Queensland Reds backrower Harry Wilson is confident their new free-flowing style can bring the best out of the 24-year-old in 2024.
Wilson's rise has been meteoric, parlaying his maiden Super Rugby season into a Wallabies debut in 2020.
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However, the two-time Stan Pilecki medalist has struggled to maintain his spot in the national side, playing just two Tests in the past three years.
“I’ve learned I’m quite resilient and how to deal with a bit of disappointment," he said with a smile to Rugby.com.au.
“Every coach has a different opinion but for me, it’s relayed the fact that I’ve got to be consistent throughout the whole of Super. I’ve got to try and dominate, be a part of a dominating, successful team and that’ll help me there.
“We know if you’re winning Super Rugby games, it’s only going to help a lot of teams (gain selection). It’s a new season, start fresh again and just can’t wait to rip in.”
Wilson has built his success thanks to his unique ball skills for his size. The Try of the Year effort against the Highlanders last year showed the red headgear-wearing number eight at his best, crasing through the line before dummying to beat the fullback for Jake Upfield to eventually score.
He concedes he hasn't produced enough of those moments after 'going into his shell' when results weren't going their way.
Wilson is one of several Wallabies to credit the Barbarians' UK trip at the end of 2023 as pivotal towards re-igniting his game.
“It was awesome in the way of being able to express yourself. There wasn’t as much fear of failure with Baa-Baa’s footy and I got to play with natural instincts again, which probably in the past I’ve gone into my shell (in the past)," he admits.
“When I was quite young coming in, I was very much expressing myself and throwing a few more offloads, backing my skills...You don’t want to be hurting the team and sometimes I’ve been guilty of throwing a few too many offloads or passes where it’s not on.
“I’ve had that disappointment of pushing too many passes/offloads and have gone into my shell. I'll try and do what’s best for the team and in some games and seasons, I’ve probably put it away.
“This year with our style of footy, I think backing yourself and pushing the offload passes might be a bit more beneficial for our team.”
The link-up with Les Kiss therefore is a match made in heaven on paper for Wilson.
Kiss has drilled a free-flowing style into the Reds and Wilson has been one of their better players in the trials so far in 2024.
Wilson knows he needs to be at his very best to regain his spot in the national set-up, competing with John Eales Medalist Rob Valetini for the number eight jersey.
“There’s a lot more up tempo (play). We’re using our skills quite a bit more to try and play with the width more and use some of our big backs," he added.
“There’s a lot of detail to our attack which has been exciting. It’s been working quite well in training and we finally have the opportunity to test it against other opposition.
“We’re pretty hopeful it’s going to be quite successful.”
