Show Notes
💥 EPISODE 10: Riki Cowan – Mt Albert Glory, Provincial Power, and the Black & White V! 💥
Strap yourselves in for a massive episode of the Carlaw Park Die Hards Podcast! This week, we are joined by the uncompromising, hulking prop Riki Cowan to unpack a rollercoaster rugby league career from the golden era of the 80s and 90s.
From the spiritual home of Carlaw Park to the fierce provincial battlegrounds of the North and South Islands, Riki pulls no punches as he shares the raw, unfiltered stories of a true front-row warrior.
In this episode, we cover:
🦁 The Mighty Mt Albert Lions: Riki reflects on his ”best years” in the blue and gold, dominating the Auckland club scene under legendary coaching during a golden era for the Lions.
🏉 The Provincial Journey: A deep dive into his five massive years in Wellington representing Petone and the City Firehawks, plus that iconic 1990 season in Canterbury where he helped Addington to a Grand Final and featured in Canterbury’s historic wins over Auckland and Great Britain.
🇳🇿 The Kiwis & The Black Jersey: From being a 20-year-old ”bolter” in 1984 to facing the green and gold in the unforgettable 1985 series.
💔 The Peak & The Pain: Riki opens up about the devastating injury that struck just as he was reaching the height of his powers.
🥊 The Lang Park Punch-Up: Get the exclusive, inside perspective on the explosive 1985 Test match brawl at Lang Park—one of the most infamous moments in Trans-Tasman history!
This is a no-holds-barred conversation with a man who bled for the jersey, whether it was for his club, his province, or his country.
Hit play, subscribe, and journey back to the days when the hits were harder and the stories were legendary!
#KiwiRugbyLeague #MtAlbertLions #CanterburyRugbyLeague #WellingtonRugbyLeague
More from Carlaw Park Die Hards
Step inside the 2026 New Zealand Kiwis Rugby League Association Annual Reunion for an exclusive roundtable with five black-and-white jersey legends. Gordy and I sit down with Shane Varley, Bruce Castle, Eric Carson, Lynley Tierney-Mani, and Tawera Nikau to share unvarnished tour stories, classic dressing-room humour, and deep insights into the enduring legacy of representing Aotearoa on the world stage.
We are kicking off Season 2 of the Carlaw Park Die Hards Podcast with a massive exclusive featuring New Zealand Warriors owner, Mark Robinson. Gordon and I strip away the corporate spin to get directly into the mud and reality of running an NRL franchise in Aotearoa. Episode Highlights The Burden of Ownership: Mark details the raw pressure, fierce loyalty, and heavy expectations of steering the Warriors. Culture and Resilience: A candid look at the vital connection between boardroom decisions and locker room grit. Grassroots Foundations: Exploring Mark’s personal journey into sports ownership and his deep respect for the local clubs that form the backbone of the sport. The Path Forward: An uncompromising look at the club’s ambitious future and the enduring passion that binds the fans to the game.
In our first-ever Legacy Session, we unlock a 10-year-old vault 🔐 for an exclusive, raw conversation with legend Roger Bailey 🏉. Turn back the clock ⏱️ to the mud, blood, and glory of the Carlaw Park era in this special bonus release 🎙️🔥.
The Season 1 Finale is here! We close out an epic first season of the Carlaw Park Die Hards Podcast with New Zealand Kiwis legend Gary Kemble in Episode 15. Hear the untold stories from his incredible playing days, his time overseas, and the gritty reality of classic rugby league. Thank you for a massive first season—and get ready, because Season 2 is already underway!
In Episode 14, we talk to the ultimate rugby league journeyman, Glen ”GM” Moore. Hear about his brutal transition from the wing to the front row, his infamous role in the squad tasked with ”softening up” the touring Australian Kangaroos, and the gritty battles from Mt Albert to Wellington. But the stories don’t stop at the touchline—GM opens up about his unbelievable post-footy career running high-stakes VIP security for icons like David Tua and Neil Diamond, and why he turned down Michael Jackson. A must-listen tale of grit, old-school footy, and fame!