Latest news with #FraserMcReight
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Restocked Reds prepped for 'do or die' footy
Fraser McReight is confident his Queensland Reds are yet to hit top gear, dismissing their poor record against Super Rugby's best sides ahead of the finals. The Reds host Fijian Drua in their final regular season game at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday, with the visitors winless away from home this season and out of top-six contention. Queensland can finish as high as fourth, which would still mean a road trip to begin their finals series but increase their chances of a second life, as the highest-placed loser in the new-look format, should they stumble next week. Fifth entering the final round, the Reds are yet to beat any of the sides sitting above them this year. A tight loss to the Hurricanes last week followed a pair of narrow defeats to the ACT Brumbies, while they were also beaten in New Zealand by the Chiefs and Crusaders. But McReight is adamant Queensland are capable. "We can mix it with anyone," he said, adding the Reds could go up a gear. "The last few weeks, we have had some up and down performances, had our chances. "But we're getting some key members back and building for next week and do-or-die footy." Test centre Josh Flook will be the latest reinforcement, back from a hamstring injury, after incumbent Test skipper Harry Wilson made an impressive return from a broken arm last week. Halves pairing Tate McDermott and Tom Lynagh will also be hopeful of steering the Reds deep into the finals, with Test coach Joe Schmidt acknowledging that as an advantage at the selection table. That continuity will reach new heights next year, with McDermott confirming on Friday he would not take up the option of a sabbatical to play overseas next season. The Drua are winless away from home this year but remain dangerous, as the Reds are well aware after falling victim for a third time in Fiji earlier this season. "They're a pretty dangerous side but in the weather … we have a great set piece game so hopefully we can use that to our advantage and it's too wet for us to also move the ball and have some fun with it," McReight said. Fraser McReight is confident his Queensland Reds are yet to hit top gear, dismissing their poor record against Super Rugby's best sides ahead of the finals. The Reds host Fijian Drua in their final regular season game at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday, with the visitors winless away from home this season and out of top-six contention. Queensland can finish as high as fourth, which would still mean a road trip to begin their finals series but increase their chances of a second life, as the highest-placed loser in the new-look format, should they stumble next week. Fifth entering the final round, the Reds are yet to beat any of the sides sitting above them this year. A tight loss to the Hurricanes last week followed a pair of narrow defeats to the ACT Brumbies, while they were also beaten in New Zealand by the Chiefs and Crusaders. But McReight is adamant Queensland are capable. "We can mix it with anyone," he said, adding the Reds could go up a gear. "The last few weeks, we have had some up and down performances, had our chances. "But we're getting some key members back and building for next week and do-or-die footy." Test centre Josh Flook will be the latest reinforcement, back from a hamstring injury, after incumbent Test skipper Harry Wilson made an impressive return from a broken arm last week. Halves pairing Tate McDermott and Tom Lynagh will also be hopeful of steering the Reds deep into the finals, with Test coach Joe Schmidt acknowledging that as an advantage at the selection table. That continuity will reach new heights next year, with McDermott confirming on Friday he would not take up the option of a sabbatical to play overseas next season. The Drua are winless away from home this year but remain dangerous, as the Reds are well aware after falling victim for a third time in Fiji earlier this season. "They're a pretty dangerous side but in the weather … we have a great set piece game so hopefully we can use that to our advantage and it's too wet for us to also move the ball and have some fun with it," McReight said. Fraser McReight is confident his Queensland Reds are yet to hit top gear, dismissing their poor record against Super Rugby's best sides ahead of the finals. The Reds host Fijian Drua in their final regular season game at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday, with the visitors winless away from home this season and out of top-six contention. Queensland can finish as high as fourth, which would still mean a road trip to begin their finals series but increase their chances of a second life, as the highest-placed loser in the new-look format, should they stumble next week. Fifth entering the final round, the Reds are yet to beat any of the sides sitting above them this year. A tight loss to the Hurricanes last week followed a pair of narrow defeats to the ACT Brumbies, while they were also beaten in New Zealand by the Chiefs and Crusaders. But McReight is adamant Queensland are capable. "We can mix it with anyone," he said, adding the Reds could go up a gear. "The last few weeks, we have had some up and down performances, had our chances. "But we're getting some key members back and building for next week and do-or-die footy." Test centre Josh Flook will be the latest reinforcement, back from a hamstring injury, after incumbent Test skipper Harry Wilson made an impressive return from a broken arm last week. Halves pairing Tate McDermott and Tom Lynagh will also be hopeful of steering the Reds deep into the finals, with Test coach Joe Schmidt acknowledging that as an advantage at the selection table. That continuity will reach new heights next year, with McDermott confirming on Friday he would not take up the option of a sabbatical to play overseas next season. The Drua are winless away from home this year but remain dangerous, as the Reds are well aware after falling victim for a third time in Fiji earlier this season. "They're a pretty dangerous side but in the weather … we have a great set piece game so hopefully we can use that to our advantage and it's too wet for us to also move the ball and have some fun with it," McReight said.
West Australian
3 days ago
- Sport
- West Australian
Restocked Reds prepped for 'do or die' footy
Fraser McReight is confident his Queensland Reds are yet to hit top gear, dismissing their poor record against Super Rugby's best sides ahead of the finals. The Reds host Fijian Drua in their final regular season game at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday, with the visitors winless away from home this season and out of top-six contention. Queensland can finish as high as fourth, which would still mean a road trip to begin their finals series but increase their chances of a second life, as the highest-placed loser in the new-look format, should they stumble next week. Fifth entering the final round, the Reds are yet to beat any of the sides sitting above them this year. A tight loss to the Hurricanes last week followed a pair of narrow defeats to the ACT Brumbies, while they were also beaten in New Zealand by the Chiefs and Crusaders. But McReight is adamant Queensland are capable. "We can mix it with anyone," he said, adding the Reds could go up a gear. "The last few weeks, we have had some up and down performances, had our chances. "But we're getting some key members back and building for next week and do-or-die footy." Test centre Josh Flook will be the latest reinforcement, back from a hamstring injury, after incumbent Test skipper Harry Wilson made an impressive return from a broken arm last week. Halves pairing Tate McDermott and Tom Lynagh will also be hopeful of steering the Reds deep into the finals, with Test coach Joe Schmidt acknowledging that as an advantage at the selection table. That continuity will reach new heights next year, with McDermott confirming on Friday he would not take up the option of a sabbatical to play overseas next season. The Drua are winless away from home this year but remain dangerous, as the Reds are well aware after falling victim for a third time in Fiji earlier this season. "They're a pretty dangerous side but in the weather … we have a great set piece game so hopefully we can use that to our advantage and it's too wet for us to also move the ball and have some fun with it," McReight said.
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Restocked Reds prepped for 'do or die' footy
Fraser McReight is confident his Queensland Reds are yet to hit top gear, dismissing their poor record against Super Rugby's best sides ahead of the finals. The Reds host Fijian Drua in their final regular season game at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday, with the visitors winless away from home this season and out of top-six contention. Queensland can finish as high as fourth, which would still mean a road trip to begin their finals series but increase their chances of a second life, as the highest-placed loser in the new-look format, should they stumble next week. Fifth entering the final round, the Reds are yet to beat any of the sides sitting above them this year. A tight loss to the Hurricanes last week followed a pair of narrow defeats to the ACT Brumbies, while they were also beaten in New Zealand by the Chiefs and Crusaders. But McReight is adamant Queensland are capable. "We can mix it with anyone," he said, adding the Reds could go up a gear. "The last few weeks, we have had some up and down performances, had our chances. "But we're getting some key members back and building for next week and do-or-die footy." Test centre Josh Flook will be the latest reinforcement, back from a hamstring injury, after incumbent Test skipper Harry Wilson made an impressive return from a broken arm last week. Halves pairing Tate McDermott and Tom Lynagh will also be hopeful of steering the Reds deep into the finals, with Test coach Joe Schmidt acknowledging that as an advantage at the selection table. That continuity will reach new heights next year, with McDermott confirming on Friday he would not take up the option of a sabbatical to play overseas next season. The Drua are winless away from home this year but remain dangerous, as the Reds are well aware after falling victim for a third time in Fiji earlier this season. "They're a pretty dangerous side but in the weather … we have a great set piece game so hopefully we can use that to our advantage and it's too wet for us to also move the ball and have some fun with it," McReight said.
News.com.au
08-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Reds have plenty to play for in grudge match against the Waratahs
'Do-or-die footy' has come early for the Queensland Reds in their bid to secure a Super Rugby Pacific home qualifying final. Fourth on the ladder ahead of their interstate grudge match against the NSW Waratahs at Allianz Stadium on Friday night, the Reds must finish in the top three to play a qualifying final at Suncorp Stadium in the first week of next month's playoffs. The Reds are six points adrift of third-placed ACT Brumbies but have played one less match. 'Every week's do-or-die, especially for our aspirations of making the top three and having a home final,' star Reds flanker Fraser McReight said on Thursday. 'It's a privilege to be playing do-or-die footy four weeks out from finals. 'We've got some really tough teams coming up, first and foremost the 'Tahs who haven't lost at home.' The Waratahs have won five and lost five to be in ninth on the table, three points outside of the top six. Both the Reds and the Waratahs are coming off losses. Next stop: Sydney 🛣ï¸� — Queensland Reds (@Reds_Rugby) May 8, 2025 Queensland was beaten 36-33 by Fijian Drua in Suva last Saturday, while the Waratahs lost 40-17 to the Brumbies in Canberra a few hours later. 'It's two sides really wanting the win,' McReight said. 'We had a good meeting on Monday (about the loss in Suva) and we came up with a few things that probably weren't where we wanted to be. 'With our defence, they got through us quite easily and that's something we wanted to address. 'There was plenty to work on, and what better week to get up for than a 'Tahs week. 'When they play at home, they grow another leg and add an extra foot to their height, so I feel they're going to be right up for the challenge.' McReight said had he been impressed with the form of Waratahs backline utility Joseph Sua'ali'i in his first Super Rugby season since his code switch from rugby league, where he starred for the Sydney Roosters. 'He's been great. He's definitely one of their go-to guys. Our job is to do what we do well and try to nullify him as best we can,' McReight said.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lynagh benched for Chiefs clash, Suaalii's Tahs switch
The Queensland Reds have restocked for their top-of-the-table clash with the Chiefs in Hamilton, but left an ace up their sleeve after naming in-form No.10 Tom Lynagh on the bench. Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson are among seven Wallabies returning on Friday for the Reds, who occupy Super Rugby's top rung for the first time since 2012. Fullback Jock Campbell (wrist) will start on the bench alongside Lynagh, giving Harry McLaughlin-Phillips another shot in the No.10 alongside captain and halfback Tate McDermott. Hooker Matt Faessler is also back from injury, so too Hunter Paisami (nose) in the centres with 20-year-old powerhouse Dre Pakeho, as strike weapon Filipo Daugunu shifts to the wing. Seru Uru and Tim Ryan have been rested for the clash with the sides 3-3 in recent meetings, four of those in games decided by less than seven points. But the Chiefs are 19-2 in their last 21 games at FMG Stadium and dominated the Reds there in last season's quarter-final. "We've shown we are robust and resilient and that our skills have come through to solve problems at the right time," coach Les Kiss said. "This is another challenge to aim up to in Hamilton against a team that has shown they are right on top of their game." Meanwhile, Dan Botha will start ahead of Test star Taniela Tupou in the front row for the NSW Waratahs against Moana Pasifika in Auckland on Saturday. "I had a good conversation with Taniela about this selection," coach Dan McKellar said of Tupou's move to the bench. "He understands that he has a massive role to play when he comes on, bringing energy, power and leadership in that crucial final period. "His ability to change the momentum of a game is a real asset for us." Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will start at fullback in his second game since returning from a foot injury. View this post on Instagram A post shared by NSW Waratahs (@nswwaratahs) Named in the centres last week, the cross-code star spent time at the back after incumbent Max Jorgensen was forced off with an ankle injury. "He can provide the stability and counter-attacking ability we need at fullback, particularly against a team that likes to play expansively like Moana Pasifika," McKellar said. Wallabies hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa will return for the Western Force along with backrower Vaiolini Ekuasi against the Highlanders in Perth on Saturday.
