Wallabies and Queensland Reds flanker Fraser McReight is not too concerned about his expiring contract as he eyes up a big 2025.
The openside flanker’s current deal runs until the end of the year and he is “in no rush” to sort out his long-term future.
McReight was a standout performer for Australia last year with Joe Schmidt backing the livewire number seven in the big Tests when fit.
Fraser McReight in ‘no rush’
His form has caught the eye of suitors around the world with ROAR Sports stating that he has attracted “seven-figure offers from more than one part of the world”.
The publication adds that he has forgoed around $400,000 by staying in Australian rugby ahead of the upcoming British and Irish Lions series.
But the flanker isn’t too worried about his contract situation or possible selection for the series against the Lions in July but is instead looking to lay down a marker on the pitch with the rest taking care of itself.
He did however issue somewhat of a warning to Rugby Australia that there are options for players, which is showcased by young Wallabies back-rowers Langi Gleeson and Tom Hooper signing deals with Montpellier and Exeter Chiefs respectively.
Young Wallabies star joins Exeter Chiefs with a view of ‘coming back to Australia’ after ‘roughly doubling’ his salary
“There’s plenty of opportunities everywhere you want to look,” he told reporters.
“I think for me, that’ll take care of itself. If I’m playing my best rugby and doing my best right here and take it into the Wallabies, that will take care of itself.
“I’m in no rush. I just want to enjoy my rugby, and enjoy winning and competing.
“There’s a long list of boys off contract, that’s for sure. I’m sure as the weeks and months roll on that list will get smaller and people will start figuring out what they want to do. But my goal is to play really well here for the Reds and then the Wallabies.”
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Key Wallabies off-contract in 2025
McReight is not the only star man who is off contract at the end of this season with Len Ikitau, Noah Lolesio, Nick Frost, Taniela Tupou and Tom Wright’s deals all concluding this year.
The aforementioned quintet and McReight were key players for Wallabies boss Joe Schmidt in 2025 and while the New Zealander’s future beyond this year is also up in the air, his project has been built around securing the long-term success of the team.
So much so that the likes of Gleeson and Hooper were not invited to the Wallabies’ first training camp of the year as they had sealed moves away from Australia at the end of the current season.
While they are contracted to Rugby Australia until the end of the year, early signs suggest that Schmidt will not require their services for the Lions series and will focus on those who are contracted to remain Down Under before 2025.
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Turning his attention to the upcoming club season, McReight is relishing the competition in the Reds’ squad in the back row. The side has added Lukhan Salakai-Loto to their ranks from the Melbourne Rebels adding another layer of depth to the pack with the experienced forward doubling up as a lock and blindside.
He adds to an already competitive back-five which McReight dived into.
“We’ve got a pretty stacked back row with JB, Brially, even Seru can mix it with the second rows there, so we’ve got so much competition and it starts at training,” he added.
“The coaches are going to put it on us from the get go and you’ve got to earn your stripes … so for us, it’s about getting competitive with the younger boys, being it on the field or at training. When the quality goes up, you tend to play better.”
“For me, that (contract) will take care of itself if I’m playing my best rugby and doing my best personally right here.
“You try not to think six, seven months ahead. Right now we’re day one so for me it’s trying to get some fitness back, get some rugby back. We’ve got a great tour in two weeks and we’ll play some exciting teams up north.”
READ MORE: ‘More than one’ Premiership club target Springboks captain while Stormers struggle to retain star forward’s services
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The post Key Wallabies contracts expire as Fraser McReight warns of ‘opportunities’ : Planet Rugby first appeared on Rugby 247.
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Author : rugby-247
Publish date : 2025-01-14 08:28:49
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