Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has identified Harry Wilson as a frontrunner for the nation’s captaincy against the British and Irish Lions, as the star No.8 establishes his legacy in the gold jumper.
Despite only returning from a fractured arm two weeks ago, the Queensland Red’s influence is not lost on Schmidt, who in 2024 made him Australia’s most consistent skipper of the past two years.
Before his comeback, Wilson told this masthead he hadn’t spoken with Schmidt, but the latter confirmed in Brisbane that the 25-year-old loomed as the top candidate to lead from the front.
Harry Wilson looms as the captaincy favourite when the Wallabies clash with the British and Irish Lions this year.Credit: AP
That is, if he can recover from a wrist injury that has left him in doubt for the Reds’ qualifying final against the Crusaders on Friday.
“You know what you’re going to get with Harry, he’s so wholehearted, and he’s so proud to put that jersey on,” Schmidt said.
“I think other players appreciate that. It’s a little bit contagious in the environment, so Harry is part of our leadership team, and whoever leads the team on any given Saturday is usually someone who comes out of that four or five man leadership team.
“Harry would be one of the four runners for that position, but we’ll see how he comes back and how a few other guys who are playing well get through that play-off period.”
Wilson’s injury concerns, and the continued absence of flanker Liam Wright (shoulder), makes for a daunting build-up to Queensland’s battle in Christchurch.
However, breakout star Joe Brial has declared he is up for the challenge of filling their void.
The 23-year-old son of former Wallabies and New South Wales No.8 Michael Brial has burst onto the scene this year, and could find himself as a shock Test squad member for the Lions tour, given his versatility to cover anywhere in the backrow.
Queensland Reds forward Joe Brial with his father, Michael.
From eight starts, he has scored three tries and come up with four lineout steals, while averaging 32 running metres and 11 tackles a game.
“He’s never pushed me into rugby or anything like that,” Brial said of his father. “But he’s always someone to learn off, ask questions and get advice, given that he’s been through similar roads.
“He’s a good person for me to connect with. He probably never thought he’d be wearing any Queensland merch or supporting the team, but he’s very supportive of me, so it’s pretty good having that support.”
Brial is one of several Reds – who have used 36 players this year – to have stood tall as the club’s injury toll grew, his highlight a barnstorming try against the Hurricanes in which he shrugged off three defenders.
Given his Reds competition are three Wallabies – Wilson, Wright and marquee man Fraser McReight – the Scots College alumni could have been forgiven for seeking greener pastures.
On the contrary, he fought, inking a new contract for 2026 after undergoing a period of growth in his game that he admits was a 12- to 18-month process to be ready for the rigours of Super Rugby.
“I probably wasn’t discouraged; I think it’s kind of exciting,” Brial said.
“Three international backrowers here, it’s an awesome opportunity to learn and just keep building, and when I got my opportunity, I’d like to think I was ready.”
While Schmidt has not locked down the makeup of his squad – instead content to wait until the Australian sides have all finished their Super Rugby campaigns – he stressed finals form would weigh heavily at the selection table.
But the Kiwi mentor said past exploits would also come into consideration, opening the door for Queensland hooker Matt Faessler to return from injury onto the international stage.
Faessler’s hamstring woes have kept him out of action since round nine, but Reds coach Les Kiss has hinted he would be fit in time to represent the Wallabies.
The 26-year-old, who extended his contract through to the end of 2027, has become a staple in the national set-up, garnering 14 caps since his 2023 debut, and Schmidt revealed he would not fear throwing him into the mix.
“Matt was really good for us last year. Obviously we were disappointed when he had to leave the [Spring] tour with an injury, but I’m pretty confident he’s going to be back.”
Joe Schmidt on Matt Faessler
But Faessler will face stern competition from Brumbies rival Billy Pollard, who on Tuesday announced his extension to the end of 2027 after earning six Test caps since his 2022 debut.
“There’s nowhere else I would rather be at this stage of my career,” Pollard said. “I feel I’ve got a lot of growth in me as a player, and a person, that can be achieved here in Canberra.
“Obviously, there’s some big milestone events on the horizon here in Australia, and I’ll be continuing to work hard to give myself the best chance to be part of those in a Wallabies jersey.”
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