The life of a head coach can be as brutal at times and it's fair to say that Rob Penney has been on the receiving end of his fair share of public criticism. However, what I am excited to share with you in this episode is just what a champion man hey is. From playing 100 games for Canterbury as a tough loose forward to becoming a Head Coach who has coached all around the world, the Rob Penney journey is a fascinating one!

Some parts that stood out were...

Firstly hearing his thoughts on the Crusaders 2024 season and expectations for 2025

What he remembers about the infamous name calling of the reporter

Growing up in Canterbury dreaming of playing for them and then achieving that dream.

Hearing how hard it was for a young guy coming into those environments back then

How he made his transition into coaching

Hearing all about coaching Canterbury, NZ u20s, Munster, the Waratahs, Shining Arcs.

His recall on the Simon Zebo phone call with the Lions

How his high optimism has got his through the tough times of head coaching

And heaps more.

As you'll hear Rob Penney has so much wisdom, he has had so many highs and lows in the game so was able to share plenty of gold advice from his experiences. If you enjoy this episode please give it a share and I will promise to keep bringing you more great guests like Rob Penney.

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This week on What a Lad we are joined by Hugh Pyle who in my opinion is the greatest Australian rugby player never to be capped by the Wallabies. Standing at over 2 meters tall, Hugh's combination of skillset and workrate has seen him have a remarkable career firstly in Australia with the Rebels before moving to France, where he became a centurion with Stade Français. He finished off in Japan with Toshiba before calling time on his Rugby career.

In his podcast debut, Hugh shares candid insights about his life post-rugby, including his transition to a career as a mortgage broker. He dives into his unique method of reflecting on his career through four key pillars: enjoyment, playing form, salary, and game time, revealing the lessons he learned along the way.

Hugh also talks about plenty of challenges he faced while playing which included battling with dodgy knees, adjusting to life in different parts of the world and even dealing with a serious brain injury.

As you'll hear, Hugh is a massive lad, someone who's reflective personality makes for thought provocative content, he also has a great sense of humor, and can tell a yarn. I'm sure you'll enjoy this one and if you do please give it a share so I can keep bringing you great guest like Hugh.

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Hamish Kerr is officially the greatest High Jumper in the world having recently won Gold at the Paris Olympics. However, what you're about to hear in this episode is an insight into the mind of the Olympic champion and you'll be amazed at how close he came to bowing out in the Qualifiers which in his mind would have meant retirement. The pressure that come on one single jump is insane and when you need to be relaxed and in flow when jumping how you handle that pressure is the difference.

Some other cool parts of this episode that should out for me was..

Growing up playing lot's of sports, playing on the wing in rugby

How at the age of 11 he was arguably faster than Rieko Ioane

His journey into High Jump and why he quit after school

An insight in to the training schedule of an individual athlete

How important your mindset in as a world class athlete

Why he wasn't keen to settle on the split gold medal

What made him take off to the middle of the Javelin field once he had won the gold

And heaps more!

As you'll hear Hamish is a very smart, open and honest man who gives so much gold (excuse the pun) in this episode. What he has done for High Jump and Athletics in this country has been massively and he is such a champion! If you enjoyed this episode please give it share and I will continue to bring you more great guests like Hamish.

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Christian Cullen is a legend. You only have to watch a few minutes of his highlights package to remind yourself how good he really was. The speed and agility, his ability to change direction at full pace, his deceptive strength, add on top his attacking mindset and his braveness in defence! He was a joy to watch. He's also such a champion man who prefers not doing things like this so super grateful to get him on.

In this whopping 2 hour episode some parts that stood out for me

• How the working the milk run growing up helped his rugby
• Debuting for Horowhenua straight out of school against Jonah
• Making the NZ 7's sides with Titch and stories from Hong Kong and the Commonwealth games
• The old school nature of the All Black environment he went in to
• I loved hearing about some of the greatest tries ever scored
• How he ended up at 13 for a RWC
• His relationship with John Mitchell
• Why he left to Munster and his time playing over there
• Why he hated warming up
• And heaps heaps more.
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Growing up Christian Cullen was my absolute hero, he inspired me to play the game so to sit down with him and have this conversation was truely incredible. What I'm sure will stand out for you is how humble and down to earth he is, you certainly wouldn't think I'm talking to one of the greatest to ever play the game listening to this. If you enjoy this one, please give it a share and I will continue to bring you the big guest like Christian Cullen.

Special mention to Paraparaumu Rugby Club for allowing me to record this episode in their Clubrooms.

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Casey Laulala is one of the most likeable characters you'll meet with an inspiring story from growing up in Samoa to becoming an All Black. 

Some bits that stood out for me in this one were..

• What life was like growing up in Samoa with 6 siblings including All Black Nepo Laulala
• The pressure Casey put on him self to impress his dad and make him proud
• How he focused his mindset was to achieve his goals 
• His memories playing with and against some of the greats of the game
• Why he moved overseas and how he ended up at Cardiff, Munster and Racing Metro
• The transition in to coaching and why that wasn't for him
• The career change into Real Estate 
• And he's more classic stories.

As you'll hear Casey is a very well spoken and honest man who shares some great insights and advice from his journey to the top. If you enjoyed this episode please give it and I will continue to bring you more great guest like this!

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Ross Filipo is one of the greatest lads in our game, whose journey through rugby has been nothing short of fascinating. Starting his rugby journey at 15, Ross shares his evolution from a talented but hesitant first five who could goal kick off both feet, to becoming the skilful and physical lock forward we knew him as.

In this episode we explore key moments throughout his career, including: 

Early Years: Ross always had the talent however he was naturally inclined to just cruise before a change of mindset saw a change in outcomes.

Becoming a Pro: The challenges that came with the transition into professionalism and how a move down to the Crusaders shaped him as a person.

Becoming an All Black: The pressures and challenges of international rugby and what stopped him from having more games

Injuries and Comebacks: Ross opens up about significant injuries, including a neck injury and how he returned from shoulder surgery in record time.

Life Abroad: His overseas adventures, from playing in France to coaching in Japan and the struggles that come with living in a foreign country without your family.

Personal Growth: Ross's candid reflections on mental health, life changing decisions he has made , and how it transformed his life as a father and a coach.

As you'll hear in this one, Ross is a such a genuine human being who has plenty of wisdom and shares plenty of classic stories throughout. If you enjoy this one which I'm sure you will make sure you give it a share and I will continue to bring more great guests like this.

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When we talk about the greatest rugby family in this country ever, it's almost impossible to go past the Barretts. Kevin 'Smylie' Barrett was a Taranaki legend who also played for the Hurricanes, Beauden is a 100 game All Black, RWC winner and 2 x World Player of the year, Scott has captained the Crusaders to 4 Super Rugby titles and is the current Captain of the All Blacks, Jordie at just 27 has racked up over 50 games for the All Blacks and dominated where ever he plays. Kane was tracking the same path before 2 significant head injuries forced him to retire at just 22 years old.

It was awesome to sit down with Kane and talk through where he is at now and how he looks back on his career, some bits that stood out for me were..

• The battle between the Barrett brothers to be the Alpha growing up
• How Kane would fire up the Francis Douglas 1st XV side, once resulting in a yellow card
• The time Kane picked up his coach Neil Barns as a 16yo and dropped him on his head
• His pathway into NZ Schools for 2 years, Taranaki and the Blues
• What forced Kane into retirement and how hard that was to deal with
• How he looks at his brothers successful careers
• His new life of the farm
• And heaps more!

This was such an incredible insight from such a champion lad, you can only admire the way Kane has gone about his life post footy and it was so cool to hear about his journey.

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Aaron Mauger loves rugby, he's so passionate about the game and he is so grateful for his involvement in the game and he's certainly been involved!

From playing for Canterbury straight out of school, to becoming a Crusader and All Black not long after. He then moved to Leicester were he won premierships over there, before injuries forced him to retire at just 30. Post playing he was always going to stay in the game and with his incredible rugby knowledge has gone on to become a great coach!

Some bit's that stood out for me were...

• His relationship with his brother Nathan and their mindset playing together 
• How hard it can be for a young 10 to come in boss the team around especially when one was your teacher the year before
• The massive influence Andrew Mertens had on him
• The night of the 96-12 win over the Waratahs and the story behind the front flip
• The 2003 and 2007 RWC experiences
• The struggle of wanting to keep playing when the body is breaking down
• The reality of the life as a coach and the impact that can have on your family
• And heaps more

I loved hearing about Azza's mindset on how he approaches life, he's very grateful for every thing and he has a real passion for the game of rugby. It made me realise how good this game is, so many great people involved in the game and Aaron Mauger is certianly one of those.

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Everyone loves a battler and when it comes to one of the greatest battlers to ever play the game the great Laurence Corlett has to be up there. The man who debuted for the Hurricanes 10 years after his first class debut for Canterbury, the man known as Frank put in a 7 minute shift that will never be forgotten at the Hurricanes. The story of Laurence Corlett is one that has so many layers, he's a true yes man who put himself out there and he can tell one heck of a story.

Some bits that stood out for me in this one were...

• How Dane Coles gave him the opportunity to get a Super Rugby cap
• Why he had to keep his beanie on during his first meeting with Steve Hansen
• His battles with throwing as a hooker throughout his career
• How he ended up at a student flat after signing his first Super Rugby contract
• Becoming the Taranaki CEO and the struggles involved with that role
• Surviving a Heart Attack!
• His time on My Kitchen Rules the reality TV show
• Plenty of yellow card stories including his fight with Liam Messam
• And heaps more!

Lads don't get much better than Frank, such a genuine guy, he has great energy and great yarns. I know you'll enjoy this one and when you do please give it a share.

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Colin Cooper is one of the great great human beings, he's one of the wisest souls on the planet – a true legend of rugby in New Zealand with an incredible career spanning over four decades!

Having played over 100 matches for Taranaki and represented the NZ Maori, and Junior All Blacks Colin has left a huge mark on the game as a player. After hanging up his boots, Colin transitioned to coaching, where he made his mark as the coach of the NZ U21s, an assistant at the Crusaders, the head coach of the Hurricanes, and the Chiefs, and of course, led the Taranaki Bulls to an NPC championship.

He has also coached the Junior All Blacks and the NZ Maoris, showcasing a remarkable versatility in the sport. Beyond his impressive accolades, anyone who has worked with Colin will know that he is one kindest and most genuine people you'll ever meet. I've got so much respect for Colin and learnt plenty in this episode so I know you will enjoy this one.

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Carlo Tizzano has burst on to the international rugby scene this season with an incredible work rate and tackle success rate and after this conversation it's easy to understand why.

Growing up as an angry child, with 3 other brother constantly winding him up the aggression in his game was always going to be there. Having started out as a winger, he decided to move in to 7 a move with had plenty of doubters and even cost him a spot in the academy. However, as you'll hear Carlo has an incredible self belief, while also having incredible discipline to achieve goals quickly. 

Carlo has also recently been diagnosed with ADHD which he describes as an absolute game changer and has made sense of a lot of his behaviour growing up especially at school. His ability to focus on tasks especially in games has been a big part of his rapid rise.

The best part about this episode is that Carlo is an absolute lad who doesn't filter anything, he tells it straight and is very true to himself which always makes for the best podcasts. I'm sure by the end of this you'll have a new favourite Wallaby!

Chapters

01:30 Introduction to Carlo Tizzano
03:00 Playing Style and Transition from Winger to Number Seven
08:42 Italian Background and Growing Up in a Household of Boys
11:39 ADHD Diagnosis and Overcoming Burnout
19:00 Meal Planning and Putting on Weight
24:08 Mindset and Success in Club Rugby
28:13 Becoming a Professional Rugby Player
29:29 Confidence and Debut Experiences
36:08 Challenges and Growth in Different Teams
44:05 Moving to Ealing and Embracing a Different Style of Rugby
48:22 The Wild Ride at Ealing and the Importance of Enjoyment
53:19 Opportunity to Return to the Western Force
59:49 Playing for the Force
01:11:52 The future of the Western Force
01:19:06 Toughest players to tackle
01:23:46 Advice for listeners

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