What a Lad – Details, episodes & analysis

Bailey Simonsson is one of the best outside backs in the NRL and it was crazy to hear how close he was to giving up on the game! After a couple of years with the BOP Steamers and a short stint with the All Blacks 7's side Bailey returned home back to Australia with no professional contract. 12 months later and he's playing in the NRL final for the Canberra Raiders.

This episode is another case of the different pressures that are placed on these guys in both codes of footy. The pressure to take your opportunities when you're starting out, which was highlighted for Bailey with the NZ 7's side. How to deal with imposter syndrome, which he felt while training with the Chiefs as a teenager. The long term injury set backs which Bailey has had his fair share of including his current ACL recovery! Also dealing with the abuse that comes with a low fantasy NRL score.

As you'll hear Bailey is a champion lad who has a real good energy and plenty of cool insights into his journey and rugby league. If you enjoy this episode please give it a share so that we can continue to bring more great guest like this. 

The Chris Eaton episode is one that left my cheeks sore from laughing so much, while also pulled on the heartstrings to bring tears in the eyes. This story is one of the most incredible stories yet. 

From growing up in Flaxmere which he would describe as "the hood", staying out of trouble growing up was about as hard as keeping the Hurricanes 9 jersey off TJ Perenara.After several last chances with Hawkes Bay relating off field incidents and a contract which involved no alcohol, Chris got through it to end up playing 114 games for his beloved Magpies. He then had 2 good seasons with the Hurricanes in Super Rugby which he shares plenty of good stories from those times.

Then the moment that changed his life forever. The tragic death of his wife. Hearing him talk about the moment he had to tell his 4 year old daughter the news was the saddest thing I've heard on the podcast. The way he bounced back from that tragic event is so inspiring and hearing how his life is now is very cool to hear.

Chris is a very funny story teller and some of the yarns in this one go straight to the all time hall of fame. I know you'll enjoy this one and when you do please give it a share so I can continue to bring you champion lads like this man.

Jamie Hannah is one of the most impressive young players in our game, you don't often see forwards with the skillset and game awareness that this kid has as well as the engine and toughness to boot. He is one very impressive player.

He is also a massive lad as well, growing up in North Canterbury living the good life on the farm riding motorbikes and playing footy. Some key points in this episode were..

• His journey from playing in the academy to making his mark in professional rugby.
• The challenges of maintaining weight and strength. 
• The valuable lessons he learned from experienced players like Sam Whitelock.
• The importance of playing freely
• His journey to becoming a Crusader, and his aspirations to play for the All Blacks.
• The importance of skill development, overcoming challenges, and maintaining a positive mindset
• And heaps more.

This episode will be one we can all watch back in 10 years time and see how cool it was to hear the future star of our game talking about his journey but for now it's an awesome insight into the journey of a very talented lad. If you enjoy this episode please give it a share so I can continue to bring you these episodes.

Finals Footy is here! We've been pumped for this weekend for ages and now it's finally here! After last weekends disaster round on the picks, it's fair to say Searley and I make it up to you this week with all the information you need to pick the games correctly.

We do start with last weeks games though and what a way for the 4 teams who have finished to exit. Huge wins from the Force, Rebels, Moana and an unbelievable effort from the Drua! Like I said, terrible for the picks but great for Super Rugby and what an awesome addition the Drua and Moana have been to the comp.

We also go through all the quarter finals and share our insight into the knockout matches, highlight our key players and Searley even comes up trumps with some ticket discounts! This is arguable the best preview yet so I hope you enjoy it and enjoy the round of Super Rugby.

This episode was sponsored by Swysh, the perfect gift for sport fans – Check them out Here Swysh

If you want to use Searley 2 for 1 ticket discount for the Blues v Highlanders game use the code 241PROMO 

A couple of days after sitting down with Ajeet for a What a Lad episode, he messaged me. He asked if he could come back on and open up about some of his mental health struggles he has had during his tennis career. Never an easy thing to topic to talk about but such an important one.

I’m honoured that Ajeet felt comfortable to use the What a Lad platform and I do really hope this episode can help anyone who might be going through something similar.

NZs number 1 tennis player Ajeet Rai is on What a Lad this week and it was awesome to get an insight into life as a professional tennis player.

Ajeet who started playing at the age of 3 has been committed to becoming the best tennis player he can be throughout his life. Now 23 years old and winning singles and doubles tournaments around the world, he looks to be on the brink of something pretty special. 

It was really interesting to hear the lifestyle of a tennis player and some of the challenges they face. As you'll hear in this one, Ajeet is such a good lad, very easy to talk to and plenty of good insight in to Tennis.

If you enjoy this episode please give it a share, it does help the podcast massively.

This episode was sponsored by Swysh, the perfect gift for sport fans – Check them out Here Swysh

If you're interested in more information about O-Studio from the legend Tim Bateman then click here O-Studio

The last games of round robin are here before we get into the excitement of knockout footy! Heaps to get through  in this one with some massive games last week and plenty of success with the tips. Also a huge round for me in fantasy rugby to get me into 2nd so I'll tell you my team to get you to the top.

Searley and I also preview all the games for this weekend, give you our winners and players to look out for and most importantly how to make a buck or two. 

If you enjoy the episode as always give it a share for us and go get a Swysh from Searley, myself or any of the other sport stars on there by heading to this link Swysh

Dave Porecki is a perfect example of how far you can get when you commit to something and you're willing to make the sacrifices.

It was awesome to catch up with Dave who has been consistently putting out world class performances for the Waratahs this season and has forced his way into the Australia squad.

A man of routine who boarders on a suffering from serious OCD, Dave has worked hard for everything he has got. I think this is a great episode for anyone who is trying to make it in the game or anything to be fair.

It was also very interesting to hear the comparison between rugby in the UK compared to Australia. Something Dave knows well after having played many years over there with Saracen and London Irish.

I wouldn't say Dave is your typical rugby lad but geez he is a seriously good lad and I'm sure you'll enjoy this one. If you do enjoy it, please give it a share.

This episode was sponsored by Swysh, the perfect gift for sport fans – Check them out Here Swysh

Finally if you're keen to get your hands on some Pure Sport products, then click this link here Pure Sport and use the discount code whatalad20 for 20% off

How good is Super Rugby! Another cracking weekend last weekend and the match ups this weekend make for a very interesting round.

For this episode I am joined by the great Searley who is officially joined Swysh! Huge day for Swysh and Searley go get your left nut bully from him right now. But anyway we review last weeks games and highlight who stood out for us. We then work into the preview where we tips plenty of winners, chat the what a lad power plays and give you an insight into how I'm going to win Fantasy rugby from 6th place.

Lots of chat in this one, if you enjoy it as always give it a share.

This episode was sponsored by Swysh, the perfect gift for sport fans – Check them out Here Swysh

If you've ever wondered what being a punter in American Football is like then this is the episode for you!

In this episode I'm joined by James Evans, the 20 year old from Auckland, who is making a name for himself playing College Football for the Indiana Hoosiers.

The size of college football in America is mind blowing where they are playing in sold out stadiums of up to 100,000 crazy football fans. On the back of that sort of following comes the money involved with it. Hearing about the facilities and their budget and comparing it to rugby here in NZ, it's on a whole different level.

And of course James' journey to becoming a College Football player is a very cool one. A NZ rugby player who just loved kicking the ball, one day thought how cool it would be to only have to kick. After a short time at the Pro Kick academy, he has now pushed on to the big stage and hoping to push on to the NFL.

As you'll here, James is a champion lad and after hearing his story I'm very excited to follow his journey.

This episode was sponsored by Swysh, the perfect gift for sport fans – Check them out Here Swysh

If you're interested in more information about O-Studio from the legend Tim Bateman then click here O-Studio

Finally if you're keen to get your hands on some Pure Sport products, then click this link here Pure Sport and use the discount code whatalad20 for 20% off