For this weeks Swysh Super Rugby Preview, we have a very special guest in podcast guru Searley, from award winning podcast Searley talks sport. He joins our usual co-host Tom Marshall as we look ahead to this weeks round and make some very educated picks. Barring Tom's Reece Hodge fantasy pick, it's fair to say the picks have been on absolute fire and hopefully we can keep that up for you all over the coming weeks. This is an action packed episode with plenty to review from last week including s...
Mar 03, 2022•30 min•Season 3Ep. 131
Ben May is officially the oldest player to ever play Super Rugby and unofficially he is one of the most entertaining lads you will meet. The man affectively known as Old Dad to his team mates, has shown incredible durability in his 19 year rugby career. Which has seen him play for 11 different teams, including over 100 for the Hurricanes! With a career like that, there was certainly plenty to talk about in this one and as you'll hear Bamma is someone who will always tell it how it is. He shares ...
Feb 27, 2022•1 hr 31 min•Season 3Ep. 130
Another round of Super Rugby and another What a Lad preview! As you may have heard last week, Tom Marshall has kindly offered to join the panel every week and has watched all last weeks footy to give us an insight. In this episode we recap the teams and players that stood out from last week. We preview and predict the games, as well as find some juicy match ups or players to look out for. We finish with our Fantasy Rugby review and selections we have made for the week. Including the tough decisi...
Feb 24, 2022•29 min•Ep. 129
The life after sport transition is something that plays on all athletes minds. It's hard to prepare for and you don't really know what you're in for until you're in it. For Filipo Levi he has gone through his transition and he has put all the valuable knowledge from his experience in to the recently published book, called "Tackle your Success". In this episode, Filipo shares some tips on how to have a successful career change and that doesn't have to been from sport. He talks about some of the c...
Feb 20, 2022•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 128
We're trying something a bit different with this one and giving you a Marshall brother preview Super Rugby Pacific. We preview the games and highlight a key member from each team. We also give our predictions for top try scorer, niggle goat and Lad of the year. On top of that we also talk about our fantasy rugby sides and why we have picked up who we have and if you are keen to join the What a Lad comp follow this link and set one up https://sportsdeck.com/rugby/dreamteam/?action=join-group&...
Feb 17, 2022•32 min•Ep. 127
Was it a try, or did he drop it? That has been the question that has followed Elliot Dixon since his incredible try to win the Highlanders their first ever Super Rugby title. However, the great Southern lad is much more than one try! He's has an outstanding career in NZ with the Southland Stags, the Highlanders, the NZ Maoris and of course the All Blacks. I found it super interesting hearing Elliot talk about his time in the All Blacks and why he didn't quite have the All Black career that many ...
Feb 13, 2022•1 hr 40 min•Season 2Ep. 126
Professional sport always sounds like the dream lifestyle but as you'll hear, in this episode from Denny Solomona, it does come with it's challenges. The honesty that Denny speaks with in this episode is so admirable and refreshing. It was crazy to hear what he was putting his body through, yet whenever he got on the field he was consistently one of the best. Having been signed with the Melbourne Storm at 15, it's fair to say everything happened pretty quickly. However struggling to ever get any...
Feb 06, 2022•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 125
Most fans will know Victor Vito as the big physical beast, who is big fast and strong and has all the skills in the world. The Victor Vito you are about to hear is the very well educated, absolute lad, who gives a very open and honest breakdown of his rugby career to date. Most will remember the day Victor burst on the the World stage at the 2009 Wellington 7's, where he put on an absolute clinic. From that tournament he was instantly headlined as the next big thing, even labelled as the next "J...
Jan 30, 2022•1 hr 28 min•Season 3Ep. 124
Season 3 of What a Lad is here and there is no better way to start the new season, than with one of the biggest lads to walk this earth, the great Ethan Blackadder! So many of you have been requesting Ethan to come on and for good reason, as he is the ultimate lad. Not only is Ethan a lad but he also has an incredible rugby journey. One that I think can have a positive impact on so many young players coming through. Although his dad, Todd Blackadder, was the All Black captain and Crusader legend...
Jan 23, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Season 3Ep. 123
James Lowe has had an incredible journey to becoming the Irish International winger! The kid gifted with size, speed and skill, was always going to have a successful sporting career. However, getting there wasn't without some significant bumps in the road. At around 14 years old James was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis, which had him bed ridden on and off for around 3 years. For a kid who was extremely active, it was a very difficult stage in his life. He got through that once he found the ri...
Dec 19, 2021•1 hr 20 min•Season 2Ep. 122
The lads just keep coming and honestly they don't get much bigger than Ardie Savea. The man who is leading the way for NZ athletes on and off the field, inspiring many, including myself, along the way. It was awesome to get Ardie on, who is no stranger to a podcast as he has one of the best going around, with the Ardie Savea podcast. In this episode we talk about Ardie signing on with NZ rugby for another 4 years and how he found the process of being his own agent. We obviously chat rugby and go...
Dec 12, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 121
Jordie Barrett, yes the great Jordie Barrett, has come on what a lad and as he has always done on the field, he has well and truely delivered with this yarn! I throughly enjoyed listening back to this episode and we spoke about so much that it's hard to know where to start. What else is hard, is to believe that Jordie is only 24 years old! It feels like he has been around for ever and he certainly has some experiences from along the way. In his first ever podcast, Jordie opens up about some key ...
Dec 09, 2021•1 hr 11 min•Season 1Ep. 120
There aren’t too many players who make the game of rugby look as easy as Will Jordan does, his speed and acceleration look effortless as he often leaves opposition scrambling. His rise to the top of international rugby has been special to watch. On top of that he is also great role model and one heck of a lad so it was great to get him on What a Lad and go through his journey. There are plenty of good yarns in this one and a very interesting insight into the path of a professional rugby player. ...
Dec 05, 2021•1 hr 16 min•Season 2Ep. 119
Pari Pari Parkinson is one of the most unique characters in NZ rugby. From his unique hairstyles on his 2.08m frame, to his often painted toenails and just his unique personality which he owns and doesn't change for anyone, makes him a lad! On the field the man is a beast, after a couple of dominate years for the Highlanders and the Mako, Pari was knocking on the door of an All Black call up. Unfortunately his NPC was cut short with Tasman with a horrific knee injury that looks set to put him ou...
Dec 02, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Season 2Ep. 118
The legend that is Damian Mckenzie joins me this week on What a Lad and geez what a lad he is! In this episode we talk about his recent signing with Suntory in the Japan Top League, which I personally think is a very astute purchase from them. We also hear all about his new drink 'Grins' which has launched this weekend, a side hustle with the great Stephen Donald and Anton Lienet-Brown and by all accounts its an outstanding drop! As always Dmac gives us an insight into his pathway to the top and...
Nov 28, 2021•1 hr 10 min•Season 2Ep. 117
This week I am joined by not just one great lad on the podcast but two of them! Who better to get on as a duo than All Black 7s stars, key Tasman Mako members and best mates Regan Ware and Andrew Knewstubb. Both lads have joined the Tasman Mako mid season this year after a few outside back injuries and both have had massive impact for the side helping them reach the Bunnings Cup final. Before joining the Mako they have both been a huge part of the All Blacks 7s success, playing big roles for the...
Nov 21, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Season 2Ep. 116
New Prank Friday is back with a very familiar prank for What a Lad listeners, "Dougie" from TVNZ has already got Tasman Mako Jacob Norris on board for his new TV show. So his next step is to get his brother, Chiefs and Waikato Star, Ollie Norris on. The new TV show which involves some big names and plenty on nudity is sure to be a hit and its great to get a couple of great lads like the Norris brothers involved. As you'll hear Ollie does bloody well and he is an absolute lad so I hope you enjoy....
Nov 18, 2021•5 min•Season 2Ep. 115
The recent Moana Pacifica signing and Tasman Mako, Willie Havili joins me on What a Lad this week. Its awesome to see Willie back playing at the level that he is, after taking some time away from rugby to find his love for the game again. The honesty that Willie talks about his struggles in this episode is extremely refreshing. He talks about the pressure that comes with being the younger brother of All Black David Havili and also how hard he found it joining the Blues as a replacement player in...
Nov 14, 2021•49 min•Season 2Ep. 114
Luca Inch may not be a household name just yet but this lad is without a doubt one of the biggest characters in NZ Rugby. At just 20 years old, the big front rower has had a massive year, having starred for the NZ u20s side and now playing for his beloved Tasman Mako. Not an easy feat for a young front rower but Luca is one of the most promising front rowers in the country and he has a massive future in the game. However what I found interesting was how he has got to where he is. He was a nightm...
Nov 07, 2021•42 min•Season 2Ep. 113
The legendary Jason Eaton is one of the most recognisable lads in Rugby. The long flowing mullet, the big bushy beard and the big 2 meter frame. Combine that with the personality of one of the biggest lads going around and this is what you get. A true All Black bolter having been named in the All Blacks after just one season of NPC with Taranaki. He shares what it was like going into that environment as a true bolter and some classic yarns from his time as an All Black, including the infamous tr...
Oct 31, 2021•1 hr 33 min•Season 2Ep. 112
Liam Squire was one of the most feared players in world rugby, he had an incredible ability to throw his body into contact with zero thought of self preservation. While that approach created Liam Squire the player, it's taken a serious toll on the body of Liam Squire the man. He's had an endless amount of injuries throughout his career and hip pain, shoulder pain and knee pain are all things he now has to live with, as he moves into the next chapter of his life. In this episode you'll hear him s...
Oct 24, 2021•1 hr 13 min•Season 2Ep. 111
Macca Springer is one of the most promising young rugby talents in the country, having just turned 18 years old and has already made an impact at the Provincial level with the Tasman Mako. It's not often you have players so young, look as comfortable at the next level as Macca has, having already had 3 very good games at for the Tasman Mako. It's refreshing hearing a young player talk about what it's like to be living his dream as a professional rugby player and the heights he looks to reach in ...
Oct 17, 2021•40 min•Season 2Ep. 110
There's a new TV show about to launch called "Brother Battles". It's a show where some of the most famous brothers in the country go head to head in all sorts of challenges. With the catch being they'll be doing all of the challenges naked. As the man in charge of TV content, I thought who better to call up than Tasman Mako legend and NZ Maori star Jacob Norris. The Norris brothers have had a rapid rise through the ranks the last few seasons so to get them on a National TV, going toe to toe in r...
Oct 10, 2021•6 min•Season 2Ep. 109
Joseph Sullivan, the Olympic Gold medalist in rowing, the 2 time Americas Cup winner with Team NZ and an absolute lad! This really is an incredible story of someone who wasn't built to be an Olympic rower, who went on to become one of the greats. Purely through his mindset and effort. The story leading up to his Olympic gold medal moment is crazy. It's a moment that inspired the country and is one of the best moments in NZ sport ever. It won the best sporting moment of the decade at the Halberg ...
Oct 03, 2021•1 hr 12 min•Season 2Ep. 108
One of the greatest loose forwards in All Black history, @jeromekaino is on What a Lad this week and what a lad he is! The humble enforcer who has had an incredible rugby career, having played for Auckland, the Blues, Toyota Verblitz, Toulouse and of course he is a double Rugby World Cup winner with the All Blacks. Jerome has just recently retired from playing the game, after helping Toulouse win the Champions Cup and Top 14 double and he has now made a seamless transition into coaching. On the ...
Sep 26, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 107
Grateful to have the king lad Isaac John on What a Lad and man there was plenty to talk about in this one! Starting with Isaac's successful NRL career, where he played for the Warriors, Panthers and Manly. He also got picked for the Kiwis from playing reserve grade! Then we go through the transition into business after footy where he has excelled. He has started up the YKTR clothing brand, which has since expanded into YKTR sports and is growing very quickly. He also has a very successful podcas...
Sep 19, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Season 2Ep. 106
One of NZ best comedians and NZ today host Guy Williams joins me this week for an absolute classic yarn. The local Nelson legend himself, has had a very eventful career and has never been shy to put himself out there. Which is great for us, as it means there was plenty of interesting insights to talk about in this episode. Some of Guys achievements include winning the Billy T award for comedy, in 2014 he was voted the Sexiest man in NZ, he's reached the charts with his hit song 'the Pigeon Song'...
Sep 12, 2021•1 hr 40 min•Season 2Ep. 105
The man who possesses one of the deadliest side steps rugby has ever seen, Nehe Milner-Skudder, joins me this week on What a Lad to go through his rollercoaster journey. It's so easy to talk up Nehe because he is such a champion lad, who throughout his career has always been so good to all of his fans, his team mates and the game. On the rugby field he is lethal. For a period of time, he was carving up with every single touch of the ball, impossible to tackle 1 on 1 and he was the guy every kid ...
Sep 05, 2021•1 hr 32 min•Season 2Ep. 104
There is no game without the man in the middle, so it was awesome to get one of the best referees in the world, Ben O' Keeffe on What a Lad to give an insight into one of the hardest jobs in the world. Ben, who at the age of 32 has quickly gone through ranks and is now one of the best in the game. Having recently returned from the Lions tour of South Africa, he gives some great insight into the pressure involved in being in charge of a test match like that. He also gives great insight into what ...
Aug 29, 2021•1 hr 32 min•Season 2Ep. 102
It's been a long time between pranks but when you have a young lad like Luca Inch around your environment, a prank was never far away. Luca is one of the most promising front rowers in the country, having recently played for the NZ u20s and is also in the 2021 Tasman Mako squad, at just 19 years old. He's also an absolute character, literally always smiling and he is just a real good lad to be around. Anyway for the prank, I knew that he really liked Cory Jane, so I called him up as Darren (Cory...
Aug 26, 2021•6 min•Season 2Ep. 103
