Wallabies riding wave of patriotic support against Ireland / Photo: DAVID GRAY - AFP
Wallabies riding wave of patriotic support against Ireland
Skipper Harry Wilson said Friday Australia will look to feed off a wave of patriotic sporting fever sweeping the country when they face Ireland in the Nations Championship.
The Wallabies meet Andy Farrell's team in a sold-out clash at Sydney on Saturday as part of a massive weekend for Australian sport.
It kicks off in Dallas when the Socceroos take on Egypt for a place in the last 16 of the World Cup, while tennis star Alex de Minaur is in action at Wimbledon as he bids for Grand Slam glory.
The Wallabies then take centre stage before Australia clash with hosts England in the Women's Twenty20 World Cup final at Lord's.
"We love it," said Wilson of sports-mad Australia getting behind their teams and players.
"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.
"It's a really big day of sport tomorrow in Australia," he added. "You've got the Socceroos, you've got the Demon (de Minaur) at Wimbledon, and then us.
"It's an exciting day for Australian sport and hopefully it's a really good day."
The Wallabies will need a fever-pitch crowd to lift them against Ireland, who have won their last five Tests against Australia dating back to 2018.
Wilson said they were fired up to stop the rot and put on a show for their fans.
"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."
E.Mazza--GdR
