The Wallabies may be back-to-back world champions but Harry Wilson says he is not looking to put the Springboks on a pedestal as the Wallabies prepare for Saturday’s sell-out Rugby Championship opener in Brisbane.
“No, they are the opposition. They are from South Africa,” Wilson said, expressionless.
“We just have to go out there and play our game and play our game. They’ve done a tremendous job the last four to eight years and I know they’ve done a good job, but we’re playing against them on Saturday afternoon.”
The runner in the back row, running powerfully, was never one to back down.
All he could do on Wednesday was dance along the wicket and try to catch the ball from Marnus Labuschagne in the centre of Ian Healy Oval as they warmed up for Saturday’s game at Suncorp Stadium.
“Try hard,” Wilson baited Gregory, who was a cricket coach at St Joseph’s College and had scored a 35-ball hundred against Wexwich Grammar School in 2017. “I’m sure you won’t.”
Labuschagne refused and the Australian cricket star snatched Wilson’s wicket several times despite one or two powerful strikes.
“I think it was 3-75 in 3.5 overs, so I’m going to win,” Wilson joked. “He started throwing me a couple of half-volleys.”
Wilson may have felt comfortable against Labuschagne’s medium pacers and leg-spin, but the returning Wallaby is unlikely to take his place for granted after falling out of the starting lineup under Eddie Jones last year and returning to the TRC.
“I don’t think I’ll ever feel comfortable in that position,” he said.
“I know that’s not the case. I know that I have to go out there and perform every week, every single week, every single day, in training or in a game, to earn that jersey.”
Wilson is expected to form a new back-row partnership with Carlo Tizzano after stalwart Frazer McWright underwent thumb surgery two weeks ago.
It will be the first time the pair have been together since Tizzano reached the final of the Under-20 World Championships as a reserve for the Junior Wallabies in 2019.
When asked what Tizzano brought, Wilson replied that the Force Flanker was “just a competitor.”
“When he trains he’s competitive, he’s really physical and he’s got his own style,” said the 14-time Test winner.
“We tried different partnerships in training and enjoyed sitting in the back row with him.
“He tries to beat everyone who comes near him. He’s always excited and trying to perform to the best of his ability.”
Harry Wilson says Carlo Tizzano is a “competitor”. (Photo: James Worsfold/Getty Images)
Tizzano’s departure is expected to be one of three changes to the squad, which will also see Matt Fesler and Lucan Salakaia-Lotto return from the Reds to face a strong Springboks side, which boast a host of World Cup winners.
Joe Schmidt tried to temper expectations ahead of the Springboks game by saying “we probably need more time”, but Wilson continued his positive approach, saying the Wallabies were delighted to be playing the world champions in their own backyard.
“We’re definitely going to go out there and play our own football and cheer for ourselves,” he said.
“Last year was last year, and (now) we have new players, new coaches and a new opportunity to show it at home.”
Despite a crushing 12-43 defeat to the Springboks in Pretoria last year, the Wallabies have lost just one of their last five home games against Rassie Erasmus’ side, and have also won back-to-back games in 2021.
Wilson said playing in front of a sold-out crowd in the afternoon was a chance to express himself, but added that history wasn’t important.
“Honestly, everyone is so excited for this weekend,” he said. Who would you want to compete against, defending world champion?
“It’s a huge game. A sold-out Suncorp Stadium, football week; honestly, you can’t get much better than that.
“Knowing that you have a good record gives you confidence.
“I know from talking to the players that they all love playing at Suncorp. It’s a place where the Wallabies have had a lot of success and it feels like home. But that’s the past. Records don’t mean anything unless we show up.”
Harry Wilson said he was delighted to be playing the Springboks in front of a sold-out Suncorp Stadium on Saturday afternoon. (Photo: Jason McCoury/Getty Images)
Adding to the excitement surrounding Saturday’s TRC opener, for the first time, the Test will be played under World Rugby’s legal rules, with referee Luke Pearce monitoring 30-second scrums and lineout feeds. Goalkickers will also be given just 60 seconds to complete a conversion attempt, down from 90 seconds.
Wilson said the overall picture was good, given the trial results.
“This will definitely have an impact on the game,” he said.
“It’s definitely something new for everyone. It’ll be interesting to see how it turns out.
“I felt bad for the big players up front, running to get into the scrum and having to get there in 30 seconds.
“I think it’s good. The pace of the game will be faster and the game time will be longer.
“I think that’s what the fans want and ultimately what the players want. We want to play more football than just waiting around in scrums and lineouts. It’ll definitely bring a lot more fatigue to the game and I’m sure that’ll excite us.”
On Sunday, Schmidt said he believed the law needed to be changed to lessen the influence of the Springboks’ “bomb squad”, with the world champions often playing on set-piece strength and trying to attack the first phase from break.
Wilson said the Wallabies’ bench “must match theirs and step up”.
“It’s a good challenge for us,” he added.
