Catching Up with Up-and-Comer Hamish Stewart

Hamish Stewart is a talented up and comer in the Reds camp. Having come through the Queensland and Australian under-20s team, he is set to make his mark with the Queensland Reds.

He's a true (navy-blue) country boy, with his roots in the Darling Downs. He is studying at Bond University, so is a perfect fit for the NRC Queensland Country team!

As well as the NRC, we got to talk about his rugby journey, what it's like being coached by Brad Thorne, and how much he's looking forward to the Reds 2018 season.

Hi Hamish, thanks for taking the time to catch up.

Well done with your teams win over the weekend. How are you finding this years NRC season?

It's been a very good start for country I think, having the four wins under our belt. Over the last couple of years, ever since it started, I think we've only managed to win about four or five (before this season). I think the country boys are really starting to mould well, and it all comes from the influence of Brad Thorne and Paul Carozza. I think they're doing an excellent job with the culture, and it's really showing on the field.

Both Brisbane City, and your team Queensland country are doing well. What message would you give to Reds supporters that haven't followed the NRC closely?

I think this is a building block for the Reds, definitely for 2018. You can see with all the teams they've played, the New South Wales team basically have all of their Super players, and the Canberra team they basically have their Super players in the NRC, and we've been able to knock both of them off. So we're in good stead for 2018. 

Both teams have my support. When the NRC teams do well, it's good for the Reds.

Definitely.

You've had to opportunity to be coached by Brad Thorne this year. What do you imagine he will bring to the Reds that is unique in 2018, and what are you looking forward to next about next season?

I think Brad brings a lot of experience as you can see from his career. He brings a lot of leadership and camaraderie into the team, and most coaches lack camaraderie. He's definitely implemented on mate-ship and every aspect like that. He's a very dedicated coach, and respects the boys, and the boys respect him and that's a big thing as a coach. Hopefully, we can go above and beyond and get into the finals, that's definitely one objective for next year. We can only aim for that next year.

Can you tell us about your rugby story. What first drew you to the game?

What first drew me to the game would probably be the impact that my two brothers had on me. When I was a young boy, they started playing Rugby Union at school, and I sort of followed in their footsteps.  I've never looked back, ever since the day I first stepped on the footy field. I love every moment of it. Hopefully I can have a long career, it just depends on how I go.

What was your journey into the Reds squad?

My journey was through the under-20s Reds squad when we ended up winning the final. I was able to sit on the bench on a Saturday night against the Hurricanes, and I wasn't able to get on, but it was experience just in itself. And then was able to play Sunday for the under-20s, and ended up winning that, so that's probably a memorable weekend for me. But definitely through that under-20s programme with Thorny and Carozza, they really set a platform for the boys to go above and beyond this year - as you can see with all the boys in the under-20s Australian team, we had a pretty good contingent in that.

And finally... can you tell us something about yourself that not many people may know?

Most of the Reds boys would know, but my families real big into horses (thoroughbreds), and that's a real passion of mine. So hopefully, at the end of my rugby career, I can somehow push into horses, like my father did - and with my brother as well. That's one thing that most people probably don't know about me.

Thanks again for taking time to chat Hamish.

Thank you Tom.

Keep training hard, and all the best against Sydney this weekend!

Thank you Tom, I appreciate it.