In the dynamic and physically demanding world of professional rugby, Callum Botchar stands out for his prowess on the field and his intellectual approach to the sport. As a psychology major interested in sports psychology, Callum brings a unique perspective to the game, blending mental toughness with physical resilience.

As he gears up for another challenging match, Callum took some time to share his experiences and insights with us. In this exclusive interview, he discusses the close-knit rugby culture in Canada, the lessons learned from playing internationally, and the psychological strategies that help him excel. From his admiration for NFL’s Joe Burrow to coping with the fierce New Orleans sun, Callum’s narrative is as engaging as his gameplay. Join us as we dive into the life and thoughts of a rugby player who embodies dedication and intellect in equal measure.

Q: You’ve lived all over Canada and have played for several teams, including the men’s national team. Could you describe the rugby culture in Canada and how it has influenced you as a player?

A: I really only started my rugby journey when I got to Vancouver, but the culture feels pretty tight-knit. Going through the youth rugby system, you’re always surrounded by better, more experienced guys who may play in the Premiership, and you look up to them. The British Columbia club scene is pretty special.

Q: You spent some time playing in New Zealand in 2023. What insights did you gain from that experience?

A: Oh, heaps. Coming from Canada straight to New Zealand, it’s a bit of a culture shock rugby-wise. It’s all about the details there — dialing in technique is huge. Everyone throws their body into everything. The speed is quite fast, too.

Q: As a psychology major, how have you applied what you learned in school to your rugby career?

A: I originally started as a dual economics and psychology major, and then I narrowed down to psychology. I’m fascinated by the brain. I see a bunch of stuff from psychology come up on the rugby pitch — especially sports psychology. One of the biggest things is the ability to train mental toughness by the acceptance of failure.

Q: The coach wants a tough team. Do you think that’s been achieved?

A: Yeah, [Coach] Cory wants this to be a tough group. He only wants guys that are 100% in, which I think is what we have. It’s a great culture to be in.

Q: Your Instagram bio says “Cal Brr,” inspired by Joe Burrow. What aspects of Burrow’s persona do you strive to emulate?

A: Yeah, that picture is from when he was walking into that playoff game…and that sort of started the whole ethos of being a cool, calm competitor. I really admire how he takes that ethos off the field into his everyday life, so I try to be like Joe Brr in that way.

Q: Given the intense sun in NOLA, how do you manage during games?

A: Coming from Canada, it’s night and day. I’m used to playing in really cold temperatures with constant rain. Here, it’s constant, 100% humidity, with 80, 90-degree temps…I mean, I even got burnt through the clouds the other day. The UV index here is off the chain. I’m two-a-day on the sunscreen applications and I still get a little red.

Q: How do playing conditions affect the game for you and your opponents?

A: Yeah, the scrum gets a little slick, but our jerseys do a good job of absorbing a bunch of the sweat. It’s definitely the ball that changes the most. Something about that sweaty mixture makes the ball super slippery.

Q: Last week’s game against Chicago had a strong first half but a weaker second. What went wrong?

A: It just tells me that you can’t take any team in the MLR lightly, especially with the skill level this league has now. I think we got a little complacent, and they stuck us for it. It’s clear that no team is ever down for the count, so we need to keep our foot on the gas through 80 minutes.

Q: Despite the loss, are there any standout performances from the last game you’d like to highlight?

A: Rodney [Iona] would be a big one. As a 10, he puts his body on the line. He throws his body into mauls, which is why we scored that one maul try. Defensively, he gets on all fours and throws his body into everything. He played unreal, and he’s an inspiration.

Q: Are there any similarities between your upcoming opponent, San Diego, and Chicago?

A: They really like to use their experienced players in key areas. Chicago played pretty wide, but San Diego is going to play through the center and test if we’ve got the mongrel in us to hang tough. We’ll need to get to our secondary jobs and front up and make some tough tackles.

Q: Who are the key players from San Diego we should watch out for?

A: I mean, you’ve got to give all of their players credit, but the experience of Isaac Ross and Ma’a Nonu are huge. Those are only two players at the end of the day, though. Rugby’s a team game.

Q: What music gets you hyped for game day?

A: Oh, I love “Game Day Ritual” by Oteezy…then I’ll chuck in some drum n’ bass with the likes of Wilkinson…then I’ll end with Benny the Butcher to get me into that “kill” mindset.

Q: What’s one thing you want GOLD fans to know about you?

A: I’ll always give everything I have to honor the badge on my chest. If I’m coming off the pitch, I hope I’m crawling.