Queensland Reds No.8 Harry Wilson made a big statement to new Wallabies coach Eddie Jones, scoring twice in his side’s impressive 45-10 pre-season win over the Western Force.
While Reds coach Brad Thorn threw out some bait to the Waratahs ahead of their trial next week, which is expected to be stacked with internationals across both sides.
Wilson was out of favour with Dave Rennie but took a huge step in his battle to get out of the international wilderness on Saturday.
He scored in each of the first two-thirds in a game split into three 30 minutes because of Perth’s mini heatwave.
“He’s just ready to put his hand up,” Australian and Queensland teammate Fraser McReight said of Wilson.
“He’s had a really good pre-season trying to work his way back into the fold.
“He knows the best way to do that is by playing his part out here.
“You saw the carry he does. He’s got the heart of a lion. Pretty glad he’s in our side.”
The result also threw out a warning to the Reds’ Super Rugby rivals in the six-try spree at UWA Sports Park.
Harry McLaughlin-Phillips also grabbed a double with Ryan Smith and Kalani Thomas each adding one to the Reds’ score.
The Force’s five-pointers came from winger Zack Kibirige who signed this season from English club Wasps and Campbell Parata.
Both sides were littered with fresh faces – new Force coach Simon Cron starting with seven while 10 of Thorn’s 30-man squad had not played Super Rugby.
Brad Thorn’s Reds started 2023 with a big win over the Western Force in Perth. Photo: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
The Force started with an all-international front row, Wallabies Tom Robertson, new hooker Folau Faanga’a and Argentinian Santiago Medrano.
Behind them, experienced Wallabies lock Izack Rodda was back after a lengthy spell with a foot injury.
But in a good sign for the Taniela Tupou-less Reds, Thorn’s side handled everything thrown at them by the Force.
“We got a hit out,” a circumspect Thorn said.
“You don’t get too excited around trial games. It’s a trial game. Guys are coming off and on.
“We’re working on our game.”
Thorn also threw out a veiled crack at the Waratahs ahead of their pre-season clash on Saturday.
“They are the team everyone’s talking about in Australian rugby,” he said.
“They’ve got a lot of, I guess, strength.
“They’ve brought new players in. They are going to be a good challenge for us.”
Simon Cron says the Western Force need to learn how to “build pressure”. Photo: Kenta Harada/Getty Images
Force coach Cron meanwhile lamented his side’s inability to assert any pressure.
“We didn’t get past one or two phases. We’d get stripped, drop it, or try to throw a miracle pass,” Cron said.
“As a team we’ve got to learn what it looks like to build pressure.
“To build pressure you’ve got to make them tackle you and to make them tackle you, you’ve got to hold the ball.
“We had a tendency to not look after the ball and throw it away. Patience is critical and we lacked that.
“We go back and look at the critical few things. Why we didn’t build pressure through phase play and why we were slow in our transition defence.”
The Force had the better of the opening exchanges but it was the visitors who took the lead from a midfield turnover, breaking through the centre for Wilson to score, converted by Isaac Henry.
They pulled their way into the game, opting to increase their lead with a Henry penalty.
The Force hit back as the first third came to a close, a lovely handling move and chip and chase by Kibirige to the delight of fans who braved the steamy conditions but it was the Reds who continued their scoring spree with just one more from the home side.
AAP with staff writers
LuckyPhil
Roar Rookie
Harry is 22, and is not better than the incumbent. He is getting better with age, but still growing into it. If he chooses to leave because he doesn't make the Wallabies this year, then that is on him.
Revok
Roar Rookie
Lucky we have the tahs to take us back to the top in world rugby. It`s our year this year. Forget the Reds.
Revok
Roar Rookie
How many titles have the Brumbies won since 2012. Same as Reds right? Wallabies have been going downhill since 2016.The Brumbies players cannot translate their super form into test form perhaps.
LuckyPhil
Roar Rookie
Harry's skills or determination are not the issue. His issue is he is only young and he is competing against Bobby V who is a similar player but has had a few more years to grow into the role. Bobby V was touted as the saviour 4 years ago, but it has taken him this long to finally be a force. I expect to see a better Harry this year (as he is another year older and smarter), but that doesn't give him a free pass to replace Bobby V. Sadly neither are a real 6 at international level, so it has to be one or the other.
LuckyPhil
Roar Rookie
C'mon David, don't start bringing facts the Reds v's the rest debate. Much better to hitch the wagon to the Brumbies v's Reds game in 2021 as conclusive proof that players like Harry are hard done by.
Crusher_13
Roar Rookie
2018 Waratahs first Reds last. 2019 Brumbies first Reds last. 2020 Brumbies first Reds second. 2021 Reds first Brumbies second. 2022 Brumbies first Reds third. So the reds being first is something that rarely happens. Since 2012 the reds have managed to top the Australian teams twice…
Christopher Derrick
Guest
Any take on the new winger from Souths ?
Jimbo81
Roar Rookie
So something that hasn’t really happened much over the past four seasons?
Jezdexter
Roar Rookie
An option but too gobby, annoys refs like any good 9, but not what you want from a C. Having said that he tends to be calmer when captain. Also, White probably won’t stay in Australia post 2023. He will be 35 by the BIL tour and I reckon Lonergan and Thomas will have waltzed past all the other 9 options by then. The other options really are Hooper but I don’t think he would take it back and I think Eddie will want to choose his own captain for long term so Hoopers position starting to come under threat and age work against him. Philip/Rodda but we don’t even know which one will start. Cooper/Kerevi but again age for Cooper and both being OS based means they miss too many games. I can’t imagine we will give an OS player captaincy. Personally I see it as a 2 way fight, AAA and Ikitau. Two of very few players basically guaranteed to start every game, both good on field talkers, both humble and polite to refs. Even if AAA can get grumpy with the players. I could be totally off base though.
The Strategist
Roar Rookie
It is amazing how this "Wilson can't jump in a lineout" thing gets perpetuated. It has zero basis in fact yet people just regurgitate it over and over again until it becomes the accepted opinion despite zero evidence. How many people making these claims actually study the game which is different to just watching rugby?
Crusher_13
Roar Rookie
Not saying they will, but if the Brumbies and Tahs both beat the reds in terms of table position and head to head will you give it up?
Wizz
Roar Rookie
Nic white?
Jezdexter
Roar Rookie
I'd be tipping AAA for Captain, and my smoky would be Ikitau. Don't think Valetini would be under consideration for that one.
pm
Roar Rookie
Glad to hear that
Ex force fan
Guest
Yes TWAS. The score line was too big. It is a lot of hype with Cron as the new coach. The playing group is very inexperienced and this year is a development year. What I wish for is seeing the Force improve game after game. They don’t have the quality, game breakers or combination to make the finals. We need academy players that step up and put more pressure on the starters. Hopefully we can get more continuity in the playing group year on year with more local players in the squad. It will be a long season for those that expect the Force to challenge for the title. Even at our best this is still a couple of seasons off.
Bodger
Roar Rookie
How about the hands from Wilson in setting up a try as well. The Reds certainly have the most skilful pack; Wilson, Uru, McRight, Tupou, Nasser all have excellent hands, can pass well and look to setup plays and offload.
ScottD
Roar Guru
Those four equalled a team of experience by themselves
ScottD
Roar Guru
I am sure that he doesn't need my help.
AJ
Guest
just looked it up, Blake defence. Heenan is an assistant coach.. who will be responsible for coordinating the Reds coaching program, maximising the development of non-matchday-23 players and emphasising off-ball effort areas and attack breakdown.
Gepetto
Roar Rookie
Rudolf V just has to play every minute of every game in the world cup.