After coming of age as a Test rugby player, Fraser McReight said he would happily hand the Wallabies No.7 jersey back to Michael Hooper as soon as he is ready.
Australia captain Hooper remains on indefinite leave for mental health reasons after returning home from Argentina before the Rugby Championship kicked off this month.
Rugby Australia has given no indication whether Hooper is likely to feature again in 2022 and in his absence McReight is delivering on the rich potential he has always teased.
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Playing in just his fifth Test, McReight lit up Adelaide Oval in the 25-17 win over the Springboks, impressing with his link play and strong work over the ball at breakdowns.
The 23-year-old Reds flanker – who has a similar body type to Hooper – also scored two tries and has been keeping in touch with the beloved Wallabies skipper.
“He’s been wearing that jersey for decades, so obviously it was a big honour and I want to do him proud and do the jersey proud so I thought I did that,” McReight said.
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“He texted me after the game and brought up the two tries I got so he’s probably sitting at home wishing he had scored those.
“I miss him and I want to keep learning off him as he’s one of the greats, so hopefully he comes back soon.”
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie copped some grief in some quarters – particularly in Queensland – for the way in which he slow played McReight’s Test development.
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Instead of rolling with two openside flankers in his matchday 23, Rennie made it clear there was only room for one and it was McReight’s job to simply outplay Hooper.
So McReight played in the Pacific Nations Cup with Australia A before Hooper’s shock withdrawal opened the door against the Pumas in Mendoza.
“Obviously I waited a long time to get that exposure and competing with Hoops for two and a half years was very good for my development,” McReight explained.
“In terms of just seeing how he preps – he’s a soldier of the game, a great of the game – to see how he goes day to day and how he backs up from game to game.
“Being his apprentice and learning from him has been wonderful for me. I’m just doing a job for the team at the moment. If he comes back and starts at seven, he’s a legend in the game and that’s what’s going to happen.”
The Wallabies, second in the Rugby Championship, will now prepare for a rematch against the world champions at Sydney’s new Allianz Stadium on Saturday.
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Barring injury, McReight is a nailed on starter.
“Fraser has really grabbed his opportunity on the back of good work done in front of him,” Rennie said.
“Hell of an effort for a young seven to get a double and he got his hand on a bit of pill post-tackle, so a good performance.”
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