‘Interest from overseas’: Why Harry Wilson decided to stay in Australia

Backrower Harry Wilson has knocked back “interest from overseas clubs” to re-sign with the Queensland Rugby Union and Rugby Australia through 2025.

Wilson has come through the rugby ranks in Queensland, having starred at schoolboy level with prestigious school Gregory Terrace in Brisbane’s GPS competition.

The loose forward went on to star in the green and gold at the U20 world championships in Argentina four years ago– which included a start at blindside flanker in the final against France.

After representing the junior Wallabies, Wilson was named the Queensland Premier Rugby player of the year, before making his Reds debut the following season.

Wilson has gone on to play 53 matches for Queensland, and was part of the Reds’ drought-breaking Super Rugby AU title a couple of years ago.

Reflecting on his decision to re-sign with the Reds, Wilson said “there’s plenty left” for the team to achieve – and he wants to contribute to success, both at Super Rugby and Test level.

“I love playing for Queensland, this is my home,” Wilson said in a statement.

“We’ve got a great group on and off the field at Ballymore and there’s plenty left for us to achieve in the Queensland jersey.

Two more years at Ballymore for Wilso 🙌

Read more: https://t.co/B4YHs8mFMf#WeStandForQueensland #RedsFamily pic.twitter.com/6jVJ2lfLeB

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— Queensland Reds (@Reds_Rugby) April 26, 2023

“It’s an exciting time in Australian Rugby with a Lions Tour and World Cup coming up. I’m very motivated to be a part of it over the next few years.”

Having impressed at Super Rugby level with the Reds, Wilson made his Test debut against the All Blacks in 2020. But the rising star has been in-and-out of the national team since.

While Wilson is certainly an exciting talent, the 23-year-old was dropped from Dave Rennie’s Wallabies.

Wilson also failed to make Eddie Jones’ initial Wallabies squad earlier this month, but was called up on the eve of the training camp.

While the Reds No. 8 has committed his future to Australian rugby for at least the next couple of years, Wilson “had a fair amount of interest from overseas clubs.”

“Harry had a fair amount of interest from overseas clubs, so it’s great to have him remain in Queensland Rugby through 2025,” Reds General Manager for Professional Rugby Sam Cordingley said.

“I’m sure he’ll be highly motivated to achieve success with both the Reds and Wallabies over the next two seasons.”

Wilson joins teammates Fraser McReight, Tate McDermott, Tom Lynagh, Kalani Thomas, Matt Faessler, Seru Uru and Angus Blyth in re-signing with the Reds.