Acting Queensland Reds skipper Harry Wilson reveals captaincy ‘connection’ with cricket star Nathan McSweeney

A bond forged on the junior sport ovals in Brisbane has improved the captaincy skills of rugby union’s Harry Wilson and cricket’s Nathan McSweeney.

Acting Queensland Reds skipper Harry Wilson has been happy to share leadership tips with South Australia’s cricket captain Nathan McSweeney despite it potentially working against the Bulls in the Sheffield Shield final.

Wallabies captain Wilson will lead the Reds for the first time on Saturday, with Queensland co-captains Tate McDermott (rested) and Liam Wright (shoulder), and vice-captain Fraser McReight (AC joint) unavailable for the Super Rugby Pacific clash against the Highlanders in Dunedin.

Meanwhile, Queenslander McSweeney will plot against his own state when he leads SA in the Shield final – which starts on Wednesday at Karen Rolton Oval – against the Bulls.

McSweeney and Wilson, who moved to Brisbane as a youngster from the NSW country town of Gunnedah, are good friends, having played junior cricket together.

Harry Wilson and the Reds are chasing back-to-back Super Rugby Pacific wins. Picture: Liam Kidston

“Me and Nathan have caught up a little bit, and we have had those discussions about trying to learn from each other,” Wilson said.

“What he has done for South Australia has been pretty unbelievable.”

McSweeney has already guided SA to this season’s domestic One-Day Cup title and was also captain of the Brisbane Heat team that won the 2023-24 BBL final.

“We’ve chatted all things captaincy and both have a passion for each other’s sport. It’s been nice to have that connection,” Wilson said.

“We are quite similar in the way he’s probably not the biggest speaker in the group. He’s very much about leading by his actions, and just his work ethic … that’s the way he leads, and he lets his words follow. That’s something we’re quite similar with.”

If Wilson can guide Queensland to a rare win on New Zealand soil this weekend, it won’t just be McSweeney that will be pleased but also his many supporters from Gunnedah despite it being on the other side of the border.

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— Queensland Reds (@Reds_Rugby) March 19, 2025

“I’m sure everyone back home would be very proud of me. I hope they’re pulling on their maroon jersey even though it’s deep in NSW territory,” he said.

“I know a large part of the town goes for Queensland now, just in rugby union.

“It’s an interesting one, but when you’re from a country town, not too many people go on to play professional sport, so everyone gets very much behind their own.

“In saying that, I’m still sure a large part of the town are wearing their blue (NSW) jerseys with pride, but maybe this weekend they might be supporting us also.”

The Reds are chasing back-to-back wins after beating the Waratahs 35-15 at Suncorp Stadium last Saturday.

“It was quite a physical game against the Waratahs … but we’ve got a few fresh bodies coming in (to the squad) which is always nice after a tough, physical game,” Wilson said.

“There is a lot of fresh energy in the group, and we’ll need that come Saturday.”

Originally published as Acting Queensland Reds skipper Harry Wilson reveals captaincy ‘connection’ with cricket star Nathan McSweeney