What a Lad

rova | James Marshall
What a Lad Podcast

What a Lad is a podcast by James Marshall who talks to some of the biggest names and best lads on the planet.

  1. Carlo Tizzano- What a Lad

    14 SEPT

    Carlo Tizzano- What a Lad

    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 Tizzano03:00 Playing Style and Transition from Winger to Number Seven08:42 Italian Background and Growing Up in a Household of Boys11:39 ADHD Diagnosis and Overcoming Burnout19:00 Meal Planning and Putting on Weight24:08 Mindset and Success in Club Rugby28:13 Becoming a Professional Rugby Player29:29 Confidence and Debut Experiences36:08 Challenges and Growth in Different Teams44:05 Moving to Ealing and Embracing a Different Style of Rugby48:22 The Wild Ride at Ealing and the Importance of Enjoyment53:19 Opportunity to Return to the Western Force59:49 Playing for the Force01:11:52 The future of the Western Force01:19:06 Toughest players to tackle01:23:46 Advice for listeners

    1h 24m
  2. Lomano Lemeki- What a Lad

    18 AUG

    Lomano Lemeki- What a Lad

    This week I am joined by Japanese royalty Lomano Lemek! The Japanese rugby legend who has been to the Olympics with the Japanese 7s side who finished 4th, He’s been to 2 RWC’s and has recently signed with Honda Heat again to take him through to 19 years playing professionally in Japan. From a young age Mano wanted to be a professional rugby player and being in the 1st XV at the age of just 14 made that a really realistic dream. However, after that season he failed to make any rep teams which really tested his commitment and perseverance of that dream a pretty random opportunity came up for him to play in Japan with the Canon Eagles.  Some parts that stood out for me in this one were… The exciting launch of his new App P2P to help players and teams make contracting easier We hear about his humble upbringing and his early focus to make rugby a career How a random opportunity at the Canon Eagles at 19 years old changed his life His decision to play Japan 7’s and experience the first Olympics with 7s involved How he found his time at the Sunwolves and playing Super Rugby Experiencing 2 RWC and the different challenges that were involved leading up to those tournaments Some classic Jamie Joesph yarn Plenty of stories from his Top league career And he’s more! As you’ll hear Lemano has had some career and deserves every single yen he has earns and he is a massive lad who gives an awesome insight into rugby in Japan. If you enjoy this episode please give it a share so I can continue to bring you great guests like this. Check out the p2p platform here https://p2psport.com/

    1h 33m
  3. Tamaiti Williams- What a Lad

    11 AUG

    Tamaiti Williams- What a Lad

    Tamaiti Williams is one of the most exciting talents in the game, he's a whopping 196cm (6ft4) and 140kg (308lbs) with the speed and light feet of an outside back. He's got the skillset of a playmaker and most importantly for his position he's a beast at scrum time comfortably playing both sides of the scrum. All this at just 23 years of age! The potential of this champion lad is huge and it was awesome to go through his journey up until now. Some key bits that stood out for me... The emotional rollercoaster the last 12months has been, going to a RWC, getting injured, getting married, having a baby at just 27 weeks, becoming an All Black again. That's an episode in itself. Hearing about Tamaiti's upbringing in Perth where he had to grow up fast.  The plan that his parents had to help him achieve success in rugby, which involved moving back to NZ and then down to the Crusaders academy  The challenges that came with those moves - Becoming a Crusader and then becoming and All Black and what that meant to him and his family.  We hear all about the RWC in France including that last scrum.  Plans in the future, all your questions and more. Tamaiti is such a humble giant, who speaks openly about the challenges he has faced and will continue to face to reach his potential. There's so much good stuff in this one and as you'll hear he is such a lad. If you enjoy this episode I would hugely appreciate it if you could give it a share so I can continue to bring you great guests like this. Side Note- New camera stopped recording at the 1 hour mark so apologies for the average footage for the last bit. On a positive, the What a Lad studio is on only weeks away so the footage going forward will be top notch.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Overview 04:12 Tamaiti's Remarkable last 12 months 09:44 Challenges and Triumphs of Fatherhood 14:21 Overcoming Injuries and Personal Challenges 19:21 Balancing Personal and Professional Responsibilities 32:02 Upbringing in Australia and Decision to Move to New Zealand 38:07 Transition from Number Eight to Prop 46:30 Dealing with Homesickness 51:11 Importance of Hard Work and Perseverance 52:01 From the Crusaders to the All Blacks 54:01 Joining the Crusaders 55:50 Mindset and Nerves in Games 57:25 Working Through Challenges in the Scrum 01:04:13 Getting Fit and Staying Fit 01:13:15 Overcoming Challenges in the Scrum 01:18:24 Becoming the Greatest Ever 01:32:21 Advice for a What a Lad listener

    1h 31m
  4. Richard Kahui- What a Lad

    4 AUG

    Richard Kahui- What a Lad

    Richard Kahui is one of those player that when fit was one of the best in the world and the unfortunate thing for him and all of NZ rugby fans was the fact that the "when fit" part was all to few and far between. The man known as Kaks had to go through 5 Full shoulder reconstructions plus another shoulder surgery in the space of 6 years which made fighting for the dream All Black 13 jersey a tough gig. It was also a real challenge mentally to continue to do everything possible to get back from these injuries only to have to go through it all again. Some key topics that stood out for me were... How working hard on a building apprenticeship helped with the life after rugby transition  The power that the Steve Renolf headgear had on his tackling  The role of self-confidence in achieving success The dedication and sacrifice are necessary to pursue a dream in rugby  Obviously the challenges of injuries and the impact on performance The emotions with winning the 2011 RWC Why he decided to leave NZ rugby How he found playing in Japan for 7 years And all your questions and heaps more! Heading into this episode I had only ever heard great things about this great man and after the episode it is clear to see why. A genuine champion man who was the ultimate team mate. His love for the game was clear and although he had some tough times throughout his career, to play for 18 years at the level he did is incredible. If you enjoy this episode please give it a share  so I can continue to bring more great guests like this!

    1h 34m

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What a Lad is a podcast by James Marshall who talks to some of the biggest names and best lads on the planet.

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