The minute Sonny got asked if he's spoken to anyone or reached out to anyone as he's so able to speak out about his past and his mental health problems and what helped him and his reply was "My faith. Islam." It made me cry because some people don't understand the beauty of Islam and how powerful something such as your faith can be. I'm a proud Muslim myself and have been since birth. Mash'Allah Sonny. What a human/father/husband/son/friend/person and muslim you are and Mash'Allah on your beautiful family and career. Forever my hero and inspiration in life! ❤👏
Well calling this 'a shambles of a pod' is no longer true at all. The depth of this one is great. Unbelievable to hear that a legend such as SBW had these mental struggles. Was a quality listen and also to see Hask and Alex listen so intensely to the story. Great one. Thanks a lot!
Lads, this is the best episode to date by some distance! I’ve always loved SBW for his skill set and achievements, but to listen to and understand the man behind the All Blacks Jersey is just incredibly powerful and inspirational. Masterpiece!
Such a genuine person, so down to earth and a truly lovely person. Really enjoyed this interview. He was always one of my favourite players to watch and it’s so good to hear him talk.
I've bumped into Tana and Sonny a couple of times here in Auckland. They were amazingly humble and nice. They didn't need to acknowledge my surprise to see them but they did without hesitation.
I wasn't sure if I wanted to listen to Sonny, don't know why. But what a absolutely impelling sports man to listen too. Thanks to everyone on the show.
Absolute legend. Well done Alex and Hask, one of my favourites. Truck driver, so love Audible, done Hasks, half way through Eddies, then I’ve got Marlers, definitely going to get Sonny’s
Great pod this week. Sonny is just so lovely. Great to hear more about him. I knew he'd boxed but no idea it was to pay a debt. Just added his book to my Xmas list.
As a Kiwi its obvious that Hask has a great relationship with many NZ players (certainly the high profile recent retirees). How about the one obvious missing piece of the puzzle - Richie McCaw? Hask is his mate and it would be good to have a proper interview with him as the stuff in NZ is pretty dire.
These just get better and better, followed SBW for a long time but to hear him tell his story is just,I am struggling to find the words for it.brilliant programme .the bar just gets higher and higher.cannot wait for the next one,
Absolutley phenominal episode. Saw Sonny play in Argentina for the blues against Jaguares. Hes such an inspirational human , awsome player and great guy. Was really looking forward to watching this episode whilst working out in Iraq.
Superb episode... love the podcast... this is up there with the Marler legendary ones... SBW... not only a world class player but a very humble man ... keep up the great work gents hope to see you in Sunny Sarfend next year
G'day guys. A new subber here from Nz. I've been back a few episodes, as far back as Tins and his wife. Now to come forward. FYI, there's a newish book out with S.B.W...Just been promoted in the last week or so. Love to see a podcast with Keith Quinn, and Grant Nisbet, two of our greatest rugby commentators. Anyway thanks for the podcasts. Great presentation. Take care. Atb from down under.
You guys are amazing! Love watching the show every week, that outro had me in tears! SBW is a legend too, brilliant guest and such banter with Hask as well. Pure class, keep making such enjoyable content, thank you for keeping me company each week as i'm working from home.
Apart from being a great rugby player I didn't know much about him. My ears pricked up when he said he boxed to fulfill an agreement whereby the promoter cleared his debt. Apparently a NRL club weren't happy that he left and took it to NSW Supreme Court. If SBW was pre-paid a season's salary then I can understand the club wanting that money back but I would have thought most players are paid on a week by week basis. The club must have been hopping mad to go all the way to NSW Supreme Court.. is that where Kangaroo Court comes from?
A lot of people who reach the top start questioning their faith and why the fame and riches do not make them happy. They usually turn to drink and drugs first and then "find" some sort of religion. John Lennon and George Harrison to name but two and now Sonny Bill, three of my favourite people ever.
Wow guys, awesome to have SBW on your podcast. Any person who can talk about the highs & adversity of rugby league, rugby & sports in general much respect & appreciation. SBW book is going to help alot of up & coming sportsman & not just sportsman young people in general. Way to go SBW a true sports Abassador, much love & respect.
Would be an interesting episode if you could get the likes of David Pocock on for an episode. I can imagine he's as interesting and good natured as SBW! He would definitely be full of stories growing up in Zimbabwe and being an avid conservationalist.
A lot of great questions were asked here! But I think many of his answers, as fascinating as they were, were not directly answering the questions asked.
Hey guys, as you know i follow u always. Can I ask you to review your sponsorship by city index. I also listen to the guardian football special and please listen to their dilemmas with gambling sponsorship. Happy to chat offline Olly
I'm sure this applies to other sports but since I'm a League Fan ill speak on League. When are the administrators going to learn from stories like this, Instead of using and abusing these young men. We see it all the time, A guy get's pinched doing the wrong thing and he is suspended and then two weeks after a rehab course the Admin comes out and spins a story to the media and the player is back on the field like nothing happened. But the young men are still dealing with issues because only a fool would believe that two weeks is going to be enough. I am not calling for longer suspensions. They shouldn't even be suspended but they should be given ongoing counselling while playing. This is the least you can do for a young man that entertains you every weekend and brings in big money to the NRL in many ways. Business must have limits other wise it becomes greed and before anyone comments that these guys get paid big money, go do your research on Footy Players, they get the least amount of any pro sport but yet they are arguably the one's that put their body on the line the most bar maybe the UFC. To be honest I've been turned off League for awhile, mainly because the game has gone soft but nevertheless these players need to be taken care of instead of being made out to be villains. I still remember what the media, fans and the doggies did to Sonny, they practically crucified him, how does it feel now that you know what he was really going through, it's all good, we all make mistakes. The question is ,are we going to learn from these mistakes?
Islam changed his life for the best. Only if the west understood the beauty of Islam and what it does for the betterment of him/her and others around the individual. Pick the quran and read for yourself. Dont be ignorant and listen to haters who don't even know why they hate
I think James doesn’t really understand Sonny and his self esteem issues. You can’t just tell someone with these issues to ‘drop it and fly’, I know he means well. My question to Sonny is that he himself said he is an all or nothing guy, isn’t religion just another crux like drink, drugs and women, albeit a better more virtuous one, it still is one where you immerse yourself to escape reality.
Sorry guys, I usually really look forward to the pod every week, but..... I won't be listening to this one. I liken this guy to Folau, he's a wrong'un and nothing he has to say is of any interest to me. Such a shame. Looking forward to next week anyway.
