Hugh Pyle played pro rugby across three continents, won a Top 14 title with Stade Français — and still said no to a Wallabies call-up.

Why? Because for him, fun mattered more than fame.

In this episode of Lessons from the Game , Hugh breaks down the real drivers of success: consistency, joy, and knowing who you are. He shares his experience striking in France, adapting to new cultures, and how he built a career without ever being “the most talented.”

This one’s for every player and coach who wants to build something meaningful — and sustainable.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to a Rugby Journey

04:01 Lessons from Rugby: Consistency Over Talent

07:00 Facing Challenges: The Path to Professional Rugby

10:08 Cultural Adaptation: Rugby in France

12:59 The Impact of Strikes in Rugby

19:08 The Transition from Player to Professional Life

23:54 Resilience and Perspective in Life

30:09 Networking and Building Relationships

35:07 Life After Rugby: Finding New Passions

39:46 Final Thoughts and Lessons Learned

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Hosted by Gurthro Steenkamp and Ben Pegna

hugh pyle

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