This ‘hothead’ made Sam Walker ‘cranky’. Now a Wallabies’ berth beckons

2 days ago 4

If not for diligent work with a psychologist in a bid to alter his mindset, Kalani Thomas may never have shaken the “hothead” tag to put himself in the frame for a shock Wallabies’ berth.

The Queensland halfback has been largely forced to ply his trade off the bench in the Super Rugby Pacific, stuck behind Reds co-captain and Test star Tate McDermott.

But with McDermott succumbing to a hamstring injury, the 23-year-old’s reputation as an interchange energiser caught the eye of Australia coach Joe Schmidt and garnered a squad call up for the forthcoming Spring Tour.

Kalani Thomas has earned a call-up into the Wallabies’ squad for the 2025 Spring Tour.

There was a time when Thomas felt he needed to control his emotions, with the man himself crediting Reds psychologist Hayley Cronin for bringing a composed mentality to his instinctive, livewire playing style and elusive ball running.

But during his schoolboy days with Ipswich Grammar – where he forged a lethal halves combination with NRL star Sam Walker, after shifting from the outside backs – his coach Kieran Moffat never considered him a hothead.

Rather, he saw a young talent who possessed a work ethic he knew would take him to the international stage.

“He’s always had the confidence in his own ability. As a young fella, he was in a group with a few guys like Sammy Walker who were getting accolades, but he just went about his work very quietly and diligently,” Moffat told this masthead.

“He would be training by himself doing extras and helping other halfbacks. He was always a cheeky bloke … [but] I didn’t see him as a hothead, it was just while he was playing football he was instinctive.

“He sees things differently to what other people see – if he sees a gap, he takes it, or takes a chip-and-chase. It was just a matter of honing his skills as a well-rounded halfback, not just having that elusiveness.”

Moffat admitted it could be difficult managing Thomas and Walker, given they always “wanted to have a crack at the opposition”.

But one clash against St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace to end the pair’s time together made it all worth it – Walker finishing with five tries and Thomas two, as the duo wreaked havoc.

“When they wanted to turn it on they were phenomenal with their running and connection,” Moffat said.

Walker may have gone on to become the face of the Sydney Roosters and a State of Origin halfback-in-waiting, but Thomas – who still regularly visits his alma mater to help mentor the next generation – was the best player who had come under Moffat’s tutelage.

“They’re very similar players, very instinctive players who love football and always have a football in their hands,” Moffat said.

“It’s why their IQ is so good, they really enjoy elite competition … Sam might get cranky if he didn’t get the ball, Kalani loves to have a run.

“I’ve had some good players coming through, but Kalani was the best. He has no doubt in his ability at all, he’s going to be in the system for a long time with the Wallabies.”

Thomas’ efforts helping the Reds to break a 12-year Dunedin hoodoo against the Highlanders this year marked a coming of age for the No.9, scoring the opening try while marshalling his forward pack strongly against their Kiwi rivals.

He then took on the British and Irish Lions three times – for Queensland, the Australia-New Zealand Invitational XV, and the First Nations and Pasifika XV.

Tate McDermott’s hamstring injury is expected to force him to miss a large chunk of the Queensland Reds’ preseason.

Thomas’ exposure to the Test arena comes at the perfect time for his club given McDermott’s injury, with Reds coach Les Kiss lamenting his leader will miss a large chunk of Queensland’s preseason after undergoing surgery this week.

But the Wallabies honcho-in-waiting declared Thomas was “ready, without a doubt” to make the Test jump.

“He’s proven his worth continually throughout 2024 and 2025 since I’ve been here. He’s an explosive, instinctive player, but he’s learned to grow his understanding of how he serves his forward pack in front of him,” Kiss said.

“He’s just matured in those areas, but when he takes the line on, and he sniffs an opportunity he’ll take it, and he’s very dangerous.

“I love the fact he’ll tap on quick instinct [on a penalty] when he feels he’s got an opportunity, I love the fact he’s learnt to play well with the forward pack in front of them and demand more of them, but also look after them and put the ball in front when he has to.

“He’s growing into a more and more complete player. I’ve got no doubt he’ll be fine at that next level.”