It's Only Sport podcast | The Platform

Harry Plummer - first-five for the Blues - joins Martin Devlin on It's Only Sport ahead of his side's massive Super Rugby Pacific clash with the Chiefs in Auckland on Saturday evening, to round out their regular season. A bonus-point win for the Blues will guarantee them the top seed once the finals series begins, but anything less may not be enough if the Hurricanes can bag themselves a bonus-point win over the Highlanders on Saturday afternoon. Plummer has been one of the standout performers of Super Rugby in 2024 - he chats to Devlin about his uptick in form, his All Blacks selections chances, the Blues' preparation for the Chiefs match-up, and much more.

On today's podcast, It's Only Sport host Martin Devlin dedicates almost all his time to rugby with a couple of massive stories swirling, including the New Zealand Rugby governance reform vote. At the special general meeting (SGM), the Provincial Unions voted against the initial proposal to make all nine NZR board directors independent, and in favour of their own proposal, that specifies three directors must have experience serving on a provincial board. Devlin kicks things off though with a sermon talking about one sports story that has flown under the radar - the decision around Auckland's next stadium. Then, NZR Players' Association boss Rob Nichol shares his stance of the SGM vote result, former NZR CEO David Moffett talks the vote and expresses his thoughts on Nichol (spoiler alert - he's not a fan), in-form Blues first-five Harry Plummer chats about his season on the field and the Blues' Super Rugby Pacific clash with the Chiefs this weekend, former Wallabies fullback and radio host Greg Martin talks his bachelor life and Super Rugby, and Australian rugby journo Brett McKay discusses the news the Rebels will be kicked out of Super Rugby after this season. All that and much more!

Votes have been cast, and the Provincial Unions have rejected the first proposal to change New Zealand Rugby's governance at the governing body's special general meeting (SGM) on Thursday. The PU's have instead voted in favour of the second proposal, which requires at least three of NZ Rugby’s nine board directors to have experience serving on a provincial board. The first proposal - backed by the likes of the NZR Players' Association, the majority of the NZR board, and the New Zealand Māori Rugby Board - wanted all nine directors to be independent. First off on It's Only Sport, Martin Devlin is joined by NZRPA boss Rob Nichol, who shares his thoughts on the vote and what comes next. Then, Devlin chats with former NZR CEO David Moffett, who believes the result of the vote could well be the end of Nichol's time at the NZRPA.

Peter Hillary - New Zealand mountaineer and son of Sir Edmund Hillary - joins Martin Devlin in a very special interview on It's Only Sport. 29th May 2024 marks 71 years to the date that Sir Edmund and Tenzing Norgay became the first two to reach the top of Mount Everest. Peter Hillary himself has climbed the mountain twice - he and Devlin discuss the significance of Sir Edmund's ascent back in 1953, what it's like climbing Everest including the toll it takes on your body and the feeling you get when you reach the top, and much more.

On today's podcast, It's Only Sport host Martin Devlin focusses on two topics of differing themes - the upcoming New Zealand Rugby special general meeting (SGM) around its governance, and Sir Edmund Hillary's ascent up Mt Everest on this day in 1953. First off, Devlin delivers a sermon talking about the NZR SGM and predicting that despite a meeting of much significance, nothing will change anytime soon around how the governing body is run. Then, Moana Pasifika coach and former All Blacks captain Tana Umaga looks ahead to their Super Rugby Pacific clash with the Crusaders while also reviewing their 2024 season, David Pilkington - who was part of the panel that undertook a review into NZR's governance last year - discusses all the important information to do with Thursday's meeting, Peter Hillary - son of Sir Edmund - goes in-depth on what it's like climbing Mt Everest, and Miles Davis shares his thoughts on the NZR SGM and the Hurricanes' Super Rugby title chances. All that and much more!

Tana Umaga - former All Blacks captain and now coach of Moana Pasifika - joins Martin Devlin on It's Only Sport ahead of the final round of the Super Rugby Pacific regular season. Moana Pasifika mathematically have a chance at qualifying for the finals but need to win away to the Crusaders and hope other results go their way. Umaga talks to Devlin about their season and the improvements on their 2023 campaign, how Moana Pasifika differs from other Super Rugby sides in how it operates, how they can become an enticing franchise that attracts and retain players, and more.

On today's podcast, It's Only Sport host Martin Devlin puts his versatility to the test, with a handful of guests joining the show to debate and pontificate rugby, the NBA, Grand Slam tennis, and more. First off, Devlin delivers a sermon dedicated to the brilliance of Rafael Nadal. The 22-time major winner and 14-time French Open champion is out of the second Grand Slam of the year, after a first-round loss to Alexander Zverev. Speculation is growing that he may have played his last tournament at Roland Garros. Then, longtime tennis journalist Chris Jones shares his thoughts on Nadal's early exit and what this future holds, New Zealand rugby great Todd Blackadder discusses his Toshiba Brave Lupus side winning the Japanese Rugby League One competition, Mark 'Watto' Watson talks the Blues' loss to the Crusaders and Football Ferns coach Jitka Klimková taking a leave of absence, and Dallas sports radio's Gavin Dawson chats the Mavericks' exploits in the NBA playoffs. Plus, Devlin and producer Lachlan Waugh analyse and argue over the likes of Addin Fonua-Blake's future at the Warriors, and the Crusaders' Super Rugby Pacific playoff chances on the Tight 5 and What Has More Chance Of Happening. All that and much more!

Todd Blackadder - former All Blacks and Crusaders captain, and Crusaders coach from 2009-2016 - joins Martin Devlin on It's Only Sport, after guiding his side to victory in the final of the Japan Rugby League One competition. Blackadder's Toshiba Brave Lupus defeated the previously unbeaten Panasonic Wild Knights - who are coached by Robbie Deans - 24-20 in a tightly contested decider, handing Blackadder his first ever trophy as a head coach. The 52-year-old talks to Devlin about how sweet victory feels, the impact of former All Blacks Richie Mo'unga and Shannon Frizell who both joined the team ahead of the season, how Blackadder as a coach has improved over the years, other rugby coaching jobs he has his eye on, and more.

Tony Kemp - ex-Warriors coach, Kiwis representative and co-host of the Rugby League Hour - joins Martin Devlin on It's Only Sport to recap all the main results and storylines from the NRL's 12th round of 2024. An undermanned Warriors made it back-to-back wins, coming from behind to beat the Dolphins 24-20 in Auckland, and now sit just three points outside the top eight. The Penrith Panthers, Manly Sea Eagles, Sydney Roosters and Canterbury Bulldogs were among the weekend's other winners. Kempy and Marty go in-depth on the Warriors' win and how impressive their last two results are, as well as discussing the likes of the Brisbane Broncos and Melbourne Storm suffering surprise losses, and whether or not the Parramatta Eels' top eight hopes are done.

On today's podcast, It's Only Sport host Martin Devlin crouches, binds and sets himself into a jam-packed show recapping another massive weekend in sport. First off, Devlin delivers a sermon listing off his winners and losers from the past three days, including the Warriors, rugby referees, Manchester United, and more. Then, former All Blacks halfback and current rugby commentator Justin Marshall recaps the penultimate round in Super Rugby Pacific, questioning referee decision in the Chiefs-Hurricanes game and assessing the Crusaders' chances at making the playoffs. As well as that, veteran IndyCar reporter Curt Cavin reviews a thrilling Indianapolis 500 that was won by Josef Newgarden, co-host of the Rugby League Hour Tony Kemp recaps the Warriors' win over the Dolphins and other NRL storylines, and British sports broadcaster Andy Buckley talks Southampton and Manchester United's successes in the championship playoff final and FA Cup final respectively. All that and much more!

Longtime IndyCar journalist Curt Cavin joins Martin Devlin on It's Only Sport, recapping the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500. Josef Newgarden secured his second successive Indy500 win with a last-lap pass on young Mexican Pato O'Ward to take the chequered flag. It's the first time since Hélio Castroneves in 2002 that a driver has won back-to-back races, and the victory also hands team owner and Indianapolis Motor Speedway chairman Roger Penske his 20th win in the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing." Cavin and Devlin go into all the important details of the race including the thrilling final lap, the weather delay, how the Kiwi drivers fared, and more.

Justin Marshall - 81-test veteran of the All Blacks, and now renowned rugby commentator on Sky Sport - joins Martin Devlin on It's Only Sport, recapping the penultimate round of the Super Rugby Pacific regular season. Key results include the Hurricanes edging the Chiefs 20-17 in a thriller in Hamilton and the Crusaders keeping their season alive with an entertaining 29-27 win over the Blues in Christchurch. Marshall and Devlin focus on the 'Canes' tight victory and a couple of questionable refereeing decisions in that contest, the Crusaders' chances of sneaking into the top eight, how dangerous the Highlanders can be in the quarter-finals, and more.

Greg Martin - former Wallabies fullback, and now a breakfast host for Triple M 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. This week, Marto and Marty talk about the former having the house to himself with his wife away on holiday, the Reds' chances of getting wins in their final two regular season games in Super Rugby Pacific, more issues at New Zealand Rugby, and more.

On today's podcast, It's Only Sport host Martin Devlin tackles a big sports story bubbling away in New Zealand involving Crusaders coach Rob Penney, a journalist, and the 'c' word. This calls for a sermon, with Devlin offering his thoughts on Penney being caught out describing a journalist as a "c***", after he was pressed hard by said journalist with questions surrounding his job security. Who's at fault? Is this a storm in a teacup? What is the relationship between sport and the media in New Zealand actually like? Then, Crusaders CEO Colin Mansbridge goes in-depth on the Penney presser, Hurricanes and All Blacks star Jordie Barrett previews the 'Canes away trip to the Chiefs this weekend in Super Rugby Pacific, former Wallabies fullback and Triple M radio host Greg Martin talks oval ball and his bachelor life, and Aussie rugby journo Christy Doran describes his experiences covering former Wallabies coaches Eddie Jones and Dave Rennie. Plus, Devlin and producer Lachlan Waugh work through a massive news day in New Zealand sport, offering their perspectives on the likes of Penney, Breakers coach Mody Maor resigning and Warriors prop Addin Fonua-Blake's future. All that and much more!

All Blacks and Hurricanes utility back Jordie Barrett joins Martin Devlin on It's Only Sport, ahead of his side's massive Super Rugby Pacific match away to the Chiefs in Hamilton. A win for the 'Canes would keep the pressure on the top-of-the-table Blues, while a victory for the Chiefs aids in their pursuit of a top two finish on the ladder. Barrett talks about the implications the Chiefs clash could have on their season, what they've learnt from losses to the Brumbies and Blues so far this year, his All Blacks aspirations for 2024 and where he would prefer to play in the backline, and more.

Crusaders CEO Colin Mansbridge joins Martin Devlin on It's Only Sport, shedding more light on the fallout from a Wednesday press conference where coach Rob Penney used a swear to describe a journalist. Penney was being pressed hard by the reporter with questions around his job security. Once the stand-up wrapped up, Penney said "he's a disgrace that c***" to a colleague, without realising third-party devices were still recording. Mansbridge goes in-depth on the press conference, why he instead of Penney apologised to the reporter, whether or not the reporter overstepped the mark with his questions, and more.

It's tiiiiime! Mark 'Watto' Watson and It's Only Spot host Martin Devlin combine forces to deliver episode 84 of the ATM (Apologise to Me!) Podcast, where the pair discuss and debate a variety of sporting topics that are making waves in New Zealand and around the world. On this episode, Watto and Marty talk about the New Zealand Rugby Players' Association threatening to breakaway from the provincial unions and manage the professional game separately, the Warriors getting their NRL season back on track with a win over Penrith, and more.

On today's podcast, It's Only Sport host Martin Devlin has overcome a stomach bug and is back in the hosts chair, with a massive show to boot. Firstly, Devlin delivers a sermon on the New Zealand Rugby Players' Association threatening to breakaway from NZ Rugby and manage the professional game in a new entity. Is this greed from the players, and is it getting out of control? Why are fans always an afterthought in situations like these? Then, Devlin is joined by an Australian rugby league great turned broadcaster - Greg Alexander. 'Brandy' discusses a range of rugby league topics including Brad Arthur's sacking as coach of the Parramatta Eels and selection issues for New South Wales ahead of State of Origin 1. As well as that, Mark 'Watto' Watson shares his thoughts on the NZRPA-NZ Rugby stoush hitting new levels, Fijian Drua CEO Mark Evans discusses ways that Super Rugby Pacific can improve, and Miles Davis offers a perspective on a handful of stories such as the atmosphere at the Wellington Phoenix-Melbourne Victory A-League semifinal and Manchester City winning yet another English Premier League title. All that and much more!

Mitchell Hansen - NBA and WNBA reporter for Canis Hoopus and Winsidr - joins Martin Devlin on It's Only Sport to discuss the Minnesota Timberwolves advancing to their first NBA western conference finals series in 20 years. The Wolves knocked out the Denver Nuggets in game seven of their semifinals series, coming back from as many as 20 points down to win 98-90 on the road. Hansen talks to Devlin about how much noise the Wolves are creating in the state of Minnesota right now, whether or not people genuinely believed they could overcome Denver and go this far in the postseason, the western conference finals match-up with the Dallas Mavericks, and more.

Fijian Drua CEO Mark Evans joins Martin Devlin on It's Only Sport, shedding light on his role and his thoughts on the current make-up of Super Rugby Pacific. Evans was hired in the job in October 2022, and has previously held senior roles at Saracens, Harlequins and the Melbourne Storm. He talks to Devlin about the financial success (if any) of the Drua, how he would improve the Super Rugby competition, and more.