New skipper McReight to lead Reds in trial as Carter Gordon starts

Wallabies flanker Fraser McReight will take on his new role as Queensland Reds captain for the first time this weekend, set to lead the team in a 2026 Super Rugby Pacific trial against the NSW Waratahs in Brisbane.

McReight is a former Australia U20s captain (2019) and a one-time leader of the Wallabies, replacing an injured Harry Wilson in that role for a clash with the Springboks last year. The 26-year-old was unveiled by the Reds as the team’s 2026 captain on January 8.

Coach Les Kiss has named McReight at openside flanker for the team’s second pre-season trial, with the skipper joining blindside Seru Uru and No. 8 Joe Brial in an All-Star backrow trio. John Bryant is among those providing cover off the bench.

Former All Black and current Wallaby Aidan Ross has been selected at loosehead prop, packing down alongside Richie Asiata and Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen. Wallabies Josh Canham and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto round out the tight five as the second-row pairing.

Code-hopper Carter Gordon will start at fly-half, linking up with one-Test Wallaby Kalani Thomas in the halves. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips shifts to the bench after wearing the No. 10 jersey against the Western Force in the Reds’ first pre-season fixture.

Dre Pakeho and Isaac Henry are the centres, while Xavier Rubens and Treyvon Pritchard take their place on the wings. Jock Campbell completes the First XV as the first-choice fullback, while others like Wallaby Hunter Paisami have been named on the bench.

“It’s going to be a great feeling to have a game at Ballymore with heaps of family and friends in the grandstand. And we get to play the Waratahs. For us, it’s all about building and improving for the start to the season,” McReight said.

Queensland Reds team to take on Waratahs in pre-season

1 Aidan Ross

2 Richie Asiata

3 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen

4 Josh Canham

5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto

6 Seru Uru

7 Fraser McReight (C)

8 Joe Brial

9 Kalani Thomas

10 Carter Gordon

11 Xavier Rubens

12 Dre Pakeho

13 Isaac Henry

14 Treyvon Pritchard

15 Jock Campbell

Reserves

Lachie Anderson

George Blake

Charlie Brosnan

John Bryant

Nicholas Conway

Massimo De Lutiis

Matt Faessler

Josh Flook

Vaiuta Latu

James Martens

Harry McLaughlin-Phillips

Hamish Muller

Zane Nonggorr

Hunter Paisami

Louis Werchon