Uncapped fly-half earns Wallabies chance after ‘dominating the second team’

Wallabies captain Harry Wilson is excited to see Harry McLaughlin-Phillips get his chance in the gold jersey against the All Blacks this weekend, with the fly-half in line to debut after “dominating the second team” at training.

McLaughlin-Phillips came through the age-grade ranks with the Australian Schools and U18 side four years ago, before suiting up for the Australia Under-20s. The fly-half then made the step up to Super Rugby Pacific level with the Queensland Reds on February 24, 2024.

‘HMP’ has since started for the Queensland Reds and AUNZ Invitational XV against the British & Irish Lions, which led to Australia A honours. The No. 10 is coming off a career-best campaign with the Reds, before moving west and helping the Force win Super Rugby AUS.

Les Kiss spent multiple seasons with McLaughlin-Phillips in Queensland and will now be the one overseeing the prospect’s potential Test debut. Ben Donaldson has been ruled out with an upper leg injury, which sees Declan Meredith start and McLaughlin-Phillips come off the pine.

“Really excited for HMP. He’s worked hard over the last few years at Reds and he’s really developed over the last 12 to 24 months,” Wallabies captain Harry Wilson told reporters on Friday morning.

“The way he’s been training, he has been dominating the second team and now it’s an opportunity for him to do it in the gold jersey.

“He’s a young fella who’s had a few years of Super Rugby experience and now he gets the opportunity to do it on the big stage.”

Meredith debuted for the Wallabies during the Nations Championship in July, selected in the First XV to face France in Brisbane. Carter Gordon had worn the No. 10 jumper a week earlier against Ireland but was ruled out of the next Test.

The Test rookie boasts a 50 per cent win rate in the international arena, having helped steer the Wallabies to victory against Italy and Japan, but last came on as a replacement during the 50-19 defeat to the All Blacks.

“Decky started three games this year, we’ve won two of them, so I do think it gives you a bit of confidence,” Wilson said.

“The way he’s trained this week, the way he’s been training over the past few months has given us a lot of confidence. I’m really excited for Decky, I really hope he grabs it with both hands and really puts his imprint on the game.”

The Wallabies were on a six-game unbeaten run when they touched down in Auckland, setting the scene for a fierce Bledisloe Cup clash. Meanwhile, the All Blacks were looking to bounce back from three straight defeats to the Springboks.

Wilson scored one of Australia’s two first-half tries, helping make it a three-point ball game at the break. But the All Blacks ran away with it during the second half, extending their winning streak against the Wallabies to a record-setting 12 Tests.

“To lose to the All Blacks always hurts.

“We’ve got an opportunity to go out here in front of our home crowd and really put in a strong performance.

“It’s been a big week of reflecting for us as a squad and seeing where we can improve and now we’ve got to go out there and do it.”