As the Waratahs attempt to end three weeks of “frustrating” narrow defeats against the Rebels in Sydney on Friday night, Will Harrison is set to make his long-awaited return to Super Rugby.
The Roar can reveal that Harrison is set to come off the bench as a utility option for the Waratahs.
Should he take to the field, it will be the first time he wears the Waratahs jersey in a Super Rugby match in 707 days after his sickening leg injury against the Chiefs in April 2022.
Since then, Harrison has been plagued by more leg injuries, including suffering a devastating ACL injury midway through last season.
At one point there were great fears that Harrison wouldn’t play again.
But the inspirational young utility back, who was included in Dave Rennie’s initial Wallabies squad in 2020, has never shied away from returning to the field and has played for the Waratahs ‘B’ side and Randwick in recent weeks.
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Will Harrison is set to make his long-awaited return to Super Rugby on Friday night. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
With Tane Edmed set to continue in the No.10 jersey and Max Jorgensen to feature at fullback, Harrison will likely feature at some point in the second half.
His return gives Coleman another gun goal-kicker up his sleeve.
Both Edmed and Harrison spent time slotting goal and dropping field goal attempts on Tuesday after their heartbreaker in Lautoka.
It came after Edmed for the second time in three matches missed a late shot at goal to win the match for the Waratahs.
After his post-siren match-winning penalty attempt was pushed across the goals against the Highlanders earlier this month, Edmed was rushed into a field goal effort against the Drua after the Waratahs impatiently didn’t set up properly in golden point.
First-year Waratahs lock Miles Amatosero said concentrating on fixing the “little things right” in their game would go a long way in turning their season around after claiming just one win from their opening five matches.
“It’s pretty frustrating because we’re so close,” he said.
“I just think it’s those little decisions, even though they might be little mistakes, they’re enough to dictate a game, so it’s about fixing that little minor decision, which you might not think is a big deal, [but is important to] getting those things right.
“We’re probably just a centimetre off. We’re in a real good energy, a real good space to move forward and beat these top teams. Every week I think we’re getting better and better and it’s exciting to see where we’re going to go from here.”
The Waratahs suffered another gut-wrenching loss over the weekend, as they went down in golden point to the Fiji Drua. (Photo by Pita Simpson/Getty Images)
Despite their irritating start to the year, Amatosero said they weren’t panicking.
“I don’t think we ever want to panic, but we’ve definitely got a clear goal and know what we need to do throughout the week and what achievements we need to hit,” he said.
“We’ve got to come out firing [against the Rebels].
“We’re definitely a team that might be able swing things in the later half, but if we come out ready to go, guns blazing from the beginning, foot on the front, don’t even give them a chance to play.”
Making Friday night’s clash against the Rebels all the more difficult is the energy-sapping conditions they slogged through on Saturday.
Amatosero played down the fatigue factor, but the big-name recruit, who spent his first few seasons in the French Top 14 and has drawn some comparisons to Will Skelton, admitted the pace of Super Rugby was something he was still adjusting to.
“I’m still finding my feet with the game and trying to build my confidence every week, but I think it’s heading in the right direction and I’m getting more excited to play each week.” he said.
“It’s definitely a way quicker game. There’s not much downtime in between lineouts and scrums. You’ve got to stay on the ball and it’s very easy to miss the jump if you’re not on it.”
Guess
Roar Rookie
Seriously? You care how much he's paid while Jorgensen is paid 500k and suali 1.6m?
Phil
Roar Rookie
Ok no worries, each to their own. I don’t think Perese should be anywhere in the team after his performance last week.
cs
Roar Guru
OK, fork in the road. I disagree. Foketi is, at best, a safe place holder where I prefer a tackle buster.
Phil
Roar Rookie
Think there are many ways to be a good 12 and he has the skills and game sense required. I’m not concerned how much he breaks the line as long as he does his job. He has a consistently good pass, kick, tackle, clean, and good ball security. So although Perese can bump and beat defenders, he can’t offer the rest.
cs
Roar Guru
Fair cop. Foketi in some sorta coaching class learning how a back can break the line, not just finish.
Phil
Roar Rookie
Perese is the one missing tackles!
cs
Roar Guru
Foketi on the bags, Perese to 12, Edmed and Harrison to share 10 until one of them establishes an ascendancy.
cs
Roar Guru
At the least, he seemed to rush himself.
Biscuit man
Roar Rookie
Hope the Tahs can hold it together on Friday night after the close losses. WH all the best and go well. Be interesting to see the crowd size on Friday. Hopefully, the fans stick with the players one more time. Another loss for Coleman must be the end of the road.
JC
Roar Rookie
Fantastic to have Will back. Fingers crossed he stays fit and healthy and finds some form. Go well, young man! Thanks for a great piece, Christy.
Charlie Mackay
Roar Rookie
Ah, the old "they train well" paradox :laughing:
Reds Harry
Roar Rookie
This IS The Roar Charlie where props can play either side of the scrum with no trouble whatsoever, passing and kicking skills are optional traits amongst backs, and players can attain incredible status and capabilities, though only while out injured or overseas.
Reds Harry
Roar Rookie
Precisely. It was perfectly setup including a good pass from Gordon at the perfect height. I think Tane is a terrific player, but his execution was poor. Plain and simple.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Valetini had his shot under penalty advantage. Takes a bit of the pressure off. I reckon Edmed was just gassed. He was a long time on the ground after his diving ankle tap that ended regular time.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Positive thoughts cs!
cs
Roar Guru
If it happens :happy:
Cam Stokes
Roar Pro
Really, really hoping he can string a few games together. Go well!
Footy Franks
Roar Rookie
A recovering Harrison still must be better than Edmed.
Charlie Mackay
Roar Rookie
Yep agree 10000%. Such an “Aussie rugby fan” comment from MT. Players have one bad game and they are instantly tarnished forevermore; yet one good game and they’re the next big thing with X Factor (fuqen hate that term) and should be signed up from now until kingdom come.
Coker
Roar Rookie
Carter...?