The Hurtlocker

Ever since we were young, we’ve always known Ajay would be a proper weapon. Ajay has been carving up grades since the under-13s level, and since then, he’s gone from strength to strength. Growing up in South Auckland, Ajay comes from a great family, and like many of us who grew up in SA, he wouldn’t change a thing about his childhood.

His family helped push him through different sports, and now he proudly dons professional rugby jerseys. Ajay’s won 1st XV 1A competitions with St Peter’s College, where his team went over to Japan for the SANIX tournament and finished as runners-up. He made New Zealand Schoolboys and New Zealand Barbarians before flying down to Dunedin to continue his professional career. There, he joined the Dunedin Sharks for club footy while also being part of the Highlanders and Otago rugby development systems.

From there, he went on to represent New Zealand U19s, the Highlanders U20s, and eventually made his NPC and Highlanders debuts. We’re super proud of the uso and his journey so far, and can’t wait to see what the future holds for him.

Make sure you head over to his Instagram @ajay_faleafaga to follow his journey.

Like, sub up, and share the love, family.

Appreciate ya for tuning in,

Ron

Welcome to the new show called 'The Lock In'.

Just two boys having a yap about code, in the same way we'd have a beer. Apologies for the language and the inside jokes (We are not Jo Rogan's, yet) tonne of mistakes, and a heap of rubbish chat but that's how new idea's always begin.

Our goal here is to eventually grow to the point where players jump on for segments, fans get in and amongst it, so we become a real hub for the footy community to connect off the field. Obviously I have the player interviews to accompany content on 'The Hurtlocker Page' (Ajay Faleafaga - Episode 11) coming out this Sunday! We're just hoping this content works well hand in hand to grow the poddy! 🫳🏽

Shoutout to my uso Issy (Israel Otunuku) for jumping on the new idea and helping a brudda out. Head over to the uso's page and give him a follow on IG @israelotunuku

Make sure you're keeping up with all our socials ​ @TheHurtlockerpodcast on YT and audio platforms @hurtlockerpod on Insta and Facebook Discord, Twitch, and YT livestreaming starting next week,

Oh yes I forgot to add - we did an impromptu live stream of this last night with our close friends and family and loved it. (That's why we are reading comments and laughing during the ep etc 🤣) So from next week these will be live streamed for the chattt #pleasedon'tgetcancelled

Malo Team 🩷

Alright chat,

It's been in a minute but let us have another crack!

In the first episode which I have nicknamed 'The Lock In' for now because I am yet to find a permanent name, we have a whole lot to chat about.

• The Women's World Cup quick review
• Our Black Ferns 🐐
• Braxton Sorensen-McGee
• NPC Quarter's
• The Rugby Championship
• Leroy Carter

We have a good chat with the new boy on the block Eli Oulderyn, and then we breakdown our current take of Rugby 360.

Then I got trolled because I support my Dallas Cowboys. 🫣

Love

Raised in Palmy, later touching down in Wellington, Isaiah "Ice" Mapusua grew up in some of NZ's footy hot spots. Attending renowned rugby powerhouses St. Pat's College and Scots, he was immersed in a culture of rugby. Halfway through Year 10, Isaiah and his family moved to Auckland, the 09. Here he joined King's College.

After playing First XV rugby, he took himself south to Dunedin for university. But Ice didn't stay long. A call from Japan opened new doors, and soon he found himself attending the prestigious Keio University. Now, he plays for Toyota Verblitz and recently made his debut for Japan's Brave Blossoms in the 2024 Pacific Cup.

More than a friend, Ice has been family for me since the jump.

Stoked to have him join us in the little studio.

Hit that like button, drop a comment, and subscribe to support the poddy! Keep up with us on socials @hurtlockerpod for the latest posts and updates.

Love 🫳🏽

Josh Beehre, born and bred in Northland NZ the man has worked for every opportunity, searching his way to challenges and chances.

As a youngin, raised on a Dairy farm the work ethic has always been there, and that consistency matched with his talent has taken him to career milestones already as a 23 year old proffessional footy player.

JB is signed with The Blues till '27, has played three campaigns with the Auckland NPC side, made New Zealand Under 20's and just recently the fan loved Barbarians RFC.

A brother, we're proud and grateful to have JB in the studio supporting our little poddy!

Make sure you like, comment, and subscribe! Head over to our socials found at @hurtlockerpod to keep with our posts, and content. Love 🫳🏽

This week on The Hurtlocker, we sit down with All Black #979 – Pita Alatini – one of the smoothest centres to ever wear the black jersey.

From carving up in SA, South Auckland to making his All Blacks debut, Pita brings wisdom, knowledge and laughs sharing some deep insights from a legendary era of Kiwi footy.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe!

📲 Follow us on socials for more clips & behind-the-scenes: Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | @thehurtlockerpod

Born and bred out of New South Wales, Australia, Patrick Pellegrini 10 launched his career into Super Rugby world in 2025 with team changing form. During covid, he decided to shoot across to the UK, in order to get more experience for his career and to find a platform to get a step into the professional world of footy. Just three years later, he's sitting in Auckland playing for fan favourites, Moana Pasifika.

Now he's given us the opportunity to sit down and hear his story into how he's made it to this point today. Grateful to Patty for giving us his time on his day off - massive future ahead.

Make sure you leave your feedback, support, love. Anything - it all helps us grow!

As always thanks to our great sponsor Freedom Internet. Make sure you head over to freedominternet.co.nz!

In Session 5 of The Hurtlocker, we sit down with the uso Charlie Faumuina.

South Auckland born and bred, the man has taken S.A, Samoa, and New Zealand to the world. Through pure hard work and dedication he became an Auckland, Blues, All Black, Manu Samoa and Tolouse gun, winning a Rugby World Cup in 2015, and becoming a Top 14 champion in his last year of code.

Post footy he continues to stack wins as a father, husband, investor, podcaster, and now a footy coach.

We are blessed to have the legend on the poddy, and look forward to you, our Hurtlocker family, hearing his message.

As always family, like, comment, and subscribe. Another poddy down, more content to come.

GRATEFUL.

Feleti Sae-Ta'ufo'ou

Leading from the front of the pack, the uso has already had himself a journey. Growing up in Palmerston North with an awesome family, he was raised to be great. Hard work has been at the forefront of everything he does from a young age — with a family deeply rooted in sport, helping him every step through his footy journey.

Coming through the unreal rugby programme at Palmy Boys’ High (Palmerston North Boys’ High School), Feleti worked his way to higher honours. Where most would have stopped or struggled, he dug deep, kept the dream alive, and climbed the ladder through dedication — first through the Manawatū Turbos academy, then earning a spot in the Hurricanes U20s squad for two years after school, before eventually cracking into the Turbos NPC squad. Now, he's anchoring the front row for Moana Pasifika — in a year where the team isn't just transforming on the field, but sparking a whole movement off it, connecting and inspiring a wider community of supporters.

A friend, a son, a brother — Feleti is a man of faith, and that's the true backbone of his life.

We're proud to get this episode out to you all. We know you’ll enjoy hearing the big man’s story and message as much as we did.

Make sure to like, subscribe, and drop us a comment — all your support means the world to us. We’re grateful for every single one of you and can’t wait to keep growing this journey together.

Love,

The Hurtlocker Family.

Session 4 of The Hurtlocker features none other than the young gun himself — Kyren Taumoefolau.

The man hasn’t even celebrated his 21st birthday yet… but he’s already played in a Rugby World Cup, represented his Tongan heritage in both 15s and 7s, run out in Super Rugby for Moana Pasifika, and laced up in the NPC with Tasman Mako. Hard work always pays off — and Kyren is living proof of that. As a friend and brother,

I’m stoked and grateful we got him in the studio. Big shoutout to you bro for trusting us and giving us your time.

Hope you enjoy this one, HL family! As always — like, subscribe, and drop a comment. See you next episode 🫡