Meet Duncan Sandlant: the man behind some of rugby’s biggest deals

Duncan Sandlant has represented some of rugby’s biggest names — Sonny Bill Williams, Tana Umaga, Jerry Collins, Andrew Mehrtens, Dave Rennie, Stephen Jones and more.

He's been shortlisted by Rugby World as one of the 50 most influential people in the game on three occasions and is the only agent to have ever appeared on the list.

This week, he shares the incredible stories behind a career at the highest level of sport — and what life as a top agent is really like.

Duncan is widely regarded as the leading agent in world rugby for coaches, a niche area he specialised in, and at one point, managed two-thirds of the world's top rugby coaches.

He founded Esportif — the world’s largest rugby agency — but it all started from an idea in his London attic 20 years ago.

That business was eventually acquired by Wasserman – the global giant across that operates at the centre of sports, music, entertainment and culture on a global scale.

This episode is insight behind the scenes into the world of rugby wheeling and dealing that you haven't heard before.

Duncan has operated out of the shadows for most of his professional life and this is a cool and unique chance to let you in to his world.

Best Laugh: The painful and inevitable references to Jerry Maguire!

Best Insight: The thought process behind the decision to focus on representing coaches.

Biggest Surprise: Duncan was right at the forefront of Sonny Bill Williams dramatic switch from rugby league to rugby union.

Catch up!

The two short weeks have caught us out but hopefully you’ve not missed out on our previous episodes!

Neil Wagner: One of our greatest cricketers of all time.

Only Sir Richard Hadlee has a better strike rate in tests among New Zealanders who have taken more than 100 wickets and we unpacked his incredible journey:

• Arriving in NZ from South Africa in 2008

• Thumping his right boot into creases around the country for almost 17 years

• His mental health struggles at the beginning of his Black Caps career

• Winning the World Test Championship

Dr. Jo Brown: The secret weapon behind some of the world’s fastest humans.

From Opotiki to the world Dr Jo Brown has worked with Olympic sprinters, NBA stars, pro footballers — even the Jamaican bobsled team.

But this episode goes deeper than sport:

• What high performers really need

• Tall poppy culture in NZ

• Losing her sister in a tragic rescue

• And how to spot the blindspots holding you back

She recently released the book "See Your Elephant". It goes deep into the blindspots, limiting beliefs and handbrakes that hold people back in life.

We're also super stoked to have Jo on the books of B2B Speakers, so if you’d like her to share her story  at your function or event, flick us a message by going to B2Bspeakers.co.nz.

Each week we release some never before seen insights about the pod. If you aren’t already sign up here.