From the high, and excitement, of his stunning debut, Harry Wilson's second test for the Wallabies was a more sobering experience on a couple of fronts.
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The Gunnedah product was a notable absentee from Saturday's captain's run and team photo, with Wallabies coach Dave Rennie revealing in the post-match press conference he had spent about 36 hours in hospital in the lead-up to the game with what was later revealed to be a foot infection.
Fortunately he was cleared to play and took his place at the back of the scrum.
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Looking to end a 34-year drought, the Wallabies' horror run against the All Blacks at Eden Park continued with the New Zealand side blowing them away early in the second half en route to a 27-7 victory and their 20th straight win over the Wallabies at the venue.
One of the Wallabies best in his debut, Wilson worked hard around the field but didn't noticeably have quite the same impact ball in hand as he did in the first test.
He was still one of the most effective ball carriers for the Wallabies in his 51 minute stint with 26 metres from six carries (according to RUGBY.com.au stats), and "put in a pretty good shift" Rennie thought considering.
Shifting to eight, he did too play a bit of a different role, and was busier in defence with seven tackles including a couple of good hits on All Blacks star Beauden Barrett, which seemed to draw the ire of the Eden Park crowd.
Rennie was asked about him seeming to target the fullback defensively in the first half in the press conference, and whether that was something they had talked about during the week.
"Look, Harry's a big man, any big man gets anywhere near a little guy he wants to have a crack at him obviously," he replied.
The Wallabies now return back to Australia and have two weeks to regroup before the third Bledisloe at ANZ Stadium on October 31.
