Joe Schmidt reveals reason for surprise Wallabies selection for end-of-year tour
Western Force utility back Harry Potter and Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt.
Australia head coach Joe Schmidt said Harry Potter’s superb form for the Western Force during a recent tournament in South Africa was a big reason for his surprise selection in the Wallabies’ squad for their end-of-year tour to Europe.
English-born Potter returned to action after spending six months on the sidelines due to a serious ankle injury suffered during a Super Rugby Pacific match.
The 26-year-old was one of the Force’s star players during the Toyota Challenge in Bloemfontein – a tournament which also included Emerging Ireland, the home side the Cheetahs and fellow South African teams Western Province, the Pumas and the Griffons.
In fine form for the Force
Potter stole the show during the Force‘s 38-24 victory over the Cheetahs as he delivered a Player of the Match performance which included him crossing for a brace of tries.
The Perth-based outfit invested in their trip to South Africa as a valuable opportunity to offer players high-level game-time during the Super Rugby off-season.
The tour certainly paid dividends for Potter and several of his Force team-mates as apart from him, they have seven other representatives in the Wallabies squad while five others were included in the Australia XV squad for their European tour.
“I watched his involvements in Bloemfontein with the Force having played at the Toyota Challenge and felt he was back in the groove,” Schmidt told reporters.
“Also he offered a bit of versatility. He played 13 as well as on the wing. It’s an opportunity for us to bring him into the squad and get to know him a little bit.”
Won a Premiership title with Leicester Tigers
Potter previously played for the Melbourne Rebels in 2020 before joining Leicester Tigers where he spent three seasons and was part of their triumphant squad who were crowned Premiership champions in 2022.
He returned to Australia for the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season but his campaign came to a premature end due to that ankle injury sustained in a Round Three clash against the Brumbies in Canberra.
“We earmarked Harry probably around the middle of the Super Rugby season last year,” Schmidt added.
“I remember I think I was at a Brumbies game (Round 3) with Laurie Fisher and we both thought Harry was really good on the day. He shone on the day.
“He picked up an injury on the back of that and was out for a long time.”
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