Wallabies star Fraser McReight has announced himself as Rugby Australia’s next major retention priority, with the standout flanker’s emphatic display triggering Queensland’s 56-36 triumph over Moana Pasifika to open their Super Rugby Pacific account.
The 26-year-old was instrumental in four tries to Filipo Daugunu, Tim Ryan, Ryan Smith and Harry McLaughlin-Phillips – forced turnovers, deft offloads and short balls, and hard line runs all featuring in those involvements.
Fraser McReight goes over to score for the Reds against Moana Pasifika on Friday night.Credit: Getty Images
It was fitting he scored one himself to ice a palpable performance which was only marred by a moment of ill-discipline in the ruck, which drew a yellow card on the halftime siren.
McReight went on to finish with 66 running metres, 18 tackles and a linebreak assist; all the more impressive given his opposite number was All Blacks great Ardie Savea.
‘As a player you want to go against the best, and Fraser has been world class the last couple of years.’
Ardie Savea on Fraser McReight
Now that Test skipper Harry Wilson has been secured for the next four years, Rugby Australia will turn their attention to the next priority signing.
McReight proved he needed to be focal in the Wallabies plans, with lucrative overseas competitions likely to be watching with eagle-eyes as he comes off contract this year.
“He’s just taken off from where he finished. His influence is heavy, it’s not only at the tight stuff you’re seeing that at the loose stuff as well, and his combination with Seru [Uru] and Harry was crucial again for us,” Reds coach Les Kiss said.
“He is a priority that’s for sure, but that combination is three-man – the work rate was high, the tackle count was immense … and Fraser seemed to be in the middle of it.”
Wallabies great’s son charting his own path
Despite making his Wallabies debut in 2024, Tom Lynagh was no guarantee to claim the Reds’ five-eighth duties, as McLaughlin-Phillips mounted his case.
But the 21-year-old son of Test great Michael Lynagh proved why he won the race, pulling the strings in the face of a physical Moana Pasifika pack.
Tom Lynagh in action for the Reds.Credit: Getty Images
Having impressed with his booming kicking game, the young No.10 sought to improve his running game, and the fruits of that were soon on show.
Lynagh’s jinking darts and late offloads regularly got the Reds over the advantage line, with one raid unleashing fullback Jock Campbell to put his side in prime field position for Matt Faessler to score, before another charge laid the platform for Smith to cross.
He was even perfect with the boot – nailing seven goals from seven attempts – leading Reds halfback and co-captain Tate McDermott to agree he was on his way to becoming the complete five-eighth.
Lynagh is the only man who wore the No.10 jumper for the Wallabies last year who is signed beyond 2025, and how Rugby Australia tackles their retention pursuits of Noah Lolesio, Tane Edmed and Ben Donaldson could thrust Lynagh into the mix for the British and Irish Lions tour and beyond.
“I thought he took great control of the team. They were tough conditions, but his running, his combination with Hunter [Paaisami] and the way they can pull defences apart at the line is really impressive,” McDermott said.
“The way he kicked us out of trouble as well [was strong], and they put some high balls up for him, so I thought he was great.”
Grit over flash
The Kiss era at Ballymore may have been billed as one where players are backed to trust their attacking instincts, but Friday night demonstrated how far they had come off the ball.
Yellow cards to Paisami, McReight and Smith in the first half had the Reds on the back foot, yet they only conceded one try.
Kiss dismissed suggestions discipline was a problem, but rather the byproduct of the amount of goal line defence they were forced into.
Queensland were ultimately forced to make 207 tackles to Moana Pasifika’s 82, and had just 36 per cent of possession.
“I’m super proud of that fight – 30 minutes, three yellow cards, crazy stuff. The way the boys responded and kept showing up was incredible,” McDermott said. “It shows really good fruits for us in the future. Even though there were a couple of infringements we will take a look at and clean up, we can be really proud of that and know that’s a fail-safe for us.”
Fullback hunt reignites
A suspected arm injury to Campbell soured the Reds’ win, opening the door for Mason Gordon and Lachlan Anderson to vie for the No.15 jersey.
Kiss was unsure of his fullback’s condition on Friday night, but confident he had the depth to cover the void if it opened up, with Gordon set to return from a minor injury concern ahead of next week’s Western Force clash.
“I don’t want to jump the gun on a replacement for Jock until we get clarity on it, but we’ve got options,” Kiss said.
