Carlaw Park Die Hards

The Carlaw Park Die Hards Podcast is back with a massive new release, taking you directly into one of the most respected rooms in Aotearoa sport: the 2026 New Zealand Kiwis Rugby League Association Annual Reunion.

Recorded on location, Gordy and I sit down for an exclusive, star-studded roundtable featuring five legends who wore the black-and-white jersey through unforgettable eras of international and domestic competition. Expect unvarnished tour stories, classic dressing-room humour, and deep insight into the enduring bond shared by those who have represented New Zealand on the world stage.

In This Episode, We Cover:

Shane Varley (Kiwi #543) – The master playmaker reflects on directing traffic and calling the shots during high-stakes Test campaigns.

Bruce Castle (Kiwi #407) – The hard-nosed veteran shares iconic Carlaw Park memories and details the grueling,old-school forward battles of his era.

Eric Carson (Kiwi #463) – The uncompromising front-row enforcer recounts exactly what it took to collide head-on with the world’s most fearsome packs.

Lynley Tierney-Mani (Kiwi Fern #18) – The trailblazing international discusses her journey and how she helped pave the way for the modern era of women's rugby league.

Tawera Nikau (Kiwi #614) – The renowned lock forward opens up about the heart, raw power, and leadership that defined a golden generation of the sport.

Premiere Details & Call to Action Season 2, Episode 2 officially premieres on YouTube this Thursday, 22nd October at 10:00 AM, and is available right here on Podbean and across all major audio platforms.

Hit play to join the reunion, share the episode with your fellow club die-hards, and please take a moment to cast your vote for us in the Listeners' Choice category at the 2026 New Zealand Podcast Awards!

#CarlawParkDieHards #KiwisReunion2026 #NZRugbyLeague #RugbyLeagueHistory #KiwiFerns #NZPodcastAwards

We are back for Season 2, and the queued audio file visible - this is an absolute powerhouse of a guest to start the year: New Zealand Warriors owner Mark Robinson.

This is not your standard PR-polished interview. We strip away the corporate talking points and get straight into the mud, blood, and reality of rugby league in Aotearoa. Mark opens up about the immense pressure of steering an NRL franchise, the raw passion that fuels his fiercely loyal decisions, and his unyielding, uncompromising vision for the club's future.

We explore the vital connections between the boardroom and the locker room, examining exactly what it takes to build a winning, resilient culture from the ground up. Mark shares previously untold stories about his personal journey into sports ownership, his deep respect for the grassroots local clubs that form the absolute backbone of the game, and the heavy, undeniable expectations carried by the boys every single time they cross that white line. It is a grounded conversation entirely about resilience, community, and the unapologetic love for the sport that binds the fans together.

Whether your fondest memories are firmly anchored to the old, muddy grandstands of Carlaw Park or you are part of the new generation filling modern stadiums to the rafters, this episode bridges the gap between the game's gritty past and its ambitious future. Grab a cold drink, settle in, and join us for a legendary, hard-hitting start to the new season.

For over a decade, these tapes have been locked in the vault. Now, we are opening them up 🔓📼.

Welcome to the very first Carlaw Park Die Hards Legacy Session 🎙️. In this raw, unarchived interview recorded over ten years ago, we sit down with the legendary Roger Bailey to completely turn back the clock to the golden era of Auckland Rugby League 🏉✨.

Before the bright stadium lights and modern contracts, there was the mud, the blood, and the unmatched, tribal atmosphere of Carlaw Park 🌧️🩸. We dive deep into the trenches with a man who lived it, breathed it, and left everything out on that sacred turf 😤💪.

This is more than just an interview; it is the vital preservation of our game's history 📚. Whether you stood shoulder-to-shoulder on the terraces back in the day, or you are here to learn about the absolute titans who paved the way for today's generation, this is a must-listen 🎧🙌.

Hit play ▶️, step back in time 🕰️, and let’s keep the legacy alive 💯.

#CarlawParkDieHards #RogerBailey #LegacySessions #NZRugbyLeague #AucklandRugbyLeague #CarlawPark #RugbyLeagueHistory #TurnBackTheClock #DieHards #NZPodcasts

🔥 EPISODE 15 FINALE: GARY KEMBLE HOLDS NOTHING BACK! 🔥

🚨 IT'S THE SEASON 1 FINALE, DIE HARDS! 🚨

From the mud and blood of Carlaw Park to the VIP ropes guarding global superstars! 🤯

Join the Carlaw Park Die Hards for Episode 14 as we sit down with the ultimate rugby league journeyman, Glen "GM" Moore. This is a story of pure grit, unbelievable versatility, and a post-footy career that sounds like a Hollywood movie script.

Whether he was doing the hard yards on the field or managing high-stakes security off it, GM holds nothing back in this explosive interview.

In this episode, we dive into:

🏉 The Grassroots Grind: His fierce local battles moving from Mt Albert to City Newton, before taking his talents south to Christchurch and Wellington.

💥 The Ultimate Positional Shift: The insane, bone-rattling transition from flying on the wing to doing the heavy lifting in the front row.

🇦🇺 Taking on the Aussies: Getting the legendary call-up for one very specific, brutal job—"softening up" the touring Australian Kangaroos! * 🕶️ VIP Security Secrets: Swapping the footy boots for the earpiece. Hear unbelievable stories about protecting David Tua, guarding Neil Diamond, and the reason he literally said "NO" to Michael Jackson.

Hit play to hear a masterclass in toughness and old-school spirit.

👇 Support the Show! 👇 If you love these untold stories, please Follow the podcast, leave a rating, and share the episode with your mates to help us keep the memories of Carlaw Park alive!

#CarlawParkDieHards #GlenMoore #Episode14 #RugbyLeagueHistory #NZRugbyLeague #LeagueLegends #WingerToProp #SofteningUpTheKangaroos #DavidTua #VIPSecurity #PodcastDrop

Roger Rota | The Stylist of Carlaw Park

In an era often defined by raw bulk and power, Roger Rota stood out as a true master of timing, vision, and technique. In Episode 13 of the Carlaw Park Die Hards, we trace the journey of a gifted back who turned the wing and center positions into an art form.

From his early days as an opening bowler at Mt Albert Grammar to becoming a cornerstone of the Otahuhu Leopards, Roger’s story is a masterclass in the Auckland game.

In This Episode, We Cover:

The Cricket Roots: How a talent for the pitch translated to the footy field.

The Ponsonby Connection: Following family tradition to the Ponsonby Ponies.

A Journey of Growth: Life with the Otara Scorpions and the road back to the Ponies.

The Defining Moment: The legendary training run at Mangere East that changed the course of his career.

Style of Play: Why class and vision made him one of the most dangerous outside backs of his era.

Roger Rota’s legacy still resonates within the Otahuhu Rugby League Club. Join us as we revisit the suburban grounds and the hallowed turf of Carlaw Park to celebrate a true league stylist.

In Episode 12 of the Carlaw Park Die Hards, we’re joined by a man who defined "tough." Mark "Horse" Bourneville wasn't just a player; he was a one-man wrecking ball who lived by a simple creed: Run it straight.

Horse openly admits he never figured out how to sidestep, and frankly, he didn't need to. Whether he was leading the charge for the New Lynn Stags and Mt Albert Lions or stepping into the ring as a "one tough customer" for Fight for Life, Horse knew exactly how to throw and exactly how to win.

In this unfiltered, R18 conversation, we dive into:

The Original "Run It Straight" Guy: Why the direct route was the only route.

The Hard Runner: Stories from the Auckland club scene where reputation was earned on the run.

Fight for Life: Taking that toughness and aggression into the boxing ring and proving why he was feared across codes.

The Dual International Twist: The surreal experience of playing for France Rugby League against his own Kiwis, and the clinical satisfaction of sitting the New Zealand big men on their arses.

This is Horse telling it like it is. No filters, no apologies, just the raw truth of a legendary career.

Help us grow the Die Hards community! We’re building this for the fans of the real game. If you love these stories, please Like, Share, and Subscribe.

#CarlawParkDieHards #MarkBourneville #RunItStraight #NoSidestep #FightForLife #Horse #NewLynnStags #MtAlbertLions #NZKiwis #FranceRugbyLeague #AucklandRugbyLeague #FrontRow #RugbyLeagueLegends #SaddleUp #R18

Welcome back to the field of dreams! In Episode #11 of the Carlaw Park Die Hards Podcast, we sit down with absolute rugby league royalty: former Kiwi international and Otahuhu Leopards legend, Gary Prohm.

From his debut for the New Zealand national team in 1978 to his incredible 23-test match run, Gary was a versatile force of nature who could do damage anywhere from the wing to the back row. We dive deep into his legendary career, looking back at his unforgettable stint in the UK with Hull Kingston Rovers—where he set a club record with 45 tries in the '84-'85 season—and his time crossing the ditch to play under Arthur Beetson at the Eastern Suburbs Roosters.

Listen in as Gary shares his raw, unfiltered memories of the spiritual home of NZ rugby league, what it took to battle the Kangaroos in the brutal 1980s, and his transition into life after footy.

In this episode, we cover:

Early days coming up through the Otahuhu Leopards.

The grit, glory, and memories of playing at the iconic Carlaw Park.

Dominating English footy with Hull KR and winning championships.

His experiences playing in the NSWRL for the Roosters.

Behind-the-scenes stories from the legendary 1983 Trans-Tasman tests.

👇 Click to Listen & Subscribe! 👇 If you love hearing the raw history of the game from the men who built it, hit that play button! Don't forget to Subscribe to the podcast on Podbean and check us out on YouTube for the full video interviews with our Die Hard Legends.

Hashtags: #GaryProhm #CarlawParkDieHards #RugbyLeague #NZKiwis #HullKR #SydneyRoosters #OtahuhuLeopards #RugbyLeagueHistory #NRL #PodcastEpisode

Carlaw Park Die Hards Podcast Episode #11: Gary Prohm

Welcome back to the field of dreams! In Episode #11 of the Carlaw Park Die Hards Podcast, we sit down with absolute rugby league royalty: former Kiwi international and Otahuhu Leopards legend, Gary Prohm.

From his debut for the New Zealand national team in 1978 to his incredible 23-test match run, Gary was a versatile force of nature who could do damage anywhere from the wing to the back row. We dive deep into his legendary career, looking back at his unforgettable stint in the UK with Hull Kingston Rovers—where he set a club record with 45 tries in the '84-'85 season—and his time crossing the ditch to play under Arthur Beetson at the Eastern Suburbs Roosters.

Listen in as Gary shares his raw, unfiltered memories of the spiritual home of NZ rugby league, what it took to battle the Kangaroos in the brutal 1980s, and his transition into life after footy.

In this episode, we cover:

Early days coming up through the Otahuhu Leopards.

The grit, glory, and memories of playing at the iconic Carlaw Park.

Dominating English footy with Hull KR and winning championships.

His experiences playing in the NSWRL for the Roosters.

Behind-the-scenes stories from the legendary 1983 Trans-Tasman tests.

👇 Click to Listen & Subscribe! 👇

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Strap yourselves in for a massive episode of the Carlaw Park Die Hards Podcast! This week, we are joined by the uncompromising, hard-hitting Riki Cowan to unpack a rollercoaster rugby league career that has absolutely everything.

From grassroots glory to the blood and thunder of international test matches, Riki pulls no punches as he shares the raw, unfiltered stories from his incredible journey through the golden era of rugby league.

In this episode, we cover:

🦁 The Mighty Mt Albert Lions: Riki takes us back to his roots and the fierce, unforgettable days during his absolute best years dominating the local Auckland scene.

🏉 Provincial Powerhouses: The grit and grind of his massive five years playing top-tier footy in Wellington, alongside the stories from his impactful season down in Canterbury.

🇳🇿 Pride of the Jersey: The ultimate honor of representing Auckland and stepping up to the pinnacle of the sport to pull on the Kiwi jersey.

💔 The Ultimate "What If": Hear the heartbreaking story of the devastating injury that struck right at the peak of his powers.

🥊 The Lang Park Brawl: Riki gives us the exclusive, inside perspective on that explosive, infamous Kiwis Test match punch-up at Lang Park!

This is a no-holds-barred conversation with a true rugby league warrior. Whether you were on the terraces at Carlaw Park or just love legendary footy folklore, you do not want to miss this!

Hit play, subscribe, and let us know your favorite Riki Cowan memory in the comments!

#KiwiRugbyLeague #MtAlbertLions #CanterburyRugbyLeague #WellingtonRugbyLeague