Harry Wilson: ‘Trying to smash these blokes and do Australia proud’
Should the Junior Wallabies knock off France in the World Cup final, it’s more than likely Queensland Reds’ 1.95m, 110kg monster Harry Wilson will be front and centre of the historic win.
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If Junior Wallabies star Harry Wilson has his way, Australian rugby will seamlessly move on from Scott Higginbotham with another running, ad libbing No.8.
Far from talking Higginbotham down, it’s Wilson’s way of expressing his admiration for the 147-game Super Rugby veteran he hopes to replace at the Queensland Reds.
Wilson, 20, has literally made the world take notice of his explosive backrow skills in Argentina where the best Under-20 talent in rugby has gathered in Rosario.
Should the Junior Wallabies knock off France in the final on Sunday morning (4.20am AEST), there’s every chance a line-splitting run, offload or roaming dash in support from Wilson will be part of it.
He’s already a size match for the Bordeaux-bound Higginbotham at 1.95m and nearly 110kg and spent this Reds’ season learning like a pup at his knee.
“I know if you asked him, he was probably sick of me by the end because I was always asking him questions and just loving being around him to learn,” Wilson said.
“As a backrower, my favourite player growing up has always been ‘Higgers’ because I’ve loved the way he’s always just backed his skill.
“If he sees something’s on, if it’s a kick, an offload, he’s just done it and dealt with the consequence because most of the time you can win the game from it.
“And he has good physicality in tight too and likes putting his shoulder in.
“He’s always been my hero and the type of player I want to be when I grow up.”
Wilson backed up in support for his own try and had two touches into another key linebreak when the Junior Wallabies beat Argentina 34-13 in Tuesday’s semi-final.
Making the World Under-20s final for the first time since 2010 has been a win for the hard line approach that Super Rugby squad players had to be immersed in the team rather than be late-arriving strangers.
An early two-day camp in the Snowy Mountains tightened the bonds of a team with exciting prospects like flanker Fraser McReight, centre Noah Lolesio, fullback Isaac Lucas and Wilson.
“We stayed at the campsite overnight and it was freezing out on Mt Kosciuszko and we just talked about mental toughness and what it means to be a man,” Wilson said.
“The camp was awesome, we all stayed up around the fire, had steak and just yarned all night and I think that was one step to us becoming a really close group.
“With so much time together we trained and trained and by the time the games came around, we were such good mates off the field, we couldn’t wait to play together on the field.”
The Junior Wallabies will be at full strength with hooker Lachlan Lonergan cleared after a citing for a shoulder tackle in the semi-final.
Wilson realises the significance of the final, not just for the Junior Wallabies but for success-starved Australian rugby at large.
“A World Cup final...you may never be in a situation like this ever again,” Wilson said.
“So, we’ll be going out there and trying to smash these blokes and do Australia proud.”
Head coach Jason Gilmore and coaching adviser Steve Larkham are using a little additional expertise with former Wallabies Brendan Nasser (father of prop Josh) and Mark Bell (father of prop Angus) touring as fans.
The appetite for success only need equal the hunger of lock Michael Wood, who devoured a 500g Argentinian steak at last night’s team dinner after a pizza and nachos for entree.
* World Under-20s final: Australia v France, 4.20am Sunday, LIVE of Fox Sports 506 and Kayo
Originally published as Harry Wilson: ‘Trying to smash these blokes and do Australia proud’
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