For Casey Laulala, life after professional rugby was always going to be about reinvention. Now, as a real estate agent with Harcourts in Christchurch, he’s applying the same discipline that made him an All Black to the world of property.
“Real estate isn’t just about the deal, it’s about people,” he says. “Every client, every home, and every story is different. That’s what gets me up every morning.”
Casey made a habit of tackling new challenges head-on in his sporting career, and real estate is no different. But unlike the rugby pitch where he mastered his sport, he acknowledges the steep learning curve that came with joining a competitive industry.
“I’m on chapter one here,” he says. “In rugby, we had training schedules and a set path. Real estate is different, I have to create my own structure.”
His day begins before dawn, with a strict routine of gym and preparation, setting him up to arrive at the office by 8:30.
“If I don’t get up at 5 am, my whole day is off. It’s a tough habit, but it’s what keeps me focused.”
Casey’s journey from Samoan teen to All Black legend and now real estate agent began when his father, a pilot, sent him to New Zealand for school at 14. Up until that time, tennis had been his primary sporting focus, but that was quickly ruled out.
“I had no idea Wesley College was a rugby school; I just knew I was there to study,” he remembers. Rugby took over quickly, and he rose through the ranks, eventually donning the famous black jersey. The intensity of the sport taught him lifelong lessons.
“Discipline, focus, doing the ‘one-percenters’ … all that sticks with you,” he says. “Now, it’s about translating those habits into real estate.”
After retiring from rugby in 2018, Casey explored coaching options, even taking on roles with Racing 92 in Paris and Canterbury in New Zealand. But something didn’t quite click.
“I loved rugby, but coaching didn’t feel the same as playing,” he admits. “There’s something different about being in the driver’s seat and creating your own path. Real estate was always there in the back of my mind, so I finally decided to give it a go.”
Now, he’s embraced the career with a passion he hadn’t expected. “Honestly, it’s so hard … harder than being on a rugby field,” he says. “But I wouldn’t trade it. Every day I get to make a difference.”
Sure, the camaraderie of team sports is something Casey misses, but he’s found a sense of community with his colleagues at Harcourts.
The idea that “everyone’s working together for a common goal” resonates deeply and he is grateful he has people to turn to while he’s finding his feet.
One of the biggest adjustments for Casey has been taking on the role of a guide, confidant, and negotiator; roles that require more than just closing the deal.
“People think they know you from TV, but looking after their biggest asset is different,” he says.
“There’s a huge responsibility to be the professional they can rely on. When I deliver news, whether it’s good or hard, they know I’m putting in the work to do what’s best for them.”
Reinvention has been central to Casey’s journey, from his teenage years to where he is now. He believes that with the right mindset, anything is achievable. Change is something everyone can embrace, and real estate is no exception; it’s all about adapting and staying open to new opportunities.
“We’re all storytellers to ourselves,” he says. “If you keep telling yourself the market is tough, you’ll believe it. I focus on what I can control: building relationships, making calls, and doing the work.”
This approach, he believes, has been the secret to his success in real estate thus far.
“There’s no magic formula. It’s about being there for people and nurturing those connections. I’d love to consistently rank in the top 20 in Canterbury. But it’s about running my own race, not comparing myself to agents who’ve been here for years,” he says.
“It’s a different kind of competition now, one that’s about growth and doing better than I did yesterday.”
