1
Code-hopping Reds youngster Harry Wilson set to push for maiden Wallabies call-up
By AAP
As a cricketer Harry Wilson was never scared to take a bowler on and with a Wallabies berth up for grabs he'll take the same approach to his rugby when the Queensland Reds launch a new, domestic season on Friday.
The Reds will host the NSW Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium to kick off the five-team Super Rugby AU.
Wilson was among the tournament's form players when the traditional Super Rugby season was abandoned in March, the three-month break a convenient one as he overcome a serious knee injury without missing a game.
The rookie No.8 combined terrific work ethic with an ability to spark offence thanks to fast hands and an adventurous mindset.
It was the same intent that saw Wilson slash a record 35-ball hundred as a schoolboy, opting to step away and stylishly dispatch bowlers over the off-side rather than slog over mid-wicket.
With tests against New Zealand the most-likely Wallabies action this season Wilson, who had to prioritise rugby ahead of cricket, won't shy away from the bold approach that's landed him within reach of a berth.
"I've always been, I guess, a risky player and I'm trying to work on the risk verse reward part of the game," the 20-year-old said.
"But I've always tried to back myself in those tight situations, so I don't think much will change there.
"I was happy with my form, but it's an opportunity to forget where I was and start anew."
After a tough road trip to begin the season the Reds were showing signs of life, bouncing back from a 0-17 scoreline to beat South Africa's Bulls 41-17 in their final game before the shutdown.
The mid-season exits of Izack Rodda, Isaac Lucas and Harry Hockings after a messy contract dispute hasn't dampened Wilson's spirits, who is keen to test himself against Australia's best.
Teams will start from scratch, with the Western Force recalled for a 10-week regular season followed by a two-week finals series played on September 12 and September 19.
"We're feeling pretty positive about it and there's a lot more on the line versing a few mates and other players in Australia," Wilson said.
"Playing good footy here gives you a good chance of making those Wallabies squads and (Reds v Waratahs) is the biggest game of the year, there's no better way to start."
Trending on RugbyPass
2
All Blacks XV player ratings vs Munster
3
Suaalii strikes awe as Wallabies lose midfielder
4
Scott Robertson responds about handling errors
5
Latest Comments
Nah, that just needs some more variation. Chip kicks, grubber stabs, all those. Will Jordan showed a pretty good reason why the rush was bad for his link up with BB.
If you have an overlap on a rush defense, they naturally cover out and out and leave a huge gap near the ruck.
It also helps if both teams play the same rules. ARs set the offside line 1m past where the last mans feet were😅
Go to commentsYeah nar, should work for sure. I was just asking why would you do it that way?
It could be achieved by outsourcing all your IP and players to New Zealand, Japan, and America, with a big Super competition between those countries raking it in with all of Australia's best talent to help them at a club level. When there is enough of a following and players coming through internally, and from other international countries (starting out like Australia/without a pro scene), for these high profile clubs to compete without a heavy australian base, then RA could use all the money they'd saved over the decades to turn things around at home and fund 4 super sides of their own that would be good enough to compete.
That sounds like a great model to reset the game in Aus. Take a couple of decades to invest in youth and community networks before trying to become professional again. I just suggest most aussies would be a bit more optimistic they can make it work without the two decades without any pro club rugby bit.
Go to comments