A decade after moving from Gunnedah to Brisbane, what many see as Harry Wilson's destiny is now calling louder than ever.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The selection of the Reds No 8 in Dave Rennie's Wallabies squad for a two-Test Bledisloe Cup tour of New Zealand is his first call-up for national duties, and reward for a season in which plaudits have followed his performances like ratings for MasterChef.
Read also:
In 2020, Wilson has gone from a Queensland debutant to a star performer in a Reds side who play the Brumbies in the Super Rugby AU final on Saturday.
In the eyes of many, international stardom awaits him.
On Wednesday, the Gunnedah native told the Leader that he had long been governed by his desire to become a Test player.
Being in the Wallabies squad has brought that goal into sharper focus. That was "pretty special". he said.
"It's definitely given me a reason to work pretty hard over the next few months to try and realise a childhood dream," he said of playing for Australia.
The biggest season of the 20-year-old's life has "meant so much" to him, and playing for the Wallabies would be the "biggest" moment of his life.
"It's been very special," the Australian under-20 rep said of 2020, "and I've just loved every moment of it.
"I've just tried to enjoy every moment and go along with the ride and try and tick off as many things as I can."
Achieving what he has achieved at age 20 is "quite nice", but "I'm definitely not going to take any of it for granted".
To be sure, he is "excited" about the looming New Zealand tour. But not just because of the chance to play for the Wallabies: he will relish the opportunity to immerse himself in the mentalities of Australia's best rugby players.
"Just to be around them each day is gonna help my rugby significantly, and hopefully help me to keep developing."
So, what would it mean to you to pull on the gold jersey for the first time?
"That would be the biggest thing that's ever happened in my life. I just know how proud my family and everyone who's helped me [would be].
"Because the amount stuff my family's done to get me where I am today, to be able to put myself in the Australian squad, means everything to me."
Wilson's parents, Cameron and Mandy, relocated to Brisbane to support him.
Queensland reaching the Super Rugby AU final at GIO Stadium, he said, was the culmination of "a lot of effort" for several years.
