Phil Burleigh is one of those lads you just can't not like. A top man who has had a very interesting career which has seen him have the highs of playing internationally for Scotland and the lows of battling through some tough injuries. However he has got through those and remarkably is still going strong today as he fast approaches 37.

In this episode we go through plenty of good yarns which include...

His current situation in Japan with Kyuden

His pathway to professional rugby and why he had to leave Canterbury

His Super Rugby time with the Chiefs and how he then became a Highlander which is a crazy yarn.

Is time at the Highlanders and some funny yarns about Jamie Joseph

His move to Edinburgh which lead to playing international rugby for Scotland

And heaps more.

Such an enjoyable episode this one, you'll understand by the end of it why so many people regard Phil as one of the great lads. If you enjoy this episode, there's 3 thing you can do for me to help. Firstly sharing the episode, by word of mouth or social media it all helps out massively. Secondly make sure you are following What a Lad on Spotify/Apple or where ever you listen to the podcast and lastly get yourself some merch at What a Lad!

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With the first round of the RWC been and gone there was plenty to discuss in this weeks episode with a very special guest joining Searley and I in Jacob Atkins who give us a Northern Hemisphere flavour to the episode.

We first look back the all the games from last week

Give a quick round up on my fantasy team from last week

Preview all the games for this week including a player to watch/ buy for your fantasy team.

We get some bold predictions from the great Jake the Snake.

Plenty of full noise code chat in this one, if you enjoy it give it a share and spread the love.

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What an incredible journey Danny Cipriani has had on and off the field!

On it he's one of the best ball players at the line we have seen, his understanding of the game is next level and has played some incredible rugby over his 18 year career. The biggest mystery is to why such a talent only ended with 16 caps for his country and something we discuss in detail throughout the episode.

Off the field it's like a TV drama, so much has gone on it's hard to believe it's been his life. He's a man who seem's to have things come to him whether it's paparazi, women and off field incidents, it certainly has been an eventful journey. 

What Danny has been through and seeing him out the other side so content and in love is inspiring. I'm sure whatever opinion you had on Danny Cipriani before listening to this episode you'll finish it thinking what a lad he is.

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The time has come, the RWC is almost here starting with some absolute beaut games! Of course What a Lads roving reporter Searley joins us live from France for this one to talk all thing RWC and get the excitement levels humming an incredible weekend of code.

In this episode we go through all the games and try to predict a few results. In the back half we also give you the best insight into the RWC Fantasy Rugby you will get, if you're playing the game you need to listen to this before the weekend to avoid missing out on some points.

Plenty to enjoy in this one and make sure you get envolved with the RWC fantasy and join the What a Lad league Link here

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Piri Weepu is a true NZ rugby legend, the instinctive halfback had a unique ability as a 9 and showed all his talents as he helped guided the All Blacks to the 2011 RWC when the nation started the 'Keep Calm Piri is on' movement.

We talk about plenty in this one like...

Piri's Tiki Tours and how he got his own TV show

Growing up in Wainuomata and his love for League

Making his way into the Wellington Lions and Hurricanes

The fog Final where he was KO'd

Missing out on the 2007 RWC with the All Blacks and how hard that was

How close he was to going to the NRL

Making the 2011 RWC and how he handled the pressure of the nation

His departure at the Hurricanes

The stroke he had at the Blues

His move over to the UK and France and why he feel out of love for the game

The struggles with life after rugby

And hard to believe but heaps more in this mammoth episode.

Piri is such a true character of the game and such a good lad, I'm sure you'll enjoy this one. If you do please do us a huge favour and share it with someone you think would enjoy it.

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With the RWC just around the corner I managed to get the sport guru and absolute lad Searley back on What a Lad to talk all thing RWC and get the excitement levels humming for what is going to be a very special Rugby World Cup.

In this episode we talk about...

All the last warm up games and what those results mean

Our predictions for which teams will get out of pool play

We share our biggest concerns and what excites us the most for this RWC 

We have a go at picking the player of the tournament

And heaps more!

Plenty to enjoy in this one and make sure you get envolved with the RWC fantasy and join the What a Lad league Link here

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Brendan Chainsaw Laney was one of everyones favourite players in the late 90's, he had the skills and turn of pace to change a game and of course the Chainsaw try celebration!

In this episode we chat through...

How it was between boxing and rugby as a teenager,

Playing for South Canterbury while at school,

The good times playing for Otago and the Highlanders on and off the field,

Moving to Scotland and playing against the All Blacks twice in a week!

Handling the black lash that came with going to straight in to the national side,

Life after footy with commentating and owning his own business,

And heaps more.

As you'll hear theres a good reason why this man is so loved by so many, he is an absolute lad who enjoys a beer and a good time.

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Cory Jane is widely regarded as one of the all time great wingers with a combination of his sharp footwork, deadly fend and ability under the high ball. As his body slowed down he re-invented himself as one of the smartest defensive wingers in the game where he has now taken that knowledge and use it in the coaching world where he now coaches the Hurricanes.

Theres so much in this episode as we discuss

- All the different hair styles he's had.

- How he practiced his skills growing up by himself.

- His pathway to the All Blacks with included Hawkes Bay, NZ 7s, Wellington and the Hurricanes.

- Everything about the 2011 RWC including the infamous night out midweek.

- Ending his career in Japan and the battles with his injuries.

- His transition into coaching post footy.

- And as always lot's of your questions that came and heaps more.

As you'll hear Cory is a character and an absolute lad so if you enjoy this episode please give it a share.

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TJ Va'a was a school boy star and one of the brightest prospects coming through NZ rugby. The reality of this sport is that not every gifted young player gets to have the careers that they all hope for and TJ certainly fits that category. He  played for the Wellington Lions as a teenager and also made the Hurricanes wider squad and he was well on his way to becoming a household name. Unfortunately straight after school he went on a shocking run of injuries which lead him to retiring at the young age of 21!

The challenges of the transition to life after rugby is incredibly tough even after a full career let alone it being taken away from you 3 years in while hardly getting a shot. TJ talks about all the battles he faced mentally with the situation he was in and shares so much good advice for anyone transitioning or struggling with mental health or injuries.

I really enjoyed this episode, I think plenty will benefit from it so if you do enjoy it please give it a share.

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In this episode you'll hear the brutal reality of professional sport, one minute Ollie Hoskins has 2 more years left on his significant London Irish contract, the next minute he has nothing! What makes it worse is that there are now 50 other players in the same boat, on top of the players from Wasps and Worcester meaning that negotiation power as a rugby player is incredibly low. That's not to mention the staff either, so the collapse of London Irish has been very tough times for all involve. However it was great to get an insight into how thar whole process went down from the most passionate London Irish man I know. 

It was also cool to go through his journey from growing up in Perth and going from being a massive Western Force fan to becoming a Western Force player. A converted loosie who was moved into prop shares his battles with becoming a frontrower and all the mental struggles he had to overcome to get to where he is today. Even how Ollie became a one cap Wallaby is a fascinating story in itself!

So much in this episode to get your ears around and as you'll hear Ollie is an absolute lad!

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