Talking with TK

G’day welcome to episode 217 of the Talking with TK podcast. Phil is a former professional rugby league player who played 127 NRL games kicking off at Manly before spending the majority of his career at the Cronulla Sharks. He represented NSW and Australia in 3 games each before moving over to England spending 4 seasons with Wigan racking up 101 games. Post footy, Phil has crossed code to Rugby Union where he has served as Head Defensive Coach at the USA Eagles, Director of Rugby at the Hong Kong Football club and spent some time at the NSW Waratahs.

Time Stamps

1:01 - Growing up in Inverell

2:19 - Backyard battles with his brother Chris

4:52 - Growing up knowing the Tingha NRL boys

6:35 - His body post footy 

6:56 - How he found rugby league

8:31 - The joy of the Saturday 3pm game

9:11 - His pathway to the NRL

11:56 - Tales of his first NRL coach Bob Fulton

14:42 - In he sheds with all the champion Manly players

16:34 - The advantage of playing all three grades

17:38 - The pain of the Northern Eagles merger

18:34 - Being identified by Chris Anderson still at the Storm

19:36 - His perspective of the Chris Anderson era

20:39 - How he found his versatility as a centre

21:54 - Running good lines and late footwork

24:00 - His bond with Matty Johns

26:16 - The flat attack

28:00 - Brett Kimmorley 

29:42 - David Peachey

30:33 - Issues with his feet

34:22 - His origin debut at Suncorp Stadium

35:45 - Andrew Johns

38:00- 2004 Kangaroo Tour

40:55 - Getting his eye saved by Doctors after the test match

41:25 - Brain Carney

42:40 - What made him move to Wigan

45:05 - Playing under Brian Noble and Madge Maguire

47:00 - Coming back from an Achilles tear

48:00 - Planning for retirement but getting rejected by the Army

51:30 - How he got over to America

56:08 - Coaching

57:28 - Being part of the USA coaching staff at the World Cup 

1:00:28 - Moving to Hong Kong

1:02:39 - Transferable skills from sports to business

1:04:50 - 5 people he would invite to a private dinner party

Find 200 + episodes of Talking with TK in that back catalogue. I've been blessed to interview the likes of Ellyse Perry, Petero Civoniceva, Robert Whittaker, Mark Schwarzer, Shane Webcke, Adrian Morley, Mark Ella, Willie Tonga, Steve Menzies, Jamie Lyon Craig Wing, Danny Buderus, Mat Rogers, Anthony Minichiello, Luke Lewis, Chad Townsend, Andrew Ettingshausen, Bradley Clyde, Stirling Mortlock, Alex McKinnon, Mark Geyer, Cameron Murray ,Craig Lowndes, Pat Cash, Matt Toomua, Kieren Perkins, Paul Harragon, Robbie Maddison and many more.

My special guest is Matt Adamson. Matt is a former professional rugby league player who played 175 NRL games across the Parramatta Eels, Penrith Panthers and Canberra Raiders and 72 games for the Leeds Rhinos in the Super league. His representative career includes 2 state of origins for NSW, 1 tri series game for NSW and represented Australia on 5 occasions during the Super League year of 1997.

Time stamps

0:30 - Welcome to Matt Adamson

1:00 - Taree

1:43 - Where his height comes from 

2:18 - Where his brother Phil is these days

3:00 - Growing up as a star cricketer

7:00 - Learning from Brad McNamara and Greg Matthews

8:48 - Opening the batting with Adam Gilchrist

10:38 - Learning from the Australian Cricket team

13:00 - Key lessons from Alex Ferguson and Craig Bellamey

16:33 - Leading without the captaincy 

18:45 - How he got the Rhinos a day at Manchester Utd

21:50 - Putting yourself out there

23:00 - How he got his start at the Parramatta Eels

27:30 - The pitch from Phil Gould to get them to Penrith

29:40 - His huge left boot

31:01 - Who’s idea it was to move him into the back row

33:17 - His bond with Ryan Girdler and Craig Gower

35:13 - Signing with Super League

37:50 - His break out year in 1997

41:43 - Touring England at the end of 97

42:19 - Moving over to the Leeds Rhinos

43:13 - The Challenge Cup 

45:46 - Trying to establish a culture with players from different countries

47:49 - Enjoying being a senior player and leader

49:02 - The cross over skills between sports and business

50:42 - His relationship with Christian Welch

51:50 - Teaching young players leadership

57:00 - Harry Grant

58:48 - Planning for retirement

1:03:25 - Missing the thrill of playing rugby league

1:04:58 - 5 people he would invite to a private dinner party

Find 200 + episodes of Talking with TK in that back catalogue. I've been blessed to interview the likes of Ellyse Perry, Petero Civoniceva, Robert Whittaker, Mark Schwarzer, Shane Webcke, Adrian Morley, Mark Ella, Willie Tonga, Steve Menzies, Jamie Lyon Craig Wing, Danny Buderus, Mat Rogers, Anthony Minichiello, Luke Lewis, Chad Townsend, Andrew Ettingshausen, Bradley Clyde, Stirling Mortlock, Alex McKinnon, Mark Geyer, Cameron Murray ,Craig Lowndes, Pat Cash, Matt Toomua, Kieren Perkins, Paul Harragon, Robbie Maddison and many more.