The All Blacks have made it to the Rugby World Cup final for the fifth time. 

They're set to face the Springboks Sunday morning in an epic clash for the cup.

Former All Blacks Captain, John Hart, told Mike Hosking that the combination of youth and experience is really working for the team.

He said they’ve got the team they want, and they’ve gone in injury free, and are prepared to put in a first-class performance against South Africa.

LISTEN ABOVE

The All Blacks have made it to the Rugby World Cup final for the fifth time.  
They're set to face the Springboks Sunday morning in an epic clash for the cup. 
Former All Blacks Captain, John Hart, told Mike Hosking that the combination of youth and experience is really working for the team. 
He said they’ve got the team they want, and they’ve gone in injury free, and are prepared to put in a first-class performance against South Africa. 
LISTEN ABOVE

Open your mind to the world with New Zealand’s number one breakfast radio show.

Without question, as New Zealand’s number one talk host, Mike Hosking sets the day’s agenda.

The sharpest voice and mind in the business, Mike drives strong opinion, delivers the best talent, and always leaves you wanting more.

The Mike Hosking Breakfast always cuts through and delivers the best daily on Newstalk ZB.

Open your mind to the world with New Zealand’s number one breakfast radio show. Without question, as New Zealand’s number one talk host, Mike Hosking sets the day’s agenda. The sharpest voice and mind in the business, Mike drives strong opinion, delivers the best talent, and always leaves you wanting more. The Mike Hosking Breakfast always cuts through and delivers the best daily on Newstalk ZB.

Open your mind to the world with New Zealand’s number one breakfast radio show.Without question, as New Zealand’s number one talk host, Mike Hosking sets the day’s agenda.The sharpest voice and mind in the business, Mike drives strong opinion,...

The Mike Hosking Breakfast

John Hart: Former All Blacks Captain ahead of the Rugby World Cup Final against South Africa

I tell you what, it never gets old.

How good are the Warriors? First time since 2018 we are 3-0.

It's the second time ever. That’s a lot of years where the start has not been as good as the start of 2026.

The Knights, although seemingly better this year than last, are not the Roosters and certainly not the Raiders. So in that sense when they scored early in the first half you didn’t really wonder whether this was the week things could go wrong.

The half-time score wasn't close so we didn’t have to run away with it in the second.
 
The score at the break gave you a good sense. We were never really going to be tested.

At one point late in the second when the Knights scored again, the commentators got a bit over-hyped and the crowd went nuts, as though another three converted tries was ever going to be a thing that was about to happen, given they were 18 behind.

The points perhaps didn’t flow like our first two games. But at 38-12 it wasn’t a contest. Look at any stat - completed sets, yards carried, tackles made - we killed them.

So not just three wins out of three, but three really good wins.

Andrew Webster will be in the weeds looking for little bits and pieces to work on.

But for most of us, the fans, this is as good as it gets. You simply can't ask for more.

There are no obvious issues, no glaring errors and no lucky escapes or last minute miracles.

We are winning and winning easily. We have beaten a good side in the Roosters, a great side in the Raiders and an ordinary side in the Knights.

There would seem at this point to be no side we would fear. No side we don’t believe we can beat.

We are a complete, fast, fit and agile team.

We're also a team with some very good players still to return.

Once again, as we have these past three weeks, I'll remind you it’s a long season and a lot can happen. But you simply control what's put in front of you and to this point, we cannot have started any better than we have.

This might well be the best beginning to a season we have ever had.

There is something special brewing. Say it with real confidence - this is our year.  

LISTEN ABOVE 

I tell you what, it never gets old.
How good are the Warriors? First time since 2018 we are 3-0.
It's the second time ever. That’s a lot of years where the start has not been as good as the start of 2026.
The Knights, although seemingly better this year than last, are not the Roosters and certainly not the Raiders. So in that sense when they scored early in the first half you didn’t really wonder whether this was the week things could go wrong.
The half-time score wasn't close so we didn’t have to run away with it in the second. &nbsp; The score at the break gave you a good sense. We were never really going to be tested.
At one point late in the second when the Knights scored again, the commentators got a bit over-hyped and the crowd went nuts, as though another three converted tries was ever going to be a thing that was about to happen, given they were 18 behind.
The points perhaps didn’t flow like our first two games. But at 38-12 it wasn’t a contest. Look at any stat - completed sets, yards carried, tackles made - we killed them.
So not just three wins out of three, but three really good wins.
Andrew Webster will be in the weeds looking for little bits and pieces to work on.
But for most of us, the fans, this is as good as it gets. You simply can't ask for more.
There are no obvious issues, no glaring errors and no lucky escapes or last minute miracles.
We are winning and winning easily. We have beaten a good side in the Roosters, a great side in the Raiders and an ordinary side in the Knights.
There would seem at this point to be no side we would fear. No side we don’t believe we can beat.
We are a complete, fast, fit and agile team.
We're also a team with some very good players still to return.
Once again, as we have these past three weeks, I'll remind you it’s a long season and a lot can happen. But you simply control what's put in front of you and to this point, we cannot have started any better than we have.
This might well be the best beginning to a season we have ever had.
There is something special brewing. Say it with real confidence - this is our year. &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Mike's Minute: It's a good time to be a Warriors fan

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/804cac9a-2f12-498e-9079-b415014f31fa/transcript

ICE had been deployed to American airports amidst a partial government shutdown resulting in airport workers going without pay for weeks. 

US correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking, "it's because of the partial government shutdown as Dems and Republicans fight over rules for ICE immigration agents in the future."

"Should they wear those awful masks, unlike regular police? Should they have badges so people know who the hell they are? Should they be able to barge into people's houses without any court warrants?"

LISTEN ABOVE 

ICE had been deployed to American airports amidst a partial government shutdown resulting in airport workers going without pay for weeks.&nbsp;
US correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking, "it's because of the partial government shutdown as Dems and Republicans fight over rules for ICE immigration agents in the future."
"Should they wear those awful masks, unlike regular police? Should they have badges so people know who the hell they are?&nbsp;Should they be able to barge into people's houses without any court warrants?"
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Richard Arnold: US Correspondent on ICE deployments to airports and Trump threats

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/f4170e8e-ed8e-47ef-8b2e-b41501436074/transcript

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon joined Mike Hosking for their weekly catch up to chat about the fuel crisis, economic management, and the possibility of the public placing blame on the current Government for the current financial struggles. 

Luxon said, "we will do everything we can to support New Zealanders, but I have to be really straight up and honest and say we cannot support everybody, to the extent they probably want to be supported." 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon joined Mike Hosking for their weekly catch up to chat about the fuel crisis, economic management, and the possibility of the public placing blame on the current Government for the current financial struggles.&nbsp;
Luxon said, "we will do everything we can to support New Zealanders, but I have to be really straight up and honest and say we cannot support everybody, to the extent they probably want to be supported."&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Christopher Luxon: Prime Minister chats economic management amidst instability

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/ce0bcfd9-996d-4256-aec5-b415013d6c4b/transcript

John Hart: Former All Blacks Captain ahead of the Rugby World Cup Final against South Africa

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