But before his injury setback, it had been the nature of his running game that had caught the eye of the man he replaced at the back of the Reds’ scrum – Scott Higginbotham.
Higginbotham recalls a young Wilson rocking up to training donned in his St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace uniform – far from the 110-kilogram wrecking ball he is today, but clearly equipped with a high rugby IQ.
Harry Wilson has developed a lethal offloading game.Credit: Getty Images
But as Wilson set about evolving his game to become a more enticing Wallabies’ prospect, Higginbotham noticed his former understudy had become more calculated in where he ran, and a lethal offloading game would soon follow – making 13 from 11 games.
For Australia to make a dent in this New Zealand defence, one which has proven vulnerable in consecutive losses to South Africa, their leader’s weapon could be what opens the game up and allows them to dictate terms.
Loading
“He’s got the rugby smarts, he was the kind of kid that knew the game and knew where to be before getting to that professional [level],” Higginbotham said.
“I think that’s something he’s always had, his carrying and his running through holes looking for space and an offload.
“If you’re running through space as much as he does, your offload is going to be exceptional because you’re beating the first defender or getting a weak shoulder.
“He’s always had that offload game, and I think many people don’t appreciate it as much as they should.”
