EP2 - Bryan Habana

11/10/20 • 45 min

Craig chats with South African rugby legend Bryan Habana who is regarded as one of the worlds best ever wingers. Bryan talks openly about being black and born into apartheid and how his family and rugby insulated him from its worst excesses. Diving into Bryan’s contact book we hear from those closest to the World Cup winning player. It’s revealed how it could have been very different: he might have become a wrestler. We hear from Bryan and his former teammates about the crazy days at Toulon where the team had to go to Ikea to buy their own training aids. Winning the world cup was a momentous moment in Bryan’s life but he reveals what was even more important to him than that. Let’s not forget the other revelations he may have wished the contacts from his contact book didn’t reveal: how he splashed naked in the mud, gets hugged by old ladies and how he spectacularly snubbed the Ireland captain after an international match only to be confronted by him live on the show. Awkward! This is quite a listen. Some of it is even in French! .......................................... The Contact Book with Craig Doyle is an original by 3 Rock Production for Auddy #doylecontactbook Special thanks to all of our guests on the show. Presenter, Craig Doyle Theme Music by Owen Parker Series Producer, Keith Doyle Sound editing, Mark Sharman Album Art, Nicole Stewart Executive Producer, Andrew Sampson

Previous Episode

EP1 - Brian O'Driscoll

This is no ordinary interview programme, Craig Doyle gets deep and dirty interviewing some of the greatest sporting legends about their lives and careers. However Craig doesn't talk to just them, he gets some help from those who know them best. As he navigates the highs and lows of their lives Craig has access to their contact book and calls up those who lived through those experiences with them. In this first episode he talks to rugby legend Brian O’Driscoll.In a candid interview Brian opens up about how he received threats of violence after playing a Lambeg drum, a hugely divisive symbol of the sectarian divide in Northern Ireland, while making a documentary. For the first time Brian is brought together with the Orangeman who gave him the drum on that fateful day. Jonathan Buckley tells Brian he felt sorry for him after the event but he believes the Irish rugby star made a little bit of history that day.Elsewhere on “The Contact Book with Craig Doyle”, Brian’s family reveal intimate details about how they all “had a moment” with the six nations trophy during family celebrations after Ireland's historic win. Brian is also brought back together with his coach from Leister and reveals how he ended up hiking through the night with the Irish Army in golf shoes. Craig and Brian also make a worldwide appeal to find the missing Irish rugby jersey that had to be cut off the injured Lions captain.The contact book gets unique access to the world's greatest sporting stars and brings you their story from all sides...........................................The Contact Book with Craig Doyle is an original by 3 Rock Production for Auddy #doylecontactbookSpecial thanks to all of our guests on the show.Presenter, Craig DoyleTheme Music by Owen Parker Series Producer, Keith DoyleSound editing, Mark SharmanAlbum Art, Nicole StewartExecutive Producer, Andrew Sampson

Next Episode

EP3 - Sean Fitzpatrick

In this episode, one of the greatest All Black of all time, the “All Black’s All Black” - Sean Fitzpatrick hands over his contact book. Craig delves into “Fitzy’s” life and career, calling up those who were part of it. We hear from the person who first spotted his talents on the field and how Sean went back to work as a carpenter after winning New Zealand’s first Rugby World Cup. Sean also reveals how he never wanted to be the captain of the All Blacks but being so made him a better person. He explains how losing The World Cup final in 1995 changed his life forever. Other legendary All Blacks line up to heap praise on their former captain, who was capped a total off 121 times and only missed 2 matches in a decade. They also reveal secrets including what the ice baths were really used for. The tough man of rugby, Sean tells how he regrets never telling his father he loved him and how he now makes sure he tells his daughters he loves them as often as possible. We also discover how, because of Sean, the Haka is now performed before matches in the most unlikely place. This is a fascinating and entertain insight into one of the world’s greatest ever players which will be enjoyed by everyone not just rugby fans. .......................................... The Contact Book with Craig Doyle is an original by 3 Rock Production for Auddy #doylecontactbook Special thanks to all of our guests on the show. Presenter, Craig Doyle Theme Music by Owen Parker Series Producer, Keith Doyle Sound editing, Mark Sharman Album Art, Nicole Stewart Executive Producer, Andrew Sampson