Catching up with Jim McKay - The Mastermind behind Queensland's Attack

It's been a massive year for Australian rugby, let alone all of us in Queensland. While we look back and reflect on the Super Rugby season that's been, it was awesome to catch up (via Zoom) with the Queensland Reds attack coach, the hard working and down-to-earth Jim McKay. We caught up about a number of things, including the ups and downs of the year and compared where Queensland is at to 2011 (when he was also a part of the coaching staff.)

If you're a Reds fan, you'll love reading our conversation.

Hey Jim, thanks for taking time to chat!

No worries.

What does a Super Rugby attack coach get up to at this stage of the season? (Besides keeping an eye on the Wallabies of course.)

We’ve been doing a thorough review of our season just gone. Before every season we set some targets that we want to work on, so I look at them and see how we went and then we do an extensive review. 

We look at the trends in the game, for example, ball in play, mauling, or less mauling, line-outs etcetera and then from that, we come up with some good recommendations. From that, we look at how we can train more effectively... are there better ways we can train to get what we want. That affects the other coaches, the defence coach and conditioning coaches as well. From there, good things come up and not so good things. Then we think how can we put that into a strategy and then apply it next year.

You must feel extremely proud of all the Reds that have made the Wallabies squad this year!

Yeah we are Tom, as I’m sure you are as well, being a part of us. I think it’s a good endorsement of your program, particularly when they weren’t Wallabies before. The new ones in particular, you get very proud of. I know for myself as a players, I never played for Australia, so my drive was to help improve other players and the ultimate was when they could achieve that. So I feel very proud, to answer your question, to have some small part or role to play in that journey. And it means that we’re doing some things right here in Queensland, that they get recognised and that it’s a byproduct of our program here. You want to produce players for Australia.

A huge congrats on making it through a very eventful 2020 season, all the way to the Super Rugby AU finals!

Yeah. We were a wee bit disappointed that we couldn’t get the job done on the day. But if we look back and reflect on where we’ve come from, it shows really good progression. I think it’ll put us in good stead for the future, to have that experience. We had to negotiate our way through the competition, the semi-final we had to win, but unfortunately we weren’t good enough on the day, in the final. When you reflect back though, you’ve got to take the positives as well from the season.

What was the hardest thing about coaching the team throughout the lockdowns?

Probably not knowing when we could come back for training. You didn’t know whether to give them a complete rest, or whether it was going to be two weeks or two months. So it was quite hard to plan when you didn’t know a lot of information. 

What were you most proud of, about the team so far during 2020?

How we stuck together, for the most part and the way we played as well. The endeavour - that’s what you get most proud about.

You were a part of the Reds coaching staff in 2011, when we beat the Crusaders in the 2011 Super rugby grand final. What an awesome year that was. What’s your fondest memory of that season?

Yeah. It was a very good memory. My fondest memory is after the game, I thought about my Mum. But I also thought about - I had a girlfriend at the time, in England and we hadn’t seen each other for a year or something. So it’s just about the sacrifices they make to allow us to do what we do. That was my immediate thought after the game.

What inspired you to begin your coaching career?

The opportunity to help others and for them to fulfil their dreams really… and enjoy sport for what it can bring - it brings people together. I started coaching young kids in schools, 5 year olds, 12 year olds… it’s quite funny actually, I was in England and coaching at night time, old men, like 40-45 years, I had that side of it and during the day time I would be coaching young kids that were new to rugby. The more I did it, the more I realised I really enjoyed it and it was a privilege. I enjoy the team environment and working together for a common cause.

Which members of the Reds are the most difficult to coach?

(Laughs). I don’t know if I can really say. But the interesting thing is there, the most difficult ones, they’re normally the best ones, as in the most rewarding. And the most healthy relationships as well. So in the same breath, difficult and rewarding.

What do you enjoy most about the culture at Ballymore?

As a generalisation, the Queensland people are generally humble and hard-working and they don’t get too far ahead of themselves. It’s a slower pace of life, for example, compared to Sydney. And the players have known each other for quite some time, through school, or through clubs. And when we come together for Queensland, it sort of means something. They really view themselves as Queenslanders and I really like that.

I’ve really noticed the culture of “care” at Ballymore. I’d even say, on behalf of the fans, that the supporters really care about the team too.

Yeah. It’s important, yes you want to win, but it’s important for people to see how you play and you’ve got to inspire people. I feel we’ve awakened them a little bit. I’ve always coached my team to be positive and within the rules and you’ve got to play in a way that excites people where they can see what you’re trying to do. Certainly it was like that when I was here last time [2010-14], but yeah we’re well on track to that.

It’s really important that people can see you give everything, when they come to watch you play.

Thanks heaps Jim for taking time to chat. All the best with your work, during the so called “off-season”. I’m looking forward to 2021 already!

Yeah, good on you Tom. It’s lovely to chat with you and thanks for taking some time and interest as well.

Super Rugby 2020 - Reds Wrap-up

While we look forward to the Wallabies tests coming up, let's look back on one of the most eventful Super Rugby seasons ever.

At the start of the year, I predicted 2020 would be our year. Maybe that’s what every sports fan is supposed to think, but I had a feeling something would happen. The Reds, with Brad Thorne as coach, have been building for a while and it seemed like just a matter of time before things clicked.

The Reds played the first three games of the season away, in three different countries! Canberra in week one, then South Africa and Argentina after that! This was a tough draw, but in hindsight, maybe it’s lucky the Reds got to see the world while they could!

I was lucky to get to go to a few of the captains runs at Suncorp (pre-lockdown of course)

Week 4 was “hunting season” and we beat the Sunwolves by… a lot of points (64-5). That was a fun game.

During the Reds trip to Christchurch, the team almost beat the 2019 champions. Even with form playmaker James O’Connor injured, they came within 4 points of beating the Crusaders on their home ground. This was a team on the rise!

They came home to wallop the Bulls 41-17 and then….. then season was no more.

I did get some great interviews in before the lockdowns. I managed to catch up with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Henry Speight, Carter Gordan, Averyl Mitchell, Kiri Lingman, Saxon Campbell, Courtney Hodder, Gabby Senft and Natassja Purontakanen...

Unfortunately my interview with Henry Speight failed to record (you've got to love technology!) and a rescheduled interview never quite took place before he relocated to France after the first season ended!

However, let it be known that we had had a great chat and he's an awesome bloke. Thanks Henry for what you brought to the Reds team, you definitely left your mark on the squad while you were here! (We'll publish an interview some day...)

As everyone went into lockdown, communication went online for many of us and fortunately, the interviews kept going!

I was very lucky to catch up a number of great former-Reds (mainly using Zoom). I loved getting to catch up with Liam Gill, Toutai Kefu, Eddie Quirk, Will Genia, Curtis Browning, Andrew Slack, James Horwill, Dan Crowley and Saia Fainga'a. It was awesome to hear stories from all of these classic Reds. Lockdowns were hard for all of us, but thanks to everyone for keeping Reds Rugby Rules going!

After their second round of "pre-season" training (!) the Reds launched into Super Rugby 2020 2.0!

To say us Reds fans were excited is an understatement. Game one was a ripper and the Reds beat New South Wales at Suncorp to take home the "Bob Templeton Cup".

(A special thanks to captain Liam Wright for taking time to catch up and share what it's like inside the "bubble", during week 1 of the season reboot. Thanks also to Tuaina "T" Tualima, James O'Connor and Tate McDermitt for also sharing their stories! It was also a huge pleasure interviewing sports jock/commentator Jaybor Staunton.)

Every other home game from then on was a win and the Reds didn't loose too many games on the road either. Many times, right before my eyes, things just seemed to "click" on the field and as a life-long Reds fan, it was a joy to watch.

The season gave us many great games with great highlight reels, but I'll make special mention of our final home game win against the Brumbies.

A week later, we beat Melbourne in the semi-final at Suncorp. This was a hard-fought, well deserved win.

As Reds fans know, unfortunately, we didn't beat the Brumbies in the final and I've got to hand it to the them for playing extremely well. Even though we were all sad not to go all the way, the Reds never gave up and I couldn't be more proud!

It looks like the Wallabies are better off because of the Reds hard work and success this year. It's definitely a new day for the Reds and who knows what's possible for Australia from here!

Tate McDermott: Walking the Talk in 2020

The Reds are well and truely on fire at the moment and one of the men providing constant fuel AND flames is Tate McDermott. As comfortable as ever in his roll as half-back, he also seems to be enjoying playing rugby more than ever! He spoke about why this is and shared some ways that the lockdown worked in our teams favour.

You can read my past interviews with Tate at Ballymore Stadium (before everything went digital) here and here.

Hey Tate, great to catch up again! Thanks for making time!

That’s alright, not a problem. Thanks for having me Tommy.

What a game last weekend, but more importantly, what a season so far!

Yeah mate. We obviously started pretty well, we were undefeated for the first three games, then we fell a bit under, against the Brumbies and the Tahs, but the past 2 weeks has been some of the best footy I’ve ever been a part of… since I’ve been here at the Reds. Particularly last week against the Force, I think the boys were really hungry for a performance like that. So, in front of the fans in the Gold Coast as well and everyone watching back home in Brisbane and around Queensland, I thought that was awesome mate. It was really special to be a part of that.

What’s been the best thing about the Super Rugby 2020 season, 2.0?

Yeah. One thing was… well I wouldn’t say this was the best thing, but we had so much time to prepare… We had a bit of a “test” for the first seven games of the year, when we played so much overseas, we had our South African trip and played a few kiwi teams.. But as you say “2.0”.. it’s been really good so far. We know where we are amongst the Australian sides. Obviously we’re not sure what’s going to happen next year and who we’re playing. But we’ve certainly gauged ourselves as one of the best teams in Australia. So I’m just really enjoying it to be honest. It’s really good to know your opposition as well as we do. And I think the travelling side of it… we’re not allowed to move around too much when we’re back home, but just to be back in Queensland, sleeping in your own bed leading up to the games, has been really good.

So you don’t have any inside information on next year? Any inside scoops?

Honestly, I’d love to share it with you Tommy, but I don’t have a clue what’s happening. It’s frustrating, but at the same time everyone’s going through quite a bit, financially and stuff like that.

You had a ripper of a game against the Force. What was your favourite moment  of the game?

Um.. I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t my try (laughs). But I think just looking, at the end of the game at the score and the fans and at my teammates and everyone was so happy, coaches included. Yeah, there were quite a few special moments in that game, but it’s awesome when you know you’ve given your absolute all and everyone around you has done the same. I reckon, once the whistle was blown - actually I think we got a try after the 80 minutes as well - but I think when the game was done, that was the best part of the game.

The very first time we caught up for Reds Rugby Rules, it was obvious to me how much you love playing the game. It looks like your enjoying your rugby more than ever. Is that the case?

Yeah, 100%. I’ve always grown up watching the Reds play, the Wallabies play, I’ve always just loved the sport. Obviously Rugby Leagues a lot stronger in Australia at the moment, but I just love how global this game is… you only had to watch the rugby World Cup last year… I’ve definitely got goals of trying to play for the Wallabies one day, but at the moment, like you just said I’m just enjoying it. I’m just trying to relax and not worry as much as I have in the past. It obviously comes playing teams that like I said before, that you know a lot better… I’ve played in 20s and club rugby over here. It’s been my third year at the Reds and I’ve started to make those really good friendships with the boys around me. A lot of the boys are my age coming through and there’s guys even younger. It’s just a really good group around me and everything seems to be working in the right direction. So it’s a really promising start for the future mate.

I caught up with James for my last blog interview. What’s it like playing alongside him at number 9?

Yeah. You only have to watch the game over the weekend to realise how good James is at his job. We obviously saw him coming through when he was a youngster. He’s almost thirty now, so I’ve watched a lot of James on the television and on youtube, you know his highlights and all that. It’s an honour to play alongside of him. One of the biggest things we needed was a consistent playmaker and we’ve definitely found that with James. You know, he always just wants to get his hands on the ball, beat defenders and line-breaks and set people up. Just look at his stats to realise just how good he is at creating opportunities for player outside of him. I love being around him, every time I pass him the ball I know he’s going to create something. So I think that’s just for all players as well, just to be around him, knowing that he’s most likely going to put you through a hole, or make you look a lot better than you are. He’s a really good player and I love playing with him.

What are some things you did to help you get through the lockdown?

So I was fairly lucky, I got to spend a lot of time with my family who live up the Sunshine Coast. My sisters trapped in Hobart, but my brother was there, and my Mum and Dad as well. I was pretty lucky, that house is located next to the beach, so every day was spent at the beach, or down at my local rugby park just spending quality time with my brother and my parents. I’d say my family was massive in getting me through the lockdown, a lot of days were spent on the couch binge-watching television. Everyone was bored, but I was pretty lucky I was up at the Sunny coast and still had quite a lot of things to do.

Do you feel like your team are working together even better after the lockdown? Has it brought the team closer together?

Yeah, massively. It all looks like we’ve started to play a lot of games together over the last few years and we almost had two pre-seasons. We know each others games pretty much inside and out. We obviously see a lot of each other at the moment - we’re almost forced to see each other now. But it’s great, because of the quality of the boys we have now. On the field they’re amazing, but off the field they’re even better. Everyone's gelled over what we’ve been through. We really had to buy in to what Thorny and the Reds organisation have had planned for us and I think we’re seeing the fruits of that at the moment. Everyone is closer and on the field it’s really starting to translate. 

Thanks again for taking time to chat, even though it’s through a computer screen!

Nah, not a problem Tommy. Anytime for the best fan aye?

Don’t miss this Saturday’s final round game at Suncorp Stadium, against the Brumbies. Saturday, 5th Sept, 7:15pm. Then next week...... Finals!!!!!!

Kicking it with James O'Connor

This week, I was fortunate to catch up with Queensland Red and Wallaby James O'Connor! Obviously, with the player "bubble" in place, we caught up online using good old Zoom.

It was awesome to hear his perspective on where the Reds are at and what's caused our team to "click" this year. He also shared what he's been learning on field, in particular in the fly-half (number 10) role and even his personal philosophy when it comes to goal setting!

I really enjoyed catching up with him and I'm sure you'll enjoy reading our chat too!

Hey James, thanks for making time to catch up today. I hope you’re doing well!

Very well bro. Just got home - just finished training.

Obviously last weekends game against the Force was awesome for Reds fans. What do you think it is that’s clicked for the team lately?

Yeah it was! It was good to finally put everything together. What’s clicked - I think, it’s not just one thing in particular, it’s just everyone understands the game plan so much more. And I guess we’re just backing our structures. We hit some good form when Super Rugby just started, when everything was just clicking. Then after that Covid break, we had to really just go away and regroup and learn what was actually working for us and why it was working well. So what happened over the weekend was, everyone did their roles and just trusted the plan.. and it flowed as it did.

What have you enjoyed most about this year?

The thing I’ve enjoyed the most has probably been moving to 10. I played there quite a bit when I was younger, but I moved away from playing there and coming back and making it my own, taking it on, coming into this group, and developing my game.. having to grow in areas… you know, if I wanted to excel this year and for the team to play the way it is, I had to be able to adapt my game and really rebuild my kicking game and my running game. I guess it’s been so fulfilling, that I’m seeing the rewards of all the hard work and effort I put in. But also, just being able to read the defence lines differently and be able to manipulate space in ways that I haven’t before has been awesome to see. And now like you saw over the weekend, everything comes together because we’re learning how to play against different defences. When it’s a rush defence, knowing when to play what play at what moment, and then I guess, against the more jockier defence and wider spreads, I’ve really had to develop my mind which has been great.

I was going to ask what your favourite position is now. So, is it number 10?

Yeah. Before, it was number 12, because I got a good balance of running the ball, kicking the ball, defending. Also, at 12, you can be the second ball player of the team, but you have a little bit more time to really read out the play and you can also be a bit more attack orientated, in terms of carrying the ball. Whereas lately, I’ve really been enjoying 10, because your almost like the general of the team. You’re feeling out the game, you’re literally putting your team into the best position to attack. So it’s like your mind along with the other ball players and drives, but it’s almost like your moving the chess pieces on the board.

So it’s been awesome to be able to challenge myself in that way, to really feel out a game and make the right decisions at crucial times and play territory, know when to pass it wide and when to, I guess trust and use some of the players outside of me, more than I have done in the past.

So I’d say probably at the moment, 10 is my favourite position. But 10 and 12. Yeah.

James firing off a pass before Super Rugby was locked down for a while

What do you love most about being based at Ballymore?

I just think, Ballymore is like the home of rugby for me. That’s what I feel, it’s like the home of rugby in Australia. I guess the benefit as well is I only live 10 minutes down that road, that’s always beneficial. (laughs) But it’s got such a good feeling to it, sort of like that blend of club rugby and professional rugby all in one. You get in there and it’s a good place to work, because the facilities are really good, but it’s not too “flashy” and it’s still a bit old-school, a bit “hard-core”. You get on the grind pretty well.

When things are too “nice”, or too “easy”, you don’t sort of test yourself. Moving back to the old tin shed, where there’s a lot more room to do gym, but it’s also hot in there, you just get to work. I think that’s been pretty cool. Even the players changing room, it’s pretty old school, it’s got a real sort of “homey” feel to it.

What’s your favourite memory, playing with the Wallabies? Is it last years Bledisloe Cup game in Perth?

Yeah! I probably have two. The first one was almost a life-time ago, when we beat the All-Blacks in Hong-Kong. I think I scored a try and then kicked a penalty to finish the game and we beat them and it was the first time I’d beaten the All Blacks and I think that sort of particular Wallabies team had in maybe four years, so it was a really special moment. It was the first sort of time I’d properly goal kicked in a game, so that was huge.

But in this new life-time of mine, playing the All-Blacks in Perth. It was just a special moment, because I’d been away from the test arena for five or six years and it was a long and hard journey to get back there. I guess beating them in Perth, where I began my professional rugby, almost at home (Perth is like a home away from home), beating them over there was such a culmination of everything. I felt such joy and gratitude towards everyone who had been a part of my journey and I guess the comeback.

How old were you when you started playing rugby?

I started playing rugby when I was five years old. It was actually rugby league when I started playing, my first game was at the Gold Coast for a team called the Parkwood Sharks. Then I moved to New Zealand when I was six years old and I played rugby league and rugby union. I was around eleven when I moved back to Australia. I’ve been doing it for a while.

When did you realise you had a knack for it?

I knew I wanted to play professional rugby when I was about twelve years old. I knew that’s the direction I wanted my life to go. I always loved it up… I think I was twelve and I made the Queensland representative team. I remember the guy at the tournament was like “probably, only three of you guys will play professional footy”. I remember thinking to myself “I’m gonna be one of those guys, this is what I want to be doing. I love it. Yeah.” And today, there are actually ten of us who played professionally, so he was wrong [laughs]. I had a pretty competitive group coming through.

Who are some mentors that have helped you over the years?

Quite a few people have come into my life, to be fair. When I first started, over at the Western Force, I guess, probably the biggest influence on my rugby career, I would say one: Robbie Deans, two: Matt Gitteau and probably three, is the guy I work with from Saviour World, Ollie. They’re the guys who have had the biggest influence on my career, in terms of how I play the game, why I play the game, my purpose for playing, how I see it and just consistently trying to get better and grow and compete.

What are your current goals as a player?

Current goals… It’s funny because I don’t really set goals like I used to before. It’s not so much about the external, it’s about knowing internally that I’m playing my best footy for myself and for my team. So as long as I keep moving forward and growing and every match I mean it and leave the field knowing I gave everything, that’s all the satisfaction I need. But in saying that, I would like to win this Super Rugby AU, that’d be a good start. Also, playing for the Wallabies, that 10 jersey is what I’m putting all my energy into as well. Trying to get a complete game, so I can take that next challenge and that next step and win that Bledisloe. ‘Cos apparently there’s going to be two tests, in Brisbane. I’ve never been a part of a team that has won a Bledisloe, so that’d be great.

That’s awesome. I'm cheering you on for all those things! Overall, I’m glad you’re with the Reds right now.

Yeah. So am I! It’s great to be home.

Thanks again James for your time! It’s a real pleasure.

No thank you very much Tom, I appreciate that. Thanks for your time as well. 

Joking around with Jaybor Staunton

Earlier this year, during a Reds pre-season game in Dalby, I bumped into the charismatic commentator/rugby media man himself, Jaybor Staunton. It’s obvious that he lives and breathes rugby, so while he was ducking around interviewing fans and capturing photos, we spoke about doing an interview here at some point. Now is that time! Last week, we caught up about his journey in the world of rugby, his thoughts on Super Rugby so far and his predictions for this years Premier grade competition. Also, given his recent online announcement*, I asked him what he would do as CEO of Rugby Australia. His answer bodes well for Reds fans.

On top of that, he is the first ever Reds Rugby Rules interviewee to take part in a costume change during our interview! Part way through catching up, he walked off and came back wearing a Reds Mango Valley shirt (which looked pretty good, I have to admit.)

If you're a rugby fan, I am sure you'll enjoy reading our chat!

How has iso been treating you?

It’s been treating me really well. I’ve actually gained a few kilos, so the whole lockdown things has worked out really well for me. As for my match fitness, it's probably not the best, but other than that, I’m healthy and everyone I know is the same, so I can’t complain.

How did you get into media and in particular, rugby media?

So, about 4-5 years ago, with the Queensland Premier rugby livestream that they do, they used to have the main caller who would call every game and every team that was hosting at the home ground, they would get a local person from that club to commentate. I did a couple of them in 2016 and the next year I did the first round of the season. Then I spoke to Brendan Sauce Hertel from the QRU and I said “mate, I’d love to do anything I can”. And he said “yeah, fantastic.” So I started doing every game that year as the cover commentator and then it’s gone onwards and upwards from there. We’ve done the big wig show, the break down, the club-rugby collective podcast with Sauce, I’ve obviously got my own podcast. So it started out commentating, I think it was West vs Norths, then Wests vs Jeeps and it’s just gone onwards and upwards from there and it’s ballooned into everything that I do now.

What would you do as CEO of Rugby Australia? How many free drinks can you offer Reds fans at games?

(Laughs). I think that’s the first thing right there - I would offer Reds fans a free drink at every game, it’s quite simple really. But seriously, in regards to.. if I could be Rugby CEO of Australia… I think they’re on the right track at the moment. The idea is that a lot of the money comes from the Wallabies, so we need to see them succeed, but it doesn’t just start at the top, it starts at the grassroots. You know, Hamish McClennan has come out and said we’ve got to ring-fence the Wallabies and the club game, because they’re the two games that thrive, be it financially, or just through the tribalism and the parochialism of all the supporters. We’ve said it enough, every dick and his dog has said it, but we’ve got to invest in grassroots. Now, with the perceived lack of investment over the last 10-15-20 years, you can go down to Jeeps rugby club on a Saturday afternoon and they can have close to 10,000 people there. You go out to Goondiwindi Emus for their ladies day and they have 1,500 people. There is a latent supporter network, there is a rusted on rugby fan everywhere in Australia, that just had very little support, understandably over the last decade or so, but they are there. So if we can get out there, if we can engage them and we get that grassroots firing, as they say, “as you show, so shall you reap”, in 5-10-15 years time, the investment we put into grassroots now will be baring some brilliant fruit.

How much have you been enjoying Super Rugby 2.0? The Reds have been playing well I think!

Oh, 100%, the Reds have been fantastic! This is exactly what they showed promise of over the last few years. It seems like Covid has actually been a good thing for Queensland rugby, by way of, the Reds. The one thing that everybody has said over the last few years under Brad Thorne, is there’s this ticker, this culture that seems to be there and I think that’s evident in players like Tate McDermott, Fraser Wilson, Harry Wilson, they’re all young kids that for the last few years were only coming through the system but were signing 3-4 year contracts. There was a belief in them and they wanted to play for Queensland and that ticker has been there. So during this trying time over the better part of the last 6 months, this culture has just strengthened. And they’ve come out of lockdown into Super Rugby AU and I agree with you Tom, they have been absolutely fantastic, they’ve played a brilliant brand of footy, they’ve got these young kids that are showing this potential and they’ve got some older heads like James O’Connor and co that are really steering them down the part. So mate, the Reds are absolutely killing it and I love it and as a result, obviously I love Super Rugby AU, it’s been absolutely awesome to see, especially with the Western Force coming back as well, that’s absolutely fantastic.

What’s been your rugby highlight out of all of the games this season?

Woah. That is a hell of a question Tom. What has been the rugby highlight out of all of the games this season. Probably beating the Waratahs for the first time in seven years, that was absolutely awesome. But in all honesty, it’s tough to pinpoint just one thing. Just the fact that we’re back playing footy is awesome. It’s great to get out at Suncorp stadium, it’s great to see, as I said the Western Force coming through, it’s great to see the youngsters playing. So, look, if you just have to pinpoint one thing, smashing the Tah’s was awesome.

Who are one or two players that you have your eye on, in particular at the moment?

Um - look, it’s hard to go past Harry Wilson and Fraser McReight. In a Reds side that has several superstar youngsters coming through, you’d have to say that they are the most genuine, legitimate players themselves. Look, they are future long-term Wallabies and sooner rather than later. 

Also, two players that - unless you follow the club system here in Australia, outside of Super Rugby - you might not know too much about are Hunter Paisami and Jock Cambell, outside of what they’ve done for the Reds. But Jock Cambell is a superstar. He was the best player in the Queensland Premier rugby competition for the best part of three or four years. He came from 2nd fifteen at TSS, into the Colts One program at UQ, went through Premier Colts program, then went into Reserve Grade, then to Premier grade, then to NRC, then to Super Rugby, he went into that seven year journey that really creates top-class, genuine Super Rugby players. And I think over the last few weeks where he’s had plenty of time at fullback where he’s at his best, he’s really starting to find his best and he will be a Wallaby soon. And Hunter Paisami, he’s a Melbourne kid, got into a bit of trouble after the NRC, he came up from Melbourne last year and went to Wests Rugby club and he played the house down, in a Wests backline that was absolutely killing. So he’s gone the difficult route as well and again… this Wallabies squad is going to feature all four of those guys I think. I know that’s more than two, but I wanted to shed a little bit of light on everyone.

I’m guessing you grew up playing rugby? If so, what inspired you to play?

So, I grew up in Logan, about 30 k’s south of Brisbane city, playing for the same club that Brando Va’aulu are from… my older brother was running around under-6s and I was a four year old, a crazy little kid. I don’t think four year olds were allowed to play, but ever since then, I’ve absolutely loved it. I think, my uncles all played top grade footy for UQ and the Reds and so on, so it was somewhat in my pedigree, but like I said I was running around as an excitable four year old.  I’m about to play my first game in 2 years, in about 8 hours and I’ve got the same level of excitement now that I had as a four year old. It’s too bloody hard to stay away.

Club rugby is off the ground! How are you going to be involved this year? I had heard a rumour you might be making an appearance on the field once again.

(Laughs) You heard correct, that is true, I am a trundle tonight as I just said. But my involvement with club rugby goes outside of the white line as well. Obviously, I commentate Premier rugby, the live stream every week, the match of the round, I’m the play-by-play caller for that, I also do, as I said the “Club Rugby Collective podcast” and then on top of that I’ve got my own rugby podcast called “Pillar to Post”, where myself, big fat Darcy’s, Hamish and Connor from UQ and my good friend Chips Blanch all get together every week and we preview all the Super Rugby 

Who’s your pick to take out the Premiership? 

They had their first round of matches last weekend... but I think the top three teams are going to be UQ, Jeeps and Easts Tigers. One of them will come away with the Hospital Challenge Cup. And then for that forth place, it’s Brother rugby club to lose, but I think West’s and Bonds are going to be nipping on their heals a hell of a lot. BUT... I think I’m going to put my hat in the ring and say the Easts Tigers are gonna come away with it this year. The’ve recruited about eight top class footy players, they’ve got former Wallaby captain Ben Mowen playing at number eight... half of their best players have come back from overseas, so that have a red hot chance of winning it this year.

Thanks Jabor for taking time out today. All the best with your run-on tonight!

(Laugh.) Wonderful. Thanks very much Tom, it was my privilege. It was great to see you again mate.

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