It's Only Sport podcast | The Platform

The Tight 5! Everyday on It's Only Sport, host Martin Devlin and producer Lachlan Waugh dissect and debate five separate sporting topics of note in New Zealand and around the world. On this episode, Devlin and Waugh preview the first Springboks-All Blacks test of 2024, including questioning loose forward Dalton Papali'i's thumb injury. They also discuss NRL matches on this weekend, the new Champions League format, and more.

Murray Mexted - iconic All Blacks loose forward and former rugby commentator - joins Martin Devlin on It's Only Sport, looking ahead to this weekend's Springboks-All Blacks rugby test in Johannesburg. On Sunday morning (New Zealand time), it'll be the first clash between the old rivals since last year's Rugby World Cup final in Paris, which South Africa won 12-11 over New Zealand. Mexted and Devlin discuss coach Scott Robertson's All Black team named with a focus on the return of former captain Sam Cane to the starting lineup. As well as that, they talk about the challenge of playing the Springboks in their own backyard, how they think Cardiff-born referee Andrew Brace will perform, memories from Mexted's time as an All Black playing in South Africa, and more.

On today's podcast, It's Only Sport host Martin Devlin narrows his focus on the Springboks-All Blacks rugby test this weekend in Johannesburg. Both teams have named their matchday squads, with plenty of talking points among both including flanker Sam Cane starting for New Zealand and lock Eben Etzebeth back on the bench for South Africa. First, Devlin delivers a sermon offering his thoughts on the New Zealand squad named and how familiar it looks compared to the typical 23 coach Scott Robertson has rolled out in 2024. Then, Devlin is joined by former Wallabies fullback Greg Martin to talk the two Rugby Championship tests this weekend, it's Keeping Up With The Jones' with Chris (veteran rugby writer from the UK) and Harry (South African rugby broadcaster) offering their thoughts on the Springboks vs All Blacks, Warriors fan favourite Jazz Tevaga previews what will be his last game for the club this weekend, and ex-Black Cap Simon Doull discusses the latest in cricket news across the globe. As well as that, Devlin and producer Lachlan Waugh argue and bicker over test rugby, Louis Rees-Zammit's NFL dream and more on the Tight 5 and NEXT! All that and much more!

Warriors utility forward Jazz Tevaga joins Martin Devlin on It's Only Sport looking ahead to the club's final match of the 2024 NRL season, which is away to the Cronulla Sharks on Saturday. The Mount Smart club are out of finals contention and have the bye in the final round, meaning this weekend's hit out in Sydney's south is their last for the year. The match doubles as Tevaga's farewell game as he will depart the Warriors after eight years. He talks to Devlin about why 2024 has been such a poor season for the Warriors, his love for the club, what's next in his career, and more.

Greg Martin - former Wallabies fullback and current Triple M breakfast radio host in Brisbane - joins Martin Devlin on It's Only Sport, as he does every Thursday. Two simple-minded, middle-aged men talking about MEN'S things that MATTER. This week, Marto and Marty preview the Springboks-All Blacks rugby test in Johannesburg and touch briefly on the Wallabies clash with the Pumas in Argentina, before discussing the Brisbane Broncos in the NRL, the Paralympics in Paris, and more.

Brendan Telfer - the doyen of New Zealand sports broadcasting - joins Martin Devlin on It's Only Sport as he does every Wednesday, offering his unique and veteran perspective on a variety of sporting topics in New Zealand and around the world. This week, Telf and Marty revisit the latter's preseason prediction for the Warriors in 2024 and how accurate he was. As well as that, they discuss Lydia Ko winning her third golf major, the Springboks-All Blacks rugby test this weekend, and more.

On the podcast, a Springboks rugby icon in the form of Bob Skinstad anchors today's coverage of the first South Africa-New Zealand test this weekend in Johannesburg. Skinstad played from 1997-2007 and won a World Cup in '07. Devlin firstly delivers a sermon discussing this weekend's test, exuding plenty of confidence that the All Blacks CAN get a win over the World Champions in their own backyard. Then, Devlin is joined by Skinstad to talk international rugby, Miles Davis chats football chants and Lydia Ko, rugby commentator Ken Laban is all over NPC rugby after three rounds of the competition, and the doyen Brendan Telfer revisits his predictions for the Warriors before the 2024 NRL season kicked off. As well as that, Devlin and producer Lachlan Waugh debate topics galore - such as NRL matches this weekend, Springboks and All Blacks selections and the NPC - on the Tight 5 and What Has More Chance Of Happening. All that and much more!

Springboks rugby icon Bob Skinstad - who played for the South African side from 1997-2007 and was a Rugby World Cup winner - joins Martin Devlin on Its Only Sport, previewing the first match-up between the Boks and All Blacks in Johannesburg this weekend. The old rivals have played seven times over the last three years, with South Africa winning four of them including the 2023 World Cup final in Paris. Skinstad and Devlin discuss the excitement that is building around the test in South Africa, the form of the Springboks and how coach Rassie Erasmus continues to improve the team, how the All Blacks have looked so far in 2024, and more.

It's time to be positive! Continuing as SMG (Sydney's Matt Gunn) for the time being as opposed to TMG (Twizel's Matt Gunn), Gunny is back for another episode of Let's Be Positive, where he and It's Only Sport host Martin Devlin do their best to put a positive spin on all the latest happenings in the world of sport. On this episode, Gunny and Marty discuss the former's holiday in his homeland of Australia, the ongoing party in Belmore thanks to the Bulldogs' brilliant 2024 NRL season (so far), more NRL bunker botch-ups, Leon MacDonald departing as All Blacks assistant coach, and more.

On today's podcast, It's Only Sport host Martin Devlin ramps up preview for the first Springboks-All Blacks rugby test of 2024, with the very best New Zealand rugby analyst going around - Justin Marshall. Sunday morning's (New Zealand time) test will be the first clash between the old rivals since last year's Rugby World Cup final in Paris, which South Africa won 12-11. To start the show though, Devlin delivers a sermon from the mountain top, weighing up who the favourite should be for the Supreme Halberg Award early next year out of golfer Lydia Ko and kayaker Dame Lisa Carrington. One of those two appears the likely recipient of the prestigious honour. Then, Devlin chats with Marshall about this weekend's big match, tennis correspondent Dave Worsley talks Lulu Sun's US Open first round exit, Formula One expert Vincenzo Landino recaps the Dutch Grand Prix, and former New Zealand professional golfer John Lister gushes over Ko's incredible achievement at the Old Course at St Andrews. Plus, Devlin and producer Lachlan Waugh discuss the likes of All Blacks selections, punishment for the NRL bunker, and strange pieces of Major League Baseball history on the Tight 5 and Glass Half Full. All that and much more!

Justin Marshall - former All Blacks halfback and current rugby commentator for Sky Sport - joins Martin Devlin on It's Only Sport, looking ahead to the first test between New Zealand and South Africa in 2024. The Springboks will host their old rivals in Johannesburg in a repeat of last year's Rugby World Cup final in Paris, which the Boks won 12-11. Marshall talks to Devlin about what it's like playing in South Africa (specifically at Ellis Park), his confidence levels in New Zealand getting a result in the first test, and selections he would like to see All Blacks coach Scott Robertson make for what will be a physically demanding contest. The two also talk about Leon MacDonald's shock departure as one of Robertson's lead assistant coaches.

On today's podcast, It's Only Sport host Martin Devlin indulges in one of the best New Zealand sport stories of the year - golfer Lydia Ko winning the AIG Women's Open at St Andrews, her third career major title and first in over eight years. The New Zealander only a fortnight ago won gold at the Paris Olympics, and you would have to think she is the frontrunner for the Halberg Supreme Award in early 2025. To kick things off though, Devlin delivers a sermon talking about the Warriors' final NRL home match of 2024 against the Bulldogs, which doubled as a farewell for Jazz Tevaga, Addin Fonua-Blake, and most notably the retiring Shaun Johnson. Then, Devlin is joined by PGA professional and golf coach Ross MacLeod to talk Ko's win, NASCAR reporter Nate Ryan discusses Shane van Gisbergen getting a full-time Cup Series drive for 2025, ex-Warriors coach Tony Kemp reviews the NRL weekend, and talkSPORT's Tom Rennie talks Premier League football. All that and much more!

Tony Kemp - former Warriors coach and ex-Kiwis representative - joins Martin Devlin on It's Only Sport, recapping round 25 of the 2024 NRL season. The weekend was highlighted by the Warriors playing their final home game of the year, meaning it was the last time Shaun Johnson, Jazz Tevaga and Addin Fonua-Blake played in front of home fans in a Warriors jumper. As well as that, the Melbourne Storm secured yet another minor premiership, and the Penrith Panthers' loss to the Canberra Raiders saw them slip down to fourth on the ladder. Kempy and Marty grab their magnifying glasses and dissect every main talking point from the weekend that was.

Ross MacLeod - PGA golf professional and putting coach - joins Martin Devlin on It's Only Sport, recapping Lydia Ko winning her third major title and first in over eight years. Ko's won the AIG Women's Open at the home of golf, St Andrews in Scotland, to go along with her Olympic gold medal won in Paris a fortnight ago. She birdied the 18th hole to break a three-way tie for the lead, ultimately winning by two strokes at seven under par. MacLeod as in attendance, and talks to Devlin about the course and how tricky it is, the conditions Ko played in, what it's like watching her in the flesh and her interactions with fans, and more.

Howard Bryant - senior baseball writer for ESPN and acclaimed author - joins Martin Devlin on It's Only Sport, talking Major League Baseball with the start of the postseason nearing. Every franchise has around 30 games left in their season, with the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees currently boasting the best records in the National League and American League respectively. Bryant and Devlin discuss the race for playoff spots, who the strongest looking teams are, whether there could be a 2023 Texas Rangers-type side that makes a World Series run from a wild card position, and more.

Former Warriors captain and current rugby league commentator Monty Betham joins Martin Devlin on It's Only Sport, previewing the club's final home game of the 2024 NRL season against the Canterbury Bulldogs in Auckland on Friday night. The game doubles as a farewell for Shaun Johnson, Jazz Tevaga and Addin Fonua-Blake who will all play as a Warrior in front of home fans for the final time. Betham and Devlin talk about Shaun Johnson in particular, how important a win for the club is despite their season already being over, what specifically has gone wrong in 2024, and more.

It's time to be positive on It's Only Sport, but things look a little different this week. It's not Let's Be Positive with TMG (Twizel's Matt Gunn), but instead with SMG (Sydney's Matt Gunn) as Gunny and his family are enjoying holiday across the ditch. Gunny and Martin Devlin discuss the Bulldogs and their superb NRL season continuing, Warriors star Shaun Johnson's home farewell on Friday night, news coverage - if any - the Wallabies are receiving in Australia, and more.

Greg Martin - former Wallabies fullback and current Triple M breakfast radio host in Brisbane - joins Martin Devlin on It's Only Sport as he does every Thursday. Two simple-minded, middle-aged men talking about MEN'S things that MATTER. This week, Marto and Marty discuss the surprising news Leon MacDonald is stepping down as All Blacks assistant coach, Ron Coote being named the 14th rugby league Immortal on Wednesday night, and more.

In a shocking move, attack coach Leon MacDonald is departing the All Blacks, effective immediately. MacDonald has only been involved with the national side for five test matches, having been brought on board as an assistant to coach Scott Robertson ahead of the 2024 test season. Rugby reporter Jamie Wall joins Martin Devlin on It's Only Sport to dissect the news and how it may have come about. Then, Devlin works through cuts from Robertson at his stand-up in Christchurch, where he continually affirms how 'great a coach and person' MacDonald is and that things 'simply weren't clicking' between the two.

Brendan Telfer - the doyen of New Zealand sports broadcasting with over 50 years of experience - joins Martin Devlin on It's Only Sport as he does every Wednesday. This week, Marty and Telf discuss tennis star Jannik Sinner being cleared of wrongdoing after failing two drugs tests, the upcoming rugby tests between the Springboks and All Blacks, the Warriors, and more.