By Liz Moore

Leading his team out for the first time this year, UQ captain Sam Wallis is not afraid to do it his way. 

The 22-year-old back-rower, who has risen up through UQ Colts to Premier grade, is no stranger to confidence and will be leading the reining Premiers from the frontline on and off the field.

“I guess my approach to it is I’m going to do it my own way.

“I’m sure that’s why I’ve been put in that position as captain, to do it my way. 

“I lead more through actions rather than words. 

“Obviously if something needs to be said, I’m in there, but I’d say my leadership is more on the field, on the frontline.”

Whilst happy to back himself, it is Wallis’s eagerness to learn that adds depth to his inaugural captaincy.

“I’m still continuing to learn, from coach Mick Heenan and just seeing how previous captains have acted. 

“We’ve been very successful at UQ for the past couple of years so just taking in everything around me, and obviously being a part of some rep sides the last couple of years, I’ve just been a sponge to all that information.

“I think I’ve been a leader in other ways throughout past teams I’ve been in whilst I haven’t held that title.

“As well, it’s the confidence factor, I don’t think I lack any of that.”

 Wallis began training with the Queensland Reds this year, before Covid-19 interruptions. He played the past with Brisbane City in the NRC competition for the last couple of years, as well as being selected in Queensland and Australian Development Sevens squads and teams, and he was a schoolboy Australian Barbarian.

Outside of rugby, Wallis describes himself as a labourer, and he and a friend run their own business unloading containers.

As for the team he’s proudly leading for the 2020 season, Wallis is emphatic.

“We’re very confident. We’ve got a really strong team this year, and there’s a number of boys back due to Covid who we wouldn’t usually have.” 

Amongst them, Wallis was quick to name lock Connor Vest as a great new recruit for UQ. 

As for living up to last year’s Premiership title, Wallis is unphased. 

“We’re 100 per cent confident in our ability.”  

“I think there’s no secret to it. 

“I think obviously the teams that are up there each year have had a winning culture.

“When you’ve been in those positions before, it’s obviously easy to draw on those experiences. 

“Being there before, we know what it takes to win. 

“And even last year, having not that much success in the regular season, we also know what it takes to lose so I think we’ve actually had good experiences of losing and winning, which helped us a lot I think.”

Now, Wallis and his team are just itching to get out there.

“Everyone’s just excited to rip in now. It’s been a massive wait. 

“Personally, I think this year being a shortened season with a lot of changes, the team that comes out on top I think will be the team that’s adapted to those changes best. 

“I think the work’s been done earlier in the Covid situation and whoever worked hard there and adapted to the changes the best will come out on top.”