Fraser McReight reflects on rise to becoming one of Wallabies’ best

Backrower Fraser McReight has emerged as one of the Wallabies’ best under coach Joe Schmidt, with Rugby Australia recognising the flanker as a nominee for the highly prestigious John Eales Medal, which will be awarded this week in Sydney.

Rob Valetini is looking to take home the award for the second time in a row after a sensational season in 2023, and captain Harry Wilson is also in the hunt for the Wallabies’ top gong. This means a backrower is certain to be bestowed the honour on Wednesday evening.

For McReight, this nomination marks an incredible campaign in Wallaby gold. Rugby World Cup winner Jeremy Paul labelled McReight “the best seven in the world” earlier this month on The Good, The Bad & The Rugby, and that was before the Bledisloe Cup Tests.

McReight, 25, was one of the clear standouts for the Wallabies during their two wins over Wales and their 40-29 victory over Georgia during the July window. While an injury kept the openside on the sidelines for the next four Tests, he returned with a bang against the old foe.

Whether it was in attack, defence or around the breakdown, the Queenslander was world-class in the Tests against the All Blacks in Sydney and Wellington. Before flying out to Europe, McReight was asked on Tuesday to reflect on his rise to such a high level of form.

“Just understanding my game and what I can bring to the team,” McReight told reporters at Bennelong Lawn near the Sydney Opera House.

“Don’t have too much anxiety or stress about trying to play the way I should play or play the way someone wants me to play. I can fit my game within the way that Joe (Schmidt) wants to play and he lets me be free in the way that I want to play.

“Having just a great team around me, obviously, (Harry Wilson) and Bobby (Valetini) the other nominees. Playing outside them and with them, supporting them, lets me be me.

“Not so much clarity but it’s just probably the way (Schmidt) wants a team to attack that I thrive in. I think obviously, defence and all that other stuff take care of itself really – the attack is something that I love and enjoy being that extra pair of hands.”

With the Wallabies flying out to Europe on Thursday, McReight is preparing to almost certainly play a key role in the team’s grand slam mission that awaits. The Wallabies haven’t won a grand slam in 40 years, but they’ll have an opportunity to make history over the coming weeks.

Australia start their Spring Tour against bitter rivals England at Allianz Stadium in Twickenham before turning their focus to Wales, Scotland and then Ireland. It’s a tough schedule, and the Wallabies are perceived to be the underdogs by many going into these Tests.

But, it’s quite fitting that McReight spoke with reporters at the jersey launch for the 2025 British and Irish Lions Series. England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland are the four sides that make up the famed representative side, making this “an entrée” before next year’s main course.

“It’s unique being able to play the teams that we’re going to come up against next year in the Lions. For us, it’s great prep and obviously looking forward to this tour, it’s going to be awesome,” McReight said.

“It’s going to be really special, Grand Slam hasn’t been done in 40 years and I can’t remember the last time we just played these four teams.

“It’s great prep leading into next year.

“… “These teams will probably have a bit more cohesion than the Lions would because they’ve been together for so many years now, but, perk of the Lions is they get the best players from each country,” he added later on.

“It is an entrée but the thing probably that we don’t realise is we get to play the Lions here in Australia, albeit a lot of their fans are travelling, but up there it’s a different beast. They sing all throughout the game, the energy is unparalleled, it’s completely different up there.

“As a player getting to play at those big stadiums, I’m really looking forward to it.”