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international
Wallabies captain Harry Wilson is excited to see Harry McLaughlin-Phillips get his chance in the gold jersey against All black people this weekend, with the fly-half in line for his debut after “dominating the other team” in training.
McLaughlin-Phillips came through the age ranks with the Australian Schools and U18s four years ago, before suiting up for Australia Under 20s. The fly-half then stepped up to Super Rugby Pacific level with Queensland Red February 24, 2024
‘HMP’ has since started for Queensland Reds and the AUNZ Invitational XV against the British & Irish Lions, leading to Australia A honors. The number 10 is coming off the best campaign of his career with the Reds, before moving west to help out Force win Super Rugby OUT.
Les Kiss spent multiple seasons with McLaughlin-Phillips in Queensland and will now be the one to oversee the prospect’s Test debut. Ben Donaldson was ruled out with a calf injury, which saw Declan Meredith start and McLaughlin-Phillips drop.
“I’m really excited about HMP. He’s worked hard over the last couple of years at the Reds and he’s really developed over the last 12 to 24 months,” Wallabies captain Harry Wilson told reporters on Friday morning.
“The way he trained, he dominated the other team and now is his chance to do it in the golden jersey.
“He’s a young lad who’s had a few years of Super Rugby experience and now he’s got the chance to do it on the big stage.”
Meredith made her debut for the Wallabies during Nations Championship in July, selected in the First XV to face France in Brisbane. Carter Gordon wore the No. 10 sweater a week earlier Ireland but is excluded from the next test.
The Test rookie boasts a 50 per cent win rate in the international arena as he helped guide the Wallabies to victory against Italy and Japan, but the latter came on as a substitute during the 50-19 loss to the All Blacks.
“Decky started three games this year, we won two, so I think that gives you a little bit of confidence,” Wilson said.
“The way he’s trained this week, the way he’s trained over the last few months has given us a lot of confidence. I’m really excited for Decky, I really hope he grabs it with both hands and really leaves his mark on the game.”
The Wallabies were on a six-game unbeaten run when they landed in Auckland, setting the scene for a fierce Bledisloe Cup clash. Meanwhile, the All Blacks were looking to bounce back from three consecutive losses to the Springboks.
Wilson scored one of Australia’s two first-half tries, helping them to a three-point game at the break. But the All Blacks ran away with it during the second half, extending their winning streak against the Wallabies to a record 12 Tests.
“Losing to the All Blacks always hurts.
“We have the opportunity to come out here in front of our home crowd and really put on a strong performance.
“It’s been a big week for us to think as a team and see where we can improve and now we have to go out there and do it.”
