Super Rugby 2015: Youngster Campbell Magnay making a big impact at Queensland Reds

THERE is a good reason Campbell Magnay’s thundering hit on debut for Queensland resembled Sonny Bill Williams at his best.

THERE is a good reason Campbell Magnay’s thundering hit on debut for Queensland resembled Sonny Bill Williams at his best, the 18-year-old wing sensation is trying to emulate the freak athlete.

Magnay is just the second person in Reds history to be signed at 17 and the sixth player to debut for the Reds as an 18-year-old.

At 18 years, three months and four days, Magnay is the youngest Queensland debutant since 1996.

He may be a flame-haired winger from Brisbane nicknamed “Big Red” but Magnay revealed he yearns to play Williams’ style of rugby.

His plan is working, just ask Brumbies winger Robbie Coleman who was cut in half by the Nudgee College product in round one.

“I just went in hard. There was no technique what so ever in it,” Magnay said.

On a poor night for the Reds in their 47-3 loss to the Brumbies, Magnay was a rare positive when he came off the bench in the opening half.

While Magnay’s attack was limited due to the lack of possession the Reds had, he was decisive in defence.

He will come off the bench again this Saturday at Suncorp Stadium when the Reds face the Force and could mark ex-Queensland star Luke Morahan.

Named after his relation and former Norths Devils hard man Campbell “Zulu” Dews, Magnay will not be daunted in his debut Super Rugby season.

Chiefs star Sonny Bill Williams.

He relishes the rough stuff and revealed Williams was the player he repeatedly searches for on YouTube.

Magnay was just eight years old when Williams debuted for the Bulldogs in 2004.

“Sonny is a big, aggressive, hard-running player and that is just how I want to play,” Magnay said of Williams.

“I don’t have a flick pass though, just a little one but not like his.”

“I was pretty stoked to debut.

“It was a bit of a blur. I don’t think I made a mistake and I think I held my ground.”

Magnay joined an illustrious list of 18-year-old Queensland debutants last week, including Mark Loane and Michael Lynagh.

Magnay was chased by rugby league clubs last season and fielded interest from the Brisbane Broncos.

He was tempted but signed a three year deal with the Reds late last year.

He trialled for the Broncos in his early teens where he played for the Norths Devils alongside Brisbane’s highly rated utility Jayden Nikorima.

He now knows the 15-man game is what he wants to excel in and there won’t be any SBW style cross-code switches.

“I prefer union. It was a good decision to stay,” he said.

“I enjoy union more with the greater space with the ball. I am more comfortable playing union.”

Originally published as Super Rugby 2015: Youngster Campbell Magnay making a big impact at Queensland Reds