Blues CEO Karl Budge believes a revamped Super Rugby Pacific format for 2027 will enhance interest in an improved on-field product. 

10 teams will play 16 regular season matches with an ANZAC Day Bledisloe test break, before the top two teams get direct passage to the semi-finals while the next four ranked teams face off – no Lucky Loser. 

While the draw is yet to be released, Budge is glad that the new format retains a greater sense of jeopardy and makes for bigger games throughout the competition. 

He told Mike Hosking it means teams will play for meaningful outcomes right through to the end of the season. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Blues CEO Karl Budge believes a revamped Super Rugby Pacific format for 2027 will enhance interest in an improved on-field product.&nbsp;
10 teams will play 16 regular season matches with an ANZAC Day Bledisloe test break, before the top two teams get direct passage to the semi-finals while the next four ranked teams face off – no Lucky Loser.&nbsp;
While the draw is yet to be released, Budge is glad that the new format retains a greater sense of jeopardy and makes for bigger games throughout the competition.&nbsp;
He told Mike Hosking it means teams will play for meaningful outcomes right through to the end of the season.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

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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

Karl Budge: Blues CEO on the changes to the Super Rugby Pacific format for 2027

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/073d5b4e-1fba-4740-8f75-b47a015b2837/transcript

The world is always changing, with global events and new developments shifting the tides. 

Progress is being made in the peace talks between the US and Iran, which means oil prices are slowly returning to normal. 

And the AI market is continuing to explode – with new companies, applications, and technology emerging seemingly constantly. 

CNN’s Richard Quest, host of Quest Means Business, joined Mike Hosking to share his perspective on the fascinating world in which we currently live. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

The world is always changing, with global events and new developments shifting the tides.&nbsp;
Progress is being made in the peace talks between the US and Iran, which means oil prices are slowly returning to normal.&nbsp;
And the AI market is continuing to explode – with new companies, applications, and technology emerging seemingly constantly.&nbsp;
CNN’s Richard Quest, host of Quest Means Business, joined Mike Hosking to share his perspective on the fascinating world in which we currently live.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Richard Quest: CNN Anchor and host of Quest Means Business on the state of the world, AI, oil prices

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/3251f6a9-0835-48da-b697-b47a01701711/transcript

A shakeup in the auto industry across the ditch could see Peugeots disappear from the New Zealand market.  

Their Australian importer, Inchcape, will stop selling the brand from 2027 after sales plunged 87% from their 2005 peak. 

The move comes as pressure from Chinese brands mounts – with more than 220,000 sales in 2025 alone. 

Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association CEO Greig Epps told Mike Hosking there’s commonality across distributers and businesses on both the New Zealand and Australian side of things.  

And, he says, we’re aligning ourselves with Australia in terms of our regulatory settings, which will make the market commonplace across both countries. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

A shakeup in the auto industry across the ditch could see Peugeots disappear from the New Zealand market. &nbsp;
Their Australian importer, Inchcape, will stop selling the brand from 2027 after sales plunged 87% from their 2005 peak.&nbsp;
The move comes as pressure from Chinese brands mounts – with more than 220,000 sales in 2025 alone.&nbsp;
Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association CEO Greig Epps told Mike Hosking there’s commonality across distributers and businesses on both the New Zealand and Australian side of things. &nbsp;
And, he says, we’re aligning ourselves with Australia in terms of our regulatory settings, which will make the market commonplace across both countries.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Greig Epps: Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association CEO on Peugeot's Australian importer suspending sales amid pressure from Chinese rivals

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/79fca9cb-db30-45c9-856f-b47a01692c78/transcript

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 2nd of July, Finance Minister Nicola Willis responds to the latest IMF report, which seems to have good economic news for us. 

L.A.B are launching their own festival in a sector where most are losing money or shutting down. So, do they have the magic? 

CNN anchor Richard Quest talks everything from oil, to the war in the Middle East, to AI, and the fascinating world we live in right now. 

Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 2nd of July, <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/nicola-willis-finance-minister-on-the-international-monetary-funds-report-card-for-new-zealand/">Finance Minister Nicola Willis</a> responds to the latest IMF report, which seems to have good economic news for us.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/joel-shadbolt-lab-frontman-on-the-launch-of-their-new-festival-8th-wonder-in-january-next-year/">L.A.B are launching their own festival</a> in a sector where most are losing money or shutting down. So, do they have the magic?&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/richard-quest-cnn-anchor-and-host-of-quest-means-business-on-the-state-of-the-world-ai-oil-prices/">CNN anchor Richard Quest</a> talks everything from oil, to the war in the Middle East, to AI, and the fascinating world we live in right now.&nbsp;
Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Full Show Podcast: 02 July 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/9d93b19f-80fb-4f0c-bd12-b47a015d66db/transcript

Karl Budge: Blues CEO on the changes to the Super Rugby Pacific format for 2027

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