This morning, TDA Sport had the opportunity to interview rugby union player Harry Potter. The 26-year-old made his Wallabies debut against Scotland last week and was Australia’s sole try-scorer. Potter has been named on the bench for this Sunday’s clash against Ireland.
George: Harry, thanks for joining. It’s been almost a week since you debuted for the Wallabies. How was that experience?
Harry: Unbelievable. In terms of places to debut, having only played one game and having one reference point, Murrayfield was unbelievable. Listening to the [Australian] National Anthem and then going into the Scottish National Anthem with a packed house at an iconic rugby venue, it was special. A tough result, unfortunately, but I had some time to smell the roses even if we did lose the game.
George: Unreal. Can you take me back to the moment you found out you were going to play?
Harry: We were going into a team meeting in the middle of the week to find out who was in the team. I wasn’t expecting it too much but there was a glimmer of hope because one of the coaches came up to me before the meeting and said “If there’s a yellow card then you’d be a good option on the side of the scrum”. I thought, ‘hang on a second, that’s a pretty weird thing to tell me’. So, I was going in quietly confident but not counting my chickens before they hatched. Overall, it was a nice surprise, especially to start on debut too.
George: And how were the nerves on the day of your debut?
Harry: Nerves…excitement – you get a bit of both. Having played in a couple of big games, no games as big as that of course, it’s important that you just relish the excitement and park the nerves as much as you can.
George: And how about the try? You just managed to get that ball down before the deadball line. Do you remember that or was it all just a blur?
Harry: I remember confidently getting the ball down and then [the referees] checking the try for about five minutes. So it was all a little bit of a blur. But it’s funny, in such a sort of flash of a moment I did feel quite confident I’d scored the try and then it was in the hands of the referees. I was grateful they made the right decision there.
George: Just zooming out…it’s been a pretty long journey. You’re 26 and cracked the national team. Were there times when you thought about doing something else?
Harry: I’ve taken my rugby career one step at a time. It’s a bit cliche but I’ve enjoyed the little wins and getting into various teams and trying to play well in those teams. Going from amateur rugby and then from one professional club to another just slowly and steadily, I’ve had little bits of success. I might be 26 but I’m grateful for the journey it’s been.
George: Can you give us any insight into Wallabies Coach Joe Schmidt’s coaching style and his leadership of the team?
Harry: You can tell he spends a lot of time thinking about the game and how to improve the team. I think the incredibly well-thought-out process he always goes through is really valuable to the team. He has a great eye for things on the training field and during the game. He’s been a really cool coach to have in terms of attending to the smaller details of a rugby game that some coaches might gloss over.
George: How sick of the magic and wizardry puns are you?
Harry: Well I’m not that sick of it. In making a debut for the Wallabies your name pops up in a few more places, and you get a whole influx of Harry Potter jokes. It’s always interesting to see what jokes are repeated and what’s new. There’s been a few moments in the last week where I’ve gone “tough joke” (rolls eyes) but some where I’ve got to tip my hat at that one.
George: Have you got an example of one you could tip your hat at?
Harry: Oh I think “You’re a winger Harry” from a long time ago was funny and now it’s just absolutely been slaughtered. And then more novelly this week someone wrote “The Boy Who Debuted, Come To Try” which of course is similar to the famous line.
George: Have you read the books?
Harry: Nah I haven’t read any of the books. I watched the movies when I was young and then a few weeks ago my housemates forced me through all eight movies and I was pretty impressed. They’re actually not bad to be fair. I can’t resent it too much.
George: Who’s your rugby idol?
Harry: As a young fella I was always impressed by Brian O’Driscoll but it’s not a good week to say that because he was a very impressive Irish player. But he was such a great player to watch when I was a kid. And although not at all Irish myself I did have plenty of respect for him.
George: Well I guess you can give Ireland a little taste of their own medicine this weekend.
Harry: Let’s hope so. Exactly right.
George: Thanks, Harry. Appreciate your time and best of luck this weekend.
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