He’s made a Wallabies comeback but former cricket prodigy still a hit with the bat
By Nick Wright
On the pitch during his schoolboy days at Gregory Terrace, Harry Wilson set about impressing Australian selectors with the willow in hand.
Once a powerhouse batsman, the future Wallaby elevated his name to the school’s sporting folklore with a blistering century from just 35 deliveries – a Great Public Schools cricket record at the college.
Harry Wilson bats against Marnus Labuschagne during a group training session at the lan Healy Oval.Credit: AAP
He showed glimpses of the power game he brought when facing off against Marnus Labuschagne on Wednesday morning, claiming he ended their sparring session with “about 3/75 from 3.5 overs”.
But the gold jumper appealed to him more than the baggy green.
“I’ve known Harry for a very long time, I used to coach him in cricket at [St Joseph’s College] Gregory Terrace,” Labuschagne said.
“He was a very talented cricketer, but now it’s awesome to see his ability go so well for the Wallabies.
“He’s probably not as nimble as he was ... but all you want is for him to do his job, and he’s obviously doing that really well for Australia.”
After fighting through a season-ending injury to win back his Wallabies spot, Wilson now has the chance to ensure the No.8 jersey is his for the long haul.
The 24-year-old was a shock omission from last year’s ill-fated World Cup campaign, called into a camp in April for one week before being released by then-coach Eddie Jones.
The powerhouse forward says he received little feedback, despite his standing as the most relentless ball carrier in the Super Rugby Pacific.
Instead, he took matters into his own hands at the Queensland Reds, prioritising quality over quantity and forging a formidable partnership with back-row partner Fraser McReight.
Harry Wilson on the charge for the Wallabies against Georgia.Credit: Getty Images
While he still topped the competition for total carries before he suffered a broken arm, Wilson’s ball play alongside McReight made the Reds one of the most lethal attacking sides in the competition.
The fruits of that partnership were laid bare when they combined for a linebreak that paved the way for Rob Valetini’s second try against Georgia.
And despite missing the final two months of the Reds’ season, with Wallabies legend Tim Horan declaring this could be his final chance to secure a long-term Test spot, new national coach Joe Schmidt had seen enough.
“Obviously, it was a massive goal of mine to get back into the Wallabies set-up and ultimately represent the Wallabies,” Wilson said.
“The feeling of playing against Georgia in the last Test series was awesome, just to be able to represent Australia again and do what I love doing.
“You always have doubts [when you get injured], but I guess for me, I just tried to take the positives out of it, which was eight weeks to get the body right, and if the opportunity comes, to be ready.
“You definitely don’t think you’re going to walk back in here, so I was pretty stoked. It’s a position [in which] I don’t think you’d ever really feel comfortable – I know I don’t.”
While McReight will be sidelined with a thumb injury, Wilson is adamant his game will not need to change should he retain his place in the side to take on South Africa in Brisbane on Saturday.
Wallabies squad v South Africa
Forwards (19)
Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Bell, Angus Blyth, Matt Faessler, Nick Frost, Tom Hooper, Isaac Kailea, Josh Nasser, Zane Nonggorr, Billy Pollard, Luke Reimer, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, James Slipper, Carlo Tizzano, Taniela Tupou, Seru Uru, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Harry Wilson
Backs (17)
Filipo Daugunu, Ben Donaldson, Josh Flook, Jake Gordon, Len Ikitau, Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway, Marika Koroibete, Noah Lolesio, Tom Lynagh, Tate McDermott, Hunter Paisami, Dylan Pietsch, Hamish Stewart, Corey Toole, Nic White, Tom Wright