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Wallaby Fraser McReight inks new deal with Reds despite ‘other offers’
By Finn Morton
Wallabies flanker Fraser McReight has turned down other offers to instead re-commit to Rugby Australia and the Queensland Reds until the end of 2028. McReight is the latest Wallaby to re-sign with Australian rugby, joining the likes of Harry Wilson and Matt Faessler.
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As reported by The Roar’s Christy Doran, McReight was believed to have had lucrative offers on the table, with one club in Japan apparently willing to sign the Wallabies’ star backrower on a seven-figure, multi-year deal.
But in a major coup for Australian rugby ahead of the British and Irish Lions Series and a home Rugby World Cup in 2027, McReight has decided to remain with the Reds. The Brisbane-based club have also recently re-signed Wallabies Wilson, Faessler and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto.
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McReight is considered one of the Wallabies’ key players, with the breakdown-guru receiving a nomination for the prestigious John Eales Medal in 2024. The Queenslander didn’t win that award but did take home Australia’s Super Rugby Player of the Year for the second season on the bounce.
Under coach Joe Schmidt, McReight has become a regular starter in Wallaby gold, with the No. 7 starting eight Test matches in 2024. McReight was a standout in both Bledisloe Cup Tests against the All Blacks, with the flanker scoring a try in both matches.
With some big years ahead for Australian rugby, McReight is excited for the future with both club and country after put pen to paper on this contract extension.
“I’m very happy to have my contract resolved for the next three years and I can concentrate on those good times ahead with the Reds, the Wallabies and my teammates,” McReight said in a statement.
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“There were other offers but my heart has always been with the Reds and the Wallabies. Queensland is my home and it means so much to represent my family and friends and playing for your country is the highest honour where you get to represent where you come from with pride.
“There are some huge events ahead in rugby in this country, and as a nation we are rebuilding and I want to be part of that.”
McReight is a former captain of the Junior Wallabies, with the backrower showing world-class potential as the Aussies made the final at the World Rugby U20 Championship in 2019. Heralded as a player for the future, McReight certainly lived up to the hype.
After debuting for the Reds against the Stormers that same year, it didn’t take long for the Aussie to enter the Test arena. McReight first played for the Wallabies in 2020 against the All Blacks and has gone on to make 25 appearances at international level.
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There’s been a lot of talk about McReight’s form in Super Rugby already this season, and with good reason, with the openside standing out once again during three starts to date. McReight scored a try against Moana Pasifika in round two and generally been consistent.
“Fraser continues Australian rugby’s reputation of developing strong openside flankers and we are excited to keep him with the Wallabies and Reds for a further three years through to 2028,” Rugby Australia’s Director of High Performance, Peter Horne, explained.
“He has established himself as a regular member of the Wallabies squad and we hope he will continue to play a pivotal role as we approach an extraordinary runway of major events at home, starting with this year’s British and Irish Lions Tour.
“Like his Reds backrow teammate Harry Wilson, Fraser is entering his prime years as an international player and his commitment to Australian rugby extends beyond the Rugby World Cup in Australia in 2027.”
Queensland Reds coach Les Kiss added: “Fraser is not only one of the world’s best openside flankers, he has a really positive influence within the locker room and has taken on extra leadership responsibilities.
“The re-signing of Harry Wilson, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Matt Faessler and not Fraser is great news for the Reds for years to come and it is the same for the strength of the Wallabies.”
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