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The magical moment that stunned Wallabies’ Harry Potter

Harry Potter of the Force warms up before the round one Super Rugby Pacific match between Western Force and Hurricanes at HBF Park, on February 23, 2024, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Harry Potter admits he was left stunned by the magic moment when he was informed ‘You’re a Wallaby, Harry…’

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Australia’s English-born utility back, the player with the most enchanted name in rugby, revealed on Friday how he felt it was a huge honour to be handed his Wallabies debut.

But on his first tour with the national team, the 26-year-old admitted it came as a surprise that he should be pulled out of coach Joe Schmidt’s sorting hat to make his bow against Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday (Monday AEDT).

“It was nice to get in the squad, but getting in the team’s another thing, really,” admitted Western Force flyer Potter, who’s the 18th different player to be handed a debut for the Wallabies in 2024.

“But I was pretty keen to get my go. I’m really excited to have the opportunity and grateful the coaches have given me that chance.

“I was pretty shocked to be honest. The team’s obviously been going really well, and there’s been some good continuity, so it’s a huge honour to get that (selection announcement) in the team meeting. Yeah, a bit of a shock, and I’m excited for it.”

Potter, who made his name over in Britain with Premiership side Leicester, has always, inevitably, had to put up with the puns about his name, yet it felt somehow fitting that his first cap should be won in Edinburgh, the city where JK Rowling wrote the books about his fictional namesake.

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Down the years, the London-born player, who moved to Melbourne as a child and then returned to England to really launch his professional rugby career, has met all the jokes with patient good grace.

“It’s a good challenge for journalists to see if they can think of a unique or original Harry Potter pun,” he noted after originally being selected for the squad.

Head-to-Head

Last 4 Meetings

Wins
2
Draws
0
Wins
2
Average Points scored
29
21
First try wins
50%
Home team wins
25%

“It’s been 26 years of it, so it’s pretty funny, I reckon. And yeah, tip my hat if you think of something original.”

There was nothing too original about his teammate James Slipper giving him the nickname “Wizard”, but now Potter really has the chance to live up to the name as he grabs the left wing berth.

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Reflecting on his rise on Friday, Potter reckoned he had enjoyed the best of both rugby worlds while playing in England before moving back to Australia.

“My views of rugby have probably changed quite a lot. I learned so much in Europe about how rugby differs up here. Arguably, it’s more of a Test match style of rugby, lots of set piece, lots of territory and kicking focus,” he said.

“Then, going back to Australia, Super Rugby is exciting, lots of attacking focus, backs getting their hands on the ball. So I’ve enjoyed that, and doing a little bit more of that at club level, and hopefully the Wallabies can put a bit of that out there at Murrayfield.

“I’m very grateful to have got the opportunity I did in the UK, and it worked out well for me but I wanted to come back to Australia, partly because I wanted to play for the Western Force, but largely because you can’t play for the Wallabies unless you’re playing rugby in Australia.

“I’m so grateful to have been able to make that debut happen – fingers crossed, in two more days.”

HSBC SVNS Perth takes place on 24-26 January at HBF Park. Plan your ultimate rugby weekend in Western Australia with the help of flexible travel packages including tickets and accommodation. Buy Now or Find Out More.  

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H
Hellhound 13 minutes ago
France put World Cup pain behind them with unbeaten run in November

France is starting to look like they are finally over their WC headache, although they were lucky that NZ had a very bad game. The Argies as usual is one game good, the next bad. If they can sort that out and be more consistent, they could become contenders for the WC.


NZ, Argentina (if they are more consistent), and now the Wallabies too is in an upward curve (can they be consistent?), as well as Fiji(as inconsistent as Argentina) looks like possible contenders. The Boks will be as usual a huge threat to defend their title. Things are looking up for the South, so the North should rightfully beware of the Southern Hemisphere threat.


With the French looking dangerous, the English with their close runs (mostly a mindset problem) and the Scottish seems to be the NH main contenders. The Irish is good, but not excellent anymore. They are more overbearing and with their glory days mostly gone with old players hanging on by a thread, by 2027 if they don't start adding in the younger players, they won't make it past yet another WC Quarter final. The problem is that their youngsters, while good is nothing special.


That is just 8 teams without the Irish that can become real WC contenders. Lots of hickups to be sorted still for these teams, excluding the Boks to become a threat. Make no mistake, the top Tier is much closer than people realise and the 2027 WC will be a really great WC, possibly the best contended WC ever.

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