Harry Wilson emphasizes that Super Rugby must captivate audiences in a competitive sports environment in Australia, yet the Wallabies captain insists that the competition’s law modifications do not complicate the transition back to Test rugby.
Wilson, who will be sidelined for the initial weeks of this season following minor knee surgery in January, was asked about the recent set of law adjustments, totaling five, which officials aim to implement to enhance the pace of the game and reduce “dead time.”
This is crucial in Australia, and increasingly so in New Zealand, where rugby competes with the NRL as a source of entertainment.
Nevertheless, there are concerns that Super Rugby Pacific is diverging too significantly from the challenges players encounter in Test rugby, making the adjustment to the international stage more difficult.
“Super Rugby is obviously quite distinct from Test Rugby, and for us in Australia, it’s about promoting the game effectively to enhance its entertainment value; that’s something we may need to focus on in Australia,” Wilson stated to reporters.
“I feel quite at ease with the law changes here, but Test Rugby is different, and they likely do not prioritize viewer engagement in Australia as much. The focus is on delivering the best product, which is international rugby, so it is indeed quite different. However, it is something we all enjoy participating in during Super Rugby.”
Fraser McReight, Wilson’s teammate from the Wallabies and Reds, who will lead Queensland this year, also expressed his support for the law changes.
“Some of the significant variations this year certainly aid in promoting the game’s speed,” McReight told ESPN.
“Consider the halfback, who is often just a meter off the mark; how frequently does a quick tap occur only for the referee to call it back to the mark, particularly with our halfbacks? I believe that is one of our strengths [playing at speed].
“Thus, ensuring that, conversely, the defensive side is alert and aware that they can execute that [quick tap range] is crucial, especially given the current pace of Super Rugby — it is quite exhausting, with a lot of running, and it is very fast – so being prepared for that is [important]. And with the new 50/22 rule, being able to pass it back can work exceptionally well if executed correctly, or it could backfire.”
Once Super Rugby Pacific concludes in June, Wallabies and All Blacks players will have only a few weeks to transition back into Test mode for the first three matches of the new Nations Championship.
Last season, the Wallabies were physically overpowered in their initial Test against the British and Irish Lions but subsequently performed much better in Melbourne and Brisbane.
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Weeks later, they triumphed over the Springboks in Johannesburg, overcoming a 21-0 deficit and dominating their opponents particularly in the final quarter. Veteran James O’Connor later credited the speed of Super Rugby and its fitness demands as key factors behind the Wallabies’ first victory in Johannesburg in 63 years.
However, Australia could only secure two additional wins beyond that, against Argentina and Japan, for 2025, and concluded the year with a four-game losing streak, during which their vulnerability under high balls was highlighted, similar to their experience with the All Blacks.
While Wilson recognized that Super Rugby does not involve as much kicking as the international game, he expressed confidence in Australia’s back-three players to enhance that aspect of their game before the Wallabies face Ireland in June.
“I haven’t really considered it that way, but Test Rugby has evolved significantly with the escort rules, and it is now so 50-50 in the air, which is something we probably did not adapt to well enough last year,” Wilson remarked. “We worked hard on it, but we likely did not achieve the results we desired.
“And of course, Super Rugby involves far less high ball and similar situations. However, I have faith in our back three [this] year, as we have some of the best aerial catchers in the world on their best days.
“In Super Rugby, you must do whatever is necessary for your team to win, but there is no doubt the players are working on it in the meantime.”
Wilson believes that Super Rugby will yield benefits when the World Cup arrives next October in Australia.
“We understand what conditions are like here in Australia; it will be pleasantly warm, even at seven or eight o’clock at night, which won’t be an issue, and I think that gives us an advantage,” he stated.
“Getting through preseason in Australia is very hot, and even starting the Super season in February, it is quite warm, so these are definitely conditions we are accustomed to.”
