A pre-season trial game in rural NSW shapes as a critical moment in Harry Wilson’s rugby career.
The Queensland Reds No.8 fell out of favour with former Wallabies coach Dave Rennie but admits Eddie Jones’s shock arrival in a World Cup year has offered him a “lot more hope”.
And Jones will be in the stands in Narrabri on Saturday when the NSW Waratahs host the Reds in their final Super Rugby Pacific trial game.
Like high-profile Reds prop Taniela Tupou, Wilson is off contract beyond 2023 and has seen former teammates Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Angus Scott-Young depart recently for Europe.
(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images for Rugby Australia)
Wilson scored twice in the trial victory over the Western Force in Perth last weekend and says he’d love to remain at Ballymore.
But with the British and Irish Lions touring in 2025 and a home World Cup in 2027, the 23-year-old wants to know where he sits in the Wallabies’ flanker depth charts before making his decision.
“I want to play well at the start of the Super season and go from there,” he said.
“It (Jones’s arrival) gives everyone in Australian rugby – and someone like me who’s been in and out for a few years – a lot more hope.
“With new eyes watching it’s only good for my opportunities and any performance in front of him (Jones) is only going to help you.
“Definitely (playing for the Wallabies this year will be a factor in his contract decision).
“But I’m very aware I won’t get picked if I don’t play well here.”
The Reds named a near-full strength squad for the clash with former Melbourne NRL winger Suliasi Vunivalu, another fringe Wallaby, keen to impress Jones after two injury-hit seasons since his code switch.
Five-eighth James O’Connor was named to play but is likely to be rested as he completes the final stages of his recovery from off-season ankle surgery.
Former Wallabies lock and off-season signing Luke Jones (neck) is another injury concern ahead of their February 25 season opener in Townsville, as is fellow lock Angus Blyth (ankle).
The Reds named their Super Rugby Pacific, Super W and AON Next Gen Sevens squads for this weekend’s Santos Festival of Rugby in Narrabri.
All three teams will be in action at Narrabri Rugby Club, with the men’s and women’s XVs sides taking on the Waratahs and the Sevens outfit featuring in Round 2 of the Next Gen Sevens Series.
Super W head coach Simon Craig has named a 24-woman squad for his side’s first trial of 2023.
Nine players who are uncapped at Super W level will feature, while Wallaroos Bree-Anna Cheatham, Madi Schuck, Tiarna Molloy, Cecilia Smith and Ivania Wong will play in what is the Super W side’s first outing at the Santos Festival of Rugby.
Simon Craig said: “We’ve named a strong squad for this weekend’s trial match against NSW.
“We’re looking forward to taking part in the Festirval of Rugby and playing a tough opponent in the Waratahs, this match will help us get a good indication of where we’re at as a squad after a long pre-season.
“We have a lot of returning players heading in 2023, but we also have a few new faces who have emerged from Queensland Country Rugby and Queensland Premier Rugby, as well as some girls who have joined us for New Zealand. It will be great to see them all in action for the first time this weekend.
“After coming together in November, we’ve been working hard on the field and in the gym over the last few months and I’m confident that our squad are well prepared for a big season ahead, but trial game minutes will be valuable for both coaches and players as we look to establish combinations and cohesion within the group.
“It will be a great celebration of Rugby in Narrabri, with the Reds men and Reds Women, both XVs and 7s, all together at the one location.”
After starting their campaign with three wins and a draw at Bond University last month, the Queensland Next Gen Sevens side have been bolstered by a number of Aussie Sevens stars for the second leg of the tournament.
Olympic, Commonwealth Games, World Cup and World Series winner Charlotte Caslick is set to pull on the Reds jersey, while her national teammates Teagan Levi, Lily Dick, Isabella Nasser and Faythe Manera will also feature.
Head coach Reg Tayler said: “As a squad we’re lucky to bring back some experienced players and Queensland Academy of Sport graduates who have been performing on the World stage for Australia.
“This weekend our aspiring players will be able to line-up alongside the likes of Charlotte Caslick, Lily Dick and Teagan Levi, which will be invaluable for them as they continue to develop individually as well as in a team environment.
“We had a great tournament in Round 1 of the Next Gen Sevens, and we want to continue to build upon our performances heading into Round 2.
“Now that our Sevens program is officially under the Reds banner, this is a great opportunity on the weekend for all Reds teams, men and women, to play at the same venue and come together.”
Queensland Reds Squads
Super Rugby Pacific
Queensland Reds v New South Wales Waratahs, Narrabri Rugby Club, Saturday 11 February, 6:45pm AEST:
Forwards
Connor Anderson – Wests – Brisbane State High School – Everton Park Roosters
Richie Asiata – Easts – Anglican Church Grammar School
John Bryant – Souths – St Laurence’s College – Souths
Sef Fa’agase – Sunnybank – Shailer Park State High School – Beaudesert Warriors
Matt Faessler – Brothers – Toowoomba Grammar School – USQ Saints
Lopeti Faifua – Wests – Saint Kentigern College, Auckland
Luke Jones – Wests – St Pius X College – St Ives Rugby Club
Fraser McReight – Brothers – Brisbane Grammar School – Albany Creek Brumbies
Zane Nonggorr – Bond University – The Southport School – Gold Coast Eagles
Peni Ravai – Easts – Ratu Kadavulevu School, Fiji
Ryan Smith – Brothers – St Patrick’s College Shorncliffe – Caboolture Snakes
Phransis Sula-Siaosi – Souths – St Joseph’s Nudgee College
Seru Uru – Wests – Ratu Kadavulevu School, Fiji – Namoli Rugby Club, Fiji
Harry Wilson – Brothers – St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace – Gunnedah Red Devils
Liam Wright – Easts – Anglican Church Grammar School – Easts
Dane Zander – University of Queensland – St Joseph’s Nudgee College – Albany Creek Brumbies
Backs
Floyd Aubrey – GPS – Marist College Ashgrove
Lawson Creighton – Brothers – Padua College
Filipo Daugunu – Wests – Dogotuki District School, Fjii
Josh Flook – Brothers – St Joseph’s Nudgee College – Brothers
Isaac Henry – Wests – Brisbane Boys College – Kenmore Bears
Tom Lynagh – University of Queensland – Epsom College – Richmond Rugby Club
Tate McDermott – University of Queensland – Sunshine Coast Grammar School – Flinders Rugby Club
James O’Connor – Brothers – St Joseph’s Nudgee College – Brothers
Hunter Paisami – Wests – Mangere College, Auckland
Jordan Petaia – Wests – Brisbane State High School
Kalani Thomas – University of Queensland – Ipswich Grammar School – Souths
Suliasi Vunivalu – Wests – Saint Kentigern College, Auckland
Super W
Queensland Reds v New South Wales Waratahs, Narrabri Rugby Club, Saturday 11 February, 4:15pm AEST:
Forwards
Alapeta Ngauamo – GPS – St James College Brisbane
Bree-Anna Cheatham – Wests – St Augustine’s College
Deni Ross – Wests – Oak Hill College
Haidee Head – Easts – Lourdes Hill College
Hana Lane – Wests – West Island School, Hong Kong
Joana Rabaka – Sunnybank – Nadi College, Fiji
Madi Schuck – Easts – Alexandra Hills State High School
Megan Prinsloo – Nambour Toads – Coolum Beach State High School
Miki Trbojevic – GPS – Freshwater Senior Campus, Sydney
Tazmin Sheppard – Bond University – Budehaven Community School, Cornwall UK
Theresa Soloai – Easts – Holland Park State High School
Tiarna Molloy – Easts – Warialda High School, NSW
Tina Campbell – GPS – St Hilda’s School, Gold Coast
Backs
Brianna Dascombe – Wests – Fairholme College, Toowoomba
Caitlin Urwin – University of Queensland – St Patrick’s College, Gympie
Cecilia Smith – Sunnybank – Leeton State High School, NSW
Ellie Draper – Souths – Carmel College
Heleina Young – GPS – St Joseph’s Secondary School, Suva, Fiji
Ivania Wong – Sunnybank – Balmoral State High School
Meg Jakins – Roma – Fairholme College, Toowoomba
Melanie Wilks – Bond University – Beerwah State High Schools
Renae Nona – Sunnybank – Cavendish Road State High School
Sam Curtis – College Rifles – Waimea College, New Zealand
Sarah Lewis – GPS – Xavier Catholic College, Hervey Bay
Terri-Anne Egan – Sunnybank – Marymount College, Gold Coast
Sevens
Queensland Reds, AON Next Gen Sevens, Narrabri Rugby Club, Friday 10 February – Saturday 11 February
- Lily Dick – Palm Beach Currumbin Alleygators – Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School
- Sidney Taylor – University of Queensland – Murrumba State Secondary College
- Isabella Nasser – University of Queensland – Brisbane State High School
- Faythe Manera – Bond University – Helensvale State High School
- Charlotte Caslick – Wests – Brisbane State High School
- Teagan Levi – Bond University – Miami State High School
- Kaitlin Shave – University of Queensland – Clairvaux MacKillop College
- Ivana Lolesio – Easts – Aquinas College
- Piper Flynn – Easts – Kings Christian College
- Amahli Hala – Bond University – Kings Christian College
- Fleur Ginn – Stretton State College
- Nat Wright – University of Queensland – St Peter’s Lutheran College
You must be logged in to post a comment Login