here is Malachi Hawkes, the young pillar of Toulouse

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Arriving in Toulouse anonymously and without the slightest CV, Malachi Hawkes gradually made a place for himself in the bloated squad of the Rouge et Noir. On his miraculous recruitmentin lack of knowledge of French rugbyhis growth as a player or his magnificent mullet cuthe agreed to confide in At the time of Rugby.

Toulouse: but who is Malachi Hawkes?

So shortly before the hour mark during Lyon – Toulouse, you saw Malachi Hawkes' wild mane appear on the pitch and you said to yourself “Hey, who is that one?” », Rest assured, you are part of a large majority of observers.

However, a simple internet search would have allowed you to realize that… and no, still nothing! Not even a page on the famous free encyclopedia Wikipedia. “I might have to write it myself,” laughs the person concerned.

A necessity which will increase in the coming weeks if he continues to gain playing time. He should also be called upon during the match between La Rochelle and Toulouse during the 14th day of the Top 14.

From Sydney to Stade Toulousain in the blink of an eye

Another question that quickly comes to mind: how could this young Australian land in Toulouse before even making the slightest appearance in a professional structure in the southern hemisphere? When trying to answer it, even the Sydney native looks a little surprised at his own destiny.

“I moved to Toulouse in 2020, 4 days after my 18th birthday. In fact, I had already come to tour France at 14 and even when I was younger, I wanted to use rugby to travel. During Covid it was a good time, there wasn’t much going on in Australia,” Malachi recalls.

“So I asked an agent to look for leads and when the Toulouse offer came up, he told me “there's no point looking for anything else, if you have to go to France, you go to Toulouse.” I was in my last year of high school, I signed and after that all I had to do was wait 7 or 8 months to finish the school year and leave,” he explains with a smile.

Limited knowledge of French rugby

At not even 18 years old, Malachi Hawkes was seduced by the opportunity to come and play at Stade Toulousain. Less thanks to the aura of the French champions than thanks to a presentation video sent by the club.

“Honestly, I knew almost nothing about French and European rugby. I must have known 5 or 6 clubs outside of Super Rugby, including Toulouse of course. But it was especially when my agent told me about the reputation of the club, its quality, and when he showed me the video they had sent that I said to myself “wow, that looks great,” he explains.

When I was 17, I didn't know anything about it, I didn't know if this or that player was good. I had heard about Antoine Dupont, in 2020 everyone knew him, but I didn't watch the matches, I saw a few summaries, that's about it. Today I understand and I say to myself that it's incredible to play with all these guys.

Towards a probable change of position

Playing precisely, Malachi Hawkes has not yet had much opportunity at the professional level. Before La Rochelle – Toulouse, he has made 4 appearances since 2020 for a playing time of 79 minutes. What to be discouraged about? Absolutely not. He gives himself time to learn.

“I get immense satisfaction from the training. Even if I'm not on the field at the weekend, I benefit from the best environment in the world to progress. The weeks are hard, I train with the best, I compete with the best. This is how I will progress, through contact with guys who are both great players and good guys,” he says.

A patience that is commendable at his age and, moreover, welcome. Having arrived as a hooker, he should eventually become a right pillar according to Jean Bouilhou: “Malachi is an explosive player. It took us a while to get him to play on the right because he has a rather particular size, more of a heel profile. But in the end, I think his position will be right pillar. He will not be up to the standards perhaps of what we can experience in other right pillars, but he has athletic qualities and explosiveness which are out of the norm. »

Acclimatization in France… and a mule that is resisting

Tough competition on one side, an ideal environment for learning on the other, Malachi Hawkes in between in a place where he seems to be finding his place. It is also described by everyone as good humor embodied in everyday life.

A character which probably comes from a successful acclimatization in France, although he admits not having subscribed to the local love for foie gras, but where he met his girlfriend with whom he shares his video game evenings . And who is in charge of the highest responsibility of all: maintaining his mullet cut.

“I'm going to have to abandon this style one day, it's starting to get old! In fact, I wasn't allowed to have this cut in high school, it was a bit of a chic establishment. So as soon as I had this freedom, I let it grow,” laughs the young player.

“And it’s easy to maintain, I ask my girlfriend to do it. She removes a little above, on the sides… I haven’t been to the hairdresser for two years, it’s all financial,” he jokes.

While Malachi Hawkes is still under his junior contract, his long curls may not survive a switch to a professional regime!

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