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Jason Holland is one of the most respected coaches in New Zealand rugby. A brilliant rugby mind known for his attacking detail, leadership and ability to get the best out of people. The man known as Alfie has built an impressive career through Manawatu, Taranaki, Munster, Canterbury, the Hurricanes and the All Blacks. In this episode of What a Lad, Alfie opens up about his full journey through rugby, from a young kid growing with a love for the game, to coaching the All Blacks and everything in between. Some parts that stood out for me in this episode were… - Always having a ball in hand as a kid and how rugby became ingrained in him from a young age - While always loving the game but not always training as hard as he could have - Heading overseas to Munster and the moment he realised what it took to become a true professional - Spending over a decade at Munster as both a player and coach and how that shaped his career - Getting the opportunity to move into coaching and the challenges involved - His time with the Hurricanes and winning a Super Rugby title with a special group of players - The transition into the All Blacks environment and the pressure that comes with coaching at the very top - Reflection on his time in the All Blacks and an insight into his decision to step away - An insight into his move to Head Coach the Blues next season. And heaps more! This episode is full of insight, honesty and some great perspective on the realities of professional rugby and coaching. Alfie was one of my all time favourite coaches, such a genuinely good guy who loves talking footy. I'm sure you'll enjoy this episode as much as I did. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marc Ellis is one of the most iconic and entertaining characters New Zealand rugby has ever produced. A former All Black known for his speed, skill and ability to light up a game, Ellis became just as famous off the field for his larger-than-life personality, quick wit and outrageous stories that have become the stuff of legend. In this episode of What a Lad, Marc opens up about the journey through rugby and beyond. From his rise through Otago and into the All Blacks, to the wild days of student life, media, business ventures and everything in between, this one is packed with laughs, chaos and a few unexpected insights. Some parts that stood out for me in this episode were… His rise through Otago rugby and what it took to reach the All Blacks The famous stories from his university days and how loose things really got Buying a fire engine with his mates and the chaos that came with it The reality behind some of the stories people have heard over the years His mindset around taking opportunities and backing yourself His memories from the All Blacks including score 6 or 8 tries in one game! How he found the Warriors and the culture difference to rugby His perspective on risk, failure and why you’ve just got to have a crack And heaps more! This episode is pure entertainment. Marc brings unbelievable energy, humour and honesty, with story after story that somehow just keep getting better. There’s a lot of laughs in this one, but also some great perspective around life, backing yourself and making the most of every opportunity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cameron Suafoa is one of the toughest and most resilient players ever! A hard-working loose forward who earned everything through grit and determination, Cam built his career through Auckland, Tasman and North Harbour before becoming a standout for the Blues and earning selection for the Māori All Blacks and All Blacks XV. In this What a Lad exclusive, Cam opens up like never before. From his journey through the rugby ranks to the battle he’s faced off the field, this is an incredibly powerful and emotional conversation. Cam shares what it was like being diagnosed with a rare sarcoma, playing rugby while unknowingly dealing with cancer, and the physical and mental toll that followed. Some parts that stood out for me in this episode were… - The determination to fight for every opportunity as a player coming through - Finding a lump in his back and later being diagnosed with a high grade sarcoma - Playing through the NPC season while unknowingly dealing with cancer - Undergoing surgery to remove the tumour and the brutal recovery that followed - Going through radiation while still training and playing rugby - The moment he found out his cancer had returned and spread - Coming to terms with being told he is terminally ill - The mindset he’s used to stay positive through everything - Leaning on family, especially his wife Britt, during the toughest moments - Making the most of life and appreciating the small things This episode was the hardest episode I've ever done but honestly Cam's positive outlook and ability to see things for what they are was incredible to witness. His honesty, courage and perspective are seriously inspiring. The way he has held himself during his battle has been so impressive, he's such a champion man who I know will fight with all he can. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pasilio Tosi is one of the most unique stories in New Zealand rugby right now. A 140kg powerhouse known for his brutal scrummaging and ball carrying, Tosi has quickly become a key figure for the Hurricanes and has fully earnt his place as an All Black. But his journey to the top was anything but straightforward. In this episode of What a Lad, Tosi opens up about that journey through rugby and life. From working on the veggie farms with his old man, to moving away from home at a young age, battling through the Southland system as a number 8, and eventually making the switch to prop that changed everything. Some parts that stood out for me in this episode were… - Growing up and the work ethic he learned from his dad working long days on the farms - Playing both rugby league and union before being forced to choose between the two - Moving away to Rotorua Boys and dealing with homesickness and losing his mum during school - Heading down to Southland, living alone for the first time and learning how to be independent - Playing as a number 8 before making the tough decision to switch to prop - Getting “pumped every scrum” early on and learning the dark art of scrummaging - Putting on 20+ kilos during lockdown and the wake-up call that followed - Struggling financially early in his Hurricanes career while supporting a young family - Missing selection and being told he needed more experience before finally getting his chance - The moment Jason Ryan told him he was close to the All Blacks - Getting the call that he had made the All Blacks and what that meant for his family - And heaps more! This episode is full of honesty, humour and real insight into what it takes to make it at the highest level. Pasi is one of the real characters in the game, great energy, enjoys life and is full of sharns! There are some classic stories in this one and a lot of perspective around the journey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paul Tito is one of the most respected figures in New Zealand rugby. A tough, uncompromising forward known for his work rate, leadership and physicality, Paul built an outstanding career with Taranaki, the Hurricanes and overseas with Cardiff, where he played over 120 games and captained the club. In this episode of What a Lad, Fish opens up about the full journey through rugby and coaching. From getting thrown into provincial rugby at just 18, to playing alongside legends like Jonah Lomu, Christian Cullen and Tana Umaga Some parts that stood out for me in this episode were… - Getting told at 18 he was starting against Argentina - Playing alongside Hurricanes legends like Jonah Lomu, Christian Cullen and Tana Umaga - The call from John Mitchell that made him think he was about to be named an All Black - Missing out on selection and how he reflects on his career without regrets - His move overseas to Cardiff and becoming a leader and captain of the club - Finishing his playing career and transitioning into coaching - Starting out coaching his school and working his way into professional rugby - Moving to France and spending 18 months away from his family during COVID - The sacrifices that come with coaching and constantly being away from home - His experience coaching Georgia and being part of a historic win over Wales - Why he believes taking opportunities is the key to building a great career This episode is full of honesty, perspective and classic rugby stories. Fish shares the highs, the setbacks, and the sacrifices that come with a life in rugby, both as a player and a coach. There’s some seriously good insight in this one and a few unreal stories along the way. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tane Edmed is one of the most exciting young playmakers in Australian rugby. A great Aussie lad with a fierce competitive edge and a relentless work ethic, Tane has already built an impressive career with the Waratahs, North Harbour, the Brumbies and of course represented his country with the Wallabies. In this episode of What a Lad, Tane opens up about the journey to international rugby. From chasing his dream growing up in Sydney to taking a risk heading to North Harbour, where a standout NPC season helped launch him into the Wallabies squad. He also shares the reality of professional rugby from the pressure, the setbacks, and the lessons that come with it. Some parts that stood out for me in this episode were… - Growing up in Sydney in a house full of sport and why cricket was originally his dream - His journey through rugby league and union before committing to rugby - Why he believes hard work has always been his biggest strength - Taking the opportunity to head to North Harbour and how that season helped his game - The moment he saw Joe Schmidt calling and realised he might be heading to the Wallabies - Making his Wallabies debut and the brutal reality of being knocked out after just two minutes - Learning how to deal with pressure, criticism and expectations in professional sport - The mindset shifts that helped him enjoy rugby again - His goals with the Brumbies and the dream of playing in a home Rugby World Cup This episode is full of honesty, perspective and some great insights from one of the most thoughtful young players in the game. Tane talks openly about the ups and downs of chasing the dream and the lessons he’s learned along the way. He's a wise soul and great lad! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Patrick Tuipulotu has been one of the most respected forwards in world rugby for over a decade. A powerful lock known for his physicality, leadership and work ethic, Patrick has built an incredible career with the Blues and the All Blacks, playing more than 50 tests for his country and captaining the Blues to Winning A Super Rugby title. In this episode of What a Lad, Patty opens up like never before. From the highs of becoming an All Black to the setbacks that nearly ended his career, there are some unbelievable stories in this one. Some parts that stood out for me in this episode were… - Growing up in Auckland and how his dad shaped his work ethic - Switching from basketball to rugby and discovering First XV footy - The moment John Kirwan told him he was an All Black - The brutal injuries he’s battled throughout his career - Missing the 2015 Rugby World Cup and how hard that was to take - The mistake that cost him the chance to play the Lions - The false positive drug test that nearly led to a four year ban - Winning championships with the Blues and leading the club - His perspective on rugby, family and life after the game This episode is full of honesty, perspective and some unbelievable yarns from one of the most respected men in New Zealand rugby. Patty shares the highs, the lows, the mistakes, and the lessons he’s learned throughout his career. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Bateman is a former professional rugby player who has transitioned from pro sport into the world of business and for me personally is the smartest man I met in the game. Every conversation I have ever had with him I have learnt something and this is certainly no different. From the structure and discipline of professional rugby to the chaos and pressure of running a fast-growing wellness franchise, Tim opens up about what it really takes to build something that lasts. He speaks honestly about fear of failure, responsibility, timing, sales, leadership, and why business can feel even harder than playing the game. In this episode of What a Lad, Tim breaks down the framework he uses to think about business — PRIME — This is a real look at what works, what fails, and what most people get wrong before they even start. In this episode, we cover… - The fear of failure that drives him - Why business is “sport on steroids” - The first question you need to ask before starting a business - Why opportunity comes before passion - Why product is the most important part of any business - The biggest factor in success (and it’s not talent or resources) - Why great businesses can still fail - Sales being the lifeblood of a business - Building systems so your business doesn’t rely on you - The importance of energy, language, and culture - Risk, timing, and why waiting until you feel ready might be too late Tim is articulate, thoughtful, and refreshingly honest about what life after rugby can look like. This episode is packed with practical wisdom for athletes, entrepreneurs, and anyone thinking about building something of their own. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pita Ahki is living proof that careers aren’t always built in a straight line. From struggling for opportunities in New Zealand and watching contracts dry up, to being told by Toulouse doctors that he had a “bad knee” and might not even get signed — Ahki’s journey could have gone very differently. Instead, he backed himself, took the gamble, and went on to become a 5x Top 14 champion and 2x Champions Cup winner in one of the toughest competitions in world rugby. In this episode of What a Lad, Pita opens up about the tough years at the Blues and Hurricanes, asking Super Rugby teams for any opportunity just to stay in the system, nearly walking away from the game after failing a medical in France, and the sliding doors moment that changed everything. In this episode, we cover… - Growing up in Auckland and the Kelston Boys brotherhood - Making NZ U20s and starting NPC straight out of school - The struggles of injury battles while trying to crack it - Asking Super Rugby teams for wider training — and getting nothing - Taking a six-month deal at Connacht just to stay alive in the game - Flying to Toulouse, signing a pre-contract, and being told he had a “bad knee” - Nearly walking away from rugby - Starting a Top 14 final and chasing that feeling year after year - Winning 5 Top 14 titles and 2 Champions Cups - Life in France, the culture, and playing with Antoine Dupont - Representing Tonga at a Rugby World Cup - Why he returned to the blues - And of course his memory of the classic Pita Pit prank! This episode is a deep dive into resilience, growth, sacrifice, and what it really takes to turn rejection into legacy. It’s honest, reflective, and full of perspective from a man who’s seen both sides of the game. Pita is a champion man, such a legend and it's awesome seeing him back out there in Super Rugby! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tom Savage is one of those players who never took the easy route and deserves every bit of success that he gets! From jumping from level five rugby to the Premiership in a single summer, to playing over 190 games for Gloucester, moving to Japan at the peak of his career, and now helping build something special at Moana Pasifika — Savage’s story is built on consistency, work ethic, and knowing exactly what he brings to a team. In this episode of What a Lad, Tom opens up about having no academy pathway, cleaning changing rooms just to stay in the game, the shock of his Premiership debut at Franklin’s Gardens, and what it really takes to last at the top level for over a decade. In this episode, we cover… - Growing up without a clear rugby pathway and discovering the game later than most - Choosing Hartpury as his only route into professional rugby - How he managed to play 190+ games in one of the toughest competitions in the world - Why he left Gloucester after eight years of loyalty - The unexpected call to move to Japan - The chaos of COVID and flying home to an empty Heathrow Airport - What Japanese rugby is really like behind the scenes - Joining Moana Pasifika and buying into the culture - Leadership lessons learned across three different countries - Differences between Premiership, Japan & Super rugby This episode is a proper deep dive into resilience, professionalism, and building a career the long way. Plenty of lessons, plenty of perspective, and exactly what you’d expect from an all-time team man. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Super Rugby is back! And so is the What a Lad Super Rugby Preview and who better to talk to than the great Searley from Searley Talks Sport to break down everything you need to know about Super Rugby 2026. We go through every team, highlight key players and share some bold predictions as we look forward to what looks to be the tightest and most entertaining Super Rugby season ever! In this episode, we cover… - Why the Hurricanes are genuine championship contenders - Whether this is finally the Chiefs year - How the new Christchurch stadium could change the Crusaders style - The Highlanders backline and their game-breaking X-factor - What Aussie teams are a real threat - Players who could force their way into All Blacks selection - Why the Fijian Drua at home is one of the toughest trips in rugby - The new law changes and how they may change the game - Round one predictions and season top-four picks - And heaps more! If you're excited about Super Rugby than this episode is for you, and if you're not, well I suggest you give it a listen anyway and just feel your fizz levels for this great competition build aggressively. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Manasa Mataele is one of the players who is incredibly hard to tackle! His power, speed, athleticism, and freakish offloads has made him hard to handle for any opposition! From growing up in Suva, Manasa’s journey has taken him from Fiji to New Zealand, across to Australia, and now back home with the Fijian Drua. In this episode of What a Lad, Manasa opens up with rare honesty. He reflects on the highs of Super Rugby, the pride of representing Fiji, and the moments that nearly forced him away from the game altogether. From battling injuries and self-doubt, to losing his mum and questioning whether he could keep going, this is a powerful look at resilience, faith, and finding purpose beyond rugby. In this episode, we cover… - Growing up in Fiji and the environment that shaped him - The sliding-doors moment that could have changed his life forever - Moving to New Zealand and adapting to professional rugby - His rapid rise through NPC and Super Rugby - Almost signing with the Blues before a last-minute call from the Crusaders - What it was like walking into a Crusaders locker room full of legends - The mental battles that made him his own worst enemy - His pride in representing Fiji on the international stage - Losing his mum, fracturing his spine, and questioning his future - The role faith played in getting him through his darkest moments - Why returning home to play for the Fijian Drua means so much - Wanting to give back and help the next generation of Fijian rugby players As you'll hear Manasa is very articulate and honest about the journey rugby has taken him, he's such a good lad who will no doubt have a big season for the Drua! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chris Jack was one of the all time greats! A perfect combination of a massive workrate an incredible skillset, deceptive speed and a high rugby IQ which he showed during his 67 cap test career. In this episode of What a Lad, you'll hear Chris like you've never heard him before. From the good times on winning championships to some of the struggles he faced, there is plenty in this one! Some parts that stood out for me in this one were... - How his brothers shaped his work ethic and toughness - Making the Crusaders early and being thrown straight into a South Africa tour - Old-school Crusaders culture and earning respect as a young player - What it actually felt like being around All Black legends - Scoring on debut and still feeling like he didn’t belong - How he felt winning the NZ player of the year in 2002 - Dealing with shyness, pressure, and confidence off the field - What happened during the 2007 RWC QF Loss - Life after rugby and the lessons he learned This episode is full of honest perspective from a man who always let his actions do the talking. Chris shares what the jersey meant to him, the cost that came with it, and why he wishes he’d enjoyed the moment more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jeremy Manning’s rugby journey is anything but ordinary. At just 16 years old he was playing against for the Marlborough Red Devils in the NPC which included playing in a Ranfurly Shield game against Canterbury while still being at school. He made the NZ secondary schools team on the wing ahead of Hosea Gear and out of school decided to take up a year offer with the Munster academy. Fast forward a few years later and he's doing the Haka against the All Blacks for Munster in a match! In this episode, we dive into: - Growing up in Marlborough and spending hours kicking goals alone - What it was like being a 16 year old playing with men under Grizz Wylie - Making New Zealand Schools and then missing out on U19s and how that shaped his path - Moving to Ireland and joining Munster - Winning Heineken Cups and learning behind Ronan O’Gara - Playing against the All Blacks for Munster and performing a Haka - Why his time at Newcastle Falcons turned him off rugby - Life after rugby, including working with the Royal Family - Helping Fiji Sevens during their Olympic success - The emotional journey of IVF, surrogacy, and becoming a father Jeremy is a massive lad with an incredible story. His story is different to most and has had some unique challenges. The way he shares his story with such honesty and vulnerability is super powerful. I know you'll enjoy this one, so let me know what you thought in the comments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cam McBride is the very talented man behind the camera responsible for bringing the Crusaders to life every week. In this episode of What a Lad, Cam talks about his time in the police, finding a new career through content creation, and working behind the scenes at the Crusaders. In this episode, we cover… - What he's noticed from his first year working with the Crusader - How he started working as a sports masseuse with sports teams - Why he joined the New Zealand Police and working frontline for nearly a decade - The toll it took on him and how hard it was witnessing some horrible scenes. - Shooting everything from local rugby to weddings while still policing - Applying for the Crusaders role and what set him apart - Stepping into big shoes and overcoming imposter syndrome - How trust with players is built behind the scenes - What game day really looks like for a Super Rugby content creator - Capturing iconic Crusaders moments — including finals runs - His vision for the future of Crusaders content This episode is an awesome insight into what's involved with being a content creator, huge insight, plenty of tips and all from a massive lad! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.