The Power of Fun, Saying No to the Wallabies and Striking in France ⎮ Hugh Pyle

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 🔔 Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE & TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS for more rugby insights from top players & coaches! 📲 Follow us for more rugby content: 📩 Join Coach G’s Free Community - https://thescrumdominatormindset.mykajabi.com/offers/JNLUYzpi Follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/lessonsfromthegamepodcast Follow Coach G on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/ggsteenkamp Follow Ben on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/benpegna Hosted by Gurthro Steenkamp and Ben Pegna