Daniel Lienert-Brown- What a Lad

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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