Age20 (19 Feb 1999) BornBuderim, QLD FranchiseReds CountryAustralia PositionBack-row
W
hat sports have you played?
I’ve played cricket and rugby
most of my life, starting as
early as I could. However,
I stopped playing cricket
to turn my attention to volleyball at 15.
I first got involved with rugby when I
was five, for the Albany Creek Brumbies
for ten years. I loved it – I basically got
put into rugby because I had too much
energy for my mum and dad! I started
playing for Brisbane Grammar School at
13 and for two years played
schools rugby on Saturday
and club rugby on Sunday.
Talk us through your
representative honours...
Queensland U18 Sevens,
Queensland Schoolboys
and Australia Schoolboys.
I played for the Junior
Wallabies in the Oceania
U20 Championship and
Junior World Cup last year
as well as this year.
What do you like about
rugby? I love competing but
I also enjoy the mateship
and the celebrations after a
game; having a beer in the
sheds with your best mates!
Childhood heroes? I loved
watching Sam Warburton’s
highlights on YouTube. And
George Smith because of
Rugby 2005 (PlayStation
game). He was on the
cover and I remember
his awesome dreads!
Who has been the biggest
influence on your career?
My first XV coaches and my
coaches who had me in my
first year at Brothers afterI left school just made me enjoy my
rugby, but most importantly my parents.
I was going to get moved to prop at 14
because I was chunky, but Mum blew up
at the coaches. I was able to grow and
slim up, and that’s why I’m here now!
My parents ride the waves of emotions
with me but only want the best for me.
What are your strengths? Leadership...
and my running and support game.
When did you link up with Queensland
Reds? I signed a two-year contract
before the 2019 season. It’s
been awesome to learn off
some experienced players
and the team is still young,
so we all get along.
What do youwant to achieve
in the next 12 months? To
start for the Reds – get solid
game time week in, week out,
and then everything after that
should take care of itself.
How do you switch off from
rugby? I play golf. I’m also
studying business, majoring
in accounting, at Queensland
University of Technology.RW VERDICT
One of the standout
performers in the U
World Cup, where he
led his team to the
final for the first time
since 2010, McReight
marries his physicality
with brilliant skills in
the loose. Expect to
see him become a
Reds regular in 2020.1
FRASER
McREIGHT
RISING STARS
Interviews Lauren Jenkins // Pictures Getty Images
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