What a Lad

Ben Smith- What a Lad

Ben Smith the self acclaimed 'white battler', who has gone on to be one the the greatest outside backs of this generation.
For the Highlanders, he is right up there with the best to ever pull on the Jersey. Playing in Highlanders colours 153 times, which included Co-Captaining them to the 2015 Super Rugby title.
He also played a huge part in the All Blacks success in the same year helping them to the RWC victory! 
Off the field the man they call Bender (not actually for his bender ability) is such a lad, so highly respected by his team mates and you can see why. I throughly enjoyed this episode and the exciting thing is he is not done yet so watch this space.
If you enjoy this episode, please give it a share, I do really appreciate anyone who is helping spread the word.
This episode was sponsored by Swysh, Go and get your Ben Smith personalised video message here Swysh
If you're interested in more information about O-Studio from the legend Tim Bateman then click here O-Studio

Super Rugby Preview- Semi Final

And then there were 4! Semi Final time, with a couple of huge match ups to look forward to!
Before we look ahead, we do look back to what was an entertaining round of Quarter Finals. Searley as always joins me and shares his thoughts on the 4 games and some important take aways from those game.
We then get into the big ones and preview what we think will happen in these two Semi Finals. We also find some juicy value for you with some powerplays and some other options.
And go get amongst the new Swysh discount code and get one from Searley or yours truely. Check them out Here Swysh
 

Naitoa Ah Kuoi- What a Lad

There is lads and then there is Naitoa Ah Kuoi! Geez there were some laughs in this one, such a character and such a lad.
After his recent post match interview went viral, I had soo many of requests to get this man on and I can tell you now that he does not disappoint.
The proud Wellingtonian was a gifted teenager, where he captained NZ in AFL, he was a gun Water Polo player and so good at Rugby, that he made the Wellington College 1st XV at year 10! He chose the rugby path and has not looked back, having since played for the Wellington Lions, the Chiefs, the BOP steamers and of course the NZ Maoris. So many good yarns in this one but I'll let you hear them for yourself.
Once you start this episode it's hard to stop as he's such an entertaining lad. If you enjoy this episode please give it a share.
This episode was sponsored by Swysh, go and get your Naitoa Ah Kuoi swysh from him right now via this link 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'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

Super Rugby Preview- Quarter Finals

Finals Footy is here! We've been pumped for this weekend for ages and now it's finally here! After last weekends disaster round on the picks, it's fair to say Searley and I make it up to you this week with all the information you need to pick the games correctly.
We do start with last weeks games though and what a way for the 4 teams who have finished to exit. Huge wins from the Force, Rebels, Moana and an unbelievable effort from the Drua! Like I said, terrible for the picks but great for Super Rugby and what an awesome addition the Drua and Moana have been to the comp.
We also go through all the quarter finals and share our insight into the knockout matches, highlight our key players and Searley even comes up trumps with some ticket discounts! This is arguable the best preview yet so I hope you enjoy it and enjoy the round of Super Rugby.
This episode was sponsored by Swysh, the perfect gift for sport fans – Check them out Here Swysh
If you want to use Searley 2 for 1 ticket discount for the Blues v Highlanders game use the code 241PROMO 

Ajeet Rai- Bonus Mental Health episode

A couple of days after sitting down with Ajeet for a What a Lad episode, he messaged me. He asked if he could come back on and open up about some of his mental health struggles he has had during his tennis career. Never an easy thing to topic to talk about but such an important one.
I’m honoured that Ajeet felt comfortable to use the What a Lad platform and I do really hope this episode can help anyone who might be going through something similar.
 

Ajeet Rai- What a Lad

NZs number 1 tennis player Ajeet Rai is on What a Lad this week and it was awesome to get an insight into life as a professional tennis player.
Ajeet who started playing at the age of 3 has been committed to becoming the best tennis player he can be throughout his life. Now 23 years old and winning singles and doubles tournaments around the world, he looks to be on the brink of something pretty special. 
It was really interesting to hear the lifestyle of a tennis player and some of the challenges they face. As you'll hear in this one, Ajeet is such a good lad, very easy to talk to and plenty of good insight in to Tennis.
If you enjoy this episode please give it a share, it does help the podcast massively.
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

Super Rugby Preview- Round 15

The last games of round robin are here before we get into the excitement of knockout footy! Heaps to get through  in this one with some massive games last week and plenty of success with the tips. Also a huge round for me in fantasy rugby to get me into 2nd so I'll tell you my team to get you to the top.
Searley and I also preview all the games for this weekend, give you our winners and players to look out for and most importantly how to make a buck or two. 
If you enjoy the episode as always give it a share for us and go get a Swysh from Searley, myself or any of the other sport stars on there by heading to this link Swysh

Dave Porecki- What a Lad

Dave Porecki is a perfect example of how far you can get when you commit to something and you're willing to make the sacrifices.
It was awesome to catch up with Dave who has been consistently putting out world class performances for the Waratahs this season and has forced his way into the Australia squad.
A man of routine who boarders on a suffering from serious OCD, Dave has worked hard for everything he has got. I think this is a great episode for anyone who is trying to make it in the game or anything to be fair.
It was also very interesting to hear the comparison between rugby in the UK compared to Australia. Something Dave knows well after having played many years over there with Saracen and London Irish.
I wouldn't say Dave is your typical rugby lad but geez he is a seriously good lad and I'm sure you'll enjoy this one. If you do enjoy it, please give it a share.
This episode was sponsored by Swysh, the perfect gift for sport fans – Check them out Here Swysh
Finally 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

Super Rugby Preview- Round 14

How good is Super Rugby! Another cracking weekend last weekend and the match ups this weekend make for a very interesting round.
For this episode I am joined by the great Searley who is officially joined Swysh! Huge day for Swysh and Searley go get your left nut bully from him right now. But anyway we review last weeks games and highlight who stood out for us. We then work into the preview where we tips plenty of winners, chat the what a lad power plays and give you an insight into how I'm going to win Fantasy rugby from 6th place.
Lots of chat in this one, if you enjoy it as always give it a share.
This episode was sponsored by Swysh, the perfect gift for sport fans – Check them out Here Swysh

James Evans- What a Lad

If you've ever wondered what being a punter in American Football is like then this is the episode for you!
In this episode I'm joined by James Evans, the 20 year old from Auckland, who is making a name for himself playing College Football for the Indiana Hoosiers.
The size of college football in America is mind blowing where they are playing in sold out stadiums of up to 100,000 crazy football fans. On the back of that sort of following comes the money involved with it. Hearing about the facilities and their budget and comparing it to rugby here in NZ, it's on a whole different level.
And of course James' journey to becoming a College Football player is a very cool one. A NZ rugby player who just loved kicking the ball, one day thought how cool it would be to only have to kick. After a short time at the Pro Kick academy, he has now pushed on to the big stage and hoping to push on to the NFL.
As you'll here, James is a champion lad and after hearing his story I'm very excited to follow his journey.
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'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