What a Lad

RWC Preview- Round 2- Pool Play

With the first round of the RWC been and gone there was plenty to discuss in this weeks episode with a very special guest joining Searley and I in Jacob Atkins who give us a Northern Hemisphere flavour to the episode.
We first look back the all the games from last week
Give a quick round up on my fantasy team from last week
Preview all the games for this week including a player to watch/ buy for your fantasy team.
We get some bold predictions from the great Jake the Snake.
Plenty of full noise code chat in this one, if you enjoy it give it a share and spread the love.
 

Danny Cipriani- What a Lad

What an incredible journey Danny Cipriani has had on and off the field!
On it he's one of the best ball players at the line we have seen, his understanding of the game is next level and has played some incredible rugby over his 18 year career. The biggest mystery is to why such a talent only ended with 16 caps for his country and something we discuss in detail throughout the episode.
Off the field it's like a TV drama, so much has gone on it's hard to believe it's been his life. He's a man who seem's to have things come to him whether it's paparazi, women and off field incidents, it certainly has been an eventful journey. 
What Danny has been through and seeing him out the other side so content and in love is inspiring. I'm sure whatever opinion you had on Danny Cipriani before listening to this episode you'll finish it thinking what a lad he is.
 

Rugby World Cup Preview- Round 1 Pool Play

The time has come, the RWC is almost here starting with some absolute beaut games! Of course What a Lads roving reporter Searley joins us live from France for this one to talk all thing RWC and get the excitement levels humming an incredible weekend of code.
In this episode we go through all the games and try to predict a few results. In the back half we also give you the best insight into the RWC Fantasy Rugby you will get, if you're playing the game you need to listen to this before the weekend to avoid missing out on some points.
 
Plenty to enjoy in this one and make sure you get envolved with the RWC fantasy and join the What a Lad league Link here

Piri Weepu- What a Lad

Piri Weepu is a true NZ rugby legend, the instinctive halfback had a unique ability as a 9 and showed all his talents as he helped guided the All Blacks to the 2011 RWC when the nation started the 'Keep Calm Piri is on' movement.
We talk about plenty in this one like...
Piri's Tiki Tours and how he got his own TV show
Growing up in Wainuomata and his love for League
Making his way into the Wellington Lions and Hurricanes
The fog Final where he was KO'd
Missing out on the 2007 RWC with the All Blacks and how hard that was
How close he was to going to the NRL
Making the 2011 RWC and how he handled the pressure of the nation
His departure at the Hurricanes
The stroke he had at the Blues
His move over to the UK and France and why he feel out of love for the game
The struggles with life after rugby
And hard to believe but heaps more in this mammoth episode.
Piri is such a true character of the game and such a good lad, I'm sure you'll enjoy this one. If you do please do us a huge favour and share it with someone you think would enjoy it.

RWC Preview Show- ft Searley

With the RWC just around the corner I managed to get the sport guru and absolute lad Searley back on What a Lad to talk all thing RWC and get the excitement levels humming for what is going to be a very special Rugby World Cup.
In this episode we talk about...
All the last warm up games and what those results mean
Our predictions for which teams will get out of pool play
We share our biggest concerns and what excites us the most for this RWC 
We have a go at picking the player of the tournament
And heaps more!
Plenty to enjoy in this one and make sure you get envolved with the RWC fantasy and join the What a Lad league Link here

Brendan Laney- What a Lad

Brendan Chainsaw Laney was one of everyones favourite players in the late 90's, he had the skills and turn of pace to change a game and of course the Chainsaw try celebration!
 
In this episode we chat through...
How it was between boxing and rugby as a teenager,
Playing for South Canterbury while at school,
The good times playing for Otago and the Highlanders on and off the field,
Moving to Scotland and playing against the All Blacks twice in a week!
Handling the black lash that came with going to straight in to the national side,
Life after footy with commentating and owning his own business,
And heaps more.
 
As you'll hear theres a good reason why this man is so loved by so many, he is an absolute lad who enjoys a beer and a good time.

Cory Jane- What a Lad

Cory Jane is widely regarded as one of the all time great wingers with a combination of his sharp footwork, deadly fend and ability under the high ball. As his body slowed down he re-invented himself as one of the smartest defensive wingers in the game where he has now taken that knowledge and use it in the coaching world where he now coaches the Hurricanes.
 
Theres so much in this episode as we discuss
- All the different hair styles he's had.
- How he practiced his skills growing up by himself.
- His pathway to the All Blacks with included Hawkes Bay, NZ 7s, Wellington and the Hurricanes.
- Everything about the 2011 RWC including the infamous night out midweek.
- Ending his career in Japan and the battles with his injuries.
- His transition into coaching post footy.
- And as always lot's of your questions that came and heaps more.
 
As you'll hear Cory is a character and an absolute lad so if you enjoy this episode please give it a share.

Tj Va’a- What a Lad

TJ Va'a was a school boy star and one of the brightest prospects coming through NZ rugby. The reality of this sport is that not every gifted young player gets to have the careers that they all hope for and TJ certainly fits that category. He  played for the Wellington Lions as a teenager and also made the Hurricanes wider squad and he was well on his way to becoming a household name. Unfortunately straight after school he went on a shocking run of injuries which lead him to retiring at the young age of 21!
The challenges of the transition to life after rugby is incredibly tough even after a full career let alone it being taken away from you 3 years in while hardly getting a shot. TJ talks about all the battles he faced mentally with the situation he was in and shares so much good advice for anyone transitioning or struggling with mental health or injuries.
I really enjoyed this episode, I think plenty will benefit from it so if you do enjoy it please give it a share.

Oliver Hoskins- What a Lad

In this episode you'll hear the brutal reality of professional sport, one minute Ollie Hoskins has 2 more years left on his significant London Irish contract, the next minute he has nothing! What makes it worse is that there are now 50 other players in the same boat, on top of the players from Wasps and Worcester meaning that negotiation power as a rugby player is incredibly low. That's not to mention the staff either, so the collapse of London Irish has been very tough times for all involve. However it was great to get an insight into how thar whole process went down from the most passionate London Irish man I know. 
It was also cool to go through his journey from growing up in Perth and going from being a massive Western Force fan to becoming a Western Force player. A converted loosie who was moved into prop shares his battles with becoming a frontrower and all the mental struggles he had to overcome to get to where he is today. Even how Ollie became a one cap Wallaby is a fascinating story in itself!
So much in this episode to get your ears around and as you'll hear Ollie is an absolute lad!

Sione Havili Talitui- What a Lad

I'm super grateful to get Sione Havili Talitui on What a Lad this week, I know it's not easy to go on a podcast when English is your second language but I'm so glad Sione was brave enough to come on and share his story.
It's a story that I think will inspire many young islanders to chase their dreams and gives valuable insight into what a transition from Tonga to NZ as a schoolboy is like. I know Sione as one of the toughest players in the game, he's not a big man but not many hit harder than the Tongan axe. 
I really enjoyed hearing how he grew up in Tonga after being adopted at birth, how he handled his move to NZ without speaking any english and how the pressure of being the 'Golden Boot' winner at school level may have held him back more than it help him.
Sione has had a very successful career here in NZ winning 2 NPC titles and 4 Super Rugby title and about to head off to the RWC with Tonga.
As you'll hear Sione is an absolute lad who is an inspiration for so many. If you enjoy this epsiode please give it a share.