Harry Wilson’s long wait for a Wallabies return has come to an end, with the Queensland Reds back-rower set to be named in the run-on squad to face England in the third and deciding Test in Sydney.
Wilson has not played a Test since the opening game against France in July last year, the No. 8 stuck behind the likes of Rob Valetini, Lachie Swinton, Pete Samu and Rob Leota, before he was then left at home from last year’s spring tour to work on his game.
But he returned in stellar form this season in Super Rugby Pacific, before his game tailed off slightly against the New Zealand teams later in the year.
Still, Wilson went on to win the Stan Pilecki Medal as the Reds Player of the Season, earning himself a Wallabies recall. And following injuries at lock and the suspension of Darcy Swain, Wilson will take his place in the back-row against England at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Whether that means a shift for Leota into the second-row remains to be seen, with Valetini likely to move from No. 8 to the side of the scrum if that switch occurs.
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie will confirm the remainder of his squad later on Thursday, but he has had multiple selection questions to consider.
The Wallabies have other injury issues to cover, namely at fullback, where Reece Hodge is tipped to start in the No. 15 jersey following the loss of first Tom Banks to a broken arm and then Jordan Petaia to concussion.
Hodge was originally left out of Rennie’s original 35-man squad, instead sent to Fiji with the Australia A program, but the run of injuries in the back three, which also includes Andrew Kellaway, saw the Rebels utility return to Australia last week. Tom Wright is another option at fullback, though the Brumbies flyer has been in superb form on the wing this season.
Len Ikitau is meanwhile fit to return, with Rennie facing a choice between the Brumbies outside centre and the hard-hitting Hunter Paisami for the No. 13 jersey.
Up front, Waratahs prop Angus Bell could be set for a move to the bench following a huge shift in Brisbane last week, with veteran James Slipper a chance to take over the loosehead role. Allan Alaalatoa is also believed to have recovered from concussion protocols, giving Rennie the luxury of genuine tighthead depth alongside Taniela Tupou.
After England squared the series in Brisbane with a 25-17 win last week, the Ella-Mobbs Cup goes on the line in Sydney. A win for the Wallabies would see them make it back-to-back series wins over northern hemisphere opposition on home soil after last year’s 2-1 series win over France, and provide a huge boost ahead of a two-Test tour of Argentina to open the Rugby Championship.
Lose, however, and the questions over the Wallabies’ ability to string consistent performances together will remain.
A near full house is expected to flock to the SCG on Saturday night, in what looms as the final Test to be played at the historic venue.