ANALYSIS: A couple of months ago, Hamish Stewart and Harry Wilson would’ve had their focus locked on bringing back another Hospital Cup title for Brothers.
Now, the pair are set to create special memories over 12,000km away in Buenos Aires for Sunday’s (AEST) match against Argentina.
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Stewart will become the latest Wallaby debuted by new coach Joe Schmidt after his overdue selection at inside centre against Argentina.
The 26-year-old should be the prime example for the next generation of Super Rugby player toiling away wondering when their next chance may come.
Most of the debutants used by Schmidt fit a similar profile: young, hungry kids with a handful of Super caps and a future destined for the gold jersey, think Tom Lynagh and Max Jorgensen.
Stewart on the other hand has gone the long way and was forced to bide his time as more fancied options were selected.
He went to the Western Force looking to return to the ten jersey that he’d originally debuted in before the return of fellow ‘filth’ (Brothers) playmaker James O’Connor pushed him out to 12.
Stewart’s position likely changed as his repetition as one of the most defensive minds in Super Rugby started to garner attention in the national set-up.
When Hunter Paisami went down, he was the obvious replacement.
Schmidt paid credit to Stewart's selfless nature and status as the ultimate team man.
“He's warmed up for every single test we've played so far, without getting a run at all,” he explained.
“He has contributed to other people being as prepared as we could have them and it's great that he's got the opportunity now to prepare himself to go out in a really big arena, where the expectations are going to be high, and the pressure is going to be just as high.”
With over 100 Super Rugby caps, you know the Toowoomba-born playmaker with initial dreams of being involved in racehorses will be a safe bet come Sunday.
His calm head will be key for first-time leader Wilson, whose appointment as captain was not anyone's bingo card to start the year.
Wilson was happy to be back in the squad after his broken arm late in the Super season. But his sudden elevation towards the end of the Springboks defeat shows how special Schmidt holds the number eight.
Wilson has always seemed destined to lead his side out but often found himself behind somebody else, whether Tate McDermott, Fraser McReight or Liam Wright.
His powerful runs and lack of self-preservation when he takes on the line are the type of characteristics that Schmidt is looking for from a leader.
“He has a natural propensity to express himself well, but with very few words, and I don't think that we want to be doing too much talking. It's about the actions that he's going to deliver, and lead from the front,” the coach noted on Wilson.
Captaincy is in his blood, with brother Will set to lead Brothers once again into a Final against Wests almost ten hours after Harry leads out his country.
It sets up a special time for the Wilson family almost 12 months on from making memories forever at Ballymore as brothers.
Instead, a different Brothers duo will look to make their respective debuts one to remember.
