With a bit of prodding from coach Brad Thorn, Queensland Reds forward Caleb Timu has developed a mean streak that has him in the frame for a Wallabies debut.

Timu is one of six Reds in the frame for a start in Saturday’s Brisbane Test against Ireland and did himself no harm in an explosive showing off the bench against the NSW Waratahs.

Asked to “really bring it” by Thorn, the 24-year-old ran strongly to score a try and, according to Waratahs captain Michael Hooper, completely turn the game’s momentum.

NSW eventually prevailed 52-41 in a 15-try shoot-out that featured 15 national squad members doing their best to impress Wallabies coach Michael Cheika, who was in the stands.

Thorn said Timu, a schoolboy rugby union standout who spent his early professional years playing rugby league in the Brisbane Broncos’ system, deserved a shot against the Irish.

“He’s got that high knee lift action running, the Big Show I think his nickname is … it’s just that raw power,” he said.

“He’s a really nice guy, tremendous guy (but) when you play there’s an intent and physicality you can bring and I guess I’ve been encouraging that out of him.

“You could see he just thought ‘I’m actually just going to run over you guys’ (when he scored the try).”

Having excelled at both rugby league and union, Thorn knows better than most how tricky the transition can be.

“He’s come a long way in his aerial skill,” Thorn said.

“It’s hard to come from league; you feel like a real Goofy at training.”

Reds captain Scott Higginbotham has no doubt a fully developed Timu will be a world-beater while Hooper liked the idea of playing alongside him against the world’s No.2 side.

“He changed the momentum of the game I thought when he got on,” the Waratahs captain said.

“As far as a big ball-carrying backrower, that’d be something you’d want to play with.”