Langi Gleeson and Tom Hooper’s overseas deals may not have caused Rugby Australia to break a sweat, but Fraser McReight’s comments that “opportunities are everywhere” should.
While Rob Valetini is a back-to-back John Eales Medalist, McReight likely has more of a claim to being the best in the world at his position.
McReight’s outstanding performance against 2022 World Rugby Player of the Year Josh van der Flier in Dublin on last year’s spring tour put him on the world map as one of the game’s best openside flankers.
Only Ardie Savea is likely to beat McReight, but the All Blacks star often wears the number 8 jersey.
Inspirational captain Siya Kolisi and England’s Sam Underhill are two other outstanding No.7s, but he has previously been in the shadow of Michael Hooper before breaking into the international stage last year. Doesn’t have the running and link game like McReight.
That’s why the cashback club is crowded, with McReight attracting seven-figure offers from many parts of the world.
At this stage, McReight will stay with Australian Rugby and give up around $400,000 with the governing body offering him around $625,000.
That’s a huge sum, especially considering his predecessor, Hooper, signed a lucrative five-year, $1 million contract in 2018.
Fraser McReight admits there are “opportunities everywhere” for overseas players. Photo: Getty Images
RA are counting on McReight’s desire to wear the gold jersey for the next few years as under normal circumstances their offer would not be worth a second thought.
However, given he was one of the few locks in Joe Schmidt’s starting XV on the eve of the Lions series, it is a risky play that could cost the Wallabies their prized openside flanker, with RA director of rugby Peter Horne saying: Despite the recent departures of Gleeson and Hooper, the system had depth.
Nor is he the only player weighing his future, with half of the Wallabies’ starting XV opting to terminate their contracts at the end of the season.
RA does not expect to be able to secure all of them, with Len Ikitau, Noah Lolesio, Nick Frost and Taniela Tupou being the most at risk. Tom Wright, the Wallabies’ most improved player, is another player who could easily earn more than $1 million overseas.
The highly secretive exit race, which is hoped to begin in mid-2026, is another force behind seven-figure deals being thrown around haphazardly.
If RA can take a sabbatical with multiple contracts in 2026, it’s one of the only ways they can retain most of their players. Some players have that option, including Rob Valetini and Tate McDermott.
When asked if he wanted to be involved with Australian rugby long-term, McReight admitted he had a lot of options up his sleeve but added that he was in no rush to make a decision.
“There are a lot of opportunities wherever you want to look,” he said.
“I think it will take care of itself. If I play my best rugby and give my best right here and take it to the Wallabies, it will take care of itself.
“I am in no hurry. I just want to enjoy rugby, enjoy winning and competing.
“There is certainly a long list of players under contract. I’m sure the weeks and months on that list will go down and people will start to figure out what they want. But my goal is to play really well here for the Reds and Wallabies.”
Fraser McReight had the best performance of his career in 2024. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)
Rugby Australia has long enjoyed a “golden decade” and announced a ridiculously strong five-year strategy given its financial difficulties late last year, but hopes to make it through the final weekend of the 2027 World Cup for the first time since 2015. There is no. We need stability with players and coaches.
Asked whether the forays made last year could be a waste if several players head overseas for financial fortunes, McReight admitted it would be preferable to build partnerships over the long term.
“It was great to have some consistency on the back end last year. I think at the testing level there is always a trade-off between performance and delivering results to ensure consistency. We were able to do this. “It’s great,” he said.
“The longer you play with people, the more you understand their game.”
The bigger pressure on McReight will be to make the finals for the long haul this year and help the Reds build on last year.
After completing a three-day camp with the 40-man Wallabies squad in Sydney last week, the experienced Super Rugby campaigner, who McReight described as “very chill”, said he was keen to “get back to fitness” upon his return to Ballymore. ” We have an exciting two-week pre-season tour in the UK ahead of us.
“I think the best thing that happened to me (last year) was that the coaching staff changed and there was a new way I wanted to play,” McReight said. “It was refreshing.
“I’m really looking forward to this year. I think it’s going to be a big year for the Lions because they’re the carrot.
“I’m trying not to think about the six to seven months ahead. It’s the first day so you’ll need to get fit, play some rugby and probably get a little rusty. Then we’ll be on this great tour and playing against some great teams up north.”
Fraser McReight dives to score against the Chiefs at Suncorp Stadium on March 9, 2024. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
When the Reds return from games against Bristol and Ulster, there will be high expectations for Kiss’ Reds, who finally took on the heavyweights last year.
The Reds have slammed the Rebels’ top players with the addition of Wallabies Matt Gibbon, Josh Canham, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Filipo Daugunu, and consider that a top four finish is essential for the Australian side.
Asked what changes the introduction of reinforcements would make for the Reds, McReight said he expected an intense challenge in training due to the increased number of positions.
“The great thing about having more Test caps is that there is a lot more depth in the squad, but that again comes down to competitiveness in training and performance,” he said.
“If someone is good enough and young enough, they are good enough.”
Given that McReight will play alongside two of the Wallabies’ captains from last year, the Reds’ back-row form serves as a particular strength, but the junior Wallabies skipper said their depth extends beyond the Test trio.
“It’s not just the three of us.” he said
“We have a pretty stacked back three with JB (Josh Bryant), Brialy (Joe Brial) and even Seru (Uru) in the mix with the second guy. We have too much competition.
“I think it starts with training. The coaches will give it to us from the beginning and we understand that we have to earn our stripes.
“Having Harry and Liam as captains, they know themselves and how they like to play. I can just follow them around the field and have some fun. But I think it’s important for us to compete and bring that to the training field.”
