Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson will make a timely return for the Queensland Reds in Friday night’s big match-up against the Hurricanes at Suncorp Stadium.
The skilfull forward is back at No.8 after healing the small forearm fracture that has kept him out for five games in SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific.
It will be Wilson’s first game since playing against the Chiefs in Hamilton on April 4. Without yet knowing of the injury he sustained in the final minutes of that game, he still dabbed a pinpoint grubber kick ahead for a Tom Lynagh try to close the match.
“It’s exciting to be back and ready to get into it again,” Wilson said.
“For the Reds and ‘Canes, there is a lot to play for on Friday night because top four is where you want to be entering finals.
“The ‘Canes have one of the best-performing backrows in the comp. That’s something we have always prided ourselves on at the Reds as well.
“Even with guys out at various times, one of our strengths this season has been the next guy up not just playing but performing. Guys like Joe Brial and the other ‘JB’, John Bryant, have stepped up and will have important roles for the backrow on Friday night.”
Tom Lynagh will start at flyhalf. Dre Pakeho has been paired with Hunter Paisami in the centres which means Filipo Daugunu bringing his power to the wing on Friday night.
On the bench, Australian Under-20s prop Trevor King, 20, has been selected for a potential Queensland Reds debut.
The Gladstone product attended Downlands College and has been a member of the Australian U20s for three years.
Under the new six-team finals format for Super Rugby Pacific, the winners of three qualifying finals advance to the semi-finals as does the “lucky loser” with the highest finishing position from the regular season.
Reds Head Coach Les Kiss said Wilson’s return is a real positive.
“Harry has been a complete pro with the way he has worked hard to be supremely fit while in our rehab group,” Kiss said.
“We know the influence he has around the team. Backrow is a really competitive space for us. We have Harry coming in for John Bryant, who was our Player of the Match against the Brumbies last weekend. JB will be a strong factor to have off the bench on Friday.
“Tom Lynagh returns after a week off going through the HIA protocols. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips had a strong game against the Brumbies and his opportunity will come as a finisher against the Hurricanes.
“Every game is important and that counts for both teams on Friday night. The Hurricanes and Reds both play a great brand of rugby and playing out the 80 minutes is a quality we thrive at.”
Kiss said King had impressed during his time with the squad.
“Trevor is so coachable. I know he has grown a lot from his day-to-day interactions in the squad with Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Alex Hodgman, Matt Gibbon and Sef Fa’agase, which is a great education for a young prop,” Kiss said.
“Trevor is a physical young guy who is only recently back from the Australian U20s' undefeated run in South Africa. He’s been playing for his club Souths in the StoreLocal Hospital Cup for several seasons so that experience counts as well."
Friday night is an exciting double-header at Suncorp Stadium with the Wallaroos facing world No.2 Canada in a Pacific Four Test from 4:55pm.
Friday, May 23
Suncorp Stadium, Canberra
7:35pm AEST
Watch live on Stan Sport
1. Sef Fa’agase - Sunnybank – Shailer Park State High – Beaudesert Warriors
2. Richie Asiata - Sunnybank – Anglican Church Grammar School
3. Zane Nonggorr - Bond University – The Southport School – Gold Coast Eagles
4. Josh Canham – Bond University - Brighton Grammar, Melb - Harlequins RC, Melb
5. Ryan Smith – Brothers – St Patrick’s College, Shorncliffe – Caboolture Snakes
6. Joe Brial – University of Queensland – Scots College – Easts, Sydney
7. Fraser McReight (vc) – Brothers – Brisbane Grammar – Albany Creek Brumbies
8. Harry Wilson – Brothers – St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace – Gunnedah Red Devils
9. Tate McDermott (c) - University of Queensland - Sunshine Coast Grammar - Flinders RC
10. Tom Lynagh – University of Queensland – Epsom College – Richmond RC, UK
11. Filipo Daugunu – Sunnybank - Dogotuki District School, Fiji
12. Hunter Paisami – Wests – Mangere College, Auckland - Manukau Rovers
13. Dre Pakeho – Brothers – Anglican Church Grammar School – Pine Rivers Pumas
14. Lachie Anderson – University of Queensland - Oakhill College, Sydney – Dural RC, Sydney
15. Jock Campbell – University of Queensland – The Southport School – Inverell Highlanders
16. Josh Nasser – University of Queensland - St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace - Easts
17. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen - Norths - Wellington College, NZ
18. Trevor King* – Souths- Downlands College – Gladstone Goats
19. Angus Blyth – Bond University – The Southport School – Casuarina Beach RC
20. John Bryant - Souths - St Laurence’s College - Souths
21. Kalani Thomas – University of Queensland – Ipswich Grammar School - Souths
22. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips – Wests – Brisbane Boys’ College – Gunnedah Red Devils
23. Tim Ryan – Brothers – St Patrick’s College, Shorncliffe
*Potential Queensland Reds and Super Rugby Pacific debut
Unavailable through injury: George Blake, Massimo De Lutiis, Matt Faessler, Josh Flook, Matt Gibbon, Frankie Goldsbrough, Mason Gordon, Isaac Henry, Alex Hodgman, Will McCulloch, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Seru Uru, Liam Wright
