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Wallabies set to unleash Wilson on English
By AAP
Exciting young backrower Harry Wilson has been parachuted straight into the Wallabies' starting line-up for the deciding third Test against old foe England on Saturday.
While the Australian line-up for the SCG Test will be unveiled on Thursday the Queensland young gun is a confirmed starter after missing match-day selection in the previous two Tests, which stand at one win apiece.
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie is yet to reveal how he will use the athletic 22-year-old, who won the Stan Pilecki Medal as Queensland's best player this Super Rugby Pacific season.
As well as scoring five tries, Wilson topped the competition for carries and finished in the top-10 for metres carried, offloads and tackles.
His high energy play is exactly what the Wallabies need to wrest back momentum after England took out game two in Brisbane 25-17 last weekend.
Making his Test debut in 2020, Wilson has played 10 matches but was left off the Wallabies ' Spring tour last year with Rennie wanting him to improve his footwork and his Reds statistics indicate he bought into that feedback.
Rennie has used the combination of Rob Valetini at No.8 with Rob Leota at No.6 and skipper Michael Hooper at openside flanker, with the versatile Pete Samu coming off the bench as his backrow in the opening two Tests.
But with the Wallabies dominated in the physical battle in Brisbane and his lock stocks hit hard by injury and suspension he may look to move Leota into the second-row to partner Matt Philip, and start Wilson at No.6.
Or he could switch Valentini to blindside and have Wilson anchoring the scrum at No.8.
The Wallabies will also field a third starting fullback in three Tests after Tom Banks broke his arm in opening win in Perth and Jordan Petaia suffered a head-knock in the Brisbane loss.
Boasting a handy big boot, Reece Hodge, who joined the top squad from Australia A, is the most likely choice.
NRL convert Suliasi Vunivalu could also earn his first Wallabies cap from the bench with the hard-hitting winger one of four players, including Wilson, Lachlan Lonergan and Tate McDermott, who have yet to be used from the squad.
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Latest Comments
"Survive"? "Scare?" A bit dramatic. ABs always going to win, just a matter of by how much.
The Azurri were up for it though. As expected. You can bet they were planning for this specific test for months. Let's not forget they were pipped by ENG, drew with FRA, & beat both SCO & WAL in the Six Nations in Feb/Mar this year.
A mess of a match, good win, considering.
Go to commentsAfter you. And yes, that's exactly what Penney should do. Stat!! Unfortunately he has one year left on his contract.
Penney's Super Rugby win record was a low 23% before we signed him on. At the top was Razor at 84%. And true to form, Penney took us from a 7-peat to not even making the play-offs in ONE season. No excuses. LOSER. Thank God his contract is up next year. And hopefully Rangi might wanna throw his hat in for the job.
In the meantime, hopefully we can crack the top 6 this year in spite of Penney!??!
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