Michael Hooper’s heir apparent embraces Eddie Jones’ ‘honest’ feedback

When former captain Michael Hooper was sensationally omitted from the Wallabies’ squad for the upcoming Rugby World Cup, it seemed like the dawn of a new era.

Coach Eddie Jones picked a young squad, with more than 75 per cent of the group preparing for their first World Cup campaign. It’s quite a stunning stat for a tier-one nation, but Eddie has a plan.

With the British and Irish Lions set to tour Australia in 2025, and with a home World Cup also on the horizon, many of these young Wallabies are expected to serve the gold jersey for the years to come.

One of those players is “fetching seven” Fraser McReight.

McReight, 24, has played two Test matches under coach Jones this year – both at openside flanker. The former Junior Wallabies skipper started against Argentina in Sydney, and was recalled for Bledisloe II in Dunedin.

While the Wallabies have other options at openside, including young gun Tom Hooper, McReight has been earmarked as Michael Hooper’s heir apparent for quite some time.

The jersey, it seems, could be his for the taking.

“(The coaching staff) were happy with how I played. I think they wanted a bit more pressure around the ruck which I wasn’t able to get,” McReight told reporters on Wednesday.

“Sometimes games are like that, as a seven, as a fetching seven like myself, I’m always hunting for the ball but sometimes it just doesn’t go your way.

“With Eddie, all the messaging is quite clear and he’s very honest with you with where he sees you and where he sees you can get to.

“For me it’s all been really positive. He’s told me things to work on and I want to do that and I’ve been doing that. Super excited to keep progressing in France.”

On the eve of the Wallabies’ departure for France – with the team flying out in style from Sydney International Airport on Thursday – McReight fronted the press.

With a smile on his face, the Brisbane Grammar School Old Boy spoke about getting the call to say he made the squad, Michael Hooper, and of course coach Jones.

But it almost didn’t matter what McReight was asked. At the end of practically every response, the Wallaby expressed how “excited” he is about the upcoming Rugby World Cup.

“I think it’s going to be a great challenge over there,” McReight added.

“In terms of personal (responsibility) and all that sort of stuff, I don’t really want to buy into that. As a team we have a lot of work to do so I think for me it’s just trying to be consistent.

“In terms of right now I’ve got a lot of things in my game I want to work on and I have to fight for that jersey. We’ve got a competitive group.. for me it’s just trying to grind and enjoy the experience.”