What a Lad

Jacob Atkins- What a Lad

Many of you will be wondering who is Jacob Atkins? Well I can tell you right now, that he is a very talented rugby player and an absolute Lad who just loves code!
Although the man they call Snakob may look like a man coming to the end of his career, he is only just getting started! Still just 23 years young, the kid has been involved with the English Premiership side London Irish, for the past 5 seasons. Snake has a massive work ethic, always trying to improve and is patiently waiting for his chance to get some consistent game time to prove himself. A struggle that so many rugby player face at some point throughout career, some longer than others!
I personally found this a very entertaining episode, as the Snake shares some classic stories from his time at London Irish which just need to be heard.
If you enjoy this episode, as always it'd be much appreciated if you could share it with someone who you think would like it and help grow the podcast.
Don't forget to check out www.whatalad.com to see one of the great websites.
And if you're keen to get in on the pure sport CBD action head to https://puresportcbd.com/ and enter whatalad20 in the promo code for 20% off.

Marty Banks - What a Lad

For the first episode of season 2 I knew I had to get one of the biggest lads in the game on! Good news, I have got one in the form of the absolute lad himself, Marty Banks!
Banksy, who has built a cult following throughout his career due to his laddish behaviour and his very recognisable image, with his tall skinny frame and lush curly locks!
Not only is he a lad but he's also had an incredible rugby journey which has seen him experience some world experiences that not many players or people get to experience. He's played and lived in Russia, Italy, Reefton, Japan, Wellington, Dunedin and Nelson and has stories from each part of his journey.
Banksy was also responsible for kicking the winning drop goal in the Super Rugby Final 2015 which caused heartbreak for many (including myself) but also caused so much joy for all the passionate Highlanders fans and Banksy himself.
As you'll hear in the episode, Banksy is just a genuinely good lad, who's played out his dream as a professional rugby player and has had a heap of fun doing it!
If you enjoy this episode please share it on whatever social media platform you use. Any shares are much appreciated!
Also the What a Lad website www.whatalad.com is about to launch so stay tuned for some big moves in that space.
Finally if you're keen to try out some PureSport CBD oil, head over to https://puresportcbd.com/ and enter the promo code whatalad20 to receive 20% off your order. 
 

What a Lad- Season 2 update

I've just squeezed in an extra episode (solo) before the first episode with Marty Banks is released tomorrow, just to update you all on the plans for What a Lad going forward.
In the episode I talk about...
Where I'm at with rugby.
What I'm up to now.
Some of the plans that I have for the podcast.
The launch of some what a lad merch.
The launch of the website www.whatalad.com
If any of the above interests you then have a listen, if not tune in tomorrow for the big one
 

Brad Weber- What a Lad

Here we are, the last episode of season 1! For this one I felt the pressure to bring you one of everyones favourite lads and I think I have come up trumps here, with the champion lad and unbelievable player Brad Weber!
Brad has had an incredible journey having played for Otago, Waikato, Hawkes Bay, the Chiefs, the NZ 20s, the NZ Maoris and the All Blacks! However, what makes his journey so incredible is that he was dropped from the Otago ITM cup side and he went from having no contract to becoming an All Black in the space of 2 years. He also had to come back from a the horrific broken Femur which he suffered at the Brisbane 10s. He's also 75kgs on a good day and like any small man in the game, he's been told many of times that he's too small to make it in rugby. 
In saying all that, Webby is not only inspirational, he's also bloody funny lad who is not afraid to say it how it is and he shares some absolute classic yarns in this one with such honesty! I know you'll enjoy this one so do me a favour and share this episode, this lads journey needs to be heard.
Thanks for all the support throughout episode one, thanks to all the guests, the listeners, the sharers you are all very much appreciated and looking forward to bringing you more episodes in season 2 next year.
Lastly, as always this episode was brought to you by 3 great partners and below is how you can get involved with any of them 
 
Fortune Favours, to purchase any product with a 15% discount head to https://www.fortunefavours.beer/ and put whatalad in the promo code. Delivered to your doorstep anywhere in NZ.
Pure Sport CBD and to try some of this great product head to https://puresportcbd.com/ and enter whatalad20 in the promo code for 20% off. Its so good, You will not regret it!

Andrew Goodman- What a Lad

Get ready for this one as the GOAT lad Andrew Goodman joins me, as we go through his journey as well as some classic yarns along the way!
Goody in most known for being the Tasman Mako legend he is, having played 55 games, including captaining the side and has also transitioned into coaching them to back to back Premiership titles. He's also spent time in Japan with Honda Heat and Toyota Shuttle and spent 2 years over in Ireland with powerhouse side Leinster.
Any one who's been lucky enough to play with Goody or be coached by him, will know what an absolute lad he is and I'm sure after listening to this episode you will see why he is considered as the GOAT.
If you enjoy this episode, please share it to someone you think might enjoy it or even better add to your story to spread the word.
 
This episode as always was brought to you by 3 great partners and below is how you can get involved with them 
 
Fortune Favours, to purchase any product with a 15% discount head to https://www.fortunefavours.beer/ and put whatalad in the promo code. Delivered to your doorstep anywhere in NZ.
 
Mascaped, to purchase any product from them with a discount
Go to http://manscaped.com/ and get 20% off + free shipping with the code: WHATALAD #manscapedpod
 
Pure Sport CBD and to try some of this great product head to https://puresportcbd.com/ and enter whatalad20 in the promo code for 20% off. Its so good, You will not regret it!

Ngani Laumape- What a Lad

In this episode I catch up with the hardest player on this planet to tackle, Ngani Laumape.
Unfortunately the audio quality on this episode is not great but Ngani certainly makes up for that with his chat and it was awesome to go through the journey of this powerhouse midfielder.
Ngani talks about everything is this episode from his time with the Warriors, his transition to Rugby and he has heaps of good stories from his time in both codes. He has also had his fair amount of setbacks throughout his career, through injury and non selection and he shares some great advice for anyone struggling through that.
People often assume Ngani is quite an angry guy but as you'll hear in this interview it couldn't be further from the truth, he loves banter and a good laugh and is an all round good lad! If you enjoy this episode it'd be much appreciated if you could share it and thanks heaps for all the support so far!
This episode was brought to you by 3 great partners and below is how you can get involved with them 
Fortune Favours, to purchase any product with a 15% discount head to https://www.fortunefavours.beer/ and put whatalad in the promo code. Delivered to your doorstep anywhere in NZ.
Mascaped, to purchase any product from them with a discount
Go to http://manscaped.com/ and get 20% off + free shipping with the code: WHATALAD #manscapedpod
 
Pure Sport CBD and to try some of this great product head to https://puresportcbd.com/ and enter whatalad20 in the promo code for 20% off. It's so good, You will not regret it!

Aaron Smith- What a Lad

In this episode I catch up with All Black legend, Aaron Smith.
In 2007 both Aaron and I missed out on the NZ u19s and I clearly remember sitting in the room with him afterwards both gutted! Fast forward 13 years and the man is now the most capped All Black number 9 in history with 95 caps, while he's also played 150 games for the Highlanders! Thats not to mention the fact he has also represented the Manawatu Turbos, the NZ Maoris and the North side. It's fair to say there's not many players left in the game that have played that amount of games while staying loyal to just 1 club at each level. 
The man they call Nuggy also shares all sorts of good stories from his journey to the top, starting as a small Fielding lad who just loved to pass. There is plenty of valuable lessons in this episode for any aspiring young rugby player and as you'll hear Nuggy is an absolute lad!
As always if you enjoy this episode, please share it and if you want to ask any of my guests a question or just follow the journey head to the link below
https://www.instagram.com/what_a_lad_podcast/?hl=en
 
This episode was brought to you by 3 great partners and below is how you can get involved with them 
Pure Sport CBD,  to try some of this unreal product head to https://puresportcbd.com/ and enter whatalad20 in the promo code for 20% off. I've had heaps of good feedback from this!
Fortune Favours, to purchase any product with a 15% discount head to https://www.fortunefavours.beer/ and put whatalad in the promo code. Delivered to your doorstep anywhere in NZ.
Mascaped, to purchase any product from them with a discount
Go to http://manscaped.com/ and get 20% off + free shipping with the code: WHATALAD #manscapedpod

Rieko Ioane- Prank

Here's a prank from late Super Rugby Aotearoa, where we call one of the best finishers in world rugby, Rieko Ioane. So for this prank, our prank expert Reggie Goodes makes the call, as he is looking to sell more shares in his dodgy adult DVD store, Fiesta Videos. Being a DVD store investment in todays climate is always going to be a tough sell, however, he had obviously just signed up Shaun Stevenson for 43k for 40% of the business so he was feeling pretty confident with the call. 
For those who know Rieko well, tell me he's an absolute lad and enjoys a good laugh. As always if you enjoy this episode, please share it and if you want to ask any of my guests a question or just follow the journey head to the link below
https://www.instagram.com/what_a_lad_podcast/?hl=en
 
This episode was brought to you by 3 great partners and below is how you can get involved with them 
 
Fortune Favours, to purchase any product with a 15% discount head to https://www.fortunefavours.beer/ and put whatalad in the promo code. Delivered to your doorstep anywhere in NZ.
 
Mascaped, to purchase any product from them with a discount
Go to http://manscaped.com/ and get 20% off + free shipping with the code: WHATALAD #manscapedpod
 
Pure Sport CBD and to try some of this great product head to https://puresportcbd.com/ and enter whatalad20 in the promo code for 20% off. Its so good, You will not regret it!

Finlay Christie- What a Lad

I never thought this day would come, Finlay Christie coming on What a Lad but we did it!
It was a pleasure to sit down with this Scotland born legend, as he talks through his pathway to becoming one of the best halfbacks in the country. The man they call Red didn't have your conventional pathway to the top, after starting off as a talented gymnast before switching to rugby basically for the social side of the game. It wasn't until a standout club season down in Christchurch that his career took off and shortly after made both the Makos and the Chiefs very quickly.
Finlay also talks about where he is at in terms of his international career with Scotland, who, as you could imagine are very keen to get this super talented man back to his country of birth.
As you'll hear in the podcast Red is a true lad, very chilled, loves a desiel but when he gets on the field is very competitive and is as mad as a snake! If you enjoy hearing Finlays story please share it or tell someone about it who you think might like it. I really appreciate all the support to date!
To follow the journey head to the link below
https://www.instagram.com/what_a_lad_podcast/?hl=en
 
Thanks to my 3 great partners for helping bring this episode to you
Fortune favours, to purchase any product with a 15% discount head to https://www.fortunefavours.beer/ and put whatalad in the promo code. Delivered to your doorstep anywhere in NZ.
 
Mascaped, to purchase any product from them with a discount
Go to http://manscaped.com/ and get 20% off + free shipping with the code: WHATALAD #manscapedpod
 
Pure Sport CBD and to try some of this great product head to https://puresportcbd.com/ and enter whatalad20 in the promo code for 20% off. You will not regret it!

Mitchell Hunt- What a Lad

In this episode I catch up with the NZ Halberg award winner for the best sporting moment of the year 2017 and potentially the decade Mitchell Hunt.
Hunty who was born and raised in Nelson, talks me through his journey which has seen him go on to play for Auckland and the Crusaders. He's also had an outstanding first season with the Highlanders in 2020 and has helped lead the Tasman Mako to yet another final in the Mitre10 cup.
Although being born and raised in Nelson, Hunty is a proud North Island representative and we spend a good chunk of the episode reliving the famous prank call from Dennis the media manager of the North side.
As you'll hear in this episode Mitch is an absolute lad, who at only 25 has plenty more to offer in the game, which includes being a big part of the Mitre 10 cup final with the might Tasman Mako tomorrow night!
If you enjoy this episode or just this podcast in general please share it, subscribe or follow to help make it grow. If you're keen to follow the journey head to the link below
https://www.instagram.com/what_a_lad_podcast/?hl=en
As always thanks to the 3 partners for bringing this episode to you, heres how to get involved with them
Fortune favours, to purchase any product with a 15% discount head to https://www.fortunefavours.beer/ and put whatalad in the promo code. Delivered to your doorstep anywhere in NZ.
 
Mascaped, to purchase any product from them with a discount
Go to http://manscaped.com/ and get 20% off + free shipping with the code: WHATALAD #manscapedpod This is the perfect Xmas gift for any lad in your family
 
Pure Sport CBD and to try this great product head to https://puresportcbd.com/ and enter whatalad20 in the promo code for 20% off. This product is unreal for anyone who's struggling with joint or muscle pain, anxiety, sleeping issues and so much more, check out the website to see how it might help you.