Full Credit

The Black Ferns and Springbok Women go head to head! Les Elder and Alice Soper take a closer look at rugby’s newest rivalry and the wider context surrounding it.
While the game itself may not have delivered the spectacle they were hoping for, the conversation goes far beyond the scoreline. Les and Alice reflect on the evolution of the women’s game, the expectation for teams to keep pushing the boundaries, and the moments that can turn a match into something unforgettable.
They also discuss the difficult off-field circumstances surrounding the South African women’s team, including the impact of coaching upheaval and the way these issues can overshadow the achievements of the players. Against that backdrop, they celebrate the resilience of a team that continues to perform in the face of significant adversity, while remembering former captain Lusanda Dumke and the mark she left on the team.
The episode also delivers some key rugby lessons, from managing relationships with referees and adapting tactics, to understanding the laws around scrummaging and offside play.
Ultimately, this is a conversation about why women’s rugby deserves to be understood in its full context — not just through results, but through the people, challenges and stories behind the game.

It’s a big week for women’s rugby, and there’s plenty for Alice Soper and Les Elder to get stuck into.Australia finally has a new coach, Fijiana have one too, and New Zealand Rugby is putting more into its women’s game — both on the coaching side and with the naming of the Black Ferns and Black Ferns XV squads.Alice and Les break down the selections, including the players who were unlucky to miss out, before looking at all the positives from a ten-try performance against the Wallaroos. Three debutants also made strong first impressions, adding to the feeling that there’s plenty to be excited about.But the work isn’t done yet. With more rugby still to come, the Black Ferns’ next challenge is South Africa.

This week on Full Credit, Alice gets Les and special guest Chelsea Semple (Black Fern #173) up to speed on the latest developments across the Tasman, including the ongoing coaching changes in Australian rugby and the appointment of a new director. Could it signal a fresh direction for the Wallaroos?The trio then dives into the 2026 Super Rugby Aupiki season, reflecting on the standout moments, biggest stories, and the players who made the biggest impact. They name an MVP from each Aupiki team before revealing their overall MVP of the season, discuss what made this campaign such a success, and share their wish lists for next year.To wrap things up, they put on their selectors' hats and each names their starting lineup for the August 22 Test between the Black Ferns and the Wallaroos.

Alice Soper and Les Elder say goodbye to the Hurricanes Poua and Chiefs Manawa, celebrating the standout moments, biggest performances, and lasting memories from their 2026 campaigns. Alice also shares what was undoubtedly the ultimate fan experience at the Poua match and why it made for such a special day.Attention then turns to the finalists, as the Blues finally found their rhythm at the perfect time to book their place in the championship decider. Standing in their way are Matatū, who will host what is set to be the biggest Super Rugby Aupiki final yet, with a record-breaking crowd expected in Christchurch.Can Matatū rediscover the form that made them the competition's benchmark? Or have the Blues timed their run to perfection and built the momentum needed to lift the trophy?To wrap things up, Alice and Les pick their in-form XV from the final round, recognising the players who stood out when it has mattered most.

Timaru delivered the match of the season as the Hurricanes Poua continued their fairytale run, claiming their third consecutive win – while ending Matatū's unbeaten campaign in a dramatic upset.Les Elder and Alice Soper break down the moments that defined a thrilling contest, from game-changing plays to the individual performances that swung momentum. Was this the performance that finally announced the Poua as genuine contenders?With just one round remaining, the finals picture couldn't be tighter. Three teams are still alive in the race for a place in the Super Rugby Aupiki final, and the permutations are deliciously complicated. The Blues are in control of their own destiny—but only if the Poua slip up. Meanwhile, despite still searching for their first win, Chiefs Manawa could have the final say on the season, with one result capable of deciding who books a place in the decider.To wrap things up, Les and Alice pick out the standout performers from the weekend as they assemble their latest In Form XV, highlighting the players making the biggest impact at exactly the right time. It's crunch time in Aupiki, and every moment matters.

Les honours their side of the bargain by belting out Alice's team song after losing their bet—but the real headline is the continued rise of the Poua.After knocking off the defending champion Blues for the first time since 2023, the Poua have firmly entered the championship conversation. Alice and Les unpack what made the performance so impressive, celebrate Wikitoria Viljeon's history-making hat-trick—the first by a Poua player—and ask whether this is the moment the competition's balance of power is beginning to shift.Meanwhile, the Blues are still searching for the spark that made them champions, while Manawa's inconsistent form continues, with more changes to their line up raising fresh questions. At the other end of the table, Matatū are making history of their own, starting 4-from-4 for the first time and looking every bit like the team everyone else has to chase.The pair discuss just how good the Poua really are, what the changing landscape of Super Rugby Aupiki means for the competition, and where each side goes from here. They wrap things up by naming their Team of the Week after another standout round.