What's The Message

Sam Williams on his first year as a head coach, why Super League's reserve grade needs scrapping, what Ricky Stuart taught him about coaching, and the lessons from Canberra, St George, Catalans and Wakefield.

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Joined this week by my current head coach at Northern Pride, Sam Williams.

Sam played for the Canberra Raiders, St George Illawarra Dragons, Catalans

Dragons and Wakefield Trinity before moving into coaching, and he's just come

through his first season in charge in the Queensland Cup. Having played and

coached in both hemispheres, he's one of very few people who can compare the

two systems properly.

He doesn't hold back on Super League's reserve grade, why the Australian

affiliate model works better, and what the UK would need to do to fix it.

We also get into what Ricky Stuart taught him about caring for a region, why

you can't fake being a coach, being 35 and one of the younger heads in the

competition, and shovelling snow off a pitch at Wakefield.

Recorded outdoors at Barlow Park, complete with a grass cutter.

⏱️ CHAPTERS

00:00 Intro

00:56 A disappointing finish and a first year coaching

01:14 The first outdoor podcast

01:57 What rugby league gave him beyond the game

02:20 Canberra, Catalans, Wakefield and now Cairns

04:53 Debut and the 2011 pre-season

05:21 "Sammy, you're playing half in the second trial"

05:51 Playing with the men he watched at 12

06:53 Never feeling destined for it

08:56 Striking gold at Canberra

09:37 Stuck behind Widdop and Benji Marshall at St George

09:58 Off Season Accelerator

10:48 Catalans: new language, new everything

11:43 The run, and a first win at Leeds

12:39 One of the most desirable places on earth

12:57 Crowds, Headingley and Super League atmosphere

14:38 Expectations on clubs

15:27 Warrington taking a game to Dublin

15:53 New Zealand's talent pool

16:44 Coaching people outside of sport

17:07 What makes Super League special

19:29 Ricky Stuart and going back to Canberra

20:20 Caring about the region you coach in

21:11 "You can't fake how you want to be as a coach"

21:44 Being 35 and one of the younger head coaches

23:37 The biggest lesson going into next season

24:31 The Cowboys relationship

25:18 Competing with full time NRL systems

26:25 How the Australian affiliate system works

27:08 Would a reserve grade competition work?

28:18 "Knock reserve grade on the head"

28:40 The North Star is the NRL

30:26 A melee of obstacles

32:48 Embracing it when it's miles from what you know

33:20 Condensation off the roof and shovelling the pitch

34:38 Wakefield flying again

34:53 Arked Coffee

35:23 "That's not professionalism, that's fragility"

36:38 Going back to his hometown club

37:46 The 2019 Grand Final

39:51 "Not a rich man, but a rich man in life"

40:25 What the future looks like

Guest: Sam Williams

Host: Ronan Michael, professional rugby league player (Northern Pride, ex

Bradford Bulls & Huddersfield Giants) and online coach.

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Instagram: @ronanmichael_pt

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#SamWilliams #SuperLeague #RugbyLeague #NRL #WhatsTheMessage

Jaxson Paulo on coming through Keebra Park, debuting for South Sydney under Wayne Bennett, losing the 2021 Grand Final on his 22nd birthday, and why the only opinions worth listening to fit on one hand.

💪 Boost your rugby skills with my online coaching:👉 https://ronanmichaelpt.com/

🎥 Watch Next: My Journey to Pro Rugby – From Amateur Days to Elite Level👉 https://youtu.be/0h5ZV_hWgMI

Joined this week on the podcast by my Northern Pride teammate Jaxson Paulo.Jaxson came through Keebra Park, the school that's produced more NRL players than almost anywhere, then didn't make the team for the last two games of year 12.

He made his own highlight reel, uploaded it to a burner YouTube account, and got scouted to South Sydney. Since then it's been Souths, Roosters, Manly, Cowboys and now Pride.

We get into what actually separates the players who make it from the ones who don't, how to separate the coach from the person, the online abuse that became the lowest point of his career, and the round of golf with his dad that pulled him out of it.

An honest one about confidence, staying yourself, and why enjoying itmakes you better.

⏱️ CHAPTERS

00:00 Intro

01:22 Keebra Park and the wall of NRL players

03:41 Pushed out of the squad in year 12

03:55 "It's not talent that gets you places, it's effort"

04:12 The minimum standard rises at every level

05:32 The lads who got pulled away from the game

07:07 A day and a half in telemarketing

08:08 How much it matters when a coach backs you

09:00 Separating the coach from the person

10:55 Why every Titans player is good at golf

12:57 Why the Gold Coast is the best place on earth

16:37 Never stopping being yourself

17:05 Debuting to no crowd

19:37 Ronan's debut in full lockdown

19:55 The wheeled-in TV and no family

20:42 The highlight reel on a burner YouTube account

21:48 First NSW Cup game

22:20 "I was just happy I didn't die"

23:30 Sam Burgess: "you ready to play?"

24:17 "Wayne knows my name"

31:24 Flipping burgers and telling people he'd go pro

32:50 The online abuse and the lowest point of his career

33:29 The round of golf with his dad

34:26 "No one can stop you"

35:00 Ronan on five months away from the mic

36:27 The 10 fingers rule

36:57 Not your missus, not your relatives

37:49 The mate who told Ronan the hard truth

39:30 Trent Robinson and the Roosters

41:44 200 metres a game and getting lost in the system

46:00 "First time I ever thought I was slow"

47:40 Finding your point of difference

50:07 Back to Queensland

53:12 Why Batley made a Grand Final

56:58 Losing a Grand Final on his 22nd birthday

58:14 Adversity shapes you

58:52 What's nextGuest: Jaxson Paulo

Host: Ronan Michael, professional rugby league player (Northern Pride, ex Bradford Bulls & Huddersfield Giants) and online coach.

📲 Follow the showInstagram: @ronanmichael_pt

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/49zf6kIygYfOKEB7MVrkRN

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/whats-the-message/id1781533599

#JaxsonPaolo #NRL #RugbyLeague #SouthSydneyRabbitohs #SydneyRoosters#ManlySeaEagles #NorthernPride #WhatsTheMessage #RugbyLeaguePodcast

James Tamou on Penrith's culture, the 2015 Grand Final with the North Queensland Cowboys, and what 15 years in the NRL actually teaches you about leadership, resilience and life after footy.

💪 Boost your rugby skills with my online coaching:
👉 https://ronanmichaelpt.com/

🎥 Watch Next: My Journey to Pro Rugby – From Amateur Days to Elite Level
👉 https://youtu.be/0h5ZV_hWgMI

Joined this week on the podcast by NRL premiership winner, Australian and NSW State of Origin representative and former Penrith Panthers captain James Tamou.

James played 15 years at the top level. A 2015 Grand Final with the North Queensland Cowboys, a World Cup, a State of Origin shield, and the captaincy at Penrith right as they were building into a dynasty. In this episode he opens up on what actually creates elite culture, why the little things separate the clubs that sustain success from the ones that don't, and the reality of the drive home after you're told your career is done.

We get into the Kiwi to Australia switch and the headlines that followed, what he learned from Ivan Cleary, why he hired a sports psychologist the day he was made captain, and how he's now giving back through the Townsville Blackhawks and in schools across North Queensland.

An honest conversation about resilience, brotherhood, leadership and life after footy.

⏱️ CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
00:25 Five kids and life outside the NRL bubble
02:08 What does footy give you in terms of legacy?
03:13 The "vortex" players fall into after retirement
04:10 The transferable skills nobody gives you a certificate for
06:13 Kick long and chase hard
08:03 The brotherhood you never get anywhere else
08:35 "What is culture?" James explains it
12:54 Inside Penrith and the start of a generational run
14:04 The 2019 reset: anyone can be next
15:01 First day at the Tigers and the wrong training kit
19:52 Environment is the invisible hand that shapes us
20:10 Why Wigan win and Huddersfield didn't
25:03 Controlling your circle of control
29:49 Ronan on McDonald's, Ireland and having no one to look up to
31:02 My first podcast in five months and why I stepped away
33:29 James didn't make a rep team until he was 17
36:52 Ruthlessly committed to the process, not attached to the outcome
40:43 The Ricky Stuart call and switching allegiance
44:36 2015: Cronulla, Melbourne and the run to the Grand Final
46:18 "I'd already run to the crowd" and then JT hit the post
50:21 How his leadership changed from 2015 to 2020
51:51 Ivan Cleary arrives and everything changes
52:38 Being told he's captain for the rest of the year
53:41 Hiring a sports psychologist and learning to lead
59:59 Life after footy: Blackhawks, schools and giving back
1:03:21 "My time's done" and passing it to his kids

Guest: James Tamou
Host: Ronan Michael, professional rugby league player (Northern Pride, ex Bradford Bulls & Huddersfield Giants) and online coach.

📲 Follow the show
Instagram: @ronanmichael_pt
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/49zf6kIygYfOKEB7MVrkRN
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/whats-the-message/id1781533599

🎥 Watch Next: My Journey to Pro Rugby – From Amateur Days to Elite Level👉 https://youtu.be/0h5ZV_hWgMI💪 Boost your rugby skills with my online coaching:👉 https://ronanmichaelpt.com/Joined this week on the podcast by York Knights five-eighth Ata Hingano. Ata shares his journey through the NRL, starting at the New Zealand Warriors and moving to the Canberra Raiders, before finding a home in the UK with York Knights.We dive into his journey through setbacks, injuries, and resilience, and how he now feels he’s entering his prime at 29, playing some of his best rugby. Ata also opens up about his passion for representing Tonga, his family roots, and why the upcoming Rugby League World Cup is a major goal for him.This is a powerful conversation about growth, perseverance, and performing at your best when it matters most.Subscribe for more Rugby League podcasts, pro athlete stories, and coaching insights!

🎥 Watch Next: My Journey to Pro Rugby – From Amateur Days to Elite Level👉 https://youtu.be/0h5ZV_hWgMI

💪 Boost your rugby skills with my online coaching:👉 https://ronanmichaelpt.com/

Joined this week on the podcast by ex-England international and former Featherstone Rovers head coach Paul Cooke. Paul and I dive deep into all things Rugby League as he reflects on his journey as a professional player and his transition into life after rugby through coaching and commentary.

Paul also shares the story behind his hit book “Judas”, giving insight into one of the most talked-about chapters in Rugby League history.

We also discuss the future of the game, why Rugby League is changing, and what needs to happen for the sport to continue to grow.If you enjoy in-depth Rugby League conversations, stories from the game’s past, and insights into where the sport is heading, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Subscribe for more Rugby League podcasts, pro athlete stories, and coaching insights!

🎥 Watch Next: My Journey to Pro Rugby – From Amateur Days to Elite Level👉 https://youtu.be/0h5ZV_hWgMI

💪 Boost your rugby skills with my online coaching: ronanmichaelpt.com

Joined this week on the podcast by ex-Huddersfield Giants teammate and current Leeds Rhinos player Danny Levi. Danny and I dive into his career so far, including the brutal reality of breaking his jaw twice in one season, and the challenges of being on the fringe at Canberra Raiders, minor Premiers in the NRL.

Danny shares how developing unshakeable self-belief has helped him survive and thrive in elite environments, and why he’s excited to return to the UK for a new challenge with Leeds Rhinos this season. A powerful conversation about resilience, belief, and backing yourself when the odds are stacked against you.

Subscribe for more Rugby League podcasts, pro athlete stories, and coaching insights!

🎥 Watch Next: My Journey to Pro Rugby – From Amateur Days to Elite Level👉 https://youtu.be/0h5ZV_hWgMI💪 Boost your rugby skills with my online coaching: ronanmichaelpt.comThis episode marks the first podcast of the year and my first-ever solo episode. I dive into a hard truth I’ve had to face - the goals I set were simply too small. In this conversation, I share my thoughts on the importance of failing forward, embracing discomfort, and why thinking small does nothing but limit your potential.This episode is about raising standards, taking ownership, and committing to bigger goals, even when failure is guaranteed along the way. If you’re an athlete, coach, or anyone striving for more, this one’s for you.Subscribe for more Rugby League podcasts, mindset conversations, and personal development insights!

🎥 Watch Next: My Journey to Pro Rugby – From Amateur Days to Elite Level👉 https://youtu.be/0h5ZV_hWgMI💪 Boost your rugby skills with my online coaching: ronanmichaelpt.comJoined this week on the podcast by ex-NRL star and current Halifax Panthers player David Nofoaluma. David opens up about his journey through the NRL, Super League, and Championship, and how his mindset has evolved with age and experience.He reflects on the pressures of being in the spotlight, learning from past mistakes, and how adversity has shaped him into the best version of himself - both on and off the field. This episode is a raw and honest look at growth, resilience, and self-awareness in professional sport.Subscribe for more Rugby League podcasts, pro athlete stories, and coaching tips!

Off Season Program 👉https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_JIeAhZ9CGyI2iAwrd6s6YSe7pnjKL03/view?usp=sharing🎥 Watch Next: My Journey to Pro Rugby – From Amateur Days to Elite Level👉 https://youtu.be/0h5ZV_hWgMI💪 Boost your rugby skills with my online coaching: ronanmichaelpt.comJoined this week on the podcast by one of my best friends and former Huddersfield Giants teammate Chris McQueen. Chris opens up about life after rugby - the challenges of transitioning from professional sport to the real world - and his new role as RLPA Transition Manager, helping players navigate that same journey.We reflect on the highs of his career - winning a Grand Final, playing State of Origin, and representing his heritage in an England Rugby League jersey, as well as the emotional reality of retirement and the curtain closing on his playing career. This episode captures the truth of Rugby League the highs, the lows, and everything in between.Subscribe for more Rugby League podcasts, pro athlete stories and coaching tips!

Off Season Program 👉https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_JIeAhZ9CGyI2iAwrd6s6YSe7pnjKL03/view?usp=sharing

🎥 Watch Next: My Journey to Pro Rugby – From Amateur Days to Elite Level👉 https://youtu.be/0h5ZV_hWgMI

💪 Boost your rugby skills with my online coaching: ronanmichaelpt.com

Joined this week on the podcast by ex-NRL and Super League player Blake Austin.

Blake opens up about his journey as a professional Rugby League player, the emotional highs and lows of life as an athlete, and his perspective on the future of the game.We tackle the elephant in the room — the R360 competition — and dive into the differences between the NRL and Super League, as well as ideas to grow the game globally.

Blake also shares how he’s adjusting to life after footy and why he still misses his time playing in the UK.

Subscribe for more Rugby League podcasts, pro athlete stories, and coaching insights!