Harry Wilson has a rare shot at redemption with the Wallabies if he continues his spellbinding run of form with the Queensland Reds.
The 24-year-old has emerged as a late contender to force his way back into the Wallabies ahead of the Rugby World Cup in the midst of a sterling Super Rugby Pacific season.
Wilson starred for the Reds in round 14, setting in motion the competition’s top contender for try of the year.
Watch the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season on the home of rugby, Stan Sport. All matches streaming ad free, live and on demand
After making his Wallabies debut in 2020, Wilson fell out of favour with the then-head coach Dave Rennie by the end of 2021.
The backrower was asked to get better; with a particular focus on power, speed off the mark, agility and footwork.
He did exactly that and went on to win the Stan Pilecki Medal, awarded to Reds player of the year in 2022.
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This year he’s built on that, topping out the number of carries this season in Super Rugby Pacific.
While former Wallabies international Tim Horan downplayed Wilson’s chances, Morgan Turninui suggested he could get a look in.
“I think for Harry, he’s a long way off getting on the plane for the Rugby World Cup, but I tell you what, his last five or six matches for the Reds have been outstanding compared to how the Reds have been playing,” said Horan on Stan Sport’s Rugby Heaven.
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Turinui added, “I think that he’s got the best highlights package of any backrower, but if he wants to make that plane, he’s got to do it more often, consistently.
“I’ll tell you what, this game, the Reds, if they win they make the finals, if Harry Wilson goes 80 minutes like the berzerker, then one; he helps his Wallabies aspirations, but two; the Reds make the finals.”
Another ex-Wallaby, Justin Harrison, said questions have been asked of Wilson’s ability.
If recent Reds outings are anything to go by, he should be firmly in the frame.
“Both sides of the ball, he was outstanding,” Harrison said of Wilson’s performance in Reds’ recent loss to the Highlands.
“That’s the thing, that was the question mark around him – sometimes, is this big barrel-chested larrikin Queenslander from the country, is he international standard all the time? That game shows that he does.”
NEW PODCAST! Sean Maloney, Morgan Turinui and Stephen Hoiles unpack the drama of the Super Rugby Pacific finals race and some thrilling fixtures in the northern hemisphere
Wilson last played for Australia in 2021 against New Zealand at Eden Park.
He was re-signed earlier this year and told by head coach Eddie Jones that he “needs to work harder to fulfil his talent”.
The Reds head to Fiji where they’ll face the Drua on Saturday at 2.35pm (AEST).
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