"Who's that new hooker at the Crusaders?" That's a question I'm hearing everywhere! Well in fact that man is Ioane Moananu and this is your chance to here all about in his first ever podcast. Now Ioane is incredibly humble and down to earth with a infectious laugh and cool story. From struggling to start for Counties Manakau to becoming arguably the form hooker of Super Rugby Ioane has had an incredible 12 months and the future is so bright for this great man.

This episode is a good reminder of when you play the game because you love it, the setbacks become easier to handle. Ioane has had plenty of challenging injuries early in his career and his mum recommended he shouldn't play anymore. That was never an option for Ioane who has a passion for the game.

It's also a reminder that as you move into the professional game, all those professional habits like recovery, sleep, nutrition all add up to make a massive difference in performance as we've seen with Ioane. So there is plenty of great advice in this one!

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Scott Fuglistaller was one of those champion team mates who did everything he could to be the best he could be. Unfortunately for the self acclaimed battler it was just never quite enough during his time at the Hurricanes competing with some pretty gifted athletes. He found a way though with moves to the Highlanders and then the Melbourne Rebels for him to become a regular Super Rugby starter and even captain. Sitting at a natural weight of around 80kgs, Scotty had to work so hard in the gym and with his diet to get to a weight that he could survive in the forwards at Super Rugby level. That came at a price, having 11 major surgeries during his career which took it's toll.

Some other parts that stood out for me in this one were..

The freedom Scotty had growing up which meant he grew up quick

How finding rugby was a turning point in his life

How he got from 80kg to 106kgs

His battles with self confidence and why he played his best under pressure

Why he moved to Japan and his time playing there

The struggle of life after rugby

And how he landed in his current role of helping retired players tranisition with the NZRPA.

As you'll hear Scotty has had a journey to get where he is, he's such a top man who will always put others first. Let me know what stood out for you in this one in the comments 👇

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Voted by you guys as the funniest episode ever!

Charlie Gubb is one of my all time favourite Warriors, not just because of the way he played on the field (even though he was an absolute animal) but more importantly because of how big of a lad that he is off it.

Gubby is the kind of team mate everyone loves to have in the team environment, loves a yarn, loves banter and just loves being around the lads. What I didn't realise before going into this podcast was the incredible journey Rugby League took him on!

Some of the interesting points were..

How he made his own highlights package and posted it to all the NRL clubs to get his first opportunity,

How he eventually worked his way into the Warriors and some classic stories from his time with them,

Why he moved to the Raiders (another crazy story that) followed by a move to the UK,

His battles with concussion and mental health,

Why he walked out on his contract in the UK,

and how he ended up starting up Wellingtons favourite porta loo company, Porta Kings.

This is without a doubt one of the funniest episodes so far. I found myself laughing away through this episode at the time and then in the edit. At the end of this episode you'll realise why everyone regards the great Charlie Gubb as one of the all time great team mates.

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Taha Kemara is one of the most talented players in the country, he's fast, he's tough, he has an incredible skillset and more importantly he is a champion lad! For a 21 year old he has certainly experienced plenty of highs and lows from the game already some parts that stood out for me were..

- Growing up as a bigger sized kid which lead him to playing prop until college.

- His time at Hamilton Boys and the influence Nigel Hotham had on him

- Signing with the Crusaders for 3 years straight out of school

- How he's learnt from Richie Mo'unga, Aaron Cruden, Fergus Burke, James O'Connor, Stephen Donald in his first few years.

- He shares his memory from the moment he ruptured his bowel in the NPC

- The challenges involved with moving away from home

- What lies ahead and heaps more.

As you'll hear Taha is such a good human, hard to believe he is only 21! The potential he has is massive and I'm sure you will enjoy following his journey after hearing what a lad he is!

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After 5 years of What a Lad here is one of your selected favourite episodes with the great Robbie Flynn. Robbie is was widely regarded as one of the most talented players in the country but as we all know talent will only get you so far. The beauty of this episode is how honest Robbie is with what held him back from fulfilling his potential.

Robbie Flynn really should be a household name. He should be known as a rugby player who played at the highest level, with the natural talent that he had. Unfortunately, Robbie blew chance, after chance, after chance, as he struggled with self discipline and like many talented kids, he just kind of expected things to happen.

Hearing Robbie talk about his upbringing was incredible and to say he had a tough start to life would be a massive understatement. His love for rugby throughout the episode is clear and self confidence that he has is refreshing to hear.

I hope you all find this episode as inspiring and funny as I did and if you know a young talented athlete please send it on to them

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Andy Ellis is one of the most well connected lads on the planet and after this episode it’s clear to see why. He’s the ultimate ‘yes man’, happy to give anything a crack which is evident by his list of achievements.

Some of his achievements include…

➖ Hosting the no1 TV show in NZ ‘Moving Houses’

➖ Having the no1 song in NZ with C-City Brothers

➖ Hosted the morning radio show

➖ Qualified landscaper

➖ Business owner of Black Origin (Wagu Beef), Gravity (internet company), Hello Kiwi (internet domains)

➖ NPC winner with Canterbury

➖ Super Rugby winner with the Crusaders

➖ RWC winner with the All Blacks

➖ Japan Top League winner with Kobe

➖ MLR winner with New York

So there is obviously plenty to talk about in this one and Andy is a natural story teller and it’s easy to see why he is so well respected, he is just a massive lad! Plenty of gold advice throughout that I’m sure you’ll enjoy and if you do please give it a share to anyone else you think might enjoy it as well.

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Harry Wilson in 2023 missed out on the Wallabies RWC squad and was even struggling to make the Australia A side! Fast forward to 2024 and he is not just in the Wallabies but he's captaining his country to some of the best form they have been in for a long time. For the last 5 years Harry has been one of the best loose forwards in Super Rugby, where his work rate and collisions are up there with the best in the world! At only 25 years old, he's got a massive future still ahead of him!

Some other parts that stood out for me in this one were..

His mindset off a goal line dropout

Hearing his pathway to the Wallabies through Brothers Rugby Club and the Reds

Why he choose rugby over cricket

How he dealt with being in and out of the Wallabies for several years

Where he feels Australia Rugby is at right now

Why he decided to stay in Australia for 4 more years

And all of your questions!

As you'll hear Harry is the ultimate lad, just a good human who loves his footy and a good time. He's the type of guy you'd love to follow into a battle!

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Kyle Preston is someone who deserves every bit of success he gets. His work ethic is unmatched and to hear his journey and how he has stuck to the plan even when he wasn't getting the rewards was truely inspiring. Having had one of the all time great Super Rugby debuts a few weeks ago scoring 3 tries, it was an opportunity for Kyle to show the world he was as ready as he knew he was. Whether it was doing body weight exercises till tears, kicking and passing at the park by himself for 2-3 a day or avoiding all junk food from a young age, Kyle has definitely made plenty of sacrifices to get his opportunity.

Some other parts that stood out for me were..

Where this drive for Kyle to train like he does come from

How he handled non selection for being "too small"

How hard the juggling of roofing and chasing the professional rugby dream is

Why he decided to move to the Crusaders over his hometown Hurricanes

Kyle clears the air on who is dad really is

And heaps more!

As you'll hear Kyle is committed to being the best player he can be and its clear that he has a huge future ahead of him. I hope you enjoy the episode and if you do please give it a share.

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