‘You’re a winger Harry’: Potter sets magical sights on Wallaby gold

Harry Potter wants to be a Wallaby. That’s a sentence you probably never thought you’d read, but it’s true – after showing signs of promise with Leicester Tigers, Potter has returned home to Australia.

But first: yes, he’s heard it all before. “You’re a winger Harry” is a phrase that Potter told rugby.com.au that he’s heard from “a thousand people.”

Potter signed a two-year deal with the Western Force in Super Rugby Pacific after helping the Tigers win the 2021/22 title in a thrilling final against serial champions Saracens.

Playing alongside the likes of England greats Ellis Genge, Dan Cole and Chris Aston, as well as Argentina captain Julian Montoya, Potter lined up on the left wing.

But the past is the past. Just like the movie character gearing up for his next great battle with ‘He who must not be named,’ the rugby-playing Potter is eager to contribute to the Wallabies’ new dawn.

“It was about coming back to Australia and coming to a place, being a part of a project moving on a really exciting trajectory,” Potter told Rugby.com.au.

“I was lucky enough to be at a club that was well-known worldwide and successful while I was there. It was a really great experience being there.

“The final year over there had some turbulence with the club and coaches leaving, it seemed like a good opportunity to get back to Australia and see if I could do something there.”

Potter was born in Wimbledon, London, but moved to Australia when he was quite young. The 25-year-old started playing senior rugby for Sydney University in 2016 and was once included in the Melbourne Rebels’ squad.

But after returning north with Leicester, Potter was linked with a call-up to an Eddie Jones-coached England side, but that didn’t happen. England’s loss may be Australia’s gain, though.

While the magical wing is eligible for both nations, Potter made sure there was no confusion about where his rugby allegiances lie.

“I’m very much Australian,” Potter said. “I feel passionately about the Wallabies and Australian rugby and I wanted to get back to Australia and see what I could make.

“I’ve always thought that if I can play and help a team be successful and then be a consistent, dominant player in that team then the rest will sort itself out.

“My interest now is making the Force a successful team in Super Rugby and I believe we can do that and that’s what motivates me every day.”

The Western Force announced that they’d signed Potter on the first of June, with the prolific try-scorer committing to the club through to the end of 2025.

With Potter set to lineup alongside the likes of Ben Donaldson and Nic White next season, there’s plenty to be excited about if you’re a rugby fan from out west.

“Having Potter return to Australia is a big positive for rugby and retaining Australian-eligible players is important for the game across many areas. Potter is an impressive outside back that has proven his ability and consistency in big moments, making him a real asset to our squad,” Force great Matt Hodgson said in a statement earlier this year.

“Potter is hungry for the opportunity to make his Super Rugby debut and progress his game to the next level. His experience, passion and work ethic are the type of players Cron and the coaching staff are attracting to become a leading rugby club.

“It will be great to have him arrive in Perth in the coming weeks and get stuck into pre-season ahead of our spring series against the Cheetahs in September.”