AN impressive under-20 World Cup performance from Gunnedah native Harry Wilson has left the young flanker eager for further national honours.
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Up against defending champions France, Wilson and his junior Wallabies teammates fell agonisingly short of taking home the country's first ever junior World Cup, going down 23-24 in the final.
However, the final loss has not deterred Wilson from chasing his rugby dreams.
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"It's been a long few months away from home and while it is good to be back, I loved every minute of my time with the junior Wallabies," Wilson told the Namoi Valley Independent.
"We are a really tight bunch of guys, who enjoyed each other's company.
"I think we clicked right from the outset and built that trust between ourselves really quickly.
"To me, that is what was probably so disappointing about not winning the final.
"The group had worked so hard and got along so well, but that's rugby I suppose."
Throughout the tournament, Wilson starred for his country, including an exciting try in the final.
"I think the best part of my experience was having my coaches giving me a really specific role to play within the team," Wilson said.
"Being a flanker, I think I played my best rugby during the tournament when I was being physical and imposing myself on the opposition.
"That is probably the biggest thing I will take out of it and will look to do going forward for the rest of my career."
Wilson said he appreciated the support he had received from the Gunnedah community during the World Cup was "greatly appreciated".
"To be honest, it's actually amazing to know everyone back in Gunnedah was right behind me," he said.
"I lived there until the age of 11, so it is a very special place to me.
"Dad grew up there and left quite a legacy in Gunnedah, so it's nice to know everyone is still interested and supportive of us."
With the World Cup in his rear-vision mirror, Wilson said he was focused on another form of glory.
"I suppose the loss of the World Cup final has only made me hungrier to win a premiership with my current club Brothers," he said.
"We are sitting first at the moment and real chance to give it a shake this season.
"I was part of the club's colts premiership last season, but I didn't play too many games with them, so I didn't feel as much of part of it. However, this season is my first in the club's top grade and I'm keen to hopefully play a role in a premiership."
Touted by experts as a potential future Super Rugby star, Wilson said he was "not looking too far ahead" into the future. "To be honest, I haven't really given much thought to all of that [Super Rugby]," he said.
"After representing the junior Wallabies my main focus is on helping my club and it has certainly made me hungry for more in terms of representing my country in the future."