On this week's podcast Elliott Smith (Newstalk ZB's lead rugby commentator) and Liam Napier (NZ Herald's chief sports writer) go international - with Liam in South Africa ahead of the first Rugby Championship test against the Springboks.
We assess what changes the All Blacks might make to their 23 for the test against the 'Boks as they try to arrest a slide that has them with four losses in their last five and ask where the All Blacks have to improve if they are to be any chance of a result.
We run the rule over the Springboks side named for the match and whether there are any weaknesses there the All Blacks might look to exploit.
Elliott and Liam also address the Sevens teams taking away bronze from the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, with Australia returning to the top in women.

Rugby Direct Episode 261: Bledisloe pressure builds as Wallabies fire a warning shot
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Rugby Direct Episode 260: Lessons from South Africa, questions for NZ Rugby
35:09

Rugby Direct Episode 259: The South African reality check
13:13