Bryce Heem- What a Lad

Bryce Heem, a 15-year professional rugby player who starred for Auckland, Northland, Tasman, the Chiefs, Blues, New Zealand Sevens, Worcester, and Toulon, opens up about his journey from a rebellious youth to one of rugby’s most respected and beloved figures. He recounts how a shoulder injury and a year off the game reignited his passion, leading to a paid career within a year. He reflects on the emotional toll of leaving New Zealand for overseas stints in the UK and France—driven by financial opportunity and personal growth—only to return home when his father was diagnosed with lung cancer. His story is marked by resilience: surviving a career-ending wrist injury, navigating the trauma of losing his mother-in-law to cancer, and balancing fatherhood with elite sport. He shares candid insights into the mental and physical costs of professional rugby, including five concussions and the difficulty of knowing when to pull out of a game. Now a mortgage broker with Kiwi Mortgages, Heem emphasizes the importance of integrity, relationships, and being a 'good bugger'—a philosophy that earned him lifelong respect across the rugby world. His humility, humor, and unwavering loyalty make him a true 'lad' in every sense.