Reds’ Harry Wilson with a point to prove in fierce derby brimming with ‘hatred’
Queensland No.8 Harry Wilson wants to prove a point to NSW rival Langi Gleeson in a Super Rugby Pacific season opener he says will be brimming with hatred.
Gleeson, who was included in last year's World Cup squad when Wilson missed out, will feel the wrath of the 24-year-old Reds powerhouse when the pair clash in the Suncorp Stadium cauldron on Saturday night.
"As a No.8 who wants to be playing for the Wallabies … he obviously leapfrogged me last year. That hurt," Wilson said.
"That definitely is always extra motivation when you see somebody in the same position on the other team. You want to go after them. I want to prove a point to him but for the benefit of the team.
"The moment you put on the maroon jersey and they put on the blue jersey there is hatred.
"It is our first game of the year in a new era of Queensland rugby.
"It all begins now under (coach) Les Kiss's leadership and we want to start well and get one up against the old foe."
Kiss has given his Reds permission to push their limits in a move he thinks will set Wilson free again.
The mercurial No.8 was a walk-up Wallabies pick in his first season of Super Rugby in 2020, playing 10 of 11 Tests before quickly falling out of favour under former coaches Dave Rennie and Eddie Jones.
He has managed just two Tests in the past three years, despite dominating for Queensland and winning two player-of-the-year gongs.
Kiss, who was replacing long-time coach Brad Thorn, could sense Wilson's frustration when he arrived at Ballymore last year.
"When I first met him I could see a driven young man who had impressed immensely through Super Rugby," Kiss said.
Wilson, part of the Barbarians' European tour during last year's World Cup, worked on his support play and decoy running at club level in an effort to add strings to his bow.
But, after confessing he had gone into his shell in recent seasons, it's Wilson's hard running, footwork and eye-watering offloads that Kiss has encouraged back into his game.
"I want all the players to be skilful and smart, make good decisions," Kiss said.
"Harry's got some remit to have a go. There are boundaries and that's not for me to tell him. He'll find out, and that's football, isn't it?"
Wilson said he was thriving under the Kiss ethos.
"It takes a bit of fear of failure away from you. He really wants us to express ourselves in the team shape. It is pretty exciting," he said.
The Reds will be without veteran playmaker James O'Connor (hamstring) for Saturday's opener in Brisbane, while Angus Blyth (back) is also in doubt.
Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, still just 19, is in line for a debut either off the bench or starting in the No.10.
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Super rugby is bleeding . when was the last year super rugby made profit ? . Real growth is determined by how much money you generate . Remember super rugby is a business first and currently it's not optimal . Australia will always be wiping boys in super rugby , they don't have the path ways that we do . In Australia union is made for private school kids and with that in mind it'll never grow bigger than what it is . And the South africans would be wiping boys again if they came back to super rugby . because the time differences is too much on the body . So super rugby as a genuine profitable product is a lie .
So what's the plan ? . It's quite simple really you cut off super rugby and stop the bleeding . put all the money back into the remaining competitions . Get the 1st 15 back on tv and have content creators at every level of the game making highlight reels for all the up and coming stars . the faster people know who players are , the interest will grow . streamers are the new stars of this generation . So NZRU should follow suite . watch these kids from 1st 15 and follow them all the way to the top . Some will succeed but most will fail . But that's the real point of interest . To see who will make it . And who wont .
Of coarse the quality of rugby will drop for a little , but once rivalries spark again . it wont take long for performances to lift and with that quality will only improve . All of a sudden the player exodus is a hoax just like covid and only our very best players leave to off shore pastures because they conquered every level in New Zealand and theres nothing left here to do .
I also have no ideas for equilibrium . I only have simple and easy solutions for the current problems in NZ rugby . You said we 20 of our best are currently off sure . Being the best means you are good enough to wear the All Black jersey . Currently only 3 players off shore would fit that criteria . Mounga , Frizell and Fainga nuku . so who are the rest ? . I also haven't read any stories about 100k offers to any up and coming talent . If there's a link you would like to share on that matter , I would definitely take the time to read it . Also don't be worried about who will play for the All Blacks and who wont . 10-15 years ago the "Tongan Thor Taniela Tupou" was a menace in 1st 15 he left to play for the wallabies . Yes he would have been a great asset for the All Blacks . But at the end of the day . Money only keeps the lights on , We only want players who want to play for the black jersey no matter where they play in the world .
We don't poses the world cup . But we are still the best in the world at rugby , of that I have no doubt . And if Razor gets his way results will follow quickly .
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