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'It's our time to show we're the best team in Australia': Reds star's warning to Brumbies ahead of titanic showdown

Harry Wilson of the Reds celebrates scoring a try.

Harry Wilson has forecast a return to his damaging best as the Queensland Reds look to secure their first home grand final in a decade on Saturday.

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The No.8 burst onto the Super Rugby scene with his line-breaking and offloading ability last season, playing every test under new Wallabies coach Dave Rennie.

Those eye-catching runs haven’t been as common this season but Wilson may have been a victim of his own high standards with the Reds unbeaten and able to lock up a Suncorp Stadium decider with a win over the Brumbies.

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“Personally I’ve been a bit up and down which I guess happens – you’re not always going to be in form – but I feel I’ve played some decent footy the last few weeks and building to a big game, so no better week than this one against the Brumbies.

“These are the games you pencil down and want to make a statement in; we think it’s our time to show we’re the best team in Australia.

“There’s so many good back-rowers in Australia and the Reds too; you can never feel comfortable, I definitely don’t feel comfortable but all you can do is focus on yourself and getting wins for the Reds, and we’re six from six.”

The Reds found a way back from 17-0 down to beat the Brumbies 40-38 in Canberra last month, both sides remaining undefeated since to set the scene for another epic battle.

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“We were at each other that session because we know what’s going to come this weekend,” Wilson said.

“This is definitely the biggest game I’ve played for the Reds besides the grand final.

“The chance to host a grand final for first time in 10 years (when the Reds beat the Crusaders to win their only Super Rugby crown) and try to win a premiership in front of our supporters.”

The Reds produced arguably their best performance yet in a 44-19 defeat of the tough Melbourne Rebels last weekend and Wilson is confident there is still room to improve.

“We know if we can play our footy we’ll win the game; we’ve nearly beaten ourselves with errors this season but if we hold the ball and build phases we can score points with that ridiculous backline,” he said.

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R
RedWarrior 1 hour ago
Three-way race to be number one in World Rugby men's rankings

IF SA and NZ win then its 1,2,3 SA/NZ/IRL Otherwise as you were. This is largely irrelevant beyond bragging rights.


As I have pointed out elsewhere the practical use of the Rankings is to determine the seedings bands for the RWC draw. The draw takes place early 2026 and hopefully the rankings will be taken from then.


Important to be in the top 6, the top 12. (and likely the top 4).

This is because there are now 6 groups in the RWC 2027.

If you are in top 6 you are in Seeding Band 1. That means none of the other top 6 will be in your group.

Seeding Band 2 are teams from 7-12, who will have a top 6 team but no other 7-12 team.

After England's defeat by NZ there is clear water between NZ in 3rd, France in 4th and England in 5th. England are desperate for top4, ill come back and explain why later.

Lets look at Seeding Band 1 and 6th place. If you make 6th, no top 6 team is in your group, you are top dog. If you win your group, you won't be facing a top 6 team in your 1/8th final, you will be facing a weaker team. If you fail to make 6th place you WILL have a top 6 team in your group and if you don't win your group you WILL (probably) meet a top 6 in the 1/8 final. That's massive.


Its Argentina holding 6th now. Assuming England hold 5th, then its a 4 horse race for 6th. Argentina, Scotland, Italy and ...Australia. (ranked 6,7,8,9)

Australia play the Lions in NH summer 2025 they are running out of time to get up to 6th for their own RWC. They MUST make a move now. They must beat Wales and they really must beat Scotland to gain points and take points off them. Could they surprise England or Ireland? England may be the better bet but Schmidt knows Ireland so well having masterminded their downfall in France.

Another one to watch is Italy V Argentina. Italy are ambitious and they will want to start pushing the likes of Argentina. If they win this they are still in the hunt. Well worth a watch either way.


Top4: I think the top 6 will be seeded, all the way through from the draw. If thats the case then the top 4 will be seeded to avoid each other until the semi. Good for more certainty around ticket sales etc. That's a possible reason why England want in there. You're not in there you are hitting a top 4 team in a QF. That's an extra 50:50 match you can do without and avoid by being top 4.


Lets look at what Seeding bands might look like with todays rankings:


Seeding Band 1

IRE/SA/NZ/FRA/ENG/ARG

Seeding Band 2

SCO/ITA/AUS/FIJ/WAL/GEO


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: FIJI

1/8 final opponent GEORGIA

Prognosis: advance to 1/4 and potentially beyond


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if NOT in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: SOUTH AFRICA

1/8 final opponent NEW ZEALAND

Prognosis: You know the prognosis


I am pretty sure this is not lost on Joe Schmidt?


Keep in mind when enjoying the matches.

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