Latest news with #McReight
Sydney Morning Herald
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Jorgensen and Suaalii to return for Wallabies against Fiji
The key questions that will be answered on Friday will be whether Will Skelton starts in the second-row or comes from the bench, and whether Zane Nonnggorr or Tom Robertson takes the role of back-up tighthead to Allan Alaalatoa. The choice between Langi Gleeson, Carlo Tizzano and Tom Hooper for reserve loose forward will also be interesing. Despite speculation there could be a change of captain, Wilson is set to keep the role for the Fiji Test, at least. Loading Wallabies flanker Fraser McReight said on Monday the habit of Schmidt not naming a captain when announcing a squad was not a huge issue. 'I don't think too many boys are worried, to be honest,' McReight said. 'Obviously, there's a leadership group, and there's full of experience in this team. There's plenty. We've got something like six Wallaby captains in this group and so many captains at Super Rugby, so there's plenty of leadership to lean on.' Selection to play against Fiji will give players the upper-hand as far as consideration to play against the Lions in the first Test in Brisbane, although the players released have the welcome ability to play against the Lions in a Super Rugby side and storm back in contention - as Dylan Pietsch did in Perth. However, the Lions series is not the players' focus in their Newcastle camp, said McReight. 'It's just all focused about Fiji. It's tough to say about the Lions … There are so many moving parts, with Super Rugby clubs needing more (players) and everything going on like that,' he said. 'That's the coach's decision. We're just trying to do our best to stay present and get through each training day. We work hard with each other and push each other really well. So I think that's the depth of the squad is that we've got a lot of competition in every position. It's got to be quite fierce at times.' McReight said the Wallabies are aiming to pick up with where they left things on the Spring Tour, and evolve into a stronger side. 'It's just building on what we finished with last year, and all of last year. Those are the key fundamentals,' he said. 'Hopefully, obviously, now year two under Joe, we can build a stronger base and be a bit more clinical. Same sort of people around the group, so connection's going to be there. So hopefully, yeah, you can see some more attacking rugby, people more integrated.'
The Age
01-07-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Jorgensen and Suaalii to return for Wallabies against Fiji
The key questions that will be answered on Friday will be whether Will Skelton starts in the second-row or comes from the bench, and whether Zane Nonnggorr or Tom Robertson takes the role of back-up tighthead to Allan Alaalatoa. The choice between Langi Gleeson, Carlo Tizzano and Tom Hooper for reserve loose forward will also be interesing. Despite speculation there could be a change of captain, Wilson is set to keep the role for the Fiji Test, at least. Loading Wallabies flanker Fraser McReight said on Monday the habit of Schmidt not naming a captain when announcing a squad was not a huge issue. 'I don't think too many boys are worried, to be honest,' McReight said. 'Obviously, there's a leadership group, and there's full of experience in this team. There's plenty. We've got something like six Wallaby captains in this group and so many captains at Super Rugby, so there's plenty of leadership to lean on.' Selection to play against Fiji will give players the upper-hand as far as consideration to play against the Lions in the first Test in Brisbane, although the players released have the welcome ability to play against the Lions in a Super Rugby side and storm back in contention - as Dylan Pietsch did in Perth. However, the Lions series is not the players' focus in their Newcastle camp, said McReight. 'It's just all focused about Fiji. It's tough to say about the Lions … There are so many moving parts, with Super Rugby clubs needing more (players) and everything going on like that,' he said. 'That's the coach's decision. We're just trying to do our best to stay present and get through each training day. We work hard with each other and push each other really well. So I think that's the depth of the squad is that we've got a lot of competition in every position. It's got to be quite fierce at times.' McReight said the Wallabies are aiming to pick up with where they left things on the Spring Tour, and evolve into a stronger side. 'It's just building on what we finished with last year, and all of last year. Those are the key fundamentals,' he said. 'Hopefully, obviously, now year two under Joe, we can build a stronger base and be a bit more clinical. Same sort of people around the group, so connection's going to be there. So hopefully, yeah, you can see some more attacking rugby, people more integrated.'
RTÉ News
30-06-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Wallabies release Taniela Tupou for Waratahs clash with Lions
Australia prop Taniela Tupou has been released from the Wallabies squad to join the New South Wales Waratahs for their tour match against the British & Irish Lions on Saturday, leaving his hopes of featuring in the test series up in the air. The move means Tupou will not be selected for Sunday's test in Newcastle against Fiji, the Wallabies' last warmup before they face the Lions in the series-opener in Brisbane on 19 July. Tupou, who has 58 tests under his belt, had an inconsistent season for the Waratahs in Super Rugby but Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt included him in his initial squad along with tighthead options Allan Alaalatoa, Tom Robertson and Zane Nonggorr. With the Wallabies' match-day squad against Fiji likely to be close to Schmidt's first-choice team for the Lions, Tupou may need to produce something special for the Waratahs to be considered for the series. Once a ball-carrying dynamo ranked among the world's top scrummagers, Tupou's stock has fallen in recent years amid poor form and injury struggles. His release from the squad raised question marks about his test future but Wallabies teammate Fraser McReight backed the man nicknamed "Tongan Thor" to return stronger. "He's coming together and he's honing what he needs to do but I have no doubt that he will come back and be firing, ready to go," McReight told reporters on Monday. "But obviously his first job is to put that light blue jersey on and go against the Lions for the 'Tahs." The Lions kicked off their tour of Australia on Saturday with a thumping 54-7 win over Western Force in Perth. They next face a Queensland Reds team featuring nine Wallabies, including centre Hunter Paisami and hooker Matt Faessler, at Lang Park in Brisbane on Wednesday. Former New Zealand prop Aidan Ross, the Reds' new signing, will also start against the Lions. Some of the Reds' best are being kept on ice for the Fiji test, though, including flanker McReight and halfbacks Tate McDermott and Tom Lynagh. Under Eddie Jones, Australia were stunned 22-15 by Fiji on the way to exiting at the group stage of the 2023 World Cup. While the Lions series-opener looms, McReight said the players were not treating Fiji as a warmup. "It's a test match against Fiji, who are a bloody good side," he said. "We're not worried so much about trying to get revenge (for the World Cup) or anything like that .... Two years ago was a long time, it's a completely different squad." Though focused on Fiji, the Wallabies players will be keeping close tabs on the Lions' tour matches, which include further fixtures against the ACT Brumbies and an invitational Australia-New Zealand XV. Reds and future Wallabies coach Les Kiss on Monday named the first four New Zealand players for the Australia-NZ squad to face the Lions on July 12 at Adelaide Oval. Former All Blacks enforcer Shannon Frizell is the headliner, with support from Canterbury Crusaders centre-captain David Havili, livewire fullback Shaun Stevenson and test scrumhalf Folau Fakatava.
The Advertiser
30-06-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Tupou's 'tricky' French test after Wallabies speed bump
Long-time teammate Fraser McReight hopes Taniela Tupou flourishes on his French sojourn after the enigmatic prop had a Wallabies reality check. Tupou on Monday was released from the Wallabies camp to instead join the NSW Waratahs ahead of the Super Rugby club's Saturday clash with the British & Irish Lions. It was a revealing play by coach Joe Schmidt before Australia's Test against Fiji in Newcastle on Sunday and ahead of Tupou's club move to France next season. The NSW Waratahs will benefit from the 58-Test prop's presence in Sydney, the second Lions fixture of the week following their clash with the Queensland Reds in Brisbane. And, even if he has slid down the Wallabies' pecking order, it will give Tupou a chance to shine before Schmidt names his squad to face the Lions in a three-Test series starting in Brisbane on July 19. "It's great for the Tahs, good for Australian rugby and the Lions are going to have a handful dealing with him," McReight said. "I can't wait to watch him. He's a great player, he's coming together, honing what he needs to do. "I have no doubt he'll come back firing and ready to go." McReight played alongside Tupou at the Reds, where he emerged as a teen sensation and became one of the world's most explosive and talented props. Rugby Australia fought hard to keep him on the books, with Tupou eventually signing with the Melbourne Rebels then moving to the Waratahs for this season after the Victorian club folded. Tupou is reportedly set to sign with Racing 92, where outspoken president Jacky Lorenzetti has never shied away from criticism of his big-money recruits. But McReight hopes Tupou, 29, will benefit from the experience even if the foreign posting leaves him on the Test outer. "It's a tough one, right? You have a lot of young tightheads coming through and he's been one of the best tightheads in the world," he said. "It's tricky, but hopefully he goes over and gains some new experiences and perspective. "It leaves the door open for some new talent to come through and hopefully Nella comes back a better person, better player." Tupou isn't the only one holding out hope for a Wallabies call-up, with recent Super Rugby Pacific champion James O'Connor spotted training at Ballymore in Brisbane on Monday. The veteran playmaker enjoyed a one-season cameo with the Crusaders, with his bench form enough to put him back into the Wallabies conversation before he was overlooked by Schmidt in the wider squad. O'Connor, 35 next week, will join the Leicester Tigers next season. Long-time teammate Fraser McReight hopes Taniela Tupou flourishes on his French sojourn after the enigmatic prop had a Wallabies reality check. Tupou on Monday was released from the Wallabies camp to instead join the NSW Waratahs ahead of the Super Rugby club's Saturday clash with the British & Irish Lions. It was a revealing play by coach Joe Schmidt before Australia's Test against Fiji in Newcastle on Sunday and ahead of Tupou's club move to France next season. The NSW Waratahs will benefit from the 58-Test prop's presence in Sydney, the second Lions fixture of the week following their clash with the Queensland Reds in Brisbane. And, even if he has slid down the Wallabies' pecking order, it will give Tupou a chance to shine before Schmidt names his squad to face the Lions in a three-Test series starting in Brisbane on July 19. "It's great for the Tahs, good for Australian rugby and the Lions are going to have a handful dealing with him," McReight said. "I can't wait to watch him. He's a great player, he's coming together, honing what he needs to do. "I have no doubt he'll come back firing and ready to go." McReight played alongside Tupou at the Reds, where he emerged as a teen sensation and became one of the world's most explosive and talented props. Rugby Australia fought hard to keep him on the books, with Tupou eventually signing with the Melbourne Rebels then moving to the Waratahs for this season after the Victorian club folded. Tupou is reportedly set to sign with Racing 92, where outspoken president Jacky Lorenzetti has never shied away from criticism of his big-money recruits. But McReight hopes Tupou, 29, will benefit from the experience even if the foreign posting leaves him on the Test outer. "It's a tough one, right? You have a lot of young tightheads coming through and he's been one of the best tightheads in the world," he said. "It's tricky, but hopefully he goes over and gains some new experiences and perspective. "It leaves the door open for some new talent to come through and hopefully Nella comes back a better person, better player." Tupou isn't the only one holding out hope for a Wallabies call-up, with recent Super Rugby Pacific champion James O'Connor spotted training at Ballymore in Brisbane on Monday. The veteran playmaker enjoyed a one-season cameo with the Crusaders, with his bench form enough to put him back into the Wallabies conversation before he was overlooked by Schmidt in the wider squad. O'Connor, 35 next week, will join the Leicester Tigers next season. Long-time teammate Fraser McReight hopes Taniela Tupou flourishes on his French sojourn after the enigmatic prop had a Wallabies reality check. Tupou on Monday was released from the Wallabies camp to instead join the NSW Waratahs ahead of the Super Rugby club's Saturday clash with the British & Irish Lions. It was a revealing play by coach Joe Schmidt before Australia's Test against Fiji in Newcastle on Sunday and ahead of Tupou's club move to France next season. The NSW Waratahs will benefit from the 58-Test prop's presence in Sydney, the second Lions fixture of the week following their clash with the Queensland Reds in Brisbane. And, even if he has slid down the Wallabies' pecking order, it will give Tupou a chance to shine before Schmidt names his squad to face the Lions in a three-Test series starting in Brisbane on July 19. "It's great for the Tahs, good for Australian rugby and the Lions are going to have a handful dealing with him," McReight said. "I can't wait to watch him. He's a great player, he's coming together, honing what he needs to do. "I have no doubt he'll come back firing and ready to go." McReight played alongside Tupou at the Reds, where he emerged as a teen sensation and became one of the world's most explosive and talented props. Rugby Australia fought hard to keep him on the books, with Tupou eventually signing with the Melbourne Rebels then moving to the Waratahs for this season after the Victorian club folded. Tupou is reportedly set to sign with Racing 92, where outspoken president Jacky Lorenzetti has never shied away from criticism of his big-money recruits. But McReight hopes Tupou, 29, will benefit from the experience even if the foreign posting leaves him on the Test outer. "It's a tough one, right? You have a lot of young tightheads coming through and he's been one of the best tightheads in the world," he said. "It's tricky, but hopefully he goes over and gains some new experiences and perspective. "It leaves the door open for some new talent to come through and hopefully Nella comes back a better person, better player." Tupou isn't the only one holding out hope for a Wallabies call-up, with recent Super Rugby Pacific champion James O'Connor spotted training at Ballymore in Brisbane on Monday. The veteran playmaker enjoyed a one-season cameo with the Crusaders, with his bench form enough to put him back into the Wallabies conversation before he was overlooked by Schmidt in the wider squad. O'Connor, 35 next week, will join the Leicester Tigers next season.
The Age
30-06-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Horror movie: Why Wallabies are focused on Fiji and not British and Irish Lions
'Yeah, that was a tough game, obviously, and they were up for it, and they played a cracker,' he said. 'And obviously, it was the first time they beat us in 60 or 70 years. 'So yeah, this isn't a warm-up game for sure. This is a game that we need to get ready for. It's a Test match against Fiji, who are a bloody good side.' McReight had no doubt that Tupou could still come into calculations for the Lions series, despite not being required for the Fiji clash, which Schmidt is treating as a dress rehearsal for the three-Test Lions campaign that will follow. The $1.1 million tight-head prop, who is tipped to join French club Racing 92 next season, could yet stake a belated claim if he stars for the Waratahs against the Lions at Allianz Stadium on Saturday. 'He's a great player,' McReight said. 'He's just coming together and he's honing what he needs to do, but I have no doubt that he will come back and he'll be firing and ready to go. 'But obviously his first job is to put that light blue jersey on and go against the Lions for the Tahs.' He said Tupou was 'one of the best tight-heads in the world' and would not be easily replaced. 'Hopefully he goes over there [to France] and gains some new experiences, new perspective,' he said. 'Whether or not he comes back – I don't know what's going to happen there – but it leaves a door open for some new talent to come through, and hopefully 'Nella' [Tupou] can come back as a better person, better player.' Meanwhile, Western Force forward Nick Champion de Crespigny is hoping to make his Test debut after flying in from Perth, after his team was outgunned 54-7 by the Lions on the weekend. Loading 'The Wallabies, it's the pinnacle,' Champion de Crespigny said. 'You grow up watching them, so, yeah, it means everything to me.' The back-rower welcomed the inclusion of new franchise Perth Bears into the NRL competition, saying they could co-exist with the Force and two AFL teams based in the city. 'I think it's great,' he said. 'More guys passing the ball, not hand-balling it, it's always good. 'So, yeah, I just think it'll bring more eyes onto the game and we can definitely co-exist and hopefully have a few training sessions together.'
