Daniel Lienert-Brown is one of the great servants of New Zealand rugby. With 140 games for the Highlanders, 100 for Canterbury, a Super Rugby title and four NPC titles, DLB has built an incredible career through consistency, resilience and a genuine love for the game.

In this episode of What a Lad, DLB opens up about the full journey — from growing up in Christchurch dreaming of one day playing for Canterbury or the Crusaders, to getting his first taste of professional rugby, receiving the call from Jamie Joseph to join the Highlanders and becoming part of their historic 2015 Super Rugby title.

What stands out most is just how grateful he is for every opportunity rugby has given him. He talks about those early “pinch yourself” moments, becoming the Highlanders’ most capped forward and reaching 100 games for Canterbury.

DLB also opens up about the tougher side of the journey. He reflects on a time when being “the rugby player” became his identity, how that affected his life away from the game, hitting rock bottom in 2021 and how faith, family and perspective helped completely change the way he sees himself today.

Some parts that stood out for me in this episode were…

• Growing up watching Canterbury and the Crusaders and dreaming of one day being there
• The satisfaction he got from making his dad proud
• Going from working at Pak n Save to getting his first Crusaders opportunity
• What made the 2015 Highlanders side special
• Why Nasi Manu is the best player he played with
• The role faith now plays in his life
• Why gratitude has become such a big part of the way he approaches rugby and life

DLB is a special man and there is no man who his more grateful for his career then this man, I know you'll enjoy this one!

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I know everyone will remember Sean Maitlands beautiful stride as he galloped down the field, what an athlete and what a journey he has had! From growing up in Tokoroa, to playing for the British and Irish Lions and everything in between!

In this episode of What a Lad, Sean opens up about his career for the first time on a podcast and he did not disappoint, some parts that stood out for me in this episode were…

- Growing up in Tokoroa alongside Quade Cooper and Isaac John

- Playing for Waikato at just 17 while still at school

- Walking into a Crusaders changing room full of his childhood idols

- His experience during the devastating 2011 Christchurch earthquake

- Missing out on the All Blacks and making the decision to head overseas

- How quickly everything happened after joining Glasgow and Scotland

- Being selected for the British & Irish Lions after only a handful of Tests

- The incredible culture and team trips behind Saracens' success

- Knowing when it was finally time to call time on his career

And heaps more!

As you'll hear, Sean is an absolute lad who has experienced just about everything the game has to offer, he's played with almost every rugby legend alive and there are some incredible stories in this one. Enjoy!

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Well that's the Greatest Rivalry tour all done and dusted and it was a tour that lived up to the hype. This tour had high expectations but after producing 4 incredible tests full with intensity, quality rugby and of course some controversy, everything about this series was a success.

South Africa proved why they are the number 1 side in the world claiming the series 3–1, so where does that leave the All Blacks heading towards the Rugby World Cup?

For this episode I'm joined by Searley as we cover:

• How the Springboks won the final Test
• What areas of the game cost the All Blacks in this one
• We look at the controversial refereeing decisions that shaped the game
• Why South Africa’s cohesion is such a major advantage
• The All Blacks who raised their stocks during the tour
• The positions still up for grabs ahead of the World Cup
• The players who are to return to the All Blacks and where they fit
• South Africa’s best performers and stock risers, including Malcolm Marx and Morné van den Berg
• And heaps more

South Africa have confirmed themselves as the best team in the world — but after using 49 players on tour, there are still plenty of reasons for New Zealand fans to feel optimistic.

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