This week on Talking About A Carpool, hosts ofahelotu (Sydney, Australia) and Semisi Telefoni, aka “The Wine Chief” (Auckland, New Zealand), dive deep into the world of rugby finances, personal development, and life beyond the pitch:

Segment 1: Talk Story

Starts at (1:51)

The hosts share personal stories about hard-learned financial lessons from their rugby careers, including navigating taxes in different countries and the realities of early contracts.

Segment 2: Da Latest Scoop

Starts at (9:44)

A rundown of the latest results and league tables from European rugby competitions, including Premiership Rugby, Championship Rugby, United Rugby Championship, Pro D2, and Top 14. Discussion of recent matches, standings, and the impact of international test windows.

Segment 3: Da Kuleana – Responsibility (Education Segment: Financial Literacy for Rugby Players)

Starts at (18:53)

A comprehensive discussion on financial literacy for rugby players:

The short earning window in professional sports

Investing in yourself as an athlete and rugby player

The importance of agents, contracts, and understanding taxes

Balancing lifestyle and longevity in your career

Planning for life after rugby, education, and leveraging your network

Real-life stories and practical advice for young players and their families

Segment 4: Da Big Wave – International Test Wrap Up

Starts at (1:21:39)

Recap of the final Autumn Nations Series test matches, including Samoa’s World Cup qualification, performances of Pacific and Southern Hemisphere teams, and analysis of All Blacks, Australia, and other major teams.

Outro

Starts at (1:38:45)

Preview of next week’s topic: “The Inner Circle” – building your support network as a rugby player. Encouragement for players and parents to use rugby as a pathway to global opportunities. Listener Q&A invitation: Email questions to talkingaboutacarpo@gmail.com

Music Credit:

Intro and Outro Music by Wesley Winn - I B U (All my life)

In this episode, Join Ofa & Semisi on Talking About ACarpool podcast, they aim to educate players and parents on the European rugbypathways, offering insights into recent games and team standings. Highlightsfrom the weekends results from the Top 14, URC, ProD2, Premiership Rugby andChamp Rugby.

The main topic this episode focuses on communication withcoaches, covering the roles and expectations from coaches at various levels,how to build effective working relationships, handling feedback, and theimportance of open communication for career development. The conversationemphasises that understanding and engaging with coaches is crucial for personaland professional growth in rugby.

This week on Talking About A Carpool, hosts Ofa Fainga’anuku (Sydney, Australia) and Semisi Telefoni, aka “The Wine Chief” (Auckland, New Zealand), take you on a multi-part journey through rugby and personal development:

Segment 1: Talk Story

Starts at (3:08)

The hosts share personal stories and discuss the idea of “personal brand” by comparing themselves to brands (Ben & Jerry’s, Fear of God). They reflect on how personal actions shape reputation, both intentionally and unintentionally.

Segment 2: Da Latest Scoop

Starts at (9:29)

Rundown of the latest results and league tables from European rugby competitions. Focus on Championship Rugby, Top 14, and Pro D2, with detailed match results and table standings. Discussion of upcoming Champions Cup and Challenge Cup dates.

Segment 3: Da Kuleana – Responsibility (Education Segment: Building Your Personal Brand)

Starts at (17:48)

Deep dive into personal branding for rugby players: what it means, why it matters, and how to build and protect it.

Advice for young players and parents on professionalism, conduct, and social media presence.

Real-life stories about reputation, character, and the impact of actions on and off the field.

Q&A: When to start thinking about personal brand, protecting your name, and showing professionalism before “making it.”

Segment 4: Da Big Wave – International Test Wrap Up

Starts at (1:05:02)

Recap of international test matches: Samoa’s World Cup qualification, Autumn Nations Series, and performances of Pacific and Southern Hemisphere teams. Analysis of All Blacks, Australia, and other major teams’ recent games and challenges.

Segment 5: Pau Hana Game – Who Am I?

Starts at (1:16:32)

The hosts play a fun rugby-themed guessing game, challenging each other with clues about famous players.

Outro

Starts at (1:36:44)

Preview of next week’s education topic: financial literacy for players. Encouragement for players and parents to use rugby as a pathway to global opportunities. Listener Q&A invitation: Email questions to talkingaboutacarpo@gmail.com

Music Credit:

Intro and Outro Music by Wesley Winn - I B U (All my life)