Russell Packer: From Prison To An MBA, 13 Years In The NRL & More!

On this episode of Between Two Beers we talk to Russell Packer. 

Russell is a former rugby league player who played for the Warriors, Tigers, Dragons and Kiwis across a 13-year professional career in the NRL. 

After retiring from league two years ago, Russell returned to NZ with his family and is now a businessman, leading a property development project in his hometown of Foxton. 

Russell’s footy career was divided by one major incident. In 2013 he was sentenced to two years in prison for assaulting a man outside a pub in Sydney. 

It’s a definitive part of Russell’s story, and the impressive man he is today is reflective of the lessons he learned about himself through his darkest days. 

We talk about what happened that night in Sydney, how he passed the time in jail and how it changed him, how he got back into the NRL and became a senior leader, *that* time he pissed his pants for the Warriors, his MBA journey and thirst for learning, the realities of raising an autistic son, volunteering in the community and giving back. 

Unfortunately, we had a slight technical glitch about a quarter-way through the pod and lost some of the chat about his childhood and the Warriors – which you will later hear referenced. 

Russell’s life has been one hell of a ride and the thing that stuck with me on this one is his appetite for self-improvement. His thirst for learning and growing, and being a better man is really impressive. If you only know Rusty from a headline, this ep will change your perception of the man. We’re so proud to be able to tell his story. 

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This episode was brought to you from the Export Beer Garden Studio. Enjoy!