Luckless Randwick and Waratahs flyhalf Will Harrison said he watched last year’s Shute Shield grand final from the sideline with mixed emotions. 

Harrison, one of the youngest players ever to sign a professional contract with the Waratahs, suffered two season ending knee injuries in 2022 and 2023 and was forced to watch on as his childhood friends claimed a drought breaking premiership for the Galloping Greens. 

“I would have loved to have been out there. It was such a tight game and tense atmosphere and that’s exactly where you want to be as a footballer,” Harrison told Rugby News. 

“It hurt not to be actively involved, but more than anything I was just so happy for everyone that was. 

“My dad is the general manager at Randwick and seeing him in tears at full time, I was stoked for him because I know how hard he’s worked over the last few years to get the club going in the right direction. 

“He stepped into the role during Covid when things were really tough, then he organised the match against Argentina, then Sayley passed away, it had been a really busy, tough period for the club.”

Still just 24, the early years of Harrison’s promising rugby career are almost hard to believe. 

Touted as a future Wallaby from his schoolboy days at Marcellin College, the Randwick junior has spent far more time in the rehab room then he has on the rugby field since making his Super Rugby debut in 2020. 

“I probably haven’t had a clean season since that first year for the Tahs. In 2021, I had a few small niggly injuries and was in and out of the team, then I had the big knee injury in 2022 and again in 2023. 

“I think I’m due for some luck and I feel if I can sting some games together, I’ve still got a lot of self belief that I can play some good footy.”

While Harrison is back training in non-contact sessions with the Waratahs, his return is still a month or so away. 

“It’s been nice to get a footy back in my hand and get into some field sessions. 

“I’ve spent so much time in rehab and it’s a really lonely place. You almost forget that you’re a footballer because you’re in the gym by yourself while the boys are out there playing and training each week.

“It’s been a tough period, but I think it’s built a lot of resilience in me and hopefully I can turn that into a positive.”

Harrison is in a three way battle for the Waratahs No.10 spot with 23-year old Eastwood playmaker Tane Edmed and 20-year old Eastern Suburb’s flyhalf Jack Bowen and said he’s open to playing his way back into a sky blue jersey in the opening rounds of the Shute Shield. 

“It will really just come down to timing. There are a few NSW A games planned around the time when I should be back on the park so that might be how I first come back but I’d love to play as much as I can at Randwick this year. 

“If I’m not playing for the Waratahs, I want to be playing at Randwick because there is nothing better than running on to Coogee Oval at 3pm on a Saturday and playing in front of your family and friends.”

Harrison said the three young playmakers had developed a healthy rivalry over recent years but didn’t try and hide the fact that he wanted to win back the Waratahs starting spot this season.

“Tane has really stepped up and taken his opportunities so I need to fight for my spot, which is refreshing to be honest. 

“I’ve played more as a utility when I have been on the field over the last few seasons, covering at No.15 or playing at No.12 but my focus this year is to fight for that No.10 spot. 

“It’s the position where I feel most comfortable and it’s the position where I can express myself most and where I think I play my best footy. 

“Obviously I’ll need to wait for an opportunity but if it comes, I’ll be taking it with both hands.”