What a Lad

Joe Royal- What a Lad

If you've played rugby in NZ in the last decade, it is highly likely you have either played with or against this great lad, Joe Royal. Joe has had a different career to many of the guests who have been on already, there were certainly no fast tracked contracts here.
Joe spent 7 years battling away in the Auckland club rugby scene before deciding to take a risk and give it a crack with the BOP Steamers. A few things went his way and Joe got some good game time with BOP. He was even named in the NZ Maori side later that year!
Believe it or not after Joes NPC debut he had to wait another 9 years before he eventually got a Super Rugby cap for Moana Pasifika at the age of 36. A crazy story which you'll have to listen to it to comprehend. 
Theres plenty of good yarns in this episode and the overlying message of perseverance which is inspiring. If you enjoy the episode please give it a share, it does help out massively.
This episode was sponsored by Swysh, the perfect gift for sport fans – Check them out Here Swysh
Also if you're keen to get your hands on some Pure Sport products, then click this link here Pure Sport and use the discount code whatalad20 for 20% off 
Finally if you enjoy your racing go and give champion trainer Regan Todd at Todds Racing a follow! Or DM me if you're keen to get in on What a Lad (the horse).
 

Hoani Macdonald- What a Lad

It's not often we get someone on who has literally died while playing but in this episode with one of the great lads Hoani Macdonald I do.
To think Hoani was given a 1% chance of surviving that day, after having a heart attack in the middle of a game, is mind blowing! It certainly makes you realise how grateful we should be to be living and it certainly made me grateful to have the opportunity to go through the crazy journey that the man they call Hoon has had.
It's always good to hear stories from the earlier Stag and Highlander days, as well as hearing about his time spent in Wales with Newport and in Melbourne with the Rebels. I also personally found it really interesting hearing about his transition from playing to coaching and how hard that was especially early on.
There is plenty of good stuff in this one from all ages, if you do enjoy it please give it a share it is always much appreciated.
This episode was sponsored by Swysh, the perfect gift for sport fans – Check them out Here Swysh
If you're after the best coffee beans in NZ or one of there many tea selections head over to Pomeroys and use the code LAD03 for 20% off
Finally if you enjoy your racing go and give champion trainer Regan Todd at Todds Racing a follow! Or DM me if you're keen to get in on What a Lad (the horse).
 

Pablo Matera- What a Lad

Pablo Matera is one of the best loose forwards in the world, he is the very passionate captain of his country Argentina and most importantly one of the great lads in the game. It was an honour to get Pablo on What a lad and go through his incredible journey so far.
He's been everywhere, he's done it all. From playing in the UK with the Leicester Tigers, France with Stade Francais, NZ with the Crusaders and of course Argentina with the Jaguares and the national side. That's not to mention the next move to Japan with the Honda heat. With all that comes plenty of experiences and plenty of great stories that Pablo shares throughout this episode.
Ultimately at the end of the day this podcast is about giving the listeners an insight into what these legends are like off the field and there is just no way you can't love the guy after this episode. If you enjoy this episode as much as I did please give it a share! 
This episode was sponsored by Swysh, the perfect gift for sport fans – Check them out Here Swysh
If you're interested in more information about O-Studio from the legend Tim Bateman then click here O-Studio
Finally if you enjoy your racing go and give champion trainer Regan Todd at Todds Racing a follow! Or DM me if you're keen to get in on What a Lad (the horse).
 

Papa Wharewera- What a Lad

I suppose I get a lot of guests on who go on to become All Blacks or get to where they strived to be, this episode with Papa Wharewera is a bit different. The extremely talented halfback who captained NZ schools had a successful career at his feet. However, what you'll hear in this episode is the other side of pro rugby, the injuries, the pressures of juggling work/life balance, the mental health battles, all of it.
I crossed paths with Papa at the Hurricanes in 2012 and to hear how much he was struggling at the time was eye opening and goes to show, that you just never know who might be going through a tough period. From someone who has been through a lot it was awesome to hear Papa is such a good place after spending time on himself to get right. He's now in a position where he wants to help others through similar situations, such a lad.
If you enjoy this episode please give it a share and if you want to get in touch with Papa send him a message on papa_wharewera@hotmail.com or a DM on instagram.
Massive shoutout to our major sponsor Swysh, the perfect gift for sport fans – Check them out Here Swysh
Also if you're keen to get your hands on some Pure Sport products, then click this link here Pure Sport and use the discount code whatalad20 for 20% off 
Finally if you enjoy your racing go and give champion trainer Regan Todd at Todds Racing a follow! Or DM me if you're keen to get in on What a Lad (the horse).

Dan Hawkins- What a Lad

The Picton prince, Dan Hawkins is a self acclaimed white battler but what he is really most known for is being one of the games great lads. Anyone who has had anything to do with Dan will know what a champion he is and are bound to have some good stories and memories. For those who don't know him well then you're in for a treat with this episode.
After living on a boat growing up it's fair to say the life of Dan Hawkins has been an eventful one. He made his Tasman Mako debut as an 18 year old, after a standout club season, all while fighting a court case. There was a huge weight on the shoulders of the young man.
Things didn't quite work out with Tasman but a move up to Northland turned out to be the best thing for him. His career took off playing for the Taniwha, where he has became and still is a crowd favourite. He's also spent time with the Melbourne Rebels and Mitsubishi Dyna Boars in Japan where has some good yarns from his time there.
It's hard not to like Dan Hawkins, who is such a honest lad and is super grateful for everything that has come his way. If you enjoy this chat or know someone who will, please give it a share its very much appreciated.
This episode was sponsored by Swysh, the perfect gift for sport fans – Check them out Here Swysh
If you're interested in more information about O-Studio from the legend Tim Bateman then click here O-Studio
Finally if you enjoy your racing go and give champion trainer Regan Todd at Todds Racing a follow! Or DM me if you're keen to get in on What a Lad (the horse).

Ngani Laumape- Announcement

The great Ngani Laumape is back on What a Lad and this time we get to hear what is next for the most destructive ball carrier in the game.
I love hearing about all the factors that come into play when players make their decision on their playing future. I know a lot of people were hoping on a return to NZ rugby and back playing for their respected franchise but when you hear the details it's easy to understand why Ngani has decided to head to Kobe in Japan.
It's always good to have Ngani on and man who isn't shy to tell it how it is, back himself and more often than not delivers. If you enjoy this episode please give it a share, help What a Lad grow.
This episode was sponsored by Swysh, the perfect gift for sport fans – Check them out Here Swysh
Also if you're keen to get your hands on some Pure Sport products, then click this link here Pure Sport and use the discount code whatalad20 for 20% off
Lastly if you love your racing you need to go and follow Todds racing on Facebook and if you're keen to get involved with the What a Lad horse message me on the What a Lad instagram page.

Jona Nareki- What a Lad

As many of you will already know, Jona Nareki is a lad! A lad with plenty of good stories from his career to date and a personality that will have you laughing away listening to this one.
Known as one of the most exciting backs in the country with his speed, footwork and deceptive strength, Jona has been deadly on the wing for Otago and the Highlanders over the past few season. Unfortunately last season he did his ACL so 9 months on the sideline is never easy as a first injury. However hearing the mindset that he took into his recovery, it's no coincidence that he has returned to the form he left off at.
I really enjoyed this episode, lots of lols as he would say and it's cool to share the story of one of the real characters in the game. If you enjoy the episode please give it a share, it is very much appreciated.
This episode was sponsored by Swysh, the perfect gift for sport fans – Check them out Here Swysh
Also if you're keen to get your hands on some Pure Sport products, then click this link here Pure Sport and use the discount code whatalad20 for 20% off
Finally if you enjoy your racing go and give champion trainer Regan Todd at Todds Racing a follow! Or DM me if you're keen to get in on What a Lad (the horse).

Grayson Hart- Pure Sport

With the arrival of Pure Sport to NZ shores there is no better time to be joined by the Pure Sport Co-Founder and absolute lad Grayson Hart! Most of you will already know Graysons story from his appearance on What a Lad in Season 1, where he shared his awesome journey through footy and life after. 
In this one we dig a bit deeper into the business side of things and life after footy. Having turned an idea into UKs leading wellness brand it's pretty inspiring to hear how he's done it.
It's always an honour having Grayson on, I love his mindset and how open he is with everything. If you enjoy this episode, please give it a share and if you're after some Pure Sport products head over Pure Sport and use the discount code whatalad20 for 20% off.
 
Also this episode was brought to you by Swysh, the perfect Fathers Day gift – Check them out Here Swysh and don't forget to use the code DAD10 for 10% off
And finally if you're interested in more information about O-Studio from the legend Tim Bateman then click here O-Studio

Everyday with Garage Gym NZ ft James Marshall

In this episode I jumped on the Everyday with Garage Gym NZ podcast as we speak about the What a Lad podcast, a bit about my career and the recent coaching job with the Crusaders.
I really enjoyed jumping on this one so if you enjoy it go and check out some of his other yarns here Everyday
This episode was sponsored by Swysh, the perfect gift for sport fans – Check them out Here Swysh
Also if you're keen to support the What a Lad podcast head over to www.whatalad.com and get your self the last bit of merch left.

Dan Perrin- What a Lad

This week I’m joined by Tasman Mako co head coach and one of the best butchers going around Dan Perrin and he’s maddd!
Nothing has come easy for the man known as Piggy, hard work and patience saw him eventually have a successful rugby career, which actually started as one of the original Mako men. He also spent some time at the Crusaders before an opportunity to move up to BOP and the Chiefs came along.
It was life after footy which I found really interesting in this one. Working massive shifts to get his Mad Butcher off the ground, while juggling family commitments is not easy. Not to mention the time he has put into his coaching craft on top. Piggy’s work rate is super impressive an it’s awesome to see him now being the co head coach of Tasman.
As you’ll hear, Dan is a champion lad who has even offered up a 20% discount at the mad butcher Nelson for what a lad listener, absolute lad. As always if you enjoy the episode please give it a share!
 
This episode was sponsored by Swysh, the perfect gift for sport fans – Check them out Here Swysh
 
If you're interested in more information about O-Studio from the legend Tim Bateman then click here O-Studio
 
If you're after the best coffee beans in NZ or one of there many tea selections head over to Pomeroysand use the code LAD03 for 20% off