Manasa Mataele is one of the players who is incredibly hard to tackle! His power, speed, athleticism, and freakish offloads has made him hard to handle for any opposition! From growing up in Suva, Manasa’s journey has taken him from Fiji to New Zealand, across to Australia, and now back home with the Fijian Drua.

In this episode of What a Lad, Manasa opens up with rare honesty. He reflects on the highs of Super Rugby, the pride of representing Fiji, and the moments that nearly forced him away from the game altogether. From battling injuries and self-doubt, to losing his mum and questioning whether he could keep going, this is a powerful look at resilience, faith, and finding purpose beyond rugby.

In this episode, we cover…

- Growing up in Fiji and the environment that shaped him

- The sliding-doors moment that could have changed his life forever

- Moving to New Zealand and adapting to professional rugby

- His rapid rise through NPC and Super Rugby

- Almost signing with the Blues before a last-minute call from the Crusaders

- What it was like walking into a Crusaders locker room full of legends

- The mental battles that made him his own worst enemy

- His pride in representing Fiji on the international stage

- Losing his mum, fracturing his spine, and questioning his future

- The role faith played in getting him through his darkest moments

- Why returning home to play for the Fijian Drua means so much

- Wanting to give back and help the next generation of Fijian rugby players

As you'll hear Manasa is very articulate and honest about the journey rugby has taken him, he's such a good lad who will no doubt have a big season for the Drua!

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Chris Jack was one of the all time greats! A perfect combination of a massive workrate an incredible skillset, deceptive speed and a high rugby IQ which he showed during his 67 cap test career.

In this episode of What a Lad, you'll hear Chris like you've never heard him before. From the good times on winning championships to some of the struggles he faced, there is plenty in this one!

Some parts that stood out for me in this one were...

- How his brothers shaped his work ethic and toughness

- Making the Crusaders early and being thrown straight into a South Africa tour

- Old-school Crusaders culture and earning respect as a young player

- What it actually felt like being around All Black legends

- Scoring on debut and still feeling like he didn’t belong

- How he felt winning the NZ player of the year in 2002

- Dealing with shyness, pressure, and confidence off the field

- What happened during the 2007 RWC QF Loss

- Life after rugby and the lessons he learned

This episode is full of honest perspective from a man who always let his actions do the talking. Chris shares what the jersey meant to him, the cost that came with it, and why he wishes he’d enjoyed the moment more.

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Jeremy Manning’s rugby journey is anything but ordinary. At just 16 years old he was playing against for the Marlborough Red Devils in the NPC which included playing in a Ranfurly Shield game against Canterbury while still being at school. He made the NZ secondary schools team on the wing ahead of Hosea Gear and out of school decided to take up a year offer with the Munster academy. Fast forward a few years later and he's doing the Haka against the All Blacks for Munster in a match!

In this episode, we dive into:

- Growing up in Marlborough and spending hours kicking goals alone

- What it was like being a 16 year old playing with men under Grizz Wylie

- Making New Zealand Schools and then missing out on U19s and how that shaped his path

- Moving to Ireland and joining Munster

- Winning Heineken Cups and learning behind Ronan O’Gara

- Playing against the All Blacks for Munster and performing a Haka

- Why his time at Newcastle Falcons turned him off rugby

- Life after rugby, including working with the Royal Family

- Helping Fiji Sevens during their Olympic success

- The emotional journey of IVF, surrogacy, and becoming a father

Jeremy is a massive lad with an incredible story. His story is different to most and has had some unique challenges. The way he shares his story with such honesty and vulnerability is super powerful. I know you'll enjoy this one, so let me know what you thought in the comments.

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Cam McBride is the very talented man behind the camera responsible for bringing the Crusaders to life every week.

In this episode of What a Lad, Cam talks about his time in the police, finding a new career through content creation, and working behind the scenes at the Crusaders.

In this episode, we cover…

- What he's noticed from his first year working with the Crusader

- How he started working as a sports masseuse with sports teams

- Why he joined the New Zealand Police and working frontline for nearly a decade

- The toll it took on him and how hard it was witnessing some horrible scenes.

- Shooting everything from local rugby to weddings while still policing

- Applying for the Crusaders role and what set him apart

- Stepping into big shoes and overcoming imposter syndrome

- How trust with players is built behind the scenes

- What game day really looks like for a Super Rugby content creator

- Capturing iconic Crusaders moments — including finals runs

- His vision for the future of Crusaders content

This episode is an awesome insight into what's involved with being a content creator, huge insight, plenty of tips and all from a massive lad!

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produced and after this episode it’s easy to see why.

A 108-test All Black, multiple-time World Cup winner, and a cornerstone of the Crusaders’ most dominant era. Owen built his career on work ethic, consistency, and doing whatever it took to get himself in the best position to perform week in and week out.

In this episode of What a Lad, Owen opens up like never before. From earning respect as a young All Black, to facing a battle far bigger than rugby when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. This is a rare look at what it actually takes to stay at the top — physically, mentally, and emotionally.

In this episode, we cover…

- Growing up in Motueka with his brother Ben

- How he put on the size to become a front rower

- The brutal start to professional rugby dislocating his elbow in his first Canterbury scrum

- His All Blacks debut and why he never felt overawed

- What the All Blacks environment is really like behind closed doors

- Earning respect, driving standards, and ruthless competition

- Walking out for World Cup finals

- Why he went to the gym the next day after World Cup glory

- The battle that came with being diagnosed with testicular cancer

- Why chemotherapy was tougher than any rugby pain

- Life after rugby, coaching, and a new perspective

This is one of the most inspiring episodes ever from a man who was (along with his brother) certainly the most professional player I ever saw. He’s someone who deserved every bit of success he got and I’m sure you’ll enjoy this one!

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Holly Parkes and Greg Johnson are two of the most purpose-driven people you’ll ever hear from.

Holly Parkes first came on the podcast during one of the toughest times of her life, sharing what it was really like trying to support someone battling a serious brain injury and searching for answers that never seemed to come. Greg is a former NZ SAS operator who spent years exposed to explosive blasts, before discovering his own brain injury had been misdiagnosed for years.

Together, they are now doing incredible work helping players, veterans, and everyday people who have struggled with brain injuries

From believing there was no hope to discovering a clinic that is actually helping people recover, this conversation is full of knowledge, and deeply important.

In this episode we dive into:

- Greg’s SAS career and how repeated blast exposure damaged his brain

- Being misdiagnosed with mental health issues instead of brain injury

- What brain injury actually does to your body, energy, personality and relationships

- Why so many athletes and veterans are slipping through broken pathways

- How Holly desperately searched for help and finally found a clinic doing things differently

- The Brain Health & Biofeedback Clinic in Dunedin and how it works

- Real people they are helping right now and the changes they’re already seeing

- Why brain injuries are not a death sentence

- What needs to change in sport, medicine, and support systems

And heaps more.

As you'll hear these two are super passionate about this topic which I know is a topic of relevance for many. The best thing about this episode is that if you are concerned or worried about your head there is hope!

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Reuben O’Neill has one of the most interesting stories in New Zealand rugby! A proud Taranaki lad, a cult hero in every team he’s played in, and a man who battled more adversity than most ever knew. From crippling cramps, constant injuries, and being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes — to somehow rising all the way into an All Blacks camp before he’d even played Super Rugby.

In this episode some of the things we talk about were..

- How he's always embraced being himself

- Being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and having no idea how to manage it

- The shock All Blacks call-up having played just a few NPC games

- The setbacks of a Neck fusion surgery, Achilles issues, stress fractures and how he kept coming back

- How injuries turned him into a DJ, a truck driver, a nutritionist and more

- The story behind “DJ Mince on Toast”

- Why he believes the Crusaders have had more success than the Chiefs

And he answers all your questions!

Rueben is a unique human, always happy to be himself, enjoys taking the piss and is not afraid of awkwardness. He's genuine lad and someone who makes every environment better in his own unique way. I'm sure you will enjoy this inspiring story from this great man!

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The Welsh Rugby superstar Hadleigh Parkes is one of the great stories in rugby! A self described battler who played for Manawatu, Auckland, the Blues and the Hurricanes and at one point nearly walked away from the game altogether! It wasn't until a life changing call, a change of mindset and a move to Wales where he quickly turned himself into one of the best midfielders in the World!

In this episode here are some of the things we talk about:

- The glory days of ripping it up for Palmy boys with a stacked 1st XV side.

- Crazy stories from playing in South Africa

- The mindset shift that changed his entire career

- Why he felt it was so important to learn the Welsh national anthem

- Two tries on debut for Wales

- How he played in a Rugby World Cup with a broken hand!

- He answers all your questions!

- And so many more great yarns

Anyone who has played with Hadleigh will know he is one of the all time champion lads. The teammate you just you to be around. Such a humble man who has always enjoyed a good time! I'm sure you'll enjoy this one with the great man.

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Sam Lane is one of NZs very best hockey players and an absolute lad! He is 100+ gamer for the New Zealand Black Sticks, two-time Olympian, captain and full-time financial advisor… somehow all at once. His journey is one of the most unbelievable combinations of talent, tragedy, resilience and pure Kiwi grit you’ll hear.

This episode has everything — the brutal reality of playing for a national team with almost no funding, a run of injuries that would end most careers, the inspirational comeback to make the Paris Olympics, and the heartbreaking loss of his mum during the biggest years of his life.

In this episode, Sam opens up on:

- How NZ Hockey lost 60% of its funding overnight

- How humble the Black Sticks set up is with players literally having to take unpaid leave to represent their country

- The injury setbacks he's had including his knee exploding and his foot collapsing

- The emotional toll of losing his mum to cancer

- His partner Greta's horrific accident after being hit by a car

- The challenge to be available for the Paris Olympics

- What it’s really like playing in the Indian Hockey League

- And the mindset that’s kept him going through it all

He’s humble, tough, honest and one incredibly inspiring lad. I know you'll enjoy this one with the great kiwi Sam Lane!

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Freedom Vaha'akaolo’s story is one of the wildest and most emotional you’ll ever hear. He is one incredibly talented rugby player who certainly didn't take the typical pathway.

From the age of just 11 years old he was homeless, eating from trash cans, and learning how to survive. Years later, he was scoring tries for Otago using his speed and power which earned him a spot with the Highlanders.

During that time he was involved in a cruel catfish scam almost ended it all.

In this episode, Freedom opens up about:

- What made a kid with two loving parent want to be homeless

- What life was like on the streets as a young teenager

- The impact that moving to 7 new schools had on him

- His identity struggle coming from mixed heritage and the impact that had.

- How he made the NZ schools camp in basically his first year of rugby

- His pathway into professional rugby and the challenges involved.

- How an online relationship turned into a disaster being catfished,

- And how he’s rebuilt himself through faith, therapy, and sport again.

It’s raw. It’s real. It’s one of the most powerful stories ever shared on What a Lad and that is no exaggeration. Let me know what you thought about it in the comments👇

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