AFTER growing up watching highlights of his World Cup-winning dad playing for the Wallabies, Dragons new boy Harry Wilson aims to make those Down Under sit up and take notice with his performances in the United Rugby Championship.
Eyebrows were raised at the start of May when the Rodney Parade club announced that they had snapped up the powerful outside back from the Waratahs on a two-year contract.
There was some Australian dismay that a now 24-year-old who had been getting a taste of Super Rugby Pacific action had been allowed to slip off to Europe.
Wilson got a glowing reference from Jamie Roberts when Dragons boss Dai Flanagan asked the Wales and Lions centre about his former ‘Tahs’ teammate.
The centre, who can also play on the wing and full-back, is a talent and like any burgeoning player the ultimate ambition is to play on the Test stage.
That is something that his father David did 79 times – nine of those as captain – and he started at openside in Australia’s 1999 World Cup final win against France in Cardiff.
“My old man played for the Wallabies and I have fond memories of watching highlights of him,” said Wilson, whose brother Teddy is a scrum-half for the Waratahs.
“It’s been a dream to play for them since I was able to walk and talk and there will still be so many people watching [the URC], so it’s vital that I am playing well and then doors could open up.
“It’s a massive opportunity for me to impress but I have to play well and be consistent for the Dragons first – I am looking no further than that.
“I have signed up for two years and want to get the best out of myself and give my all for the club.”
It wasn’t an easy decision for Wilson, who made 14 appearances for the Waratahs, to head to Europe from Sydney but the Dragons chased hard.
Head coach Dai Flanagan and attack coach Matt O’Brien outlined their plans in Zoom calls, which were early in the morning/late at night due to the time zones, before giving the Aussie time to mull it over.
“I had a lot of thinking to do and I took my time but I am really happy with the decision,” said Wilson.
“I am excited about trying to help the Dragons and about testing myself by playing in the URC; I’m lucky to be a footie player who is travelling and experiencing unbelievable places, playing world-class teams.
“There are some games in the calendar that I am already excited about. One of my best mates who I lived with in Sydney, Mosese Tuipulotu, has signed for Edinburgh and his brother [Sione] is a well-known figure in the URC with Glasgow.
“It’ll be great to play those boys and the banter has already started!”
First, Wilson needs to ensure he is in the matchday squad and he is quick to recognise that competition for places is fierce in midfield.
The Dragons boast last season’s club captain Steff Hughes on the books along with the homegrown trio of Aneurin Owen, Joe Westwood and Harri Ackerman.
“I will take nothing for granted” said Wilson. “Every week I will have to perform at my best or the coaches will make changes.
“Like with any team, if you don’t perform at the standard that they demand then you will find yourself on the bench or in the stands.
“There are some great young guys coming through and we will all push each other, so that can only be good for the team.”
The Dragons put an emphasis on increasing their physicality with their summer recruitment drive and, at 6ft 3ins, Wilson fits the bill.
He intends to pack a punch in attack and defence, but a trip to Allianz Stadium in Sydney before leaving for Wales showed that he also has to bring the best out of game-breakers.
“I’ve got exciting guys outside me like Rio Dyer, who I have watched play for Wales,” said Wilson.
“With that speed and footwork I have to be a distributer to put those guys away but also be that carrier when needed.
“I want to be a guy who you know is on the field and having a presence is a massive part of being a good 12 or 13.
“Being able to carry over the gain line is massive but I played 10 growing up so I’d like to think I have the ability to put other guys into space and see the game.”
Wilson wants to bring the best out of the Dragons’ back three… but he might also be needed in that department.
While the 13 jersey is the one he is targeting, the Aussie is happy to be versatile over the course of a long season.
“The squads are smaller than I’ve been used to in Australia so being able to play multiple positions is critical,” said Wilson, whose first Waratahs start was at 15.
“I’d love to lock down that 13 spot but being able to play centre, wing and full-back is useful and wherever the coach puts me, mate I’m happy to jump in and give it 100 per cent.”
Dragons fans could get a first glimpse of Wilson when they host Hartpury University RFC of the English Championship in Newport on Saturday, August 31.
That fixture is followed by two Friday night encounters with Premiership opposition over the border with Bristol at Clifton RFC followed by Bath at the Rec.
The Dragons get a vital first block of the United Rugby Championship under way against the Ospreys on Saturday, September 21.
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