Harry Wilson’s message before Wales after Wallabies take ‘step forward’

Wallabies captain Harry Wilson has acknowledged the “step forward” the Aussies made despite losing to Scotland 15-12 at Murrayfield, insisting the group will be up for the challenge against a confident Welsh outfit next week.

The Wallabies have now lost four matches on the bounce, but their most recent defeat was a closely fought clash with the Scots. Former Wallabies backrower Jack Dempsey put the hosts in front during the first half, and it was a lead they wouldn’t surrender.

Finn Russell slotted a penalty in the second term which made it a 10-point game with just over five minutes left. But Max Jorgensen gave the Wallabies a chance, making it a one-score game with a crucial try in the dying stages.

But Scotland held on, having led for more than 70 per cent of the Test and playing with a majority of possession in the final 10 minutes. The Wallabies conceded three of the last five penalties too, as they fell short of a comeback.

As the Wallabies look to snap a losing run that dates back to the Bledisloe Cup series sweep by the All Blacks, they will have to overcome a Welsh side that just beat the New Zealanders. Wales claimed their first win over the All Blacks in more than 70 years, winning 35-28 on Saturday.

“We’ve got to review this hard,” Wilson said post-game.

“It was a step forward but it wasn’t a win. We want to win.

“We saw what Wales did to New Zealand on the weekend. They’re going to be a tough opponent with a lot of confidence but this group, we’re going to be up for the challenge.”

The Wallabies started the November Nations Championship phase with a 45-22 loss to England, with Henry Pollock producing an impactful effort after the break. Pollock came on as a winger and scored two tries, as the hosts ran away with a convincing result at home.

But a chance to potentially bounce back loomed for the Wallabies. Harry Potter was first to strike for the Aussies against Scotland, but the visitors wouldn’t score another point until Jorgensen’s effort almost 70 minutes later.

2026 John Eales Medallist (Wallabies players’ player) Fraser McReight led the way with a game-high 29 tackles, while ‘Jorgo’ topped the charts with three line breaks. While it wasn’t to be for the Wallabies, Wilson was pleased with how the team muscled up.

“I’m really proud of the group’s bounce back. Last week we weren’t happy with that and we wanted to come out and show some physical intent and try to physically impose ourselves, but I think we did that,” Wilson said.

“We’re not happy with the results but Scotland in Scotland, it’s a tough game. Their boys fronted up too. We weren’t far away there in the end which is just disappointing.

“The boys fronted up. It was an arm-wrestle… but we’ve got to be better at icing those big moments but I’m really proud of the group’s fight right to the end. Even with a minute on the clock we didn’t give up and we nearly got there.”