Wallabies captain’s frank statement after ‘pinch me’ moment against Argentina
Harry Wilson in action for the Wallabies
Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson is determined to stay in the national side after a tumultuous year fighting to get back into the international spotlight.
The powerful back-rower was axed from the Wallabies squad prior to the Rugby World Cup, and this time last year was preparing to play for Queensland-based club Brothers in the Hospital Cup Grand Final – alongside fellow Wallabies teammate Hamish Stewart.
“It’s pretty special to be sitting here right now”
But now, Wilson is a key member of Joe Schmidt’s squad and led his country to a 20-19 win over Los Pumas this weekend.
“It feels amazing. It’s pretty special to be sitting here right now,” Wilson said after the game.
“This time last year, I was having the time of my life playing for the Brothers winning that Premiership, but sitting here after a Wallabies win it’s a pinch-yourself moment. I’ve worked hard to get back here, and here is where I want to stay.”
Happy with the win
The victory in Buenos Aires was the Wallabies’ first win of the Rugby Championship, and Wilson played a key role in guiding his team to victory.
The Queensland Reds star made 13 carries across his 80-minute stint – the second most out of his side – and he also made an impressive 15 tackles too.
Commenting on his performance, he detailed how he just tried to ‘play his game’.
“I’m just happy we won. My job was to just go and play my own game and try to get a result for the team, so to get the win is something to be happy with.”
Building confidence
The past year has been a tough one for Australian rugby on the whole, but this victory proves there are shoots of positivity now. The win over Los Pumas was not only their first Rugby Championship triumph since 2022, and it also marked the fourth win in the six games in the Schmidt era.
Commenting on the effects this win can have on the squad, Wilson said it should massively boost their confidence.
“It just gives us a lot more confidence. We are a young group and we’ve been building from the start of the year. We played some decent footie against the Springboks but they’re the best in the world so we didn’t get the results there.
He continued: “Tonight we showed some more improvement and getting the win should give us the confidence to keep improving.”
Wilson and the Wallabies now prepare for another tough challenge with Los Pumas next weekend, but they will feel very happy to come away from this block with at least one win.
