They might be the back-to-back world champions, but Harry Wilson says the Wallabies aren’t about to put the Springboks on a pedestal as they prepare for Saturday’s sold out Rugby Championship opener in Brisbane.
“No, they’re the opposition. They’re from South Africa,” Wilson said deadpanned.
“We’ve just got to go out there and perform and play our game. They’ve obviously done some awesome things over the last four to eight years, so you know they’ve played good but it’s us against them on Saturday afternoon.”
The hard-running back-rower has never been one to take a step backward.
On Wednesday, all he could do was dance down the wicket and try to take the ball on as he warmed up for Saturday’s clash at Suncorp Stadium by facing Marnus Labuschagne in the middle of the Ian Healy Oval during a media opportunity.
“Dig it in,” Wilson baited his former cricket coach at St Joseph’s College Gregory, having once smoked a century off 35 deliveries against Ipswich Grammar School in 2017. “I bet you don’t.”
Labuschagne didn’t oblige, with the Australian cricket star snaring Wilson’s wicket a few times despite one or two meaty blows.
“I think it was about 3-75 off 3.5 overs, so I’ll take the win there,” Wilson quipped. “He started bowling a few half volleys at me.”
Wilson might have felt comfortable against Labuschagne’s medium pacers and leg spin, but the returning Wallaby certainly isn’t taking his position for granted as he returns for the TRC after missing out on selection last year under Eddie Jones.
“It’s a position I don’t think you’d ever feel comfortable in,” he said.
“I know I don’t, I know I’ve got to go out and perform week-in, week-out and every opportunity I get at training or matches to be able to get that jersey.”
Wilson is expected to form a new back-row combination alongside Carlo Tizzano after his great mate Fraser McReight went under the knife a fortnight ago to repair his thumb.
It will bring the pair together for the first time since 2019, where Tizzano was McReight’s understudy for the Junior Wallabies on the way to the under-20s world championship final.
Asked what Tizzano brought, Wilson said the Force flanker was “just a competitor”.
“At training he competes, he’s really physical and he’s got his own style,” the 14-Test Wallaby said.
“We’ve tried a lot of different partnerships at training and I’ve enjoyed being in the back-row with him.
“He’s out there trying to whack everyone who comes near him. He’s always switched on and trying to get the best out of his ability.”
Harry Wilson says Carlo Tizzano is a “competitor”. (Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images)
Tizzano’s call-up is expected to be one of three changes to the pack, with Matt Faessler and returning Reds lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto back to take on a strong looking Springboks side with World Cup winners littered across the side.
Although Joe Schmidt has attempted to temper expectation by declaring he would have “liked more time” before taking on the Springboks, Wilson continued his front-foot approach by saying he the Wallabies were excited by the prospect of taking on the world champions in their backyard.
“Definitely, we’re going out there to rip in and play our brand of footy and back ourselves,” he said.
“Last year was last year, [now there’s] new players, a new coach, and a new opportunity to showcase it at home.”
Despite their heavy 43-12 loss to the Springboks in Pretoria last year, the Wallabies have lost only one of their past five matches on home soil to Rassie Erasmus’ side, including consecutive wins in 2021.
Wilson said the prospect of playing in front of a sold out crowd in the afternoon was an opportunity to express themselves, but added that history would be irrelevant.
“Honestly, everyone’s so pumped for this weekend,” he said. It’s who you want to be versing, the defending world champions.
“It’s such a massive game. A sold out Suncorp Stadium, daytime footy; it honestly doesn’t get any better than that.
“It gives you confidence knowing you’ve got a good record.
“I know speaking to the boys, everyone likes playing at Suncorp. It really does feel like a place where the Wallabies have had a lot of success and feels like home. But that’s the past. The record won’t count for anything unless we turn up.”
Harry Wilson says he’s excited to take on the Springboks in front of a sold out Suncorp Stadium on Saturday afternoon. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
Adding to the intrigue surrounding Saturday’s TRC opener is for the first time, the Test will be played under World Rugby’s law trial where referee Luke Pearce will police 30 second scrum and lineout feeds. In addition, goal kickers will only have 60 seconds to complete a conversion attempt – a reduction from 90.
Wilson said the law trials said it was good for the overall spectacle.
“It will definitely impact the game,” he said.
“It’s obviously new for everyone. It’ll be interesting to see how it goes.
“I will feel for the big boys in the front-row, having to run to a scrum and get there in 30 seconds.
“I think it’s good. It’ll speed up the game and more ball in play time.
“I think that’s what the fans want and players, ultimately, want. We want to be playing more footy rather than just waiting at scrums and lineouts. It’ll definitely bring a lot more fatigue in the game and I’m sure that excites us.”
On Sunday, Schmidt said he thought the law changes could dampen the impact of the Springboks’ “bomb squad”, with the world champions often playing to their set-piece strength and trying to attack first phase from the stoppages.
Wilson said the Wallabies’ bench needed to “match them and bring it up a level”.
“It’s a good challenge for us,” he added.