On this episode, Nigel looks at the first All Blacks outing of 2026, an enthralling 34-32 win over Six Nations champions France: 1st Half (0:49) 1st Half stats & thoughts (15:00) 2nd Half (16:43) Final stats & post test observations (29:25) Then Nigel concludes with a quick run through the ABs squad named to face Italy this Saturday evening (36:50)Host & Producer: Nigel Yalden "If you like the vibe, please subscribe"https://www.facebook.com/thenigelyaldenpodcast/

On this episode Nigel gives his thoughts on the All Blacks squad to face France in Christchurch this weekend (0:51) and you'll hear ABs coach Dave Rennie define what playing optimistically looks like to him (7:11). Then Nigel responds to a couple of mailbag contributions (7:50) that barely missed the Monday cut-off from Matt (8:10) asking about All Blacks expectations, Australian Rugby, the White Ferns, Melbourne Storm and State of Origin & David (16:04) seeking thoughts on the Ben Stokes retirement Host & Producer: Nigel Yalden "If you like the vibe, please subscribe"https://www.facebook.com/thenigelyaldenpodcast/

As we reach the middle of the year, Nigel dips into the Mailbag with contributions from:Skottie (0:28) asking about the NBA off-season, All Blacks in South Africa & Richie Mo'unga's availability statusJack (4:05) throws some names into the mix for the 10 extra players to go to the Republic Lauren (8:00) chats Formula 1 including an impending travel update, David Havili, Anton Segner and Marco and the MotoGP Marshall incidentBefore finishing with David's (13:04) quintet of FIFA World Cup questions Host & Producer: Nigel Yalden "If you like the vibe, please subscribe"https://www.facebook.com/thenigelyaldenpodcast/

On a very rugby centric show, Nigel starts by reviewing the Hurricanes rampaging victory over the Chiefs in the Super Rugby Pacific Grand Final (0:40) First Half (2:40) Second Half (16:40) Post Match thoughts on the Hurricanes (26:38) & Chiefs (31:00) Then it is time to react to the first All Blacks squad of 2026 (34:00) starting with the forwards (34:16) then the backs (41:04) before suggesting a potential starting XV (46:10) And then we finish with some thoughts on a very exciting Kapa o Pango Maori (Maori All Blacks) squad heading to Japan this week (47:25) Host & Producer: Nigel Yalden "If you like the vibe, please subscribe"https://www.facebook.com/thenigelyaldenpodcast/

The ultimate week of the Super Rugby Pacific is upon us, culminating this Saturday night in Wellington. Nigel starts the show by looking at the semi-final performances of the Hurricanes & Chiefs (1:11) before a quick report card on the vanquished Crusaders (12:14) and Blues (15:24) Next you'll hear from two key members of the Chiefs - second five Quinn Tupaea (18:00) & hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho (20:33) followed by Nigel's thoughts on the referee appointment for the decider (23:35) Then its time to reviews the squads for the final, along the way trying to decipher who has the edge where before finally making a prediction as to who lifts the trophy this year (27:38) Enjoy the Grand Final Host & Producer: Nigel Yalden Guests: Quinn Tupaea & Samisoni Taukei'aho"If you like the vibe, please subscribe"https://www.facebook.com/thenigelyaldenpodcast/

A very (very) full show starts with Nigel looking at a lopsided opening weekend of the Super Rugby Pacific playoffs (1:00) before saying goodbye to the last two Aussie sides (13:15) followed by looking ahead to the semi-finals (18:18) including a chat with Chiefs fullback Isaac Hutchinson (24:10) Then Sky Sport football commentator Jason Pine joins the show to chat the Football World Cup (29:08) assessing the All Whites chances (33:30) brief analysis & picks from each of the 12 groups (44:26) and finishing with a way too early prediction on who wins it all (1.05:00) Nigel then ends the show with a some brief observations about the NBA (1.15:35) and NHL (1.19:00) finals Host & Producer: Nigel Yalden Guests: Isaac Hutchinson & Jason Pine "If you like the vibe, please subscribe"

Nigel opens the show by reviewing the final round of the Super Rugby Pacific regular season (1:10) report cards on the five teams who missed the top six (10:43) and a look ahead to the first weekend of the playoffs (20:48) Then the shows resident ice hockey expert, Sport Nations Logan Swinkels joins Nigel to preview the Stanley Cup Final between the Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes (27:00) before Nigel wraps things up with some thoughts, opinions and a prediction on the NBA Final between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs (59:59)Host & Producer: Nigel Yalden Guest: Logan Swinkels "If you like the vibe, please subscribe"https://www.facebook.com/thenigelyaldenpodcast/

We conclude the month of May with a three part dip into a bursting-at-the-seams Mailbag:PART 1Isaac (0:58) is asking about NBA & NHL playoffsAlex (6:52) chats boxing & the Southampton spying scandal David (11:41) wants to know what Spurs need to do to avoid another EPL relegation battle next year & what format should Super Rugby Pacific take in 2027Murray (19:42) is discussing the centre options for the All Blacks this seasonPART 2Mark (24:25) has a range of AB contenders he wants a yay or nay on, as well as a potential back three comboCraig (31:51) asks about the possible diminishing lure that the ABs jersey, State of Origin 1 & best book to movie adaptionsCarlin (39:14) chats Blackcaps cricket and could Razor return as an assistant under the new Crusaders coach Lauren (41:22) has some F1 thoughts as well as updating her globetrotting support of the pinnacle of motor racingPART 3Richard H (44:46) advocates for NPC home and away rather than Super Rugby PacificMatt aka OBC (53:21) asks what's stopping Richie Mo'unga from playing for the Crusaders now & also weighs in on Scott Hansen as Crusaders coachLachlan (56:54) asks who is the best rugby players everRichard T (1.02:46) hands Nigel a magic wand to fix one sportAnd Corey (1.06:10) discusses dealing with foul play after the game & in-season transfers for Super Rugby Pacific Host & Producer: Nigel Yalden"If you like the vibe, please subscribe"https://www.facebook.com/thenigelyaldenpodcast/

On the first of two episodes this week, Nigel gives his instant (bar one) reviews of the round 15 games in Super Rugby Pacific:Crusaders vs Chiefs (1:24) Waratahs vs Brumbies (7:12) Moana Pasifika vs Reds (13:09)Hurricanes vs Highlanders (18:18) Force vs Drua (22:42) He then wraps a bow on the penultimate round before looking ahead to the final week of the regular season (26:42) and some of the permutations at play for the Blues, Crusaders, Brumbies and Reds PS - Stick around to the end of the episode to get details on how you can contribute to second podcast of the week, the End of Month Mailbag for May 2026 📬Host & Producer: Nigel Yalden "If you like the vibe, please subscribe"https://www.facebook.com/thenigelyaldenpodcast/

This weeks episode starts, as always, with our weekly review of Super Rugby Pacific (0:55) rolling through the round 14 games:Chiefs vs Highlanders (1:45)Drua vs Waratahs (7:07) Blues vs Hurricanes (7:47) Force vs Reds (12:05) Before a very brief preview of the round 15 match-ups (14:30):Crusaders vs Chiefs (14:48)Waratahs vs Brumbies (16:45) Moana Pasifika vs Reds (19:02)Hurricanes vs Highlanders (19:47) Force vs Drua (21:01) Then its time for a new All Blacks Depth Chart (23:31) starting with the forwards (24:10) ... obviously 😉... and then the backs (30:01) and Nigel finishes the show with some Movie Chat (38:27) Host & Producer: Nigel Yalden"If you like the vibe, please subscribe"https://www.facebook.com/thenigelyaldenpodcast/