What a Lad

Manasa Mataele is one of the players who is incredibly hard to tackle! His power, speed, athleticism, and freakish offloads has made him hard to handle for any opposition! From growing up in Suva, Manasa’s journey has taken him from Fiji to New Zealand, across to Australia, and now back home with the Fijian Drua.In this episode of What a Lad, Manasa opens up with rare honesty. He reflects on the highs of Super Rugby, the pride of representing Fiji, and the moments that nearly forced him away from the game altogether. From battling injuries and self-doubt, to losing his mum and questioning whether he could keep going, this is a powerful look at resilience, faith, and finding purpose beyond rugby.In this episode, we cover…- Growing up in Fiji and the environment that shaped him- The sliding-doors moment that could have changed his life forever- Moving to New Zealand and adapting to professional rugby- His rapid rise through NPC and Super Rugby- Almost signing with the Blues before a last-minute call from the Crusaders- What it was like walking into a Crusaders locker room full of legends- The mental battles that made him his own worst enemy- His pride in representing Fiji on the international stage- Losing his mum, fracturing his spine, and questioning his future- The role faith played in getting him through his darkest moments- Why returning home to play for the Fijian Drua means so much- Wanting to give back and help the next generation of Fijian rugby playersAs you'll hear Manasa is very articulate and honest about the journey rugby has taken him, he's such a good lad who will no doubt have a big season for the Drua! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jeremy Manning’s rugby journey is anything but ordinary. At just 16 years old he was playing against for the Marlborough Red Devils in the NPC which included playing in a Ranfurly Shield game against Canterbury while still being at school. He made the NZ secondary schools team on the wing ahead of Hosea Gear and out of school decided to take up a year offer with the Munster academy. Fast forward a few years later and he's doing the Haka against the All Blacks for Munster in a match!In this episode, we dive into:- Growing up in Marlborough and spending hours kicking goals alone- What it was like being a 16 year old playing with men under Grizz Wylie - Making New Zealand Schools and then missing out on U19s and how that shaped his path- Moving to Ireland and joining Munster - Winning Heineken Cups and learning behind Ronan O’Gara- Playing against the All Blacks for Munster and performing a Haka- Why his time at Newcastle Falcons turned him off rugby- Life after rugby, including working with the Royal Family- Helping Fiji Sevens during their Olympic success- The emotional journey of IVF, surrogacy, and becoming a fatherJeremy is a massive lad with an incredible story. His story is different to most and has had some unique challenges. The way he shares his story with such honesty and vulnerability is super powerful. I know you'll enjoy this one, so let me know what you thought in the comments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. This is a rare look at what it actually takes to stay at the top — physically, mentally, and emotionally.In this episode, we cover…- Growing up in Motueka with his brother Ben- How he put on the size to become a front rower- The brutal start to professional rugby dislocating his elbow in his first Canterbury scrum- His All Blacks debut and why he never felt overawed- What the All Blacks environment is really like behind closed doors- Earning respect, driving standards, and ruthless competition- Walking out for World Cup finals - Why he went to the gym the next day after World Cup glory- The battle that came with being diagnosed with testicular cancer- Why chemotherapy was tougher than any rugby pain- Life after rugby, coaching, and a new perspectiveThis is one of the most inspiring episodes ever from a man who was (along with his brother) certainly the most professional player I ever saw. He’s someone who deserved every bit of success he got and I’m sure you’ll enjoy this one! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 diabetes and having no idea how to manage it- The shock All Blacks call-up having played just a few NPC games- The setbacks of a Neck fusion surgery, Achilles issues, stress fractures and how he kept coming back- How injuries turned him into a DJ, a truck driver, a nutritionist and more- The story behind “DJ Mince on Toast”- Why he believes the Crusaders have had more success than the ChiefsAnd he answers all your questions!Rueben is a unique human, always happy to be himself, enjoys taking the piss and is not afraid of awkwardness. He's genuine lad and someone who makes every environment better in his own unique way. I'm sure you will enjoy this inspiring story from this great man! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 make the Paris Olympics, and the heartbreaking loss of his mum during the biggest years of his life.In this episode, Sam opens up on:- How NZ Hockey lost 60% of its funding overnight- How humble the Black Sticks set up is with players literally having to take unpaid leave to represent their country- The injury setbacks he's had including his knee exploding and his foot collapsing- The emotional toll of losing his mum to cancer- His partner Greta's horrific accident after being hit by a car- The challenge to be available for the Paris Olympics- What it’s really like playing in the Indian Hockey League- And the mindset that’s kept him going through it allHe’s humble, tough, honest and one incredibly inspiring lad. I know you'll enjoy this one with the great kiwi Sam Lane! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 out for me were..• Growing up in Taranaki with his Fijian/Dutch heritage• Breaking into Super Rugby straight out of school• Losing the love for rugby and finding it again in Dunedin• The incredible story of playing on with a broken neck• How close he was to being paralysed• The mindset shift that changed everything• Life beyond rugby — content creation, purpose and gratitudeAnd heaps moreJacob is genuine, humble and wise beyond his years. He's a real talent and someone I believe will have a massive future in the game. I'm sure you will enjoy this one! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 fight just to feel human again.In this episode, Steve opens up on:- Life growing up in Australia and why the move to NZ- Stories from the Auckland and Blues glory days- The 40+ concussions that changed his life- The miracle treatment that helped him get his life back- How he’s now leading the charge with NeuroCheck, a game-changing concussion scanner- How he's found his transition with life after rugby becoming a firemanAnd heaps moreSteve story is honest, powerful, emotional and even shocking at times. Sharing his story from a place of just wanting to help others and for no one having to go through what he has been through. He is such a champion lad and let me know what you thought of the episode in the comments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.