His brothers all played polocrosse so it was quite a marker when new Queensland Reds forward Hamish Muller announced “rugby” would be his thing.
Muller’s call as a young teen from a horse property, outside Clifton, on the Darling Downs will produce a dream reward on Monday in Japan.
The Toowoomba Grammar product has been picked on the bench with every chance to make his Queensland debut against the Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights.
Muller, 21, is one of those great rugby stories. He’s a young backrower-lock who has turned every little chance into something bigger.
He sat on the bench for Brothers in last year’s grand final before becoming a major factor in the club going back-to-back this year in the StoreLocal Hospital Cup.
Reds head coach Les Kiss gave a small group of high achievers from the club comp a chance to train with the Reds for a month.
The strong-running Muller impressed enough to earn a spot in the 29-strong squad for this tour of Japan.
His 19-minute cameo at No.8 in last weekend’s trial game was sharp enough to warrant selection for the cap game against the Wild Knights.
“There’s a big feeling of pride. It’s a dream really because it was a shock just to get the phone call to train with the Reds before this tour,” the 1.95m Muller said.
Kiss has always stressed versatility as a desirable trait. Muller played mostly at lock for Brothers this year before switching to No.7.
He’ll likely cover all three backrow positions on Monday for the Reds. He’s been covering the detail this week.
There’ll be some locals raising a glass to Muller in the “Pink Pub” in Clifton come Monday because he’s a proud product of the country rugby community.
“Mum’s big into horses. We have a property where we breed stock horses,” Muller said.
“Like my brothers, I started into polocrosse. About 14 or 15, I just told my parents ‘I want to play rugby’.”
He pursued it and excelled at Toowoomba Grammar. Chances in Queensland’s Under-15 and Under-16 pathway comps followed but it was starting studies in clinical exercise physiology at the University of Queensland that brought him to Brisbane.
“Those junior Gold Cup tournaments in U15s and U16s were great. I enjoyed playing with guys from different schools,” he said.
Muller has relished the Reds environment for the recent block of time.
“Knowing your role and your detail is a big thing. Your readiness is up to you is always a big thing that is stressed. It’s not up to the coaches to be checking on you all the time,” Muller said.
The peer advice has been positive, especially from new skipper Ryan Smith, a Brothers clubmate.
“Experienced guys like Jeffery (Toomaga-Allen) and Alex (Hodgman) will always pass on bits of advice if they notice something in training. It’s a really positive environment,” Muller added.
A chance to play for the Reds on Monday should be seen as a reward for all club players and Queensland country products who aspire to make the jump.
