Wallabies star Fraser McReight refuses to wallow in the aftermath of the failed Rugby World Cup campaign, determined to ensure the experience makes him rather than breaks him.
Back in Queensland Reds colours at the unveiling of a new principal partner for the club – BMS Group – the forward would not be drawn over the fiasco that led to the resignation of coach Eddie Jones and axing of Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan.
Fraser McReight has vowed to use the World Cup campaign as his launch to bigger and better things.Credit: Getty
From before the campaign in France had begun, concern was rife in the public eye as veterans such as Michael Hooper, Bernard Foley and Quade Cooper were overlooked for a host of young players, on the back of a winless Rugby Championship.
Since a five-point win over Wales last November, the last under former mentor Dave Rennie, the Wallabies’ only victories have come against minnows Georgia and Portugal.
But McReight declared the harsh lessons of 2023 had steeled him for a palpable Super Rugby season.
He played a straight bat when asked if speculation regarding Jones’ future during the World Cup, amid reports he had already interviewed for the Japan head coaching role, had affected the team.
“To be honest the World Cup’s behind us now. I think with all that sort of chat, I personally wish him the best, but for us it’s done,” McReight said.
“It’s about bringing the lessons, all that growth from the World Cup, back here to the Reds.
“It was a tough campaign, definitely. But I think it was a good stage to grow and learn, you only know once you get there how it’s going to go.”
McReight said he was keen to take everything he improved on during the Wallabies campaign and bring it back to Queensland.
“I suppose it depends on the player you ask and what their mindset is and how they’re built. I can’t talk about anyone else but myself, I know what it’s done for me, and I’m super eager to get back on the park and rip in with the Reds.”
Fraser McReight after Australia’s loss to Wales.Credit: AP
The Reds’ welcomed back their Wallabies contingent to preseason training last week, enabling new coach Les Kiss to stamp his mark at Ballymore.
It coincided with the return from injury of Liam Wright, who had been sidelined having undergone shoulder surgery late in the 2023 season.
The Queensland co-captain managed just 41 games in the past four years, but was now back training.
Liam Wright has will return to the field, determined to cast aside a plagued injury history.Credit: Getty
According to Kiss, the flanker’s exposure to the coaching ranks during the recent Challenger Series and clash with the Saitama Wild Knights was set to make him a more formidable leader.
“I’m nearly going to take him into the coaching staff. Liam’s worked hard on the injury, but he hasn’t stayed latent, he’s actually engaged with the game,” Kiss said.
“I think it was a great insight for him to be involved in the coaching part of it. It was just another depth of understanding of how he can make an impact as a leader in the club.
“I’m really pleased his last week-and a-half back in full training has gone really well for him.”
