Last Saturday night was a memorable homecoming for Wallabies rugby union captain Harry Wilson, as about 260 people flocked to see him at the Gunnedah Red Devils rugby union club’s season launch.
The Red Devils clubhouse was packed for dinner and for when Wilson undertook his guest speaker role, after Wilson ran a clinic for youngsters beforehand.
Wilson’s brother Will, parents Cameron and Mandy, and uncle Nick were among the attendees at the event, in addition to Red Devils players, staff, supporters, sponsors and other community members.
The Wallabies skipper spoke to the gathering, while Red Devils president Bruce Hockings asked a range of questions.
The audience listened intently and found humour in some of the things Wilson said, while Wilson came across as humble and down-to-earth while also nursing a knee injury and a facial bruise or two.
Having been born in 1999, Wilson recalled he began playing rugby union when he was about four years old before moving to Brisbane in 2010 and eventually playing for the Queensland Reds and Australia.
“The Wallaby jersey means so much to me. It’s the one thing I’ve always dreamed of,” he said.
With Wilson having been dropped from the Test team before he was given the captaincy, he said he had a “tough couple of years” but had strong family support around him.
Wilson said former Reds coach Brad Thorn was a big influence on his career, while another big influence was former Wallabies skipper John Eales who reached out and offered help with leadership.
With another one of Wilson’s coaches at the Reds, Les Kiss, taking on the Australian coaching role, Wilson said there would be an exciting couple of years ahead including the 2027 World Cup.
Wilson said his proudest moment as Wallabies captain was last year when Australia won at Ellis Park in South Africa for the first time in 62 years.
The Wallabies trailed 22-0 after only 19 minutes, before the captain and No. 8 scored two tries in the remarkable come-from-behind 38-22 victory.
Wilson said the Wallabies were “cooked” after the first 20 minutes but worked their way back into the game.
As for the toughest players he had encountered, Wilson singled out All Blacks No. 8 Ardie Savea.
“He’s unbelievable. Whenever there’s a big moment in the game, he steps up,” Wilson said.
After Wilson finished talking to the crowd, an auction raised about $71,400 with numerous jerseys including Red Devils jerseys up for grabs.
A Wallabies jersey signed by Wilson sold for $4200, with James and Kate Bradford receiving this prize.
In an interview with the Gunnedah Times, Wilson said returning to his hometown “really does feel like home”.
“The moment we drove in here you’re just reliving a lot of great memories,” he said.
“I’m very proud of coming from here…to actually come back and see everyone, it’s really special.”
Wilson said he caught up with many old friends, including some he hadn’t seen since 2010.
“(It’s) so nice to be back here and reconnect with the footy club which started my love of this great game,” he said.
The Wallabies captain said “you stay so connected with everyone” on social media, while a lot of Gunnedah people reached out to him and wished him luck for the games he played.
“It’s really special the way everyone will reach out, and they know that I’m their friend and they know how much I appreciate this place,” he said.
Wilson said he was raised by a great family, and that “they keep me grounded regularly”.
“I’m obviously lucky in that way that I’ve got people around me to keep me accountable, but also I remember who I was 15 years ago, (and) some of memories I’ve had and the support I’ve always had from this place,” he said.
“From when I made my first Queensland team, Gunnedah were writing about it, Gunnedah were celebrating it.
“They’ve always had my back and supported me, so it’s great to be in a privileged position as captain to come back here and hopefully inspire some young kids in Gunnedah to go out there and chase their dream.”
Wilson said playing for the Wallabies had been his biggest dream, but that when he was younger he didn’t know if it was realistic.
According to Wilson, he was lucky to have former Wallabies player Tim Gavin as a coach.
Wilson remembered watching the Wallabies play in his younger days, sometimes at 3.30am.
“The one thing we never missed was a Wallabies game as a family,” he said.
“No matter what time it was, where we were or whoever they were playing, we’d always watch them.
“Hopefully there are kids in Gunnedah today who are watching the Wallabies…and are inspired by them.
“I look forward to seeing the next Gunnedah Wallaby.”
Harry, Cameron, Mandy and Will Wilson.
