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PODCAST

What a Lad

Presented by Betcha

What a Lad is a podcast by James Marshall who talks to some of the biggest names and best lads on the planet. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

sports rugby

All Episodes

1:20:21

Cam Mcbride- What a Lad

What a Lad ·

2026/01/14

Cam McBride is the very talented man behind the camera responsible for bringing the Crusaders to life every week. In this episode of What a Lad, Cam talks about his time in the police, finding a new career through content creation, and working behind the scenes at the Crusaders.In this episode, we cover…- What he's noticed from his first year working with the Crusader- How he started working as a sports masseuse with sports teams - Why he joined the New Zealand Police and working frontline for

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1:36:55

Owen Franks- What a Lad

What a Lad ·

2026/01/07

produced and after this episode it’s easy to see why.A 108-test All Black, multiple-time World Cup winner, and a cornerstone of the Crusaders’ most dominant era. Owen built his career on work ethic, consistency, and doing whatever it took to get himself in the best position to perform week in and week out.In this episode of What a Lad, Owen opens up like never before. From earning respect as a young All Black, to facing a battle far bigger than rugby when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer

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1:26:06

Holly Parkes and Greg Johnson- What a Lad

What a Lad ·

2025/12/17

Holly Parkes and Greg Johnson are two of the most purpose-driven people you’ll ever hear from.Holly Parkes first came on the podcast during one of the toughest times of her life, sharing what it was really like trying to support someone battling a serious brain injury and searching for answers that never seemed to come. Greg is a former NZ SAS operator who spent years exposed to explosive blasts, before discovering his own brain injury had been misdiagnosed for years.Together, they are now doing

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1:14:06

Rueben O'Neil- What a Lad

What a Lad ·

2025/12/10

Reuben O’Neill has one of the most interesting stories in New Zealand rugby! A proud Taranaki lad, a cult hero in every team he’s played in, and a man who battled more adversity than most ever knew. From crippling cramps, constant injuries, and being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes — to somehow rising all the way into an All Blacks camp before he’d even played Super Rugby.In this episode some of the things we talk about were..- How he's always embraced being himself- Being diagnosed with Type 1

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1:29:39

Hadleigh Parkes- What a Lad

What a Lad ·

2025/12/03

The Welsh Rugby superstar Hadleigh Parkes is one of the great stories in rugby! A self described battler who played for Manawatu, Auckland, the Blues and the Hurricanes and at one point nearly walked away from the game altogether! It wasn't until a life changing call, a change of mindset and a move to Wales where he quickly turned himself into one of the best midfielders in the World!In this episode here are some of the things we talk about:- The glory days of ripping it up for Palmy boys with a

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1:23:29

Sam Lane- What a Lad

What a Lad ·

2025/11/26

Sam Lane is one of NZs very best hockey players and an absolute lad! He is 100+ gamer for the New Zealand Black Sticks, two-time Olympian, captain and full-time financial advisor… somehow all at once. His journey is one of the most unbelievable combinations of talent, tragedy, resilience and pure Kiwi grit you’ll hear.This episode has everything — the brutal reality of playing for a national team with almost no funding, a run of injuries that would end most careers, the inspirational comeback to

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1:34:59

Freedom Vaha'akolo- What a Lad

What a Lad ·

2025/11/19

Freedom Vaha'akaolo’s story is one of the wildest and most emotional you’ll ever hear. He is one incredibly talented rugby player who certainly didn't take the typical pathway.From the age of just 11 years old he was homeless, eating from trash cans, and learning how to survive. Years later, he was scoring tries for Otago using his speed and power which earned him a spot with the Highlanders.During that time he was involved in a cruel catfish scam almost ended it all.In this episode, Freedom opens

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1:21:39

Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens- What a Lad

What a Lad ·

2025/11/12

Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens is one of the most electric players in New Zealand rugby!A proud Taranaki man, who went from Blues prospect to a Highlanders star as his story takes a wild turn when a routine game left him with a fractured neck!What followed is a powerful story of perspective, gratitude, and rediscovering his love for the game. Jacob’s honesty and maturity in this chat is incredible and the way he speaks about identity, family and resilience is seriously inspiring.Some parts that stood

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51:24

The Kiwiventures- Ben & Alex

What a Lad ·

2025/11/05

Two absolute lads on one outrageous mission. Alex and Ben decided they wanted to do something that would really push them to their limits for Movember so became the first ever to walk across New Zealand in a straight line. What followed was six days of chaos: rafting rivers in a leaking dinghy, crawling through blackberry, dodging bulls, and getting zapped by electric fences, all to raise money and awareness for men’s health.In this episode they open up about around the challenges they have faced

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1:16:29

Steve Devine- What a Lad

What a Lad ·

2025/10/29

Steve Devine is one of the toughest men to ever pull on a rugby jersey. A proud Aussie who moved over to NZ for an opportunity with Auckland, where he quickly made NZ home. Where the fearless competitive halfback played a huge part in Auckland and the Blues success. From that came an his chance to wear the All Black jersey which he managed to do 10 times.But behind that toughness was a brutal reality, years of repeated head knocks that left him battling crippling migraines, light sensitivity, and a

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1:14:33

Tom Christie- What a Lad

What a Lad ·

2025/10/22

Tom Christie is one of the toughest workhorses in New Zealand rugby.In this episode the multiple Super Rugby champion opens up on leadership, injuries, and why he’s leaving the Crusaders to chase a new challenge with Newcastle’s Red Bulls.From captaining the NZ U20s to battling setbacks and rediscovering his love for the game, this is Tom Christie like you’ve never heard him before.In this episode we chat about...How he learnt to tackle as a young fellaWhat it meant leading the NZ U20s sideLife at

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1:20:40

Mitchell Scott- What a Lad

What a Lad ·

2025/10/15

Mitchell Scott was one of the most talented outside backs in New Zealand rugby, electric pace, unreal footwork, and a try-scoring instinct few could match. But behind the highlight reels was a rollercoaster journey through tragedy, addiction, injuries, and redemption.From losing his father at just three years old, to wearing an ankle bracelet just months before representing New Zealand U20s in one of the greatest teams ever assembled. Mitch’s story is raw, honest and full of lessons.In this episode

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1:30:24

Jacob Ellison- What a Lad

What a Lad ·

2025/10/08

Jacob Ellison is one of Wellington’s great unsung heroes – a tough, mobile front-rower who gave absolutely everything every time he pulled on a jersey. From the Wellington Lions and Hurricanes to the Highlanders, the Māori All Blacks and several seasons in Japan, Jacob built a reputation as the ultimate team man.But this chat is about far more than scrums. Jacob opens up about his remarkable life:His unusual pathway from the wing to the front rowThe shift from Hurricanes to Highlanders and life as a

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1:46:29

Kylem O'Donnell- What a Lad

What a Lad ·

2025/10/01

Kylem O’Donnell is a lad who has truly lived the highs and lows of chasing the rugby dream. From starring at Hamilton Boys’ High to winning an NPC title with Taranaki and travelling the world with the All Blacks Sevens, he looked destined for it all. But behind the speed, fitness and flair, Kylem’s story is one of setbacks, mental battles, and resilience.In this episode he opens up like never before from the challenge of dealing with injuries and non-selection, to a being on the receiving end of

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1:38:12

Mark Hammett- What a Lad

What a Lad ·

2025/09/24

Mark Hammett has done it all in the game. With 81 games for the Crusaders, 4 Super Rugby titles, 29 Tests for the All Blacks and now a spot in the Crusaders Hall of Fame, Hammer’s rugby journey is an incredible one. Add in a coaching career that’s taken him from the Crusaders, Hurricanes, Cardiff Blues, Sunwolves, Tasman and Highlanders, the influence he has had on each side has been huge!In this episode we dive into his remarkable journey: from a soccer player, to the early days of professional

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1:25:53

Will Genia- What a Lad

What a Lad ·

2025/09/17

Will Genia is one of the all-time great halfbacks and after this conversation I'm sure you'll understand why. With over 100 Tests for the Wallabies, a Super Rugby title with the Reds and stints with the Rebels, Stade Francais and the Kintetsu Liners Will had a bit of everything in his career!In this episode we dive into his remarkable journey: from growing up in Papua New Guinea where he dreamt of becoming a cricketer, to falling in love with Rugby and the insane work ethic that took him from Colts

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1:48:47

Holly Parkes on What a Lad

What a Lad ·

2025/09/10

In this powerful episode I’m joined by Holly Parkes, someone who lived through the reality of caring for Shane Christie in his final years. Holly has bravely come on the podcast not for herself, but to continue Shane’s mission, to shine a light on the devastating impact of brain injuries and to give others a clearer understanding of what life with CTE really looks like.She opens up about what it was like supporting Shane day-to-day, the heartbreaking changes she witnessed, and the strength it took

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1:34:13

Du’Plessis Kirifi - What a Lad

What a Lad ·

2025/09/03

Du’Plessis Kirifi has had one of the more inspiring journeys to the top and is one heck of lad to top it off. From growing up in Taranaki and spending part of his childhood in Samoa, to working three jobs while chasing his rugby dream, Dups has had anything but a straight road to the top.He opens up on the setbacks that shaped him — missing out on NZ U20s after being told he was “good enough but a bit of a dickhead”, the grind of trying to pack on size when everyone said he was too small, and the

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1:17:06

George Bridge- What a Lad

What a Lad ·

2025/08/27

The latest Western Force signing George Bridge is our guest this week and what a lad he is! From humble beginnings in Gisborne, to carving up for Canterbury, the Crusaders, and then going on to wear the black jersey on the biggest stage of all! But it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. George had his struggles moving down to Christchurch as a 17 year old, he had to deal with some brutal injuries – knees, pec tears, appendicitis, he had three surgeries in eight months! He even played a Super Rugby Final

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47:18

Amy Du Plessis on What a Lad

What a Lad ·

2025/08/20

For this one I am joined by one of the Black Ferns’ most exciting talents, Amy du Plessis. Amy’s journey has been nothing short of inspiring, from growing up in South Africa to becoming a Rugby World Cup winner with the Black ferns! Her silky skills and ability to play anywhere has made her a hugely valuable asset for NZ Rugby and now she’s now preparing to take on the world again in the 2025 Rugby World Cup!In this episode we chat about..* Life growing up in South Africa and why her family moved to

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313 results

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