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Wallabies call-up on Harrison's radar after talks with Rennie

Waratahs five-eighth Will Harrison. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Emerging Waratahs five-eighth Will Harrison has got one eye on a Wallabies call-up as he looks to help his club find form after a poor start to their Super Rugby campaign. The 20-year-old has been one of many talented youngsters blooded in Super Rugby this season, and sees plenty to be positive about despite the turbulence the sport has been enduring in recent times.

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He started all six of the Waratahs’ (1-5) matches before the competition was suspended and is one of several youngsters looking to step up from the Junior Wallabies squad that reached the 2019 under-20 world championship final.

“I’ve spoken with (new Wallabies coach) Dave (Rennie) a few times, he’s a good bloke,” Harrison said.

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Will Harrison Waratahs interview – Super Rugby AU Week One

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Will Harrison Waratahs interview – Super Rugby AU Week One

‘We’ve just been speaking about what things I can do in my game that I can improve on (and) hopefully put my hand up for a Wallabies jersey.”

Harrison has been reunited at the Tahs with Junior Wallabies coach Jason Gilmore, who was recently appointed to oversee the club’s defensive setup.

Gilmore replaced former rugby league international Phil Bailey, who had been appointed shortly before the Super season started in January.

NSW conceded an average of almost 36 points a game before the competition was shut down, but Harrison said Gilmore had made an immediate impact as the club prepare to restart their season at Queensland Reds on Friday.

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“He came in and fixed our fundamentals, our simple structures that weren’t really in place in that rushed start to our season. He’s come in and been a really cool head,” he said.

Harrison insists there are still plenty of positives for the sport despite recent financial woes, board departures at Rugby Australia, attacks on the code’s leadership and high-profile players moving overseas including Test stalwarts Kurtley Beale and Izack Rodda.

“We’ve got the 2023 World Cup, the (British and Irish) Lions tour in 2025 and hopefully a home World Cup in 2027,” Harrison said.

“There’s a lot of things that excite me to stay in rugby.

“I’ve played rugby my whole life. I’m passionate about the game so I definitely see myself sticking with the game in the future and hopefully being a big part of Australian rugby in the next couple of years to get it back to where it used to be.”

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R
RedWarrior 56 minutes ago
Records show All Blacks' greatest rugby adversary is now Ireland

Foster was literally whinging about the TMO in the Ireland series in the presser AFTER the RWC final. NZs whinging about the final itself was apparently picked up by Voyager 2 which was near the asteroid belt. What about the whingefest and crybabies after O'Mahony's legendary sledge (during the match) on Sam Cane?


I often hear talk about NZ players being poisoned or similar nonsense during the 1995 final. NZ boast that they are 'superstars' and 'humble heroes' on their own website. You gave England the same treatment in 2002-2003, calling them arrogant just because they beat you. They told the rest of us then what you were like, we should have listened. I would give as much credence to a NZ supporter disliking us, as I would to Krusty the clown saying the same thing. Let's just say your judgement may not be the best.


Regarding 2016, as the referee had basically let NZ away with cheating their way to victory via filthy dangerous play and fouling he was hardly going to pull Sexton up when clearly trying to stop a grounding. NZ always leave the boot or arm in to hurt a try scorer but that seems to be invisible to you entitles lot.


BTW NZ have literally being whinging and crying about Ireland since Soldier field. You are just very bad losers. We will be delighted to be shot of you on Friday. I hope we do so with a win, so that you rethink your philosophy of mocking opponents and spectators you've just beaten.


After the match last Saturday the internet was full of Kiwi supporters basically abusing English folk. Where is your national honour? Where is your national integrity?

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LONG READ Are the All Blacks doomed to a 70% flatline? Are the All Blacks doomed to a 70% flatline?
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