What a Lad

Uilisi Halaholo has a story so good it was one of the reasons I started this podcast. A naturally gifted player from a young age, who was heading down the wrong path to make the most of his talent. Caught up in the wrong lifestyle, drinking and getting into trouble on a regular basis.A turning point came when he became a young father ultimately forced him to change direction. He put down the bottle, transformed himself physically and decided to give rugby a genuine crack. That decision started a journey that would take him from fighting for an opportunity with the Southland Stags, to the Hurricanes, winning a Super Rugby title, moving across the world to Cardiff and eventually representing Wales.But reaching the top didn't mean the challenges stopped. Willis opens up about the criticism he received for representing Wales, devastating injuries, missing the opportunity to play against the All Blacks, losing a close family member, financial uncertainty and one of the darkest periods of his career.Some parts that stood out for me in this episode were…What his life as a teenager was like! Why having his daughter changed his mindset.Why the move to Southland was the best thing for himWhy he chose a contract with the Hurricanes over other offersHow he ended up on a Wider Squad contract in 2016 the year he started in the final!The decision to move to CardiffThe brutal run of injuries and juggling being a father to 5 girls How all of those highs and lows shaped the person he is todayAs you’ll hear Uilisi is a lad! His story is an incredible example of how much can change when you decide to take control of your life. Plenty of laughs in this one, but also some incredibly raw and powerful moments.As always, if you enjoy the episode please give it a like, subscribe to the channel and share it with a mate.

Dan Kirkpatrick was an age grade superstar who was starting Super Rugby with the Hurricanes at just 20 years old. He’s a guy I always remember as being just a genuine good guy and he’s had a hell of a journey both on and off the fieldIn this episode of What a Lad, Dan opens up about becoming a father at just 19 and the challenges of balancing that with professional rugby, why he decided to leave New Zealand at 23 despite still having an All Blacks dream, and the serious injuries that eventually contributed to the end of his career.Some parts that stood out for me were…- What growing up looked like for him to be school boy star- Becoming a dad at 19 while trying to establish himself in professional rugby- what it was like at the Hurricanes as a young 10- More about his decision to leave for France - How he felt walking away from his All Blacks dream- Winning the Top 14 with Castres as massive underdogs- The concussion and neck injury that impacted the back end of his career- His transition out of rugby and into business- Building @hiit_crew_auckland and a new community after rugby.And heaps more! Dan’s another great example of how everyone’s journey is different and how important it is to enjoy the path you take and tackle whatever challenges come at you with a positive mindset. I really enjoyed this one and I’m sure you will too!

Kurt Eklund has one of the most unique journeys in New Zealand rugby. A Super Rugby champion, Māori All Blacks captain and one of the most respected hookers in the country, Kurt's path to the top was anything but conventional.He spent eight years working as a builder, and admits he never thought professional rugby was a realistic goal. After only starting two games for Auckland across four seasons, a devastating knee injury left him ready to walk away from rugby altogether. But after losing his mum to breast cancer, everything changed. Determined to make her proud, Kurt found a new purpose, reignited his love for the game, and eventually made his Super Rugby debut for the Blues at the age of 28.Some other parts that stood out for me in this episode were…- Why he never believed a professional rugby career was possible- How losing his mum completely changed his outlook on rugby and life- The story behind making and captaining the Māori All Blacks- Winning Super Rugby with the Blues after years of grinding away- Why he's heading to Japan and the next chapter for his young family- His passion for fishing, protecting New Zealand's oceans and life beyond rugby- Plenty more hilarious stories Kurt is one of the most genuine people you'll come across. Humble, funny and incredibly self-aware, his story is a reminder that success doesn't always come early and that everyone's journey looks different. He truely is one of the great lads in NZ rugby!

Antonio Shalfoon is someone who is a very different person off the field than he may seem on it. Known as a bit of a grub on the field, off the field he is one of the greats and his journey to professional rugby is as inspiring as any. To start he wasn't offered his first full Super Rugby contract until the age of 26 after years of grinding away in club rugby, moving provinces to chase opportunities, and overcoming setbacks that would have made most people give up. Add to that Antonio opens up about the frightening story of being diagnosed with myocarditis, where he was told he may never play the game again. Some other parts that stood out for me in this episode were…- Hearing about the time he had a fight with a kids dad while playing Cricket- Why he got punched in the head in his first Waikato training- The scary heart condition that nearly ended his rugby career- His pathway into the Crusaders and what kept him going- His selection into the Maori All Blacks and what that mean for him- Why he's signed in Japan for next seasonAnd plenty more great yarns.Antonio is exactly the type of person you want around a rugby team. He's funny, authentic, incredibly resilient and proof that there is no single pathway to achieving your goals. This was an awesome conversation and one I know you'll enjoy.

Jeremy's story is one of the most powerful we've ever shared on What a Lad.Growing up in an abusive household, Jeremy experienced years of physical violence. Carrying that trauma into adulthood, he eventually became the very person he never wanted to be, repeating the cycle of violence he had witnessed as a child.In this incredibly honest conversation, Jeremy opens up about the darkest moments of his life, the roleplay that completely changed his perspective, and the counsellor who helped him confront his past for the first time. Today, he dedicates his life to helping others break the same cycle, working with men, families, organisations, and New Zealand Police to create lasting change.Some parts that stood out for me in this episode were…- Growing up surrounded by physical abuse and violence.- His experience of sexual abuse at boarding school.- How childhood trauma shaped his behaviour as an adult.- The moment he realised he had become everything he hated.- The roleplay exercise that changed his life forever.- How he turned his lived experience into helping thousands of others across New Zealand.- His advice for families supporting someone struggling with anger and violence.This is one of the most courageous and important conversations we've ever had on the podcast. Jeremy's willingness to share both the harm he experienced and the harm he caused takes an incredible amount of honesty, and I have no doubt his story will help people better understand trauma, accountability, and the fact that real change is possible.If you’re struggling with anger or worried about your behaviour, find support near you and take the first step. Changeispossible.org.nz

Daniel Hobbs may not be a household name in New Zealand sport, but his story is one of the most powerful we've ever shared on What a Lad.Known throughout Tasman rugby as a respected strength and conditioning coach, Daniel opens up about the horrific abuse he endured growing up at the hands of his stepfather. From living in constant fear, to enduring years of physical and emotional abuse, to the heartbreaking moment he nearly took his own life at just nine years old, this is a story of incredible resilience.Daniel shares how he overcame the lasting effects of childhood abuse, the PTSD that still impacts him today, and why he made a conscious decision to become the kind of man and father he never hadSome parts that stood out for me in this episode were…- Growing up in a household filled with fear, violence and control.- The unimaginable abuse he, his mum and sister endured for years.- The moment he nearly took his own life at just nine years old.- The long-term effects of PTSD and childhood trauma.- Discovering the truth about his biological father later in life.- Why he's most proud of breaking the cycle of abuse.- His advice for anyone currently going through a difficult time.This is one of the bravest conversations we've ever had on the podcast. Daniel's willingness to share his story is an incredible act of courage, and I have no doubt it will help people who are facing similar struggles or know someone who i

Lukhan Salakaia-Loto has one of the most remarkable stories in Australian rugby. He didn't even start playing rugby union until Year 12, yet just a few years later he was making his Super Rugby debut before earning his first Wallabies cap against the Springboks.In this episode of What a Lad, Lukhan opens up about the journey that shaped him. From missing representative teams as a teenager and using rejection as motivation, to becoming one of Australia's most respected forwards, playing for the Reds, Northampton Saints, the Rebels, the Barbarians and the Wallabies.He also shares his thoughts on missing this year's Wallabies squad despite making the Super Rugby Team of the Year, why he's at peace with the decision, and how becoming a father has completely changed his perspective on rugby and life.Some parts that stood out for me in this episode were…- Starting rugby union in Year 12 after growing up playing rugby league- Missing representative teams and the conversation with his dad that changed his mindset forever- Earning his first Wallabies cap only a year after his Super Rugby debut- The influence Brad Thorn had on his career and development- His experiences playing for Northampton Saints, the Rebels, the Barbarians and against the British & Irish Lions- Why family now comes before rugby and what he hopes his kids remember about himLukhan is one of the genuine good guys in rugby. Honest, humble and incredibly resilient, this conversation gives a great insight into the mindset behind one of Australia's best forwards.

Ben Volavola has one of the most unique careers in world rugby. Across a 13-year professional journey, he's played for the Waratahs, Crusaders, North Harbour, Canterbury, Rebels, Racing 92, Bordeaux, Perpignan, Agen, Leicester Tigers, Queensland Reds and now returns home to join the Fijian Drua.A two-time Rugby World Cup representative and one of Fiji's most experienced first fives, Ben has experienced the highs of winning Super Rugby and the lows of missing a Rugby World Cup squad. Throughout it all, he's built a reputation as one of rugby's ultimate professionals and a respected teammate wherever he's played.Some parts that stood out for me in this episode were…- Why rugby was the only plan he ever had growing up- The decision to represent Fiji after coming through the Australian pathway- What he learned from the Crusaders culture and why the best cultures win championships- The heartbreak of missing Fiji's 2023 Rugby World Cup squad and how he found motivation again- Playing alongside stars like Israel Folau & Richie Mo'unga- Why he's returning home to join the Fijian Drua and help build the future of Fijian rugby- The lessons he's taken from playing professionally across Australia, New Zealand, France and EnglandBen has experienced almost every corner of professional rugby, but what stood out most was his humility, gratitude and perspective. This is a fascinating conversation about resilience, culture, leadership and what it really takes to build a long career in professional sport.

The 2026 Super Rugby season is officially done and what a finish it was. The Hurricanes capped off a remarkable campaign with a dominant 60-5 victory in the final, producing one of the most complete performances we've seen in Super Rugby history.In this episode, we break down the final, review some of our preseason predictions, discuss the standout performers from the year and look at what made the Hurricanes such a dominant force throughout the competition.We also dive into Dave Rennie's first All Blacks squad, discussing the bolters, unlucky omissions, selection surprises and what the squad tells us about how the All Blacks will look to play moving forward.Some of the topics discussed include...- We breakdown what we thought were the keys to the Hurricanes success- The players who stood out throughout the season- Who had the best predictions from the preseason epiosde- The biggest talking points from Dave Rennie's first All Blacks squad- Which players were unlucky to miss selection- Who could become the All Blacks' best player in 2026- Predictions for the upcoming test season and South African tourAnd heaps moreWith the Super Rugby season wrapped up and a massive international season ahead, this was a great chance to reflect on the year that was and look ahead to what's shaping up as one of the biggest years for the All Blacks in recent memory.