Jones arrival fuels Wilson's, Waratahs World Cup hopes

A pre-season trial game in rural NSW shapes as a critical moment in Harry Wilson's rugby career.The Queensland Reds No.8 fell out of favour with former Wallabies coach Dave Rennie but admits Eddie Jones's shock arrival in a World Cup year has offered him a "lot more hope".Jones will be in the stands in Narrabri on Saturday when the NSW Waratahs host the Reds in their final Super Rugby Pacific trial game.Like high-profile Reds prop Taniela Tupou, Wilson is off contract beyond 2023 and has seen former teammates Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Angus Scott-Young depart recently for Europe.Wilson scored twice in the trial victory over the Western Force in Perth last weekend and says he'd love to remain at Ballymore.But with the British and Irish Lions touring in 2025 and a home World Cup in 2027, the 23-year-old wants to know where he sits in the Wallabies' backrow depth charts before making his decision."I want to play well at the start of the Super season and go from there," he said."It (Jones's arrival) gives everyone in Australian rugby – and someone like me who's been in and out for a few years – a lot more hope."With new eyes watching it's only good for my opportunities and any performance in front of him (Jones) is only going to help you."Definitely (playing for the Wallabies this year will be a factor in his contract decision). But I'm very aware I won't get picked if I don't play well here."The Reds named a near-full strength squad for the clash with former Melbourne NRL winger Suliasi Vunivalu, another fringe Wallaby, keen to impress Jones after two injury-hit seasons since his code switch.Five-eighth James O'Connor was named to play but is likely to be rested as he completes the final stages of his recovery from off-season ankle surgery.Meanwhile, the NSW Waratahs welcome back their own Wallabies, led by captain Jake Gordon, lock Jed Holloway and backs duo Lalakai Foketi and Mark Nawaqanitawase.Jones ventured down to Griffith to watch last week's clash between the Waratahs and Brumbies, with his presence already providing a lift.“Eddie came to our trial last week…we don’t even have to play it up," forwards coach Pauli Taumoepeau noted“We went through it similarly with DC last year. Whenever there’s a new coach, it’s a clean slate so I think it all comes naturally.“We asked Eddie coming back from Griffith at the airport what he thought and he said in the first trial, he always just looks at the first 20…it goes to show you what a trial one is and for trial two, this is the last one (for a lot of guys), they won’t play the Shute Shield one so we’re definitely wanting to win heading into round one.“I don’t think we’ve lost a Santos Festival but we don’t seem to win the competition games so we’re going in with a team that says (we want to win). I think DC mentioned it was a case of seeing what we can do…we’ve changed some things slightly so it’s a good opportunity.”Click Here: cutom plastic mold and molding

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