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Rising star McLaughlin-Phillips embracing ‘pressure’ with Junior Wallabies
Harry McLaughlin-Phillips let out a brief chuckle when asked if he knew everyone’s name in the Junior Wallabies’ squad. McLaughlin-Phillips, who is still only 20 years of age, only joined the squad earlier this week from the Queensland Reds.
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The Sunshine Coast product is widely considered one of the brightest rising stars in Australian rugby at the moment, with McLaughlin-Phillips earning two starts in the NO 10 jumper in six appearance for the Reds this season.
McLaughlin-Phillips secured a match-winning penalty at the breakdown in Queensland’s win over the Chief in round three, and the youngster was rewarded with a start one week later against the Rebels at Melbourne’s AAMI Park.
With Tom Lynagh, Lawson Creighton and now the returning James O’Connor also challenging for the starting role at flyhalf, McLaughlin-Phillips has shown time and time again that he’s more than ready to perform when called upon for the Reds.
But for now, McLaughlin-Phillips has stepped away from Super Rugby Pacific duty and will instead turn his focus to the final round of the inaugural Rugby Championship U20.
“There was a bit of conversation between (Junior Wallabies coach) Greysie and (Reds coach) Les (Kiss). I think they’ve been chatting in the background,” McLaughlin-Phillips told RugbyPass and another two publications.
“After the game on the weekend against the Crusaders the opportunity sort of arose and Les let me know I’m coming in and I was pretty excited about that.”
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After being called into the Junior Wallabies’ camp, McLaughlin-Phillips wore the team polo and sat in the stands at Sunshine Coast Stadium on Tuesday as the Aussies got their campaign back on track with a 24-19 win over the Junior Springboks.
McLaughlin-Phillips wasn’t available to take on South Africa but the Queenslander will be in the mix for selection ahead of Australia’s blockbuster Trans-Tasman clash with arch-rivals New Zealand this weekend.
Joey Fowler and Cullen Gray have both performed well in the starting NO 10 jersey, but McLaughlin-Phillips wants “to be taking that” shirt into the final round of this tournament and into the upcoming World Rugby U20 Championship in South Africa.
With six promising performances for the Reds under his belt, McLaughlin-Phillips is aware of the expectations that may rest on his shoulders but is looking to make the most of the opportunity in a new rugby environment away from the Reds.
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“It gives me confidence,” McLaughlin-Phillips said. “Confidence in that I’ve learnt things I can apply here but it also does add that pressure that I’ve got to perform and I’m excited about that.
“This allows me to get around a different group of boys and a different group of coaches and expand my knowledge and see different pictures of the game.
“It just gives me a different perspective on the game.”
Australia are still third on the ladder with one loss and a win to their name and would have to be deemed an outside chance of taking out the title on home soil. But they still have a chance and that’s what matters.
The Baby Blacks can wrap up the tile with a win over the Aussies, while Argentina sit second on the table. If Los Pumitas can beat South Africa with a winning bonus point, and Australia beats New Zealand, then the Argentinians will take home the gigantic trophy.
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Comments on RugbyPass
“England are set to lose some of their best ever players at the end of the season with the mass departure to France”… Really? Best ever? What a joke of an opening line. The england players leaving for France are… Sinckler, Ludlum, Tuilagi… that’s the list of players England are losing at the end of this season to France. All 3 are fringe players at best these days. Manu is the only one you could fathom debating being one of “their best ever players” and even that debate would be shut down pretty quickly. Pathetic excuse for journalism this. Not grounded in reality.
1 Go to commentsYep. The insanity of the decision of trying to outspend RL for outside backs just looks more and more stupid as time goes on and talented players either bully us into paying overs to keep them (Jorgensen) or simply leave as Uncle Nick comes calling (Nawaqanitawase).
20 Go to commentsInteresting that you pick Amatosero, John. I would agree with your choice. He could well be capped this year at some point. At only 21 years of age, he has a lot of experience at a high level from his time at Clermont. I’m surprised he did not remain there for longer, as last year he was really starting to move, with 14 games, six starts, well up from the previous year, 7 games, only 2 starts. Have liked what is doing with the Waratahs this year. Not an easy situation for any player there, with the poor results.
3 Go to commentsNed me old shinwah, it’s probably not a bad idea to learn how to spell the last names of great All Blacks wingers. (Otherwise we will demean our memories of Grant Bitty, Jonah Lima, Joe Rococo and Doug Howler.)
3 Go to commentsNo longer able to except the excuses offered up for Rob. The red jersey has lost it’s mana and become a joke. I do not wish Mr Penny any wrong but it is time to go. Do the right thing Rob and retire, PLEASE.
31 Go to commentsIt is a travesty that 8/12 teams play in the finals, and that 4 wins out of 14 might be enough to get you there, but every competition has this to some degree. If it was only the top 4 going through, then this season would have been over for 6 of the teams 4 weeks ago. Super Rugby is simply a feeder competition for the All Blacks and Wallabies. There are low stakes and no consequences because so few people care who wins Super Rugby. In football, winning the Champions League is the pinnacle for any player or fan. The fate of national teams in the world cup or Euros is a complete second fiddle to The Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Ligue 1, Bundelsliga etc… Same with the NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB. Players and fans care deeply about their team winning NBA title, but don’t care at all about USA winning gold at the Olympics. Or more locally with Rugby League, the Hierarchy is probably NRL > State of Origin > International. For some maybe State of Origin is the top. Super Rugby is low consequence and low stakes because no one cares enough about the outcome. Players ultimately want to play for the ABs, not the Hurricanes or Blues. Casual fans aren’t talking about SR selections but everyone has an opinion on Sam Cane or Ian Foster. Super Rugby is a means to an end. The only context it has is how it effects who is selected for the ABs.
6 Go to commentsPlayoffs featuring 4 or 6 teams would mean the other teams playing meaningless games for longer and a further drop of interest in Australia. But yes a 12 team competition with 8 teams making finals is ridiculous.
6 Go to commentsJoe's picks will be more interesting than Razors. The dumping of Dave Rennie for Jones has to be one of the worst exec decisions of all time. Joe and Dave have similar styles and personalities, the players should like that. Predicting some success for Aus this year. Well more than last year!
3 Go to commentsHey Ben, Thanks for your opinion article. As a die hard rugby tragic and loyal supporter of the game can I say your article seems a touch negative so I would like to offer a slightly different spin on it. I am assuming that the sole purpose of the Super Rugby competition is not just to be a training camp for the International teams but an independent event and competition in its own right with sponsors, media companies and teams that need a financial return. Now, from this rugby fans perspective, I am enjoying the last few weeks of the competition and enjoying the fact that most teams can still make the play offs and nobody wants the wooden spoon. Most rugby followers would agree to it being a travesty if the Crusaders or the Waratahs now made it to the final but history tells us it is very unlikely with the importance of home ground advantage. Playing each team once and a four team final would give the competition integrity and a level playing field for all teams but I would be surprised if it could satisfy the financial demands of the TV rights. Maybe a six team finals series might be a possible compromise.
6 Go to commentsAll good choices John, even the Tah players ha ha. Others that might be worth a look would be ; Cale, Tom Lynagh, Uru, Keunzle, Anstee and maybe Rory Scott because we need a backup to McReight and he has improved a lot from last year and Tim Ryan.
3 Go to commentsWe only have 12 teams - and probably should only have 10. If we cut it down to 10, had a single round robin format, and only had semi-finals and a grand final, the final game would be on the first weekend of May. Meanwhile the AFL (similar to the NRL) runs until the last weekend of September and starts almost a full month after Super Rugby. At least the players would get plenty of rest!
6 Go to commentsAs article says re Japanese Final. Todd Blackadder up against his old mentor/ coach at Canterbury and the Crusaders , Robbie Deans. Both legends in this part of the world. Richie Mo’unga, ( another legend), playing brilliantly for Toddy’s team.Great to hear.
1 Go to commentsNo doubt Razor will want to kick the 2024 campaign off with a decisive selection of the top match fit players to insure his selection as the appointed coach has maximum impact. We the supporters and critics will settle for nothing less because historically it is what we have become ingrained and accustomed to. With that in mind and the distinct fall from grace of his beloved crusaders we will expect him to stamp his mark in the same way he left his old post.
9 Go to commentsI would've expected a better turn around in response to the changes within the team and its management. Lacking in my opinion is the skill sets that once was and now seemingly vacant within the squads regular front runners. Furthermore there seems to be no set game plan, the accuracy that once was is no more, the quality off the bench were poor matchups and frankly I feel a lot has to do with the coaching. Never thought i’d be critising the sadas to this degree.
5 Go to commentsAverage AB captain by recent standards. Speaks to the wider issue
9 Go to commentsWholesome lad, but no longer test level. At all
9 Go to commentsThis game was always going to be close, Canada have such a dominant pack and the Black Ferns have come unstuck in that area against teams like France and England in the past.
2 Go to commentsA distinct discomfort with the officiating they were probably selected from the local IRA narcos branch along with the commentators bloody fly tippers.
1 Go to commentsWow, never thought I would read that
2 Go to commentsExcellent match. Great to see Keenan and Ryan back for Leinster. Super result for Ulster. Season is turning around.
1 Go to comments