What a Lad

Cam Howieson has one of the most incredible journeys in New Zealand football. From making his first-team debut for Burnley, becoming an All White and going to the Olympics all by the age of 18, to nearly walking away from the game completely.

In this episode of What a Lad, Cam opens up about the full journey. From chasing his dream in England and getting caught up in the professional football lifestyle, to losing his love for the game in Scotland and coming home to New Zealand to find it again. He also shares the challenges his family have faced raising his daughter who lives with epilepsy and has seizures every day. The reality of caring for her, the incredible support of his wife, and why turning down overseas opportunities to be there for his family was never really a question.

Then came the opportunity to return to professional football with Auckland FC, and a moment you couldn’t script — scoring the winning goal in the A-League Grand Final with his wife and two daughters at the stadium. This is an incredibly honest chat about chasing your dreams, dealing with setbacks and understanding what really matters.

Cam has been through plenty, but the way he speaks about his family and the perspective he brings to football is pretty special.

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Caleb Tangitau is one of the most exciting young talents in New Zealand rugby. Known for his incredible speed, footwork and ability to score tries from anywhere, he has become one of the most dangerous attacking players in Super Rugby with the Highlanders.

In this episode of What a Lad, Caleb opens up about the journey behind the highlights. He shares the highs, the setbacks and the people who have helped shape him along the way, giving an honest insight into life as a professional rugby player chasing his dream.

Some parts that stood out for me in this episode were…

- How his dad inspired his dream of playing Sevens

- Making the New Zealand Sevens team as a teenager and the emotional moment he found out

- Struggling with the transition from Sevens to fifteens at the Blues

- Why he initially wanted to stay at the Blues rather than join the Highlanders

- The surprise phone call from Israel Dagg that completely changed his career

- The brutal Highlanders preseason that helped transform him as a player

- His breakout season and feeling closer to his All Blacks dream

- The devastating Achilles injury and the mental challenges that followed

- What the injury has taught him about appreciating every opportunity in rugby

One thing you’ll take from this episode is that Caleb is an absolute lad. His journey is a great reminder of how quickly things can change in professional sport, from the highs of living out your childhood dreams to the setbacks that test you the most. There’s plenty still to come from this man, and I’m backing it won't be long him before he achieves that All Blacks dream.

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Lachie Brook’s journey to becoming an Auckland FC champion has been anything but straightforward. From making his professional debut at just 16 in the A-League, to playing around the world in England and America, his career has included some incredible highs and some seriously tough lows.

In this episode of What a Lad, Lachie opens up about losing his love for football in England, finding it again back in Australia, and then reaching his lowest point mentally while playing in America.

He also shares the story behind joining Auckland FC, why he initially wasn’t excited about the move, and how it turned into one of the best chapters of his career — culminating in an unforgettable first season and finally experiencing what it feels like to win.

Some parts that stood out for me were…

• What made him so good at such a young age
• How quickly things can change in Football
• How important it is to be enjoying yourself off the field to thrive on it.
• He shares how tough he found it mentally while in America
• How algorithms are being used to recruit footballers
• What he's loved about the Auckland FC environment
• Winning with Auckland FC and experiencing that championship feeling

As you'll hear Lachie is a great lad, honest, reflective and has had an incredible journey for such a young man.

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Five years ago Louie Chapman first came on What a Lad with a very different story to where he is now. Back then, Louie was still trying to establish himself in professional rugby in his first season with the Tasman Mako.

Since then, he’s experienced the highs and lows of chasing a career in the game, become a key player for Canterbury, fought his way into the Crusaders, and is now preparing for the next chapter of his career with Edinburgh in Scotland.

What I love about Louie’s story is hearing just how much perseverance has gone into getting to this point. Louie has always been a classy player, but nothing has come easy for him. He speaks openly about the periods where opportunities weren’t coming, the pressure of trying to prove himself whenever he did get a chance, and how doing anything you can to help the team can ultimately give you a better chance of getting your own crack.

We also get into why he has decided to leave New Zealand at a point where he is playing some of the best rugby of his career, what excites him about joining Edinburgh, and what the move could potentially lead to in the future.

Some parts that stood out for me in this episode were…

• Nearly going 1,000 days between Super Rugby appearances
• Being told there might not even be a fourth halfback spot for him at the Crusaders, and what that meant for him
• Why leaving Tasman for Canterbury changed his career
• The emotional moment he found out he had earned a full Crusaders contract
• His parents driving six hours just to watch him sit on the bench
• The Dave Havili moment that taught him an awesome lesson about being a good teammate
• His decision to join Edinburgh and move to Scotland
• His Scottish family connection and ambitions for what the move could lead to
• His advice for young halfbacks trying to make it
• Plenty of quality stories from along the journey

As you’ll hear, Louie is one of the genuine good buggers of New Zealand rugby. He has a massive impact on his teams both on and off the field, he speaks so well, and it was awesome to catch up again five years on.

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Daniel Lienert-Brown is one of the great servants of New Zealand rugby. With 140 games for the Highlanders, 100 for Canterbury, a Super Rugby title and four NPC titles, DLB has built an incredible career through consistency, resilience and a genuine love for the game.

In this episode of What a Lad, DLB opens up about the full journey — from growing up in Christchurch dreaming of one day playing for Canterbury or the Crusaders, to getting his first taste of professional rugby, receiving the call from Jamie Joseph to join the Highlanders and becoming part of their historic 2015 Super Rugby title.

What stands out most is just how grateful he is for every opportunity rugby has given him. He talks about those early “pinch yourself” moments, becoming the Highlanders’ most capped forward and reaching 100 games for Canterbury.

DLB also opens up about the tougher side of the journey. He reflects on a time when being “the rugby player” became his identity, how that affected his life away from the game, hitting rock bottom in 2021 and how faith, family and perspective helped completely change the way he sees himself today.

Some parts that stood out for me in this episode were…

• Growing up watching Canterbury and the Crusaders and dreaming of one day being there
• The satisfaction he got from making his dad proud
• Going from working at Pak n Save to getting his first Crusaders opportunity
• What made the 2015 Highlanders side special
• Why Nasi Manu is the best player he played with
• The role faith now plays in his life
• Why gratitude has become such a big part of the way he approaches rugby and life

DLB is a special man and there is no man who his more grateful for his career then this man, I know you'll enjoy this one!

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I know everyone will remember Sean Maitlands beautiful stride as he galloped down the field, what an athlete and what a journey he has had! From growing up in Tokoroa, to playing for the British and Irish Lions and everything in between!

In this episode of What a Lad, Sean opens up about his career for the first time on a podcast and he did not disappoint, some parts that stood out for me in this episode were…

- Growing up in Tokoroa alongside Quade Cooper and Isaac John

- Playing for Waikato at just 17 while still at school

- Walking into a Crusaders changing room full of his childhood idols

- His experience during the devastating 2011 Christchurch earthquake

- Missing out on the All Blacks and making the decision to head overseas

- How quickly everything happened after joining Glasgow and Scotland

- Being selected for the British & Irish Lions after only a handful of Tests

- The incredible culture and team trips behind Saracens' success

- Knowing when it was finally time to call time on his career

And heaps more!

As you'll hear, Sean is an absolute lad who has experienced just about everything the game has to offer, he's played with almost every rugby legend alive and there are some incredible stories in this one. Enjoy!

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Well that's the Greatest Rivalry tour all done and dusted and it was a tour that lived up to the hype. This tour had high expectations but after producing 4 incredible tests full with intensity, quality rugby and of course some controversy, everything about this series was a success.

South Africa proved why they are the number 1 side in the world claiming the series 3–1, so where does that leave the All Blacks heading towards the Rugby World Cup?

For this episode I'm joined by Searley as we cover:

• How the Springboks won the final Test
• What areas of the game cost the All Blacks in this one
• We look at the controversial refereeing decisions that shaped the game
• Why South Africa’s cohesion is such a major advantage
• The All Blacks who raised their stocks during the tour
• The positions still up for grabs ahead of the World Cup
• The players who are to return to the All Blacks and where they fit
• South Africa’s best performers and stock risers, including Malcolm Marx and Morné van den Berg
• And heaps more

South Africa have confirmed themselves as the best team in the world — but after using 49 players on tour, there are still plenty of reasons for New Zealand fans to feel optimistic.

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The final Test of the Greatest Rivalry Tour is here, with the All Blacks and Springboks heading to Baltimore for one last showdown!

South Africa lead the series 2-1 after two huge wins at home, but what's install for this one!?

Searley is back to break down everything ahead of the final Test, including Richie Mo’unga’s return to the No.10 jersey, Ethan Blackadder’s massive opportunity, the battle at scrum time and whether the All Blacks can find a way to nullify the Springboks’ biggest strengths.

We also look at South Africa naming another incredibly strong side, what playing in Baltimore could mean for the game, the importance of the bench, and why this could almost feel like a preview of a potential World Cup quarter-final.

Can the All Blacks level the series in Baltimore, or will the Springboks finish the tour with three straight wins?

Let me know your prediction in the comments!

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The All Blacks vs Springboks Greatest Rivalry Tour continues to deliver, with another massive Test match that had everything!

Bryn Hall joins me to break down the third Test, where the All Blacks produced some outstanding rugby early before the Springboks once again showed why they’re the best in the world, using their set-piece in particular their scrum to take control of the match.

We also dive into Jordie Barrett’s incredible form, the impact of losing Ardie Savea, the controversial yellow card, South Africa’s scrum dominance, Jessie Kriels form and Man of the Match Ethan Hooker.

We also look ahead to the final Test in Baltimore. Will Richie Mo’unga get his opportunity? How will the All Blacks replace their injured stars? And can New Zealand level the series 2-2, or will the Springboks finish it off 3-1?

Let me know what stood out for you in this test match in the comments!

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The Greatest Rivalry Tour is all square at 1-1 and Test Three is set to be massive!

Bryn Hall joins me to break down where the All Blacks can improve, the Springboks’ set-piece dominance, the kicking battle, scrum tactics and the key selections ahead of another huge Test in South Africa.

We also look at Cheslin Kolbe’s move to fullback, Cam Roigard’s influence, Asafa Aumua getting his opportunity to start and finish with our score and man of the match predictions.

Who do you think is going to win this one?

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