How futures of two Wallabies stars could decide a dormant talent’s fate

Fresh off a breakout performance, Kalani Thomas admits his future at the Queensland Reds might be out of his hands.

The halfback is stuck behind Wallabies star Tate McDermott for the club’s No.9 jumper – but the latter sitting out Saturday’s 29-23 triumph over the Highlanders gave the 22-year-old livewire his chance.

Scoring the opening try and setting up another to go with two line breaks and five tackle busts, Thomas helped end a 12-year winless streak in Dunedin.

Kalani Thomas on the rampage for the Reds against the Highlanders.Credit: Getty Images

Off contract at season’s end, Thomas declared he was ready to become a regular starter, but admitted McDermott’s presence would make that mission a battle.

However, he revealed his sessions with Reds’ head of psychology Hayley Cronin had helped him cast misgivings to the background.

“That [contract talk] is what’s going to happen behind the scenes with my manager, but we’ll see. I suppose you don’t rock up to be second place, but I know where I’m at,” Thomas said.

“Tatey will always be our starting halfback, he’s a Wallaby and our captain so it’ll be hard to push him out.”

Kalani Thomas

“I grew up in Queensland, I’m a Queensland boy, and that’s probably why I stick around. Whether I’m playing 10 minutes or 20 minutes, it’s a privilege to put on that jersey, but you definitely want to be playing more minutes.

“But I’ve done a lot of work with my psychologist on not letting that affect the way I perform or let the week pan out. I used to really be a hothead on the field, and she’s worked tirelessly with me and all the boys here – I wouldn’t be here without her.

“You see in the NFL teams they’re really big on their mental skills, and it’s second nature to them … I think mental skills and mental side of rugby is a big thing and something not quite tapped into a lot, so having her here teaching us the way of psychology helps.”

The fates of off-contract Wallabies veterans Jake Gordon and Nic White could determine Thomas’ next move.

As the experienced campaigners enter the twilight of their careers, lucrative moves overseas could beckon, opening their roles at the Waratahs and Western Force.

It would mark a similar move of Mac Grealy’s, who joined the Force – despite the Reds’ desire to keep him – to play fullback, where he sits seventh in the competition for metres gained (343).

Queensland also have Louis Werchon on their books to support McDermott, while coach Les Kiss has confirmed his halfback group’s strength would mean McDermott was no guarantee to start when available.

Thomas believed he struggled to see himself playing in rival Australian colours.

“This is home, my family’s here, I feel right at home here. My focus is here for Queensland until the end of the year, and then we’ll see what happens,” Thomas said.

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