Wallabies coach Eddie Jones wants Harry Wilson to ‘work harder’

Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has called on Harry Wilson to “work harder” after the Reds backrower re-signed with the Queensland Rugby Union and Rugby Australia through 2025.

With this year’s Rugby World Cup just around the corner, and the British and Irish Lions Tour to Australia nigh on the horizon as well, Wilson knocked back “interest from overseas clubs.”

As the Wallabies look to build on a golden generation of young talent in Australia, which saw the U20s make the world championship final in 2019, this is a crucial signing.

Wilson is widely considered to be a star of the future, although he failed to cement his place in the Wallabies under former coach Dave Rennie.

After making his Test debut against the All Blacks in 2020, Wilson went on to play 12 matches in Wallaby gold.

But after falling out of favour with Rennie, Wilson was also overlooked for Jones’ initial Wallabies squad earlier this month – although was a late callup on the eve of the three-day training camp.

“Harry needs to work harder to fulfil his talent,” Jones said.

“I’m sure he will make the right choice and we are backing him 100 per cent.”

Wilson has starred at just about every level of rugby in Queensland.

Having impressed at schoolboy level with Gregory Terrace in Brisbane, the loose forward went on to don the green and gold during a promising U20 world championships campaign in Argentina.

Wilson was also named the Queensland Premier Rugby player of the year later in 2019, before earning his Reds debut the following season.

“I love playing for Queensland, this is my home,” Wilson said in a statement.

“We’ve got a great group on and off the field at Ballymore and there’s plenty left for us to achieve in the Queensland jersey.

“It’s an exciting time in Australian Rugby with a Lions Tour and World Cup coming up. I’m very motivated to be a part of it over the next few years.”