The Roar League Podcast

With talk rife about expansion and growth of the NRL, now is as good a time as any to ask: Are the Wahs truly on the up in Aotearoa?Mike Meehall Wood heads across the ditch this week to chat with two of New Zealand's most respected sports commentators: Host of the 'It's Only Sport' podcast, and regular contributor to The Platform, Martin Devlin and Mediaworks' Craig Norenbergs to discuss the state of rugby league in NZ, how it has captured the younger demographics, whether league and union can co-exist, and the arguments for a second team.Martin Devlin:Twitter: https://twitter.com/martindevlinnzIt's Only Sport Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/its-only-sport-podcast-the-platform/id1688331244The Platform (Twitter): https://twitter.com/theplatform_nzCraig Norenbergs:Twitter: https://twitter.com/CraigNorenbergsMediaworks: https://www.mediaworks.co.nz/home.htmlHost: Mike Meehall WoodGuests: Martin Devlin, Craig NorenbergsProducer: Nick Wasiliev

The sports and gambling world has a long and complicated history, with one having a massive impact on the other - and that is only set to continue.Mike Meehall Wood is joined by Reading The Play's Gerard Condon and Nick Tedeschi, rugby league writer and the author of the annual Punters' Guide to the NRL Season. They discuss the ins and outs of punting on the NRL, the challenges ahead as the game targets America, and more.Reading the Play (Twitter): https://twitter.com/ReadingThePlay Nick Tedeschi (Twitter): https://twitter.com/Tedeschi8181What are you REALLY gambling with? Help is available to you. For free and confidential support, visit https://www.gamblinghelponline.org.au/Host: Mike Meehall WoodGuests: Gerard Condon, Nick Tedeschi

The journey to becoming an NRL player is a long, tough process, filled with guidance from many coaches and navigating pathways.Our first collaboration episode, Mike Meehall Wood is joined by Brock Shepperd, co-host of the Fifth And Last NRL Podcast. Also serving as NSW Cup Coach for the Raiders, Mike and Brock discuss the value of lower competitions, taking different approaches with players, how pathways differ across the world, the value of 'soft skills', and more.Host: Mike Meehall WoodGuest: Brock ShepperdProducer: Nick Wasiliev

Concussion is becoming an increasingly examined part of our game, with the impacts being felt all around how the game is managed and player safety. Mike Meehall Wood is joined by the Director of Operations & Legal at The Rugby Football League, Rob Hicks, to discuss the impact of concussion on rugby league, how it is being managed in both the NRL and Super League, what the future of the game looks like as more focus is made on the effects of it, and more. Host: Mike Meehall WoodGuest: Rob HicksProducer: Nick Wasiliev

Today we dive into the world that is much discussed but often misunderstood in rugby league: psychology.Mike Meehall Wood is joined by renowned sports psychologist Dr Jo Lukins to discuss the impact of psychology on the game, how coaches can help or hinder a player's development, the unique mental health challenges faced in a professional sporting environment, how psychology can help win premierships, and more. Host: Mike Meehall WoodGuest: Dr Jo LukinsProducer: Nick Wasiliev

Multicultural Round has become one of the most celebrated and important rounds in the regular season of the NRL, but how is it so? Mike Meehall Wood sits down with former player and now representative at the Rugby League Players Association, Joe Galuvao.They discuss the changing dynamics of the league, the importance of getting representation right, the value of relational space to Pasifika players and more.Host: Mike Meehall WoodGuest: Joe GaluvaoProducer: Nick Wasiliev

There are few things rugby league nuts find more exciting to dive into than the stats, so in today's episode Mike Meehall Wood chats with Opta co-founder Rob Lowe on rugby league's statistics revolution.They discuss the nature of statistics in rugby league, how it compares to other sports, how increased analysis and numbers in the game has transformed how rugby league is played, what the future of rugby league stats looks like, and more.Host: Mike Meehall WoodGuest: Rob Lowe Producer: Nick Wasiliev

The regular grind of NRL 2024 begins this weekend following a stunning opening round in Las Vegas; so to get us all in shape, Mike Meehall Wood sits down with strength and condition expert Dr. David Lipman, who has extensive experience in developing programs for athletes in both rugby league and rugby union. They discuss the effort required to develop your body at a fitness level for NRL players, what constitutes being fit, the nature of building into your body, food and diet, how fitness changes across the season, the impact of fatigue and more.Host: Mike Meehall WoodGuest: Dr. David LipmanProducer: Nick Wasiliev