Fraser McReight, the Queensland Reds’ standout player, experienced a mixture of triumph and disappointment on Saturday night when he injured his shoulder while scoring a remarkable try against the NSW Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium.
The openside flanker, who recently extended his contract with Rugby Australia until 2028, showcased his skills during the second half of the match. McReight broke through a tackle from former teammate Lawson Creighton and faked a pass to Andrew Kellaway before diving to score. However, the joy of his impressive play was short-lived as he landed awkwardly on his left shoulder, prompting immediate concern.
Despite his determination to continue playing, McReight was ultimately substituted due to the discomfort he was experiencing. Queensland rugby legend Tim Horan praised the decision, suggesting it was a wise call from coach Les Kiss, who noticed McReight’s struggle post-try. Following the match, McReight was seen with his arm in a sling, raising worries about the severity of the injury.
Kiss, however, downplayed concerns, suggesting the injury might not be serious. He stated, “I don’t think it’s anything sinister.” With an away game against the Highlanders approaching, Kiss had already planned to give McReight a break in accordance with the Wallabies’ management programme, which could serve as a silver lining following the player’s injury.
Despite McReight’s absence, the Reds performed impressively, defeating the Waratahs with a final score of 35-15. This result marked a significant victory against a NSW side that had previously been unbeaten in the Super Rugby competition. The Reds now hold the third position on the ladder, while the Waratahs find themselves in fifth place. Next week, NSW will face a tough challenge against the ACT Brumbies, who sit just above them in the rankings.