Teddy Wilson is officially a Wallaby-in-waiting. The 24-year-old scrum-half, son of former Australia captain and 1999 Rugby World Cup winner David Wilson, has been named in the Australia squad for November’s Nations Championship Tests. It is his first senior call-up, and it adds another chapter to one of the most remarkable father-son dynasties in Australian sport.
Teddy Wilson won an Australian junior boxing title as a 13-year-old (Credits: BBC Sport)
Wilson has earned his shot. He captained Australia at the 2023 Under-20 World Championships and has been in fine form for the Waratahs, and he will now back up first-choice nine Ryan Lonergan alongside Tate McDermott in coach Les Kiss’ 33-strong squad.
Teddy Wilson Australia Call-Up: Following a World Cup Winner Father
The comparisons are inevitable. David Wilson played 79 times for Australia and started at open-side flanker in the 1999 World Cup final win over France at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium. His jersey from that match hangs on display in the family home. But Teddy insists his father has never pushed his children toward rugby.
“Dad doesn’t really put much pressure on myself, he’s been there and done that, obviously, so he definitely tells me a few things and helps me a lot,” Teddy said. “He just lets me play my game and if he needs to say something, he will.” David Wilson moved to Harlequins in 2000 and has since moved into business — and his son took a very different early path, winning an Australian junior boxing title as a 13-year-old before committing to rugby.
Wallabies Father-Son Dynasties: Lynagh, Jorgensen, Bell, Nasser
Wilson is the latest in a series of father-son Wallaby stories. Tom Lynagh, son of Michael Lynagh, started at fly-half in all three Tests against the British and Irish Lions last year. Wing Max Jorgensen, prop Angus Bell and hooker Josh Nasser — all named in this squad alongside Wilson — also have fathers who represented Australia.
The wider squad includes Exeter flanker Tom Hooper and Racing 92 prop Taniela Tupou, while centre Len Ikitau is back from injury. Australia open at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium against England on Sunday, November 8, with fixtures against Scotland and Wales on the following weekends, before returning to Allianz Stadium for a play-off against a northern-hemisphere opponent in the Nations Championship finale.
Also Read: Wales Great Ieuan Evans to Leave Role as British and Irish Lions Chair After Four Years, Andy Farrell’s Ireland Squad: Key Questions Before Argentina, South Africa and the World Cup Countdown
Source: BBC Sport — read the full story there.
