Scott Robertson full of praise for Harry Wilson

David Skippers
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Crusaders coach Scott Robertson has sung the praises of Reds number eight Harry Wilson, who has hit the ground running in Super Rugby this year.

The 20-year-old impressed on his debut for the Reds in their tournament opener against the Brumbies and hasn’t look back as he started in all six of the Brisbane-based outfit’s other matches this season.

One of those games was against the defending champions, the Crusaders, in Christchurch in Round Six and although the Reds suffered a narrow 24-20 defeat, Wilson delivered a superb performance which caught Robertson’s attention.

Wilson followed that up with another superb showing in the Reds’ 41-17 win over the Bulls in Brisbane and with Robertson also in attendance – after the Crusaders beat the Sunwolves in the early game of a double-header at Suncorp Stadium – the Crusaders boss hailed the Reds youngster’s efforts.

“I’ve officially fallen for, have I mentioned, Harry Wilson,” Robertson told Fox Sports when asked what he was impressed by from the Reds considering the two teams met a week earlier.

“As an ex-number eight, his ability to set a bit of footwork is special.

“The other number seven, Liam Wright, and even the guy [Fraser McReight] off the bench was exceptional as well … they’re coming.”

Wilson was one of the standout performers in that defeat to the Crusaders as he gained 73 metres on attack from a staggering 26 carries, made 10 tackles and was awarded with a try for his efforts.

There is room for improvement though as there are still parts of the game which the Wallabies U20 representative have not mastered yet.

Robertson feels working on young players like Wilson’s core skills is an area which Reds coach Brad Thorn should help develop.

“Teach them the detail, grow their game, help them get better, help them grow their skill-sets so they can be international players,” he said.

“He should be talking about them not just being a great Queenslander, but being a great Australian [player].

“Have a mindset; he’s going to take them to the best that they can possibly be and just drive excellent standards.”

Thorn was also full of praise for Wilson after the win over the Bulls and said he was surprised at how quickly the player has settled in at Super Rugby level.

“With Harry, I’m coaching him, so I’m trying to be careful,” he said.

“If I was commentating or something [it would be different] because he’s special, he’s special coming through. So I just want him to stay humble, keep being the guy he is, keep doing his thing.

“But far out you can a kid like that come in, straight in; what is it seven games straight, playing that sort of form.

“I’ve been around for a fair while, I haven’t seen many guys do that.”

Crusaders