Son of a Wallabies captain looms large in first Kiss squad
Fresh from signing a NSW Waratahs contract extension, an already good news week could be about to get a whole lot better for Teddy Wilson.
Nine.com.au understands that Wilson – the son of former Wallabies captain David – is firmly in the mix for a call-up to the Test squad.
Waratahs halfback Teddy Wilson is the son of Queensland great David. nna\sworthington
The 23-year-old was in the mix to be in Joe Schmidt’s Nations Championship squad before the outgoing coach stuck with Kalani Thomas as his third halfback instead.
New Wallabies coach Les Kiss names his first squad on Thursday in Sydney ahead of the clash with Eddie Jones’ Japan in Osaka on October 8.
A former junior boxing and league star, Wilson’s dogged defence, left boot and nose for the try-line has most close observers thinking it’s a matter of when, not if, he pulls on the gold jersey.
Nic White’s retirement and Jake Gordon’s Achilles tendon tear has the former Junior Wallabies captain on the cusp of joining Ryan Lonergan and Tate McDermott in the national squad.
Wilson this week agreed to a one-year extension with NSW.
“It’s great to sign on with the Waratahs for another season,” Wilson said.
“This is home for me. I grew up supporting the Waratahs and always dreamed of pulling on the sky-blue jersey. Every opportunity I get to wear the jersey, I don’t take it for granted.
“I’m really looking forward to next season. I want to continue to work hard and develop as a player and bring the success to this club that the people of NSW deserve.”
Queensland Reds centre Isaac Henry is firming as another big winner on Thursday after Len Ikitau had a minor operation on his ankle.
Kiss is also sweating over the fitness of Hunter Paisami, with the Japan-bound midfielder battling a knee issue.
There also remains some doubt over playmaker Carter Gordon, who hasn’t featured since suffering a calf injury against Ireland on July 4.
Should Kiss take a cautious approach over the fly-half’s return, the former Reds boss could lean on Harry McLaughlin-Phillips as continued cover at No.10.
Declan Meredith and Ben Donaldson are the incumbents and likely to steer the ship against Japan, with Kiss not expected to turn to Noah Lolesio or Bernard Foley.
Prop Taniela Tupou is expected to be available for the Japan games before having to return to France ahead of next year’s Top 14 season.
And Jordan Petaia remains firmly in the conversation to earn a recall for the first time since the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
