Wallabies captain looks ahead to home World Cup ‘I’ve been dreaming about’

Harry Wilson has been dreaming about Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 for quite some time, eager to see a sports-mad nation get behind the Wallabies when the tournament returns to Australia for the first time in 24 years.

Wilson, who debuted for the Wallabies six years ago, has emerged as a passionate captain of the side, who will help kick off the World Cup in 11 months’ time. The Wallabies will face soon-to-be World Cup debutants Hong Kong China at Perth Stadium on October 1, 2027.

World Rugby celebrated the one year to go milestone last month in Sydney, with the Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House forming a picturesque background to a fan action event, held just by the water at First Fleet Park.

It was announced that 1.3 million tickets had been bought by fans from 164 countries, and that more than 250,000 international fans are expected to attend. 52 World Cup matches will be held over six weeks at seven host cities, including key knockout games in Sydney and Brisbane.

Wilson and the Wallabies played their last match of the year on home soil in Bledisloe II and have since flown up north for their Spring Tour, but the prospect of representing Australia at a home World Cup is on the players’ minds as well.

“This 2027 World Cup has been something I’ve been dreaming about for a long time,” Wilson said on Hello Sport.

“I remember a lot of us signed in 2020 on long deals to the ’23 World Cup, with this World Cup in the back of our mind.

“It’s getting close now and it’s something I can’t wait to be a part of. I just can’t wait to see Australia get behind us and have everyone talking about rugby and everyone just seeing how amazing our global game is.

“There’s going to be a lot of people surprised by how amazing it is. To have that home support is going to be special and we’ve just got to keep building over this next month to make sure we’re ready next year.”

It’s another marquee event on home soil for the Wallabies, who welcomed the British & Irish Lions to Australia last year. The Lions secured a 2-1 Test series win, but the Wallabies avoided a sweep 22-12 at Sydney’s Accor Stadium.

The Sydney venue, also known as Stadium Australia, will host the 2027 World Cup bronze final on November 12 and the final on November 13. Two quarter-finals and both semi-finals will also be held at the 80,000-seat sporting Coliseum.

“It’ll be like [the Lions Series] but times by five. It’s unbelievable,” Wilson added.

“My family always go to the World Cups; they’re big supporters, and they’ve said how amazing the other ones have been.”