Fraser McReight eyes Wallabies Test connection with Reds’ bash brother
Fraser McReight wants to be joined at the hip in Wallabies gold with Harry Wilson.
The Queensland Reds’ “bash brothers” have taken their partnership to new heights under coach Les Kiss, combining with fellow back-rower Liam Wright to become arguably the most well-rounded in the competition.
McReight unseated Michael Hooper to become a Test regular last year, while 12-Test No.8 Wilson has fallen down the pecking order after bursting on to the scene in 2020.
A deflating loss in Perth to the Western Force took some gloss off the fifth-placed Reds’ brilliant start to the season (3-2).
Saturday’s Brisbane clash with the ACT Brumbies (third, 4-1) is an opportunity to rebound, with new Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt a keen observer.
“When we play good football together you can see we’re obviously off each other’s hip,” McReight said.
“But I think it’s just trying to be consistent and making sure that we’re doing it week in, week out.
“The goal is to do it with each other in Test football, that’s probably the end goal.
“We played together when we were 12 … played schoolboys together eight years ago, so eight years of football, going from colts to men’s football.
“We’re great mates off the field as well, so we’re able to have good chats and understand what we need to be better and how to improve each other.”
McReight said the arrival of Kiss, and his willingness for players to use their creativity, had helped their pairing flourish.
“It’s something that we’ve always had,” he said.
“‘Wilso’ loves his offloads, loves his line-breaks, and he’s very arty in the way he likes to play his football – he expresses himself really well.
“My strength is support; I know where he’s going to be and I’ll try and position myself around him.
“If you look back we’ve definitely done it in the past few years, it’s just the way we’ve changed our game plan and been able to focus and have a bit more structure in our attack.
“Like Les says, he doesn’t want to shy away from our strengths, he wants to focus on it, push towards it.”
The Brumbies boast reigning Wallabies player of the year Rob Valetini and exciting new talent Charlie Cale in their back row and are fresh off a brilliant 60-21 defeat of Moana Pasifika.
“They’re very athletic … got a very good combination in terms of the different balance in the back row like here at the Reds,” McReight said.
“It’s a great test for us, and if we want to get back to premiership contenders it’s going to be an important battle on the weekend.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Now if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
4 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
35 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
4 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
4 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
33 Go to comments