Wallabies captain Harry Wilson believes Australia’s sporting spirit can help inspire his side to a long-awaited victory over Ireland in Saturday’s sold-out Nations Championship match in Sydney.
Australia take on Andy Farrell’s men looking to end a five-Test losing streak against Ireland, with the visitors having won every meeting between the teams since 2018.
The clash headlines a bumper day for Australian sport, with the Socceroos chasing a place in the Fifa World Cup last 16, Alex de Minaur in action at Wimbledon, and the women’s cricket team contesting the T20 World Cup final later in the day.
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Wilson said the national mood had given the Wallabies extra motivation.”We love it,” he said.
“You see what the support for the Socceroos has been over the last few weeks. It’s the whole country getting behind it. Everyone just going to pubs and watching it, and it’s a really cool time when you see your whole nation get behind sport.”
Wilson hopes the Wallabies can add to the celebrations.
“It’s a really big day of sport tomorrow in Australia,” he said. “You’ve got the Socceroos, you’ve got the Demon at Wimbledon, and then us. It’s an exciting day for Australian sport and hopefully it’s a really good day.”
The Wallabies endured an inconsistent 2025 campaign and are determined to make a fast start under the pressure of a home Test.
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Wilson said they are eager to reward their supporters with a winning performance.
“We had a few ups and downs last year,” he said. “We had a few really big wins and we didn’t have our best finish, so we really want to start this year with momentum.
“It’s so awesome to have all the support we’ve got behind us and we know it’s on us to work out the performances and to win Test matches for our country, especially in our own backyard here.”
– AFP
Photo: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images
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