Pat Lam On The All Blacks, Super Rugby And What Must Change

New Zealand rugby is at a crossroads, and Pat Lam isn’t afraid to say it.

Bristol Bears director of rugby and former All Black Pat Lam joins Martin Devlin on DSPN for a wide-ranging, brutally honest conversation about the state of New Zealand rugby. From Super Rugby’s decline after losing South Africa, to struggling crowds, underfunded grassroots, and coaching structures that haven’t evolved, Pat lays out what he believes is really holding the game back.

They talk All Blacks selection, Razor Robertson, leadership gaps, player development, and why New Zealand must first accept it’s no longer the best before it can get back there. Pat also explains his director of rugby role in the UK, why culture and leadership matter as much as results, and how European competitions have changed the global balance of power.

There’s insight into Pacific Island rugby, Samoan struggles, governance issues, and why talent alone isn’t enough without infrastructure. This is a big-picture rugby conversation from someone who’s coached at the highest levels across hemispheres.

00:00 Pat Lam’s honest assessment of NZ rugby
05:30 Director of rugby vs head coach
12:40 What success actually means
18:30 Super Rugby without South Africa
26:00 Fixing development and grassroots
34:20 All Blacks coaching and Tony Brown
46:00 Pacific Island rugby and governance