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Kylem O’Donnell is a lad who has truly lived the highs and lows of chasing the rugby dream. From starring at Hamilton Boys’ High to winning an NPC title with Taranaki and travelling the world with the All Blacks Sevens, he looked destined for it all. But behind the speed, fitness and flair, Kylem’s story is one of setbacks, mental battles, and resilience.
In this episode he opens up like never before from the challenge of dealing with injuries and non-selection, to a being on the receiving end of brutal bouncer assault. He even shares some incredibly hard moments in his life including a terrifying drug-induced psychosis that had him running along the motorway naked! However the most powerful of all are the moments where Kylem shares his raw struggles with mental health, including times he nearly didn’t make it through, and the support that helped him fight back.
This episode is not just about the rugby it’s about honesty, vulnerability, and rediscovering who you are. An incredible chat with a man who is now using his own journey to inspire and help others.
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Mark Hammett has done it all in the game. With 81 games for the Crusaders, 4 Super Rugby titles, 29 Tests for the All Blacks and now a spot in the Crusaders Hall of Fame, Hammer’s rugby journey is an incredible one. Add in a coaching career that’s taken him from the Crusaders, Hurricanes, Cardiff Blues, Sunwolves, Tasman and Highlanders, the influence he has had on each side has been huge!
In this episode we dive into his remarkable journey: from a soccer player, to the early days of professional rugby, and the mindset that carried him through as both player and coach.
In this episode we go through..
The competitive edge that drove the Crusaders dynasty
What he learnt from coaches like Robbie Deans and Wayne Smith
The realities of early professional rugby contracts and suspensions
All Black memories including the infamous SAS camp
His move to coach the Hurricanes & the controversial decisions around Ma’a Nonu and Andrew Hore
His stints overseas with Cardiff and Japan’s Sunwolves
Lessons learned at the Highlanders and what he’d do differently
His passion for neuroscience, brain health and life after rugby
What he’s most proud of and the advice he lives by
And heaps more
Hammer is humble, competitive, brutally honest and one of the most authentic leaders you’ll hear from. There's so much gold in this one for everyone and whether you loved him or not as a player or a coach I know you'll have a new found respect for him after this one!
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Will Genia is one of the all-time great halfbacks and after this conversation I'm sure you'll understand why. With over 100 Tests for the Wallabies, a Super Rugby title with the Reds and stints with the Rebels, Stade Francais and the Kintetsu Liners Will had a bit of everything in his career!
In this episode we dive into his remarkable journey: from growing up in Papua New Guinea where he dreamt of becoming a cricketer, to falling in love with Rugby and the insane work ethic that took him from Colts to the Wallabies in the blink of an eye.
In this episode we go through..
One of the strongest mindsets to continually get better I have hear.
His journey through the grades and how he felt like an imposter at each step.
Winning super rugby and that incredible try that he scored in that final!
The highs and heartbreaks of three Rugby World Cups
His brutal ACL injury and his comeback to star against the Lions
Life in France and six more years in Japan
Why he walked away when he still could’ve played on
His transition into coaching alongside Quade Cooper
And heaps more.
If you think you work hard this episode might question that, Wills work ethic and drive blew me away. He's also humble, honest, insightful and just one of the absolute great lads!
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In this powerful episode I’m joined by Holly Parkes, someone who lived through the reality of caring for Shane Christie in his final years. Holly has bravely come on the podcast not for herself, but to continue Shane’s mission, to shine a light on the devastating impact of brain injuries and to give others a clearer understanding of what life with CTE really looks like.
She opens up about what it was like supporting Shane day-to-day, the heartbreaking changes she witnessed, and the strength it took to stand by him as he fought through some heavy paranoia episodes. Holly also shares her own journey — the lessons, the love, and the hope she wants to pass on to players, families, and anyone impacted by brain injury.
This was the hands down the heaviest podcast I've ever done. It’s raw, honest and emotional, but above all it’s a conversation that Holly wanted to have so that Shane’s suffering wasn’t in vain. This is an episode that will move you, challenge you, and hopefully help those who might be facing similar battles.
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Du’Plessis Kirifi has had one of the more inspiring journeys to the top and is one heck of lad to top it off. From growing up in Taranaki and spending part of his childhood in Samoa, to working three jobs while chasing his rugby dream, Dups has had anything but a straight road to the top.
He opens up on the setbacks that shaped him — missing out on NZ U20s after being told he was “good enough but a bit of a dickhead”, the grind of trying to pack on size when everyone said he was too small, and the lessons he learned from competing hard in his early Hurricanes days.
But through sheer hard work and resilience, he’s gone from labouring on worksites and sleeping in mates’ garages to captaining Wellington, becoming a leader at the Hurricanes, and finally achieving his All Black dream.
In this episode we chat about…
An inspiring story of perseverance, self-awareness — this is such a good epiosde. Dups is not only a competitor on the field but also one of the most thoughtful and articulate players in the game. What a lad!
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The latest Western Force signing George Bridge is our guest this week and what a lad he is! From humble beginnings in Gisborne, to carving up for Canterbury, the Crusaders, and then going on to wear the black jersey on the biggest stage of all! But it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. George had his struggles moving down to Christchurch as a 17 year old, he had to deal with some brutal injuries – knees, pec tears, appendicitis, he had three surgeries in eight months! He even played a Super Rugby Final with a nasty vomit bug. Despite all that, he kept bouncing back and showing his class and always finishing of tries!
Some highlights for me in this one were..
Hearing why he made the leap from Gisborne to Christchurch,
The pathway he took to becoming an All Black,
The influence of Leon MacDonald,
The heartbreak of the 2019 World Cup semi-final,
Why he moved to France and how he found it
His next chapter with the Force,
And heaps more including all your questions.
George is someone who always took his opportunity on the field through work rate and the never give up attitude. Players loved playing with this man cause he would never let them down and he is a champion lad!
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For this one I am joined by one of the Black Ferns’ most exciting talents, Amy du Plessis. Amy’s journey has been nothing short of inspiring, from growing up in South Africa to becoming a Rugby World Cup winner with the Black ferns! Her silky skills and ability to play anywhere has made her a hugely valuable asset for NZ Rugby and now she’s now preparing to take on the world again in the 2025 Rugby World Cup!
In this episode we chat about..
* Life growing up in South Africa and why her family moved to NZ
* How she got into Rugby
* Why she travelled 5 hours a day to play for Otago
* Why her move to Canterbury was “the best thing I’ve ever done”
* Being named in the Black Ferns and working under legends Wayne Smith & Graham Henry
* Playing in front of sold-out crowds and winning the RWC
* Her love for Super Rugby and Matatū
* The build-up to the upcoming RWC and her expectations heading in
* And plenty of great advice
As you’ll hear, Amy is such a champion human, and this yarn is packed with stories, laughs and some really inspiring takeaways. This is such a cool insight into the women’s game as we look to cheer on our Black Ferns to hopefully another RWC!
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Angus Ta’avao is one of the biggest characters in New Zealand rugby, someone who is always good value to be around and has a great ability to bring a side together with his personality.
Angus has done it all: NPC champ with Taranaki, Super Rugby champ with the Blues, he's an All Black, TV star, saxophone shredder and he is still playing rugby as good as he ever has! Angus is the ultimate lad.
In this episode we get into
- Why he has decided to move down to the Highlanders for 2026!
- He talks through the moment when he said he’d never play rugby again.
- He reflects on "that tackle" where he was concussed, red carded and suspended.
- The journey he has been on as a father
- He goes through the potential options for life after footy
- We chat why he’s decided to move south
- And of course plenty of random chat
This one’s got everything – laughs, honesty and a heap of inspiration from one of the great characters of our game.
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Oli Mathis is one of the most talented young players in the country. The Hamilton Boys star produced some of the most iconic NZ Schools performances we’ve ever seen. Whether he’s been playing loose forward or on the wing, the 20-year-old has been unstoppable playing for Waikato, the All Blacks 7’s side & the NZ U20s.
In this episode, we chat about:
As you’ll hear Oli is a passionate rugby man, he always has been! And then when he’s not on the field, he is up on the hills hunting in true kiwi style. This is an awesome insight into someone with a huge future ahead of him, a special talent and one of the great lads.
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Jamison Gibson Park has gone on to be without a doubt one of the best 9s in world rugby! He's one of my favourite players to watch the way he plays with speed and controls the tempo of games while always nailing the basics. He was also one of my favourite team mates to play with because he was just a massive lad. 4 years ago this episode was recorded where he had just debuted for Ireland so it's pretty cool to hear some of the conversations we had around his future plans to see how far he has exceeded them!
Some other parts that stood out for me in this episode...
Hearing about the rural upbringing Jamison had on Great Barrier Island.
How he handled missing out on the NZ 20's even though many felt he should've been in there.
How he was shafted by the Blues.
Winning the Super Rugby with the Hurricanes, starting as a wider squad member.
Why he left NZ.
How he had found it over in Ireland & with Leinster.
And heaps more!
As you'll hear, Jammo is a massive lad and it's been so cool seeing him starring at RWC's with Ireland and now on the Lions tour. He is one of the greats!
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Daniel Bell might not be a recognisable name for you all, but as soon as you hear that voice – you will definitely recognise the voice. The man widely regarded for having the greatest larynx in the country which we have heard delivering some of the great moments in Heartland Rugby! Donny Bell has an infectious love for the game and brings the fizz like no other.
In this episode, we chat about:
•Why he always wanted to be a commentator as a kid
•Commentating with some of his childhood hero’s including Chainsaw Laney
•His commentary impersonations of almost every commentator in the game (including the South African special!)
•An awesome insight into what goes on behind the mic
•Plenty of great yarns from travelling around the country
And heaps more!
This is a very entertaining episode with a great insight into what goes on behind the mic, Donny brings impressive energy to this one and I voice I could listen to all day.
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Sam Darry is a massive lad! Standing at over 2 metres tall and at just 24 years old the man has achieved and been through a lot! And it feels like he is still just getting started,
After dominating schoolboy footy, Sam signed with Canterbury young and then made a bold move to head north to the Blues, a decision that he felt gave him the opportunity to become one of the best young locks in the game. It's fair to say it's worked out pretty well for him, being an important piece of the puzzle in the Blues 2024 winning season and going on to become an All Black.
In this episode we dive into:
Big Sam Darry is sharp, humble, and full of unreal yarns. He is on his way to becoming one of the greats, and this episode gives you an insight into the journey and the man of the future legend.
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No one has won more Super Rugby titles than Mitchell Drummond! A man who has done it all in the red and black jersey, Drummy has won 3 NPC titles with Canterbury and a ridiculous 8 Super Rugby titles with the Crusaders – yes, 8 titles! Add to that a test for the All Blacks, a stint with the Barbarians, over 100 games for Canterbury, and being the youngest ever Crusaders centurion and you start to get the picture.
But beyond the stats, Mitch has been the Glue Guy for the Canterbury Region for over a decade, a man who has genuinely put the team first and always nailed his role in the side whatever that may be.
In this episode, we chat about:
- An exclusive announcement on where he will be playing his rugby this season
- Why he chose Rugby over a promising Cricket career
- Why he turned down an offer from another Club
- How he went from playing against the All Blacks one week to playing for them the next
- An insight into the competitive rivalry with Bryn Hall
- His struggles with social media comments
- How he feels about his Dad owning the Highlanders
- And all of your questions!
Drummy also gives some great insights into leadership, what’s made the Crusaders successful, and great advice for young aspiring rugby player.
Mitch Drummond is one special human and this episode is one of the great episodes!
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Rugby fans don't get much bigger than Colin Mansbridge! Who also just happens to be potentially the most successful CEO in all sport, having been the Crusaders CEO for the last 8 years which includes 7 Titles! However, for many it was the way he handled himself and the organisation last season when Crusaders missed the top 8 which was most impressive!
In this episode, Colin brings plenty of honesty, insight, and laughs and we go through some of the challenges and triumphs of being the boss!
Some parts that stood out in this one were...
Why he decided to ban the Cow Bells from the Super Rugby final
His take on Super Rugby and where it’s heading
Why he stood by Rob Penney and didn’t panic after the 2024 season
His love for rugby and in particular scrums
How he landed the CEO gig despite thinking he couldn’t run a rugby club
The decision behind the Crusaders rebrand
His thoughts on the new stadium
How he ended up on TikTok,
Who he reckons is the best player he’s ever CEO’d
And of course… his secret to locking down a good scrum
Colin brings the same level-headedness and wit to this chat that he brings to one of rugby’s most demanding jobs. If you want to understand what really goes on behind the curtain at the Crusaders, this one is for you.
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He’s trained the greatest All Blacks of the modern era, he's survived the pressure cooker of test rugby, and has done so for the past 18 years! Nic Gill, the legendary All Blacks trainer, sits down for one of the great yarns full of honesty, laughs, and elite-level insight.
In this episode we cover:
If you’ve ever wanted a peek behind the curtain of the All Blacks machine — or what it takes to build and sustain excellence — this is it. One of the great men, with a stack of stories and a massive impact on NZ rugby. What a lad!
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For this weeks Fan Favourite episode we throw back to one of the most powerful episodes to date, I’ll always remember this episode for the feeling of goosebumps I got down my spine as Michael Fatialofa shared his incredible journey. Fats was one of the toughest players on the field I ever played with and he proved he was even tougher off it after a life changing tackle.
The former Auckland, Southland and Hurricanes star was over in the UK playing for Worcester, when he was hit awkwardly in a tackle that caused him to be Paralysed from the neck down. He was told he will never walk again! From that moment his life had changed forever and hearing the battle he has gone through the last 3 years left me feeling inspired, sad and proud of what he has been able to achieve.
This episode is an awesome reminder to be truely grateful for everything you have in your life, as like in Michaels case it can literally be taken away from you overnight. I'm so grateful to Fat's for coming on What a Lad and speaking so openly about his journey, it is one of the most powerful and inspiring episodes ever!
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This one has it all — Scott Waldrom, one of the most explosive loose forwards to play the game, jumps on for an absolute ripper of a chat and does not hold back. From growing up as a rugby super fan idolising his hero’s to playing with legends like Jonah Lomu, Jerry Collins, Christian Cullen and Justin Marshall, to getting dropped from Sevens after a scrap in Lower Hutt, Scooters career is full of highs, lows, and unreal yarns.
We talk about:
Honest, hilarious, and full of insight — this one’s got everything. A top man with a stack of stories. Scooter Waldrom is an absolute lad!
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Marty Banks was a cult hero, fans loved him. He looked like your average kiwi bloke, tall, low muscle mass and ran a distinctive curly mop. On the field he was a point scoring machine, he kicked goals from everywhere and made a habit of scoring long range tries which his deceptive pace.
That's the Marty we all knew from the screen. The Marty you'll hear from in this episode is the one who struggled with self confidence, the one who battled through serious injury pain and the one who has had his challenges transitioning into post footy.
Marty played all around the world and experienced so much from the game, having played in Russia, Italy, Japan, Refton, Nelson, Wellington and Dunedin. He's someone who always enjoyed a good time and never took himself to seriously, he even famously chopped a beer a fan threw at him before kicking a conversion to beat Taranaki!
He's definitely a massive lad so it was awesome to get him on What a Lad again.
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We got back to an early fan favourite for this one with the great Mark Stafford!
The beauty of a podcast, you think you know someone well, then you sit with them on the podcast and you are absolutely blown away with their story. That is exactly how this episode with the great man Mark Stafford aka Staffy went.
Staffy has had an incredible journey to become the face of the TAB and the face of sport here in NZ but he certainly had a few bumps along the way. He shares some mind blowing stories in this episode including one how he died in a car crash but was brought back to life, in an event that ended his rugby career.
Staffy also gives some unreal insight in to what goes on behind the scenes at the tab and some unbelievable match fixing stories.
I loved this episode as it has a bit of everything in it and you can hear what a genuinely great lad Staffy is!
If you enjoy this episode as always please share it, this is a great one to share with anyone who is having a tough time.
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"Who's that new hooker at the Crusaders?" That's a question I'm hearing everywhere! Well in fact that man is Ioane Moananu and this is your chance to hear all about this great man in his first ever podcast. Now Ioane is incredibly humble and down to earth with a infectious laugh and cool story. From struggling to start for Counties Manakau to becoming arguably the form hooker of Super Rugby Ioane has had an incredible 12 months and the future is so bright for this great man.
This episode is a good reminder of when you play the game because you love it, the setbacks become easier to handle. Ioane has had plenty of challenging injuries early in his career and his mum recommended he shouldn't play anymore. That was never an option for Ioane who has a passion for the game.
It's also a reminder that as you move into the professional game, all those professional habits like recovery, sleep, nutrition all add up to make a massive difference in performance as we've seen with Ioane. So there is plenty of great advice in this one!
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