Matthew Ridge Tells All: Wrongful Conviction, Addiction & Working with Marc Ellis (Re-Release)
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What is discussed at the start of this section?
This week on Between Two Bears we're re-releasing one of our favourite episodes that we recorded in late 2024 with Matthew Ridge. Ridgey is a Kiwi sporting legend. He was one of New Zealand's top rugby union players then made a stunning switch to rugby league as a 21 year old in 1990. Over the next decade he played 122 times for the Manly Sea Eagles, 25 times for the Kiwis and 37 times for the Warriors before he became a part owner of the club. After retiring from league he became one of New Zealand's most popular and successful TV stars before enjoying success in the business world. Ritchie was an open book in this one and it was such a gripping chat full of incredible insights into one hell of a life.
You're gonna love this one. Between Two Bears is proudly brought to you by One New Zealand. We believe that One New Zealand connects New Zealand while Between Two Bears connects New Zealanders. And together, we are New Zealand's most trusted connection platform. Between Two Bears is also supported by TAB. Keen for more action on sports and racing? Download the TAB app or visit tab.co.nz to get your bet on. R18, bet responsibly. And Seamus and I are also proud to be dressed by Barkers. Check out their range at barkersonline.co.nz. Enjoy. Matthew Ridge, welcome to Between Two Bears.
Oh, unbelievable. Like, I've heard a lot about you boys, but apparently you've heard a lot about me too, so... Oh, mate, we are buzzing for this one.
You should have seen Seamus's silly little face this morning when he bounced into the cafe. He's even brought his Matthew Ridge manly hoodie in that you signed in the 90s. I don't know where and when.
That's unbelievable. There you go. So a mate of mine who'd like... who I haven't seen for years. He was a bit of a wheeler dealer. No way. So you would have got this at Farmers.
My brother, my big brother came down and got it for me. Mate. Can you time? Because it's 90 something.
Yeah, like I reckon that's probably 90, it's maybe 91. Wow. Or end of 90, maybe end of 90, but yeah, maybe end of 91. But yeah, so we did a whole lot of stuff for farmers and made some T-shirts and... and just went round farmers all around New Zealand because my mate of mine was a real... He was like, right, we've got to make some money out of this. Yeah, well... We didn't make any money, but... Well, it's held pride of place. Oh, mate, and it's still in good net. Well, it's a little bit faded over time. But that's like... What's that? That's... 34 years old. Yeah. Unreal, right? Yeah.
So I was also part of the Manly Sea Eagle Supporters Club. Oh, yeah. And I don't know whether you played in the game, but I went and watched Manly come over and they played at Bay of Plenty 13. I grew up in Taupo. Bay of Plenty 13 at Rotorua International Stadium. Oh, yeah. And I saw the beast, Kevin Edo, for the first time in real life.
That's right. And I thought, this is the biggest human I've ever seen. Yeah, he was a monster, Kevin. Yeah, he was a... He was a real talented player, super talented, super fast, super strong. But he was just such a cruiser, you know, like – but he could pull a game – he could win a game on his own, but he could also lose a game on his own, you know. So he was just – he was an enigma, Kevin, and, like, it was really frustrating. He never – like, if he had so much talent – But he just, it was just, it just came so easy for him. So he's just one of those guys that, you know, sort of drifted in and out, you know, like, and I don't think he ever tapped his true potential, you know, even though he was amazing.
But I think he could have been probably one of the best senders the world's ever seen. He was that powerful, you know, but he just, yeah, he just mentally just drifted.
I could stay in 90s rugby league chat for the whole time, but I can see my man next to me standing there.
Yeah, we've got to drift in and out. Living in France at the moment, but back in New Zealand for a little bit, we were meant to record this with you a couple of weeks ago, but you forgot about a holiday in Bali.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What is discussed at the start of this section?
0:16–7:56
2
What pivotal moment changed Matthew Ridge's life at 16?
7:56–20:35
3
How did Matthew Ridge transition from rugby to rugby league?
20:35–27:04
4
What insights does Matthew share about his upbringing and mental toughness?
27:04–55:21
5
What insights does Matthew Ridge share about his early career in rugby?
55:21–56:43
6
How did Matthew Ridge navigate his struggles with addiction?
56:43–58:20
7
What lessons does Matthew Ridge share about parenting and family dynamics?
58:20–59:15
8
How does Matthew Ridge reflect on his life experiences and future aspirations?
59:15–1:52:02
Speakers
4 identifiedMore from Between Two Beers Podcast
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