What a Lad

Imagine a Super Rugby team made up of 2021 NRL players, the best players in League swapping codes, to compete in the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman competition. That's what we have done here in this podcast, so if you enjoy the NRL then this episode is for you.

To help select the side I have called on some NRL and Super Rugby gurus, in the form of Hurricanes star Jackson Garden-Bachop, ex Warriors Legend Charlie Gubb and Liam Mitchell the Hurricane and (keyboard) Warrior. These lads all bring some great insight which makes for some good debate in making our team. 

Congratulations to all the men who were named, proud day for you all I'm sure.

We are making some cool What a Lad Super Rugby Jerseys for this team, so if you are keen to have your own Jersey then head over to www.whatalad.com and check them out!

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He's back! Tom Marshall, the Tasman Mako legend has returned to the province where it all started for him. I was lucky enough to get him around to the What a Lad Studio, to talk about his return and also where he is off to next!

Many of you would have already heard Toms journey to the top, in his episode in season 1, which gave us a good chance to get into some detail around his time in Japan. As well as that we discuss in depth about his return to the Tasman Mako! Toey also announces where he is off to next and answers plenty of great questions from you who sent them into the what a lad instagram account.

It's always a good laugh getting the brother on the podcast so if you enjoy this episode please give it a share, tag what a lad in it. Any support is very much appreciated!

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One of NZ rugbys biggest names is off! Liam Mitchell the Hurricane and Manawatu Turbo legend, has decided to head off shore with a deal that no one saw coming. He tell's all exclusively to the What a Lad podcast just because he is an absolute lad. 

Many of you will already know the Liam Mitchell story from his What a Lad episode in season 1, where he shared is journey from being in the 4th XV at school, to becoming the leader of the Manawatu Bucketheads and then becoming an official Turbo the following year!

Now the great lad known as Chippy is off to ply his trade in Italy but as you'll hear thats about as much as he knows of the deal. It's always good getting good lads on the podcast, if you enjoy this episode then please give it share it's very much appreciated.

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Youth suicide rates in NZ are out of hand and something needs to be done about it, so it was awesome to get the legend Solomon Alaimalo on What a Lad to openly share what he has been through. Even though he is so called 'living his dream' as a professional rugby player, the stresses and pressure that come with it can at some times be all too much. However the power of opening up and being vunerable is such a powerful tool, as Solomon has learnt through these difficult times. I hope this episode can help anyone out there who is finding life tough to be brave enough to talk about it.

Solomon has also had a very successful career, he was a school boy star at St Bedes College before starring in the ITM Cup for Northland as a youngster. He found himself in the Chiefs setup almost straight away and as thing can happen in Rugby, it all happened pretty quick. He's has since had stints with the Tasman Mako and Waikato and he is currently with the Highlanders and the Southland Stags. 

As you'll hear in this episode Solomon is an absolute lad, who has a massive future ahead of him. It's so awesome to hear where he is at now mentally and I'm excited to see how the next few years go!

If you enjoy this episode or you think that there's someone who would benefit from hearing it, please share it with them. It might just help someone who needs it the most.

To support the podcast head to www.whatalad.com 

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The legendary lad Otere Black is off! Absolute heart break for NZ rugby, as he leaves NZ shores straight after guiding the Blues to their first Championship in a long time!

The beauty of him coming on the podcast is that you get the whole picture for his decision and you can understand why the 26 year old is heading to Japan. Oatsy talks about the offers that he received overseas, his options in NZ and how big of a factor Tokyo Disneyland played into his decision.

Anyone who is a regular listener to this podcast will have already heard the Otere Black journey, as he came on in season 1. What hasn't changed is that he is still an absolute lad, I could talk to this man for days so it was great to get him on again!

If you enjoy this episode please give it a share, all the support is much appreciated.

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Unfortunately I can't release the Otere Black announcement episode I had planned, just yet. However I jumped on this podcast last week, which was hosted by Nelson College students Wil Thornalley and Ollie Inch. Both of these young men are very talented rugby players who have big futures in the game. Anyway I thought they did a great job, asked some good questions and had obviously put some time into it!

If you enjoy it give it a share for the lads!

A big couple of weeks coming up for What a Lad with some great guests lined up so stay right on!

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Man I enjoyed this one with one of the Highlanders greats, Lima Sopoaga! Lima has had a very successful rugby career, having started with the Wellington Lions at just 18 and then moving down to the Highlanders not long after. He's also played for the Southland Stags and of course he's represented his country at the highest level, playing for the All Blacks! 

For the last 3 years Lima has been over in the UK playing for the Wasps, where he openly talks about the struggles that he had adjusting to the different style, something that I could really relate to.

In this episode we discuss everything from Limas time at school, his Super Rugby winning season with the Highlanders, including the famous kick over the head! We also discuss his time in the All Blacks, how hard it was missing out on the RWC squad and the reason for his move to the UK.

It was great to sit down and chat with one of NZs great lads and it was cool to hear all about his journey!

If you enjoy this episode please share it and if you really enjoy it, then please go and get yourself some lad merch, what a lad coffee or any sponsors product from...

www.whatalad.com

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Alex Malcom may not be your house hold name but if you do enjoy your rugby, then you probably know his Facebook page 'The Legend of Marty Banks'. His page is of course named after one of What a Lad listeners favourite guests, Marty Banks and to hear how the whole page came about is pretty crazy.

To think that Alex now gets asked for his autograph or for a selfie at rugby games, for being the man behind a social media page, is something that he is still getting use to. From being a self acclaimed "awful" rugby player, to starting up this page as a bit of a joke, it's pretty cool to see where it is at now.

After hearing how much time that Alex puts into his page, it's no wonder that he has had the success that he has. To think that he has done it all for his love of the game is pretty inspiring stuff. As you'll here Alex is a lad who is looking to use his platform to have a positive influence on the game which is awesome to hear!  Also if you haven't heard of his page go give it a follow

https://www.facebook.com/watch/martybanksrugby/

Also if you want any information on What a Lad products or sponsors discounts head over to

www.whatalad.com

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Reed Prinsep is a great lad who has always enjoyed wearing his Speedos. So what we've got here is an old prank from the archives, where our What a Lad prank expert Mark Abbott, calls a young Reedo and offers him the deal of a life time to team up with Speedos. 

As you'll hear this prank, it really tests the composure of even one of the great pranksters and Reedo handles himself like the lad he is, under all sorts of pressure.

As always if you enjoy this episode please share it and if you're keen to help support the podcast, head over to www.whatalad.com and go place a bid on one of the WLR jerseys!

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Not many people had a crazier 2020 than the great Scott Steele. After being let go by London Irish just before Coronavirus hit, he found himself back at his parents house in Scotland, looking for a job, wondering if he will play professional rugby again. Fast forward 6 months and Scott Steele is making his International debut for Scotland after receiving a lifeline from the Harlequins club in the English Premiership. A crazy story and it's awesome to hear some of the lessons that he has learnt from his experience.

Steely has been a premiership regular having played well over 100 games for London Irish, after playing a handful for the Leicester Tigers in his earlier years. A man with many talents, who has never been afraid to enjoy his time off the field as well. As you will hear, Steely has plenty of great stories from his journey to date and he is an absolute lad who shares his stories with refreshing honesty.

If you enjoy this episode if you could share it to whatever social media platform you use that would be much appreciated. All shares are helping make this podcast grow so thank you! Also if you're keen to help the podcast stay alive, head over to www.whatalad.com and get yourself some lad Merchandise, what a lad coffee or some Pure Sport CBD any love is all much appreciated!

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