The Quintessentially - You Podcast

Resilience on and off the Pitch: A Deep Dive into Steve Misa's Rugby Journey

November 19, 2023 • Craig Bartlett with Steven Misa • Season 1 • Episode 6

Share episode

Ever been curious about the life and struggles of a rugby player at the top of his game? Join us for a soul-stirring conversation with New Zealand's renowned rugby star, Steve Misa. 

Immigrating from Tonga to Christchurch,  and rising through the grades to forge a professional rugby career.

From grappling with injuries and the nail-biting struggle for opportunities to play at an elite level.

Steve's story is a testament to resilience. He walks us through his stints with North Harbour and Otago, his memorable time with the Highlanders and Melbourne Rebels, and his return to New Zealand amid the pandemic. In an uplifting conclusion, Steve recounts the ecstatic experience of winning the 2021 NPC with Waikato. 

This episode is more than just a conversation - it's a rollercoaster ride through the life of a professional athlete, their battles, their triumphs, and the pure joy that comes from defying all odds.

You are listening to the Quintessentially - You Podcast, where we share journeys and shift minds because #everymancounts.

Craig:

Hey guys, recently I was back in New Zealand sorting out family affairs for the month of October and I got the opportunity to meet a mentor of my eldest, Mr Steve Misa. I had a chat with him around his journey and you know from rugby rehab, concussion, his, you know playing where he started the different clubs. Anyway, the first episode is his journey through rugby Really interesting and I hope you enjoy it. If this is your first time listening in, welcome. I hope you get something out of my conversation with Steve. He is a fantastic bloke and if you are here for the first time, thanks for listening in. If you're back again, please, you know, share, like, drop us a comment.

Craig:

I am bringing you know these episodes to you guys. It's all about connection. It's all about understanding. You know what makes you who you are and you know that's what quintessentially you is all about Taking a peek behind the curtains, seeing what makes people tick. So buckle up, listen in hope you enjoy the episode. Guys, tonight I've got the pleasure of welcoming Mr Steve Misa, who is in Wellington in New Zealand, at Saturday 11pm on Friday evening. Thanks, Steve, for coming on. It's really awesome to have you on.

Steve:

Pleasure. It's good to be here. Thank you for the opportunity to jump on and share my journey.

Craig:

Awesome, awesome. Let's start with a few fun questions. Then I've got a few. I know that you've seen them, so we'll just jump in Fish and chips or boil up or other.

Steve:

Oh, bro, you've got to go with the boil up. Eh, you know those neck tops any day.

Craig:

I was lucky to have that. I was spoiled when I got home. Actually, I was given some boil up and it was like see you later.

Steve:

Oh, bro, they are honestly, until you have it. Oh, you wouldn't know the feeling.

Craig:

Okay, Chiefs, Ripples or Moana Pacifica.

Steve:

Oh, oh no, do I have to pick one or?

Craig:

You can pick a couple or you can explain what your thoughts are.

Steve:

I think the Chiefs just being where I'm based and you know this kind of the team that I look up to when I was coming up in my semi pro rugby career, the Moana Pacifica is just a connection into the Pacific side of me. So I'm born, bred Tongan Boy and so I can support the boys in there in terms of where I'm from, kind of my motherland, and then Ripples, ripples, pretty much the team that gave me the opportunity to play Super Rugby. Yeah, so Ripples kind of up there too. So yeah, if I had to really pick one, I'd probably pick the Ripples, because they gave me the opportunity to actually play at their level.

Craig:

So yeah, Awesome Tonga or the Orblacks.

Steve:

Oh, bro, you can explain both.

Craig:

You don't have to choose either, but you can explain both as well.

Steve:

I'd probably. You know I love my motherland but in terms of rugby, Orblacks and you know, in terms of my connection and thing, it's actually a team that I was hoping to play for Yep, Play for represent my and my country and my people, but obviously didn't happen. So yeah, All Blacks.

Craig:

Awesome, awesome, Dupont or Nuggy.

Steve:

Oh, bro, nuggy man, you know, but he's even just being down in the Highlanders and watching him work. He's honestly, you know, one of the top in terms of preparation. And then some of his passes you can see he does it 100 times just to get going and they're good to. Yeah, nuggy Awesome.

Craig:

Rock, musical, meditation music meditation music.

Steve:

Yeah, because you know I'm starting to get into it with my head. Yeah, so I'm leaning towards the meditation music because it calms my head down.

Craig:

So if you haven't seen Steve rocking up to training at the club in Marist and Hamilton or heating off, you know that he drives a Harley and you can hear him from about sort of a mile away when he's either leaving or going. So that's why I threw that in there. So let's go back to you then Tell us so the podcast is about. You know, being quintessentially you and understanding you your journey. Tell us from a sporting background, family background, you know career, how it all started for you.

Steve:

We all started, obviously, to start born, bred and Tonga, and I grew up in a family where my dad, my dad's side, was a rugby family. So I could remember when I was a little kid, you know, couldn't go to the game, so the radio and Tonga was the thing. So you know I'll be running around in the in the backyard with the radio, you know hearing, and then put the radio down and grab the ball and you know, because I could understand the commentators, I'd pretend like I'm the one actually, you know, running with the ball when he's calling it. So I grew up wanting to play rugby and that was pretty much in my blood, to actually get the opportunity and I thought I'd get in time. But then obviously moved to New Zealand 2006, in 2006. So that's when, kind of, my eyes lit up and I thought, you know, this is the land of the rugby, you know. So moved straight to Christchurch, started my journey. My dad actually chucked me into league so I learned how to tackle, so chucked me into me and my brothers into league. Going back, I'm the oldest of five, so there's four boys and one girl and she's the youngest. So, yeah, back to Christchurch, me and my one after me I got chucked into league so we can learn how to tackle properly, and that actually taught us massively how to tackle. So I think we did that for two years. And then there's one school in Christchurch which I normally tease a lot of my boys from outside as I call the factory, and there's Christchurch high school and and a bit of banter in there, but I always say, hey, the stats don't lie with the numbers of all blacks they produce. So, yeah, ended up, since my dad was, you know, massive in rugby and I wanted to be a regular player, I got sent to the rugby school and that was this when my journey pretty much started.

Steve:

I Christchurch Boys High School 2009 and that was, I think, Brodie Retallick's last year. I could remember very well running the rugby field after training everyone's gone and I'll see this guy just running up and down, just running, and I was like, is that guy okay? And then, yeah, pretty much after that he left and everything. And then it wasn't until a couple years later that I saw him pop up again and then he pretty much just kept going, kept going, and then I'll see one of the best locks in the world. So that's kind of my, my fond memories of entering boys high school and seeing, oh, this is a rugby school.

Steve:

And then, yeah, pretty much through my journey was since I was hungry for rugby. It was rugby everything, it was training and it was there so and managed to come through the grades and we have it here under 14. So boys high, Christchurch Boys High School under 14, and then the following year, Boys High under 15s, which where kind of everything started. We talked out the New Zealand National under 15 and 2010, and then from there I pretty much was one of the youngest to get picked for the first of ten, which is the top grade Christchurch Boys Boys High School.

Steve:

So at Year 11, I was one of the probably the youngest. I was the youngest in the team in the first 15. So I had three years at first 15. So first year and then second year and then the third year. So from the under 15 team, the three of us actually got picked and two of them well, me, the other prop, and I think you guys would only two of us would know Anton Liernet-Brown. So me and Anton got picked to go into that team and this pretty much where my journey went, my last, pretty much from there, you know, go back and forward with rep rugby, Canterbury rep. And then 2013 was when I was kind of looking at my option and this one, Waikato, reached out. So they reached out for me to come up for their development, their junior academy. So yeah, that's pretty much when I had to move, but during their time I'm not sure if you guys were heard this when the earthquake was- going.

Steve:

So, yeah, my mum actually her job ended up moving up to Tauranga which is about an hour and a half away from Hamilton, so she was already there. So then I ended up coming up to 2014 was my first year in Hamilton and there was in the academy under 19th.

Craig:

So I was just going to say Christchurch is a long way. How did your parents choose Christchurch of all places? Nothing wrong with Christchurch.

Steve:

Yeah, you know a good question. So that's where my dad's family so my dad's brother was already there graduated at Lincoln University there and they were based in Christchurch. So my dad thought, you know, having a brother there to you know, bounce or support each other into our Christchurch. It was honestly massive change, because you get off the screen from Tonga and it's humid and hot over there, you go to Christchurch and you walk out. When we walked out, we're like what is this?

Craig:

You know my dad said back off the plane take me back.

Steve:

Yeah, oh, when we jumped in the air con or the heater and the car was firing off, you know, because they were freezing, and then, yeah, I kind of got used to it. So that's why we kind of moved to Christchurch Nice Stay from Tonga. Normally, you know, you come to the warmer end, auckland, you know then these ways, but now we just decided to jump straight into the cold.

Craig:

Very good and you ended up in Hamilton.

Steve:

Yeah, and that's pretty much kind of start off the next chapter and that is aiming for New Zealand under 20. And then obviously Marist or NPC now, and then super and then so forth. So that's pretty much where I started under 19. And then that was 2014. 2015 was named in the New Zealand trial Awesome. So the New Zealand 20 trials.

Steve:

I went through there and then ended up missing or got selected later on in the trials to go to Australia for tournament and then came back the final World Cup team was getting selected. I ended up making their team. So one of the hookers that got selected got injured. So then, you know, I was the next in line so got named and then was blessed to get named in that World Cup team going to Italy, wow, and yeah, so I don't know. Well, everyone would know the Canterbury, Coach Razor. He was our coach in that New Zealand 20 team and we went into Italy and took out their tournament. So we won the New Zealand tournament. That was 2015 and then came back from there.

Steve:

But going back to their journey and I was kind of going in there with my shoulder was pretty much screwed. But I, because I love the game so much, I just play and come back and I stay after and then so when I landed back, I was doing for operation, yeah, I was told from the doctors in there that I had to go in for operation and that's where I came back and went. So for me it was like everything was climbing and then to go in for operation and then you're out six, seven, eight months. There's, like you know, a bit of a dip. So, yeah, that kind of took me out a folder and then I ended up out for 2016. Yeah, I was out, or 2015,. The rest of 2015. And then 2016 was my first. So I came recovered and came back. In 2016 was my first Waikato stint. So I was selected after that injury so obviously that you know for kind of got back up and and managed to make the team the following year.

Craig:

So I've got a couple Razors is going to be taking over from in Foster and he's going to be leading the All Blacks, in your time, when he was with the under 20s. What's? What kind of a leader was he? You know what? What can we expect from him? Do you think what really landed well with you?

Steve:

For me with Razor, I think his ability to bring the best out of the players was what stood out to me. Just the way he I guess you know built that relationship with the players but still be professional as a coach but have that bond tight with the players, that was the big thing that we all had and everyone respected him. He's a character. You know he's always just come in with a joke, but when it's serious it's serious. So we all had that kind of tight bond and that team and I guess going through the tournament and taking it out was you know a show, what a massive achievement.

Steve:

Yeah, it's showing in there, and then I've pretty much followed through the rugby and all of that and he's kind of done the same. You know, bring players and just built them. So, yeah, that's pretty much what I would add on with Razor and what stood out to me was, yeah, that.

Craig:

Okay, and then you got into a play for Waik ato.

Steve:

Yeah, and that journey I guess, to be honest, that was coming back from injury and having my first shot there was, I guess, a good and rough year for me. Yeah, it was kind of like and I'm flinted now. Yeah, kind of rugby is kind of the you know you might have, you might be playing well, but then there's someone else that you know obviously is kind of the favorite or at that level. So, yeah, it was kind of hard. You know, obviously, I think in that 2016, I was one of the highest ranking hookers in New Zealand but I felt like I wasn't getting any opportunities to actually go to the next level and I think that year kind of made me nearly chuck in the towel and pretty much just everything, because I was feeling it was the feeling of not being able to. It was kind of you're getting just forced to sit there, yeah, and you weren't, because I was just pretty much off the bat. I wanted to play and play to the next level. Now, yeah, I ended up finishing my contract within 2017. Oh, yeah, 2017, I finished with them and then I had nothing. I literally didn't even want to play rugby. Wow, I was, you know, on the edge of, you know kind of going back home and look after my family. And that's when Tom Coventry called me and said what are you doing? And said nothing back home with the family. So he said, you know, I'm coaching North Harbour next year, would you be open to? And I said, oh, tom, you know this is a massive blessing, you know? Yes, of course. So Tom ended up giving me two years with North Harbour and it kind of the rugby kind of just started to come alive again and so I ended up taking the contract with them, with North Harbour, and I went up there playing my first year, ended up busting my shoulder again. So then that second time actually chipped the bone on my shoulder so I had to go in and they cut it open. So that took me out for I think, a year, a year and a bit to recover. So it took me out the whole of 2018. So I played 2017 with North Harbour and then it took me out 2018. And so that's pretty much my two years done. So 2018 is my last year and then so I recovered. You know, back home staying with family, was working kind of part-time just to help out.

Steve:

And then I went up to North Harbour 2019 just to see if I still got it. I think I ended up missing the selection. But then an opportunity came up for Otago to go down there and play. So then I was like, oh you know what, like I've had a year and a bit off, you know I'll take this opportunity and see where it goes. So I ended up going down there and jumping into their season 2019. And then, you know, play that good season down there, because it's kind of break me just died and then came alive and then. So then I ended up playing good season there and then finished that season 2019 with Otago and I got asked to join the Highlanders preseason. So I ended up going. You know what? This just getting better.

Steve:

So, I jumped in there and went through the preseason and then in the preseason I managed to crack one of my ribs in the preseason. So you know, here's me.

Steve:

Give me a break, I know, so I get you know, just telling them to number, so I can, you know, just play, or. And so that preseason finished 2020. They said oh cool, we don't need you. And then that's when one of the coach for Otago went over and he was coaching the Melbourne Rebels, so they ended up needing a hooker, and so he gave me a call and he said hey, what do you reckon of coming over? We really need a hooker. And I put your name and they, they're keen to have you on board. So I said you know what, why not?

Steve:

Go over there and give it a go. So ended up signing over there for that year. And then when I got there, pretty much bang, I'm straight on the plane to Japan. We were playing the Sun Wolves and then pretty much went through the journey I had. And then COVID, yeah, when I was suspended.

Steve:

So they asked me if I wanted to stay in there, or things like that. For me I'm a real family man. So I said to them I've got to be home, I've got to be home with my family. And I think they closed the border on the Tuesday morning. But we had the meeting on Monday morning, Super Rugby was cancelled. They spent this time and said you know, I've got to get out of here, I've got to go to my family. So you know, they were nice enough to book me a flight in the afternoon on Monday and I was out of there and then came, went back to Tauranga to my family and I did the two weeks observation At home in the garage.

Steve:

But for me I was just happy to be back home, first thing I've experienced in this world, you know, going into a lockdown. You know it was like, yeah, I had to go home to my family. So yeah, and then, pretty much after that, I was looking. There was talk of me going back when Super opened up, Waikato ended then ended up passing me from, you know, keen to play, so I ended up Ross Filippo signing to them. So I signed one year and then after that they renewed and signed me another year 2021. And that's when 2021, yeah, so I signed it and then I signed the following year, and 2021 was when we won the NPC Waikato.

Craig:

Yeah, that was a great honor of watching that.

Steve:

Yeah, and that was well after 2007 was the last time we won that, and to take it in 2021 was like unreal, yeah. So then after that I was kind of, you know, obviously just going with the, you know, trying to make a super team or something, and then I missed out and then also I was just playing club rugby and obviously working, and that's in 2022. That was last year and that's when I when I obviously had my concussion but during my whole career I've had concussion left right in team time I didn't even think it was a thing or my stubbornness to tell anyone and I just wanted to play, was you know? I just wanted to make a team or something. Then it kind of caught up to me in my last one Last year, really took me out and took me out pretty hard.

Steve:

Actually, I was pretty much at home, couldn't go outside to lie. I looked like I was, you know, like I was the, like a vampire, when my eyes just purely red, you know, from the, from the, and yeah, I think there was the changing point for me was, you know, two operations on my shoulder. It still came back and and give it a go, and then I think that made me actually stop. And that made me stop and think what else is there, because if I can't control my brain now and it's you know it's where it is now then imagine actually getting it worse. Yeah, yeah. So yeah, that was pretty much my journey, and rugby and everything. So much when juggling everything.

Craig:

I hope you enjoyed that episode with Steve a really honest and genuine account of the path that he's walked. He doesn't shy away from the fact that you know he has at times felt challenged or wanted to step right away from rugby and that happens.

Craig:

You know it's. Being a professional sportsman is like having a job. Well, it is having a job. Your job is just performing and training, not sitting in an office. You know nine to five. It's very different. However, the approach to your work, the approach to your training, the approach to your diet is no different from the attitudes and behaviors that you would need in a normal job. Hope you've enjoyed it. I've enjoyed bringing it to you. So for me to you, thanks for listening in today. My name's Craig Bartlett and you've been listening to the Quintessentially you podcast. Bye for now.