James Tucker spent 13 years in professional rugby, representing Waikato Rugby, the Chiefs, Blues, Hurricanes and Brumbies, with further playing stints in Italy and Japan.

Across his career, James faced 22 surgeries, including two ACL injuries, a broken sacrum and serious rib cartilage damage, but continued to fight his way back onto the field.

James joins Jason in the ShedLife NZ Studio for a straight-up Kiwi conversation about professional rugby, resilience, leadership, family and life after sport.

They talk about representing New Zealand at the Under 20 Rugby World Cup, being cleared after a serious eye-gouging accusation, winning the Ranfurly Shield with Waikato, playing against the British and Irish Lions with the Provincial Barbarians in Whangārei, and experiencing rugby cultures in New Zealand, Italy and Japan.

James also shares what it was like playing in Super Rugby environments with the Chiefs, Blues, Hurricanes and Brumbies, how repeated injuries affected his career, and the mindset required to keep coming back when retirement seemed close. Away from rugby, James and his wife Courtney run Busy Bees Cleaning across Waikato and the Bay of Plenty. Courtney has also launched Tucker Accounting, helping individuals and businesses with their accounting needs.

This episode is about more than rugby. It is a story of resilience, hard work, family, adapting to change and building a new life after professional sport.