Oli Mathis is one of the most talented young players in the country. The Hamilton Boys star produced some of the most iconic NZ Schools performances we’ve ever seen. Whether he’s been playing loose forward or on the wing, the 20-year-old has been unstoppable playing for Waikato, the All Blacks 7’s side & the NZ U20s.

In this episode, we chat about:

• What it was like growing up in Waihi on the farm
• Why he moved to Hamilton Boys and his time in the First XV
• We talk about those incredible NZ Schools performances and what he felt set him apart as a schoolboy
• Why he turned down the Crusaders Academy to stay in the Chiefs region
• His experiences with Waikato, Chiefs wider squad, All Blacks 7s and NZ U20s
• The frustration of missing the U20 World Cup Final through injury
• Life as a hybrid forward/wing and where he sees his best position
• Where he see’s his future in the game
• And heaps more

As you’ll hear Oli is a passionate rugby man, he always has been! And then when he’s not on the field, he is up on the hills hunting in true kiwi style. This is an awesome insight into someone with a huge future ahead of him, a special talent and one of the great lads.

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Jamison Gibson Park has gone on to be without a doubt one of the best 9s in world rugby! He's one of my favourite players to watch the way he plays with speed and controls the tempo of games while always nailing the basics. He was also one of my favourite team mates to play with because he was just a massive lad. 4 years ago this episode was recorded where he had just debuted for Ireland so it's pretty cool to hear some of the conversations we had around his future plans to see how far he has exceeded them!

Some other parts that stood out for me in this episode...

Hearing about the rural upbringing Jamison had on Great Barrier Island.

How he handled missing out on the NZ 20's even though many felt he should've been in there.

How he was shafted by the Blues.

Winning the Super Rugby with the Hurricanes, starting as a wider squad member.

Why he left NZ.

How he had found it over in Ireland & with Leinster.

And heaps more!

As you'll hear, Jammo is a massive lad and it's been so cool seeing him starring at RWC's with Ireland and now on the Lions tour. He is one of the greats!

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Daniel Bell might not be a recognisable name for you all, but as soon as you hear that voice – you will definitely recognise the voice. The man widely regarded for having the greatest larynx in the country which we have heard delivering some of the great moments in Heartland Rugby! Donny Bell has an infectious love for the game and brings the fizz like no other.

In this episode, we chat about:

•Why he always wanted to be a commentator as a kid

•Commentating with some of his childhood hero’s including Chainsaw Laney

•His commentary impersonations of almost every commentator in the game (including the South African special!)

•An awesome insight into what goes on behind the mic

•Plenty of great yarns from travelling around the country

And heaps more!

This is a very entertaining episode with a great insight into what goes on behind the mic, Donny brings impressive energy to this one and I voice I could listen to all day.

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Sam Darry is a massive lad! Standing at over 2 metres tall and at just 24 years old the man has achieved and been through a lot! And it feels like he is still just getting started,

After dominating schoolboy footy, Sam signed with Canterbury young and then made a bold move to head north to the Blues, a decision that he felt gave him the opportunity to become one of the best young locks in the game. It's fair to say it's worked out pretty well for him, being an important piece of the puzzle in the Blues 2024 winning season and going on to become an All Black.

In this episode we dive into:

• Growing up with his mum Kat being being the All Blacks nutritionist
• How rowing at college helped shape him as an athlete
• Why he decided to turn down the Crusaders to head to the Blues
• Tom Robinson’s top-tier pranks
• How Vern Cotter helped his game
• What it meant to win the 2024 Super Rugby Title with the Blues
• Why Jase Ryan had to square him before his debut
• His tight bond with Luke Romano, and lessons he’ll never forget
• How he has handled the different injuries he has been hit with throughout his career
• And how he plans to attack the next three years with a World Cup in sight

Big Sam Darry is sharp, humble, and full of unreal yarns. He is on his way to becoming one of the greats, and this episode gives you an insight into the journey and the man of the future legend.

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No one has won more Super Rugby titles than Mitchell Drummond! A man who has done it all in the red and black jersey, Drummy has won 3 NPC titles with Canterbury and a ridiculous 8 Super Rugby titles with the Crusaders – yes, 8 titles! Add to that a test for the All Blacks, a stint with the Barbarians, over 100 games for Canterbury, and being the youngest ever Crusaders centurion and you start to get the picture.

But beyond the stats, Mitch has been the Glue Guy for the Canterbury Region for over a decade, a man who has genuinely put the team first and always nailed his role in the side whatever that may be.

In this episode, we chat about:

- An exclusive announcement on where he will be playing his rugby this season

- Why he chose Rugby over a promising Cricket career

- Why he turned down an offer from another Club

- How he went from playing against the All Blacks one week to playing for them the next

- An insight into the competitive rivalry with Bryn Hall

- His struggles with social media comments

- How he feels about his Dad owning the Highlanders

- And all of your questions!

Drummy also gives some great insights into leadership, what’s made the Crusaders successful, and great advice for young aspiring rugby player.

Mitch Drummond is one special human and this episode is one of the great episodes!

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Rugby fans don't get much bigger than Colin Mansbridge! Who also just happens to be potentially the most successful CEO in all sport, having been the Crusaders CEO for the last 8 years which includes 7 Titles! However, for many it was the way he handled himself and the organisation last season when Crusaders missed the top 8 which was most impressive!

In this episode, Colin brings plenty of honesty, insight, and laughs and we go through some of the challenges and triumphs of being the boss!

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

Why he decided to ban the Cow Bells from the Super Rugby final

His take on Super Rugby and where it’s heading

Why he stood by Rob Penney and didn’t panic after the 2024 season

His love for rugby and in particular scrums

How he landed the CEO gig despite thinking he couldn’t run a rugby club

The decision behind the Crusaders rebrand

His thoughts on the new stadium

How he ended up on TikTok,

Who he reckons is the best player he’s ever CEO’d

And of course… his secret to locking down a good scrum

Colin brings the same level-headedness and wit to this chat that he brings to one of rugby’s most demanding jobs. If you want to understand what really goes on behind the curtain at the Crusaders, this one is for you.

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He’s trained the greatest All Blacks of the modern era, he's survived the pressure cooker of test rugby, and has done so for the past 18 years! Nic Gill, the legendary All Blacks trainer, sits down for one of the great yarns full of honesty, laughs, and elite-level insight.

In this episode we cover:

• What makes him one of the most respected S&C coaches in world sport
• His reaction when Razor took over — and if he thought he’d be staying on
• Why he initially turned down the All Blacks job
• The struggles of a young S&C coach, the sleep deprivation, the sacrifices — and the lessons learned from it.
• What it was like when he firsat came into the All Blacks environment
• Ma’a Nonu pulling down his pants and a $750 bet gone wrong
• The heartbreak of RWC 2023 and what it’s like being that guy on the sideline
• The fastest, strongest, fittest All Blacks
• His best advice for up-and-coming S&Cs
• And heaps more

If you’ve ever wanted a peek behind the curtain of the All Blacks machine — or what it takes to build and sustain excellence — this is it. One of the great men, with a stack of stories and a massive impact on NZ rugby. What a lad!

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For this weeks Fan Favourite episode we throw back to one of the most powerful episodes to date, I’ll always remember this episode for the feeling of goosebumps I got down my spine as Michael Fatialofa shared his incredible journey. Fats was one of the toughest players on the field I ever played with and he proved he was even tougher off it after a life changing tackle.

The former Auckland, Southland and Hurricanes star was over in the UK playing for Worcester, when he was hit awkwardly in a tackle that caused him to be Paralysed from the neck down. He was told he will never walk again! From that moment his life had changed forever and hearing the battle he has gone through the last 3 years left me feeling inspired, sad and proud of what he has been able to achieve.

This episode is an awesome reminder to be truely grateful for everything you have in your life, as like in Michaels case it can literally be taken away from you overnight. I'm so grateful to Fat's for coming on What a Lad and speaking so openly about his journey, it is one of the most powerful and inspiring episodes ever!

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