Harry Potter hopes ‘mecca of sport’ can help inspire the Wallabies to success against British and Irish Lions

For Melbourne-raised Wallaby Harry Potter, the chance to play for Australia at the MCG is something he will cherish.

Playing at the “mecca of sport” is set to inspire Melbourne-raised Wallabies winger Harry Potter if he keeps his spot in Australia’s team for Saturday night’s clash against the British and Irish Lions at the MCG.

Beaten 27-19 by the Lions in Brisbane, the Wallabies must win this weekend to keep the three-Test series alive.

“Everyone’s on the same page,” Potter said on Wednesday,

“Emotionally, it’s very simple this week. We all know the task at hand, so I don’t think anyone’s got any questions about what’s at stake.”

Born in England, Potter, 27, moved to Melbourne with his family when he was 10 and has enjoyed his enjoyed his MCG experiences as a fan at AFL matches and Boxing Day cricket Tests.

“It’s an absolute mecca of sport, so if I could be out here on Saturday night playing against the British and Irish Lions … it’s a pretty special place to play any game,” he said in anticipating a crowd of at least 90,000.

Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson (left) and winger Harry Potter are desperate to help Australia level its series against the British and Irish Lions at the MCG on Saturday night. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

Potter said it had been “tough” reflecting on last Saturday’s eight-point loss to the Lions at Suncorp Stadium.

“It felt like we didn’t put our best foot forward, particularly the first 50 or 60 minutes,” he said.

“A lot of lessons to take out of that one. They’re an incredibly strong team, but we know that we’ve got to come out better and start the game stronger.

“There were some positive signs towards the end of the game. If we can string enough things together, then we can go a lot better than we did.

“I’m certainly confident that the squad’s got that confidence to win the game.”

Potter was confident the Wallabies would adjust to the MCG surroundings, with there being plenty of space between the rectangular pitch and the fence around the rectangular arena.

“The only thing is that there’s a bit of a bigger gap between the sidelines and the stands,” he said.

“You need to be wary of that when you’re kicking the ball. but apart from that, the conditions will be similar to any rugby pitch. We know where the sidelines are.”

Earlier this month, Potter signed a two-year deal with Rugby Australia and the NSW Waratahs after spending the previous two Super Rugby Pacific seasons with Western Force.

Originally published as Harry Potter hopes ‘mecca of sport’ can help inspire the Wallabies to success against British and Irish Lions