Latest news with #McReight
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.
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
No Red alert despite McReight injury: McDermott
Tate McDermott has backed his Queensland Reds to power on without the likely absence of star flanker Fraser McReight after his side left the NSW Waratahs chastising their softness. The Reds overcame a slow start to win 35-15 on Saturday at Suncorp Stadium, McReight finishing with his shoulder in a sling after falling awkwardly as he scored a fantastic second-half try. Reds coach Les Kiss, who had planned to rest McReight for next week's game against the Highlanders in New Zealand, confirmed it was an AC joint injury but he's hopeful the issue will not be a long-term one. Unstoppable momentum by the Reds 😤#SuperRugbyPacific | #REDvWAR — Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) March 15, 2025 The Reds, who are now 3-1 after a tough start that's included games in Perth and Christchurch, are already without one-time Wallabies captain and fellow backrower Liam Wright. He'll see a specialist about his own recurring shoulder injury that saw him miss Saturday's game. The side was also without lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, centre Josh Flook and fullback Jock Campbell, while hooker Matt Faessler left Saturday's game with a leg issue. But captain McDermott said their depth, particularly in the backrow, had already been proven in 2024 when Harry Wilson broke his arm and Fraser McReight served a suspension. "It's a challenge, but we saw the same thing kind of happen last year and Johnny Bryant stepped up massively," the scrumhalf said. "Joe Brial coming in there (to replace McReight); we've got the depth and we back whoever steps in, because we saw last year those guys are bloody good players. The fiery clash saw Wallabies teammates Andrew Kellaway and Wilson exchange words after the Waratahs fullback up-ended Test skipper Wilson in a crunching tackle and was yellow-carded. That incident triggered the Reds' resurgence, their dominance summed up in a 20-metre driving maul try while a host of Waratahs stood and watched. "It was a big moment; I think the whole game emotionally was a battle and we knew it would be," McDermott said. The rolling maul try infuriated Waratahs coach Dan McKellar, who had a week earlier copped some flak for labelling the Reds "the best team in the comp". "It's hard to stop a rolling maul if you stand there and watch it," he sneered, describing that effort as "border-line embarrassing". McKellar lamented his team's "soft moments" and said he meant what he'd said about the Reds a week earlier. "Everyone sort of thought that was a bit of tongue in cheek," he said. "I was being honest; when they get their game going, they're dangerous, as good as anyone and they showed that."
