Heir apparent Fraser McReight paid tribute to Michael Hooper as “one of the best to do it” after the Wallabies great bid farewell to Australian rugby.
And now the rising flanker plans to honour Hooper in the best way possible – by continuing the line of world class players in the gold No.7 jersey.
Hooper was generous with his time and energy in helping the Queensland tearaway when he was snapping at his heels as the Test starter.
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McReight hasn’t forgotten.
“Look at the record and all the numbers – they don’t lie, what he’s been able to do,” the 25-year-old told reporters at the team’s Coogee hotel on Monday.
“It’s pretty remarkable, you know, I wish him all the best. I sent him a message and he was great for me. Learnt a lot under him and really wish him the best.”
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McReight was judged Australia’s best player in Super Rugby Pacific last season and he continued that fine form for the Reds in 2024.
But in 17 Tests he is yet to truly stamp his name in the international arena, partly due to the struggles of the team around him.
McReight, in the mix to be involved as a Wallabies captain this month, is acutely aware of the legacy of his position, following in the sprig marks of Hooper, George Smith, David Pocock and Phil Waugh.
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“Yeah, there’s been a lot of talk about that,” he said.
“It’s a very special jersey to be in and obviously that’s the end goal (to be considered in that elite company). But before that, there’s a lot of work to do.”
McReight said his most abiding memory of Hooper – who played 125 Tests – was his 100 per cent commitment to the team in all areas.
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“Whether that was training or meetings, he was known for that competitiveness on the field and it wasn’t just a thing that happened on a Saturday,” he said.
“He showed it throughout the week. So as a young player looking at that, it’s something I took away… we have a great relationship, still speak here and there and he was just good to me. When I was young coming through he was always there.”
McReight said it would be an “honour” to captain the Wallabies but believed it was a “long way” before that happened.
New coach Joe Schmidt had brought a lot of clarity to the team in his first week in camp after a “strange” campaign under Eddie Jones last year, McReight said.
“There’s a lot of responsibility on the players, which is great,” he said.
“Definitely a lot more of a different vibe compared to previous years, like we’re all super engaging and really want to get in front of that detail.
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“Joe says it though – sitting at laptops is not going to win you a Test match, but it’s great to have and great to have that detail across.”
The Wallabies are not a big team and are hoping to play at pace to trouble Wales in Saturday’s season opening Test at Allianz Stadium.
“Australian rugby is at its greatest when we do run the ball,” McReight said.
“And keep the ball and that’s what we definitely want to focus on. There’s going to be times where we’re going to kick the ball. A lot of Australian fans probably don’t like that, but there are definitely reasons behind it and we’re going to try to kick for a reason. Either looking for a great space, putting pressure on them or we’re going to get it back.”
Wales are ranked 10th in the world and have lost their last seven games.
Australia are ninth after bombing out at the Rugby World Cup where they were smashed 40-6 by Warren Gatland’s side.
The players involved in Lyon will use that as fuel while trying to keep level heads.
“There’s definitely a lot of clarity,” McReight said.
“And as players, it’s what you try to chase, try to chase that clarity in all facets of the game. Obviously last year was disappointing, but we’re moving on.
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“It’s a new year. It’s tough to really predict what’s going to happen on Saturday.
“We have a fresh coaching group who know a lot about the game and they’re trying to put all that information into us. They know where we need to improve. We know where we need to improve, but we won’t truly know until Saturday.
“Last year was a different time, as we all know, and it was a strange time… everyone who was there knows it was difficult and a tough pill to swallow, but everyone took lessons. Everyone learnt things.”
Meanwhile, Kurtley Beale had surgery to repair his ruptured Achilles tendon on Monday – a devastating injury that casts doubt over the 35-year-old’s future.
The Wallabies also announced that Rebels centre David Feliuai had not reassembled with the squad in Sydney due to personal reasons.
Waratahs midfielder Joey Walton has joined the squad as a replacement.