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Queensland youngster Fraser McReight responds after missing out on Reds captaincy to James O'Connor

(Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)

Fraser McReight is more focused on replacing Liam Wright in the back row than as Queensland Reds captain.

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The young Wallabies talent was tossed up as an option by Tim Horan to fill in for the injured Wright, who could miss up to 10 weeks with an ankle injury.

But it will be reformed rugby renegade James O’Connor leading the Reds onto Suncorp Stadium in Friday’s Super Rugby AU opener against the NSW Waratahs.

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Gregor Townsend and Stuart Hogg on Wales loss | Six Nations 2021

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Gregor Townsend and Stuart Hogg on Wales loss | Six Nations 2021

Still 21, McReight said it was the right call for a rebuilt side that lost last year’s domestic decider to the Brumbies.

“It’s nice to hear (Horan’s endorsement) but I’m not worried about it one bit,” he said.

“It’s my second year properly in the side and whilst Wrongas (Wright) is out there’s a little bit more responsibility for everyone; we’ve all got to step up.

“I’m really excited for James and it’s a pretty cool story to do the full 360 (after a series of off-field issues saw him twice leave Super Rugby for Europe) and I’m pretty proud for him and honoured to run out behind him on Friday.”

Former under-20 Australian captain McReight earned a Wallabies debut under new coach Dave Rennie last year and was deliberately paired with fellow flanker and captain Michael Hooper on his arrival in camp.

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He was initially stepping on eggshells around the skipper thanks to a teammate’s prank that had him preparing for the worst.

“It was a bit uncomfortable for me at first, given he’s competition (for a spot) and he’s the Australian captain and he’s played 99 Tests at that stage,” McReight said.

“The boys were trying to stitch me up but he was really welcoming and said if I needed anything he was there for me so I tried to soak it up like a sponge.”

With long-time Waratah Hooper playing in Japan this season and Wright on the sidelines, McReight has a chance to establish himself as one of Super Rugby’s premier backrowers.

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He said Hooper’s never-ending thirst to improve served as a good reminder for a Reds side eager to turn their talent into the club’s first title since 2011.

“We showed last year we can do it, so this year we put a line in the sand, there’s no more of that (rebuilding) talk,” he said.

“We want to win this competition, and the Trans-Tasman (competition due to follow it) as well.

“But there’s so much hard work we have to do before there’s any thought of winning.”

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R
RedWarrior 1 hour ago
Three-way race to be number one in World Rugby men's rankings

IF SA and NZ win then its 1,2,3 SA/NZ/IRL Otherwise as you were. This is largely irrelevant beyond bragging rights.


As I have pointed out elsewhere the practical use of the Rankings is to determine the seedings bands for the RWC draw. The draw takes place early 2026 and hopefully the rankings will be taken from then.


Important to be in the top 6, the top 12. (and likely the top 4).

This is because there are now 6 groups in the RWC 2027.

If you are in top 6 you are in Seeding Band 1. That means none of the other top 6 will be in your group.

Seeding Band 2 are teams from 7-12, who will have a top 6 team but no other 7-12 team.

After England's defeat by NZ there is clear water between NZ in 3rd, France in 4th and England in 5th. England are desperate for top4, ill come back and explain why later.

Lets look at Seeding Band 1 and 6th place. If you make 6th, no top 6 team is in your group, you are top dog. If you win your group, you won't be facing a top 6 team in your 1/8th final, you will be facing a weaker team. If you fail to make 6th place you WILL have a top 6 team in your group and if you don't win your group you WILL (probably) meet a top 6 in the 1/8 final. That's massive.


Its Argentina holding 6th now. Assuming England hold 5th, then its a 4 horse race for 6th. Argentina, Scotland, Italy and ...Australia. (ranked 6,7,8,9)

Australia play the Lions in NH summer 2025 they are running out of time to get up to 6th for their own RWC. They MUST make a move now. They must beat Wales and they really must beat Scotland to gain points and take points off them. Could they surprise England or Ireland? England may be the better bet but Schmidt knows Ireland so well having masterminded their downfall in France.

Another one to watch is Italy V Argentina. Italy are ambitious and they will want to start pushing the likes of Argentina. If they win this they are still in the hunt. Well worth a watch either way.


Top4: I think the top 6 will be seeded, all the way through from the draw. If thats the case then the top 4 will be seeded to avoid each other until the semi. Good for more certainty around ticket sales etc. That's a possible reason why England want in there. You're not in there you are hitting a top 4 team in a QF. That's an extra 50:50 match you can do without and avoid by being top 4.


Lets look at what Seeding bands might look like with todays rankings:


Seeding Band 1

IRE/SA/NZ/FRA/ENG/ARG

Seeding Band 2

SCO/ITA/AUS/FIJ/WAL/GEO


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: FIJI

1/8 final opponent GEORGIA

Prognosis: advance to 1/4 and potentially beyond


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if NOT in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: SOUTH AFRICA

1/8 final opponent NEW ZEALAND

Prognosis: You know the prognosis


I am pretty sure this is not lost on Joe Schmidt?


Keep in mind when enjoying the matches.

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