought?Burke joins the Aotearoa Rugby Pod to discuss Scotland’s opportunity, his journey from the Crusaders to Saracens, and what he’s learned playing alongside Owen Farrell, Richie Mo’unga and Finn Russell.Chapters00:00 A Kiwi preparing to face New Zealand01:28 What changed when Burke left New Zealand?02:55 The northern hemisphere rugby myth03:43 Systems vs instinct: finding the balance05:41 Building an attack around Finn Russell06:22 What’s holding Scotland back?07:48 Why Scotland must make their chances count09:18 From the Crusaders to Saracens and Scotland10:38 Farrell, Mo’unga & Russell: what sets them apart?11:46 What makes Farrell’s standards different?12:07 The Finn Russell fans don’t see12:50 What Burke learns from three elite 10s13:11 Playing with Bryn Hall again?14:07 How a great nine frees up his 1014:53 What Ben White brings to Scotland16:10 Taking on the All Blacks with the ball18:12 Why Scotland believe they can do it19:45 Scotland’s familiarity with Rennie and Blair

  • 37.3. The Message That Changed the All Blacks After South Africa | Anton Segner

    21:13||Season 7, Ep. 37.3
    What did the All Blacks discover after their South Africa tour that changed their approach to attack?Anton Segner reveals the message that "really hit home" with the squad, and how it helped transform their attacking performances against Australia.He also opens up about the shock of training under Dave Rennie, his difficult road back from injury, and the excitement of returning to Europe in an All Blacks jersey.Chapters 00:00 Anton Segner returns to the All Blacks01:01 Leicester Fainga'anuku's loose forward role02:14 What Rennie demands from his loose forwards04:21 Why All Blacks training was a shock07:19 The mental toll of injuries and concussion08:40 Mike Blair's influence on the All Blacks' attack09:43 The message that hit home after South Africa11:41 How the All Blacks unlocked their attacking potential13:01 The detail behind the All Blacks' line breaks15:13 Building combinations amid mounting injuries16:34 Will the All Blacks change their approach in Europe?18:00 Preparing for the northern hemisphere tour19:56 Playing in front of family from Germany

  • 37.2. REACTION: All Blacks Touring squad - Leicester in

    31:32||Season 7, Ep. 37.2
    The ARP boys react to Dave Rennie's squad for the Nations Championship tour in November. Fainga'anuku back in and Lio-Willie recalled!

  • 37. Which Big Names Will Miss the All Blacks Squad?

    35:04||Season 7, Ep. 37
    With the All Blacks' northern tour squad about to be named, some big names are facing disappointment.Injuries, emerging talent and fierce competition have created some huge selection dilemmas. Ross and James debate the toughest calls, who deserves a chance and which players could be the unlucky ones.

  • 36. Has Beauden Barrett Just Secured His World Cup Place?

    01:01:14||Season 7, Ep. 36
    Beauden Barrett has reminded everyone what he's capable of, but has he done enough to secure his place at the 2027 Rugby World Cup?Ross Karl, Bryn Hall and James Parsons break down the All Blacks' remarkable first half against Australia, the second-half struggles and the selection headaches facing Dave Rennie. From Timoci Tavatavanawai's starting audition to the fierce competition in the loose forwards and lock, some big decisions are looming.Plus, can Northland upset Canterbury in the NPC final?Chapters00:00 – Introduction03:00 – All Blacks v Wallabies: A game of two halves10:43 – Can Rennie's attacking style win a World Cup?17:30 – Why aren't the Wallabies using Suaalii's aerial threat?21:13 – Tavatavanawai's World Cup audition at 1226:18 – Fabian Holland's massive performance29:00 – Who starts alongside Scott Barrett at the World Cup?31:22 – The All Blacks' loose forward selection dilemma38:12 – Cody Taylor's captaincy resurgence40:25 – Has the TMO system gone too far?47:18 – Has Beauden Barrett secured his World Cup place?53:17 – NPC final preview: Canterbury v Northland

  • 35.3. REACTION: Tavatavanawai in for Bledisloe 2

    50:07||Season 7, Ep. 35.3
    The ARP crew goes Live on Youtube to discuss the sides named for Bledisloe 2, including the recall of Timoci Tavatavanawai and Du'Plessis Kirifi.

  • 35.2. What Rugby Fans Don't See: Ben O'Keeffe on Life Under Pressure

    20:56||Season 7, Ep. 35.2
    What happens when the pressure of rugby’s biggest matches follows you home?Ben O’Keeffe joins the Aotearoa Rugby Pod for a deeply personal conversation about the moments that have tested him, the toll criticism has taken and the people who have helped him through his toughest times.From World Cup pressure to the fallout surrounding Rassie Erasmus’ infamous Lions tour video, Ben opens up about the human side of refereeing that fans rarely get to see.For tools to help with your mental health:: https://www.mindsetengage.co.nz/

  • 35. What Did the All Blacks’ Big Win Prove?

    50:43||Season 7, Ep. 35
    The All Blacks ran away from the Wallabies at Eden Park—but how many of their biggest questions did that performance answer?James Parsons and Ross Karl break down what changed after halftime and ask if the All Blacks produce the same game when they aren’t winning the collisions. Plus, did Australia really test their aerial defence, Josh Lord’s unseen work and the case for giving Timoci Tavatavanawai an opportunity.The boys also answer your lineout questions, debate rugby’s hip-drop tackle crackdown, and join Karl Tily for the TAB Match Centre.