Super Smack

It’s Round One of Super Rugby Pacific 2026!On the pod this week, the boys dissect the first games - equal measures of entertaining romps and snorefests! The previously wooden spoon Highlanders do what few teams ever can, and best the mighty Crusaders. Will they continue their form, or will it be another year of mediocrity for the southern men? And what will they do if Jamie Joseph toddles off to the ABs in a few weeks time? The Chiefs continue their winning ways against the Blues, with some key All Blacks stepping up when it matters. It’s a miracle in Fiji, as super-captain Fai’ilagi takes the reins from Ardie Savea and leads his team to a statement win, including a hat trick of tries for the man himself. And the comp heats up in Aussie, with some big scorelines, setting the tone for what’s to come.

Super Rugby is turning 30 the Super Smack boys are on the way to the party with at least a six pack of Speights or non-alcoholic seltzer. In this episode, the lads preview the 2026 season, discuss Super Rugby’s evolution, panic a little bit about missing players, overreact to pre-season form, and immediately make predictions they’ll deny ever making. Coaching changes, team dynamics, dedication (or lack thereof) to fantasy rugby - it’s all here. Expect hot takes, cold beers, and zero accountability as the boys fire the starting gun on another chaotic season.

In this special episode, the boys discuss the firing of Scott ‘Razor’ Robertson as All Blacks coach. That wasn’t on our 2026 bingo card! Who will step up to the plate and claim what must be one of the most difficult jobs in sport? We make our picks!

Rugby is all done and dusted for 2025 and it’s been an absolutely epic year - or a rather turbulent one if you’re Razor Robertson and the All Blacks. With a couple of pretty big losses, the All Blacks will be champing a the bit to prove the naysayers wrong with next year’s tour to South Africa and the inaugural Nations Cup.And Super Rugby turns 30 next year and we reckon it’s gonna be a doozy. We’ll be covering all the games, every week of the competition, so tune in! Until then, thanks for listening, and have a happy new year!

It happens once in a blue moon - the All Blacks lose to the English at Twickenham. Not since 2012 have the Red Roses secured a win over the men in black on their home soil. And they did it in emphatic fashion as only the Poms can, by singing a well known slavery song at top volume over the haka. A classic colonial move, but boy did it pay off. After a solid start from the All Blacks, the English ran over the top of them, dominating them in almost all facets of the game. New Zealand have had a big old year, and the poms knew it - even Henry Pollock was literally licking his lips at the chance to topple the mighty AB’s. As people call for his head on a spike, where to now for Razor? Will we see him ring the changes for the last test against Wales, or will it be same-same one last time in 2024. One thing we are sure of is… poor Wales don’t stand a chance.

It’s 2 from 2 in the Autumn Series for the All Blacks, as they eye the ultimate prize - a grand slam. The AB’s were too good in the end for a valiant Scottish side, who had to drag themselves back from a 17-0 drubbing by half time.But it was one All Black in particular who broke the hearts of 68,000 Scotland fans, and cemented Murrayfield as the All Black’s spiritual home-away-from-home. Sir Damian of McKenzie showed up half way through the second act once again to put on a dominant performance and guide New Zealand to a much needed victory. Covered in blood and black tape, he manoeuvred through the Scottish like a wiley old fox and proved he is the ultimate super-sub and frankly irreplaceable. Can he do it against England? Or will Razor Robertson change things up at Twickenham. The boys preview the upcoming match, the possible lineups and ask the big question - how many yellow is too much yellow?

Revenge is sweet. It’s even sweeter against Ireland. Yes the All Blacks have made in three in a row now against their new foe and it seems like it’s back to the old days. We dissect the mess of a game it was, unjustified red cards and sloppy performances. But there is a silver lining! The final twenty is back and it’s looking as All Black as ever. We preview this weekend’s matchup at Murrayfield. Will the Scots put up a good fight, led by the fishmonger Finn Russell? Or will the men in black be too powerful in the end? It’s grand slam hopes on the line for NZ, and a first ever chance at victory for highland men.

It’s take two in Chicago, as the All Blacks and Ireland meet for the second time at Soldier Field. Can the men in green bring down New Zealand once again or will a well-honed All Blacks side prove too good, as they look for their first Grand Slam northern tour since 2010. We have a new NPC champion - and it’s EXACTLY who you’d expect. Yes Canterbury have done it yet again - winning a title after a woeful season the year before. The forever kings of rugby are crowned once more - and it’s bloody annoying. Poor Otago put up a valiant fight, but ultimately got dealt to like a naughty school boy. Oh well, there’s always 2037!

The NPC has finally reached its peak, as we head into the grand final. And it’s only fitting that the number 1 & 2 teams from the competition will face each other in one last clash. Will the in-form Otago win their first title since 1998 and lock away all the silverware til next season, or will Canterbury do what Canterbury do best, pipping teams when it matters most. Who will win the battle of the South and take the crown as national provincial champion?We discuss the upcoming 2026 tour of South Africa and take a trip down memory lane as we recall our early morning wake up calls from our rugby mad childhoods.