Harry Potter and the end of being a Wallabies novelty
At the end of his spellbinding week, there was still one more joke for the road for the ever-patient Harry Potter to endure.
“You’re a magician, Harry!” laughed a Wallabies teammate, scuttling by while watching the try-scoring debutant being interviewed yet once more outside the Murrayfield dressing rooms.
To which Harry, smiling good-naturedly as ever, could only groan to reporters, “Is that on your recorder as well now?…”
But, actually, this was the end of novelty-value time in JK Rowling’s Edinburgh manor, and time to toast the unveiling of Harry Potter, real-life international rugby star.
He’d had a distinguished, if losing debut, culminating in a spectacular score that answered the caption writers’ prayers near the end of the Wallabies’ 27-13 defeat to Scotland.
But the whole storybook experience left Potter, probably the best Wallabies back on view, ever more determined to feature in what he’s convinced will be a golden future for the sport.
“It was an unbelievable experience,” said the Western Force utility back. “Second to making your debut in Australia, I’d say Murrayfield’s got to be the best place.
“The anthems were both really, really special as was the whole game, in front of an incredible crowd in one of the great rugby grounds in the world to do it.”
Potter says he plays to win and could only view his maiden try – Australia’s solitary one of the afternoon – after Scotland had run in four as “very much a consolation”.
At the time, though, with five minutes still left on the clock, he didn’t. Hence, the businesslike run back to the halfway line with no celebrations.
“I felt like maybe we were still in with a sniff. Back Dono (Ben Donaldson) to get the kick over, and then we’re 14 points behind … but not to be.”
His debut score in the 27-13 loss wasn’t to be sniffed at though.
Winning a race against George Horne to latch on to Tate McDermott’s kick-and-chase was impressive enough, but his roll-over and ball-juggling act in touching down a split second before his knee took him out the in-goal was definitely worthy of his name.
He’s desperate for another crack at a maiden triumph against Ireland in the tour finale, as are his teammates, all deflated by the end of the ‘grand slam’ dream.
“Hundred per cent, a win over Ireland is important. You could look at it and say, ‘well, the grand slam’s lost’ but while our fans at home will be upset we can’t do that now, certainly the feeling is that we we’re going to get better and we’re going to go again next week.
“Tonight was a bit of a blip, but we’ve got a chance against one of the best teams in the world next week. Whether it’s for a grand slam or to win 3-1 on this tour in Europe, it doesn’t really matter, we’ll get better.”
And so will Potter, the whole experience having energised him.
“There’s such an exciting Wallabies calendar over the next few years.
“We’ve missed the grand slam boat unfortunately, but we’ve got a game against Ireland next, a Lions tour, more Tests, then a TRC to do much better in, and back up to Europe as well. Then a home World Cup.
“I’m really excited about what’s coming, and certainly motivated to play more games for this Wallabies team.”
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