Wallabies set to unleash Wilson on English
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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I hope so man, and I hope they still pay Damien the same amount/enough to keep him too, even though it only really makes sense to have one or the other.
The only way things improve, that the future looks bright, is if these players remain in NZ. I don't think I'd enjoy rugby if it was all played offshore, than if there wasn't the Kiwi or Aussie game to enjoy, some I'm happy for the game in NZ to make it or bust.
Unfortunately why appears more and more likely as no news comes out, is that they've had to pull in the budget and Mo'unga is unlikely to be brought out of his contract, or perhaps not even be offered enough (with Dmac running the side) to return at all. The main reason I heard for his return can only get weaker and weaker as time heals I would have thought. So it looks like NZR will try and last as long as they can, being frugal with their money, until it all finally peters out.
Go to commentsWellington halfback Kyle Preston is a great signing for the Crusaders. I was impressed with him last year and he has won the Bronco twice , before and after Christmas. We also have Noah Hotham , who was brilliant in the wins over the Chiefs and the Blues and got in to the AB's . Mitchell Drummond is a real leader at the Crusaders and played over 100 games. 3 outstanding halfbacks to choose from.I look of another new Crusader Aki Tuivailala. He impressed with Waikato last year. Plenty of talent coming through the ranks in this country.
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