Reds vs Waratahs takes: Reds the real deal but injury to Wallaby a worry

An Australian team hasn’t won Super Rugby Pacific in a long, long time, but there’s every reason to believe the Queensland Reds can snap that streak in 2025. The Reds dominated arch-rivals the NSW Waratahs 35-15 at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on Saturday evening.

The Tahs led by one-point midway through the first half, but it was simply all the Queenslanders from there who piled on 28 unanswered points. While the New South Welshman had a late say through Wallaby Langi Gleeson, it was never going to change the outcome.

Here are some takeaways from the Reds’ big win.

Reds prove they’re a genuine title contender

With a smirk and a wink, coach Dan McKellar didn’t change course.

After the Waratahs’ big win over the Western Force last weekend, McKellar told reporters in Sydney that the Reds were “the best team” in the competition.

Queensland were unbeaten from two matches at that stage, but ended up losing for the first time in 2025 less than 24 hours later, going down to the Crusaders in Christchurch.

Ouch.

Reds coach Les Kiss hit back at McKellar this week with a fairly playful response, but the stage had still been set for one of the biggest matches in Australia’s rugby union calendar. Queensland versus New South Wales is something else, and you’ll read that multiple times.

With all the pressure and expectation that comes with potentially being the best team in Super Rugby Pacific, the Reds lived up to the hype on Saturday.

Spoiler alert for those reading on but Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight and Tom Lynagh were all among the standouts. Shoutout to captain Tate McDermott who led by example, too, as the scrum-half drove the team around the park.

While last weekend’s one-sided loss to the Crusaders may suggest they’re not actually the number one team in the competition, there’s no doubt the Reds are a genuine title contender this season.

That’s something we all now know after this round five masterclass.

But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows.

The Reds may have lost their best player.

The Reds’ title hopes may have taken a McHit

Fraser McReight re-signed with the Queensland Rugby Union and Rugby Australia for three more years earlier this week. It’s a major coup for the sport in Australia, with McReight emerging as one of the world’s leading openside flankers in recent Test seasons.

That’s what makes this next takeaway so concerning.

McReight scored a spectacular somersault-finish try during the second half but, unfortunately for Aussie rugby, the backrower came off second best. After celebrating the try, McReight was left holding his left shoulder but continued to play for two minutes or so.

But, during another break in play, the broadcast cameras panned to McReight who seemed to be in some discomfort. With a frustrated look stretched across his face, McReight took off his headgear before walking off the field.

It’s unknown at this stage whether McReight will spend time on the sidelines, but it’s not looking good.

For the Reds, this could have a big say on their title hopes.

They need McReight on the park.

Waratahs new-look halves pairing shows signs of promise

It doesn’t get much bigger if you’re a Waratah.

The same can be said if you’re a Reds player, too.

There’s something different about New South Wales versus Queensland. It’s ferocious, intense, dramatic even, and it’s where Wallaby hopefuls truly put to the test. Teddy Wilson was given a golden chance to impress this weekend, and the future-Wallaby was reliable at No. 9.

With usual captain and scrum-half Jake Gordon ruled out, coach Dan McKeller turned to former Australia U20 star Wilson for an opportunity to shine. Heralded as a future Wallaby, this was a significant milestone for the halfback opposite Tate McDermott.

Less than three minutes into the match, Wilson had an impact.

It was all Waratahs early on, with the scrum-half helping the men in sky blue march up the field. It was only fitting that Wilson finished of this scintillating passage of play with a try assist, sending winger Triston Reilly over for an early try.

In a new-look halves combination with former Queensland Red Lawson Creighton, who was named to start ahead of Wallaby Tane Edmed for the second match on the bounce, the Waratahs seem to be in good hands with some younger playmakers if called upon.

New South Wales-born Harry Wilson bleeds Queensland red

Harry Wilson is a leader.

Whether it’s with the Wallabies or Reds, Wilson is a man that others look to when the going gets tough and the tough gets going. No moment proved that more in Saturday’s Aussie derby than Wilson’s much-needed try in the 27^th minute.

With the Tahs leading by a slender one-point advantage, the Reds unleashed waves of attacking pressure in a bid to take back control on the scoreboard. While the New South Welshman fought desperately in defence, eventually, something had to give.

Wilson was the hero the Queenslanders needed.

Tate McDermott presented the opportunity with a short, shove-pass from the base of the truck, with Wilson bumping off Joey Walton before crashing into the in-goal. But what happened next embodies Harry Wilson’s importance to the Reds better than any mere try.

Blood streamed from Wilson’s nose as the No. 8 leapt up from the sacred turf at the world-famous Brisbane sporting venue. But rather than turn for medical intervention right away, or enjoy the celebrations of the go-ahead try, Wilson focused on the next task.

With a look of determination, Wilson walked back to halfway, with blood still dripping.

That’s cold.

Generally, Wilson was a workhorse and was arguably the best backrower on the park during the first half. It’s incredible that ‘Wilso’ was a forgotten Wallaby this time last year, but is now Australia’s captain and a strong choice at that.