Dark Arts Focus as Reds Aim for Fifth Win

A Historic Milestone for Fraser McReight

Fraser McReight has spent the entire week preparing for what he calls the “dark arts” of rugby as the captain of the Queensland Reds gets ready to join an elite group of players in the history of the team. His upcoming match against the Chiefs in Hamilton on Saturday will mark his 100th appearance for the Reds, a significant achievement that places him among only two other flankers—David Wilson and David Croft—who have reached this milestone.

This game is not just about numbers; it’s a defining moment for McReight, who is still just 27 years old. The Reds are aiming to break a four-year streak of quarter-final exits before their coach, Les Kiss, moves on to take charge of the Wallabies. For McReight, the pressure is on, but so is the determination.

“All I care about is getting that win,” he said, reflecting on the importance of the occasion. “Just to get one game, seven or eight years ago, was special … and what better week to have it than a quarter-final.”

However, the odds are stacked against them. New Zealand teams have dominated Australian teams in finals games across the Tasman, with a record of 21-0. The Reds have struggled in recent finals, suffering heavy defeats against the Crusaders and the Chiefs. In the last two years, they were completely outclassed, trailing by large margins in both matches.

McReight admitted that the physicality of the opposition has been a challenge. “Physically they stepped it up,” he said. “When we’ve played them in-season it’s a close game. Maybe we were expecting that would happen again, and it definitely didn’t.”

The breakdown area has become a key battleground for the Reds, where McReight, known as one of the world’s best disruptors, plays a crucial role. In a recent loss to the Chiefs, the visitors outsmarted the Reds in this area, leading to frustration among the team and coaching staff. Queensland Rugby Union even requested clarification after a controversial penalty count went against them.

“The dark arts, so they say,” McReight said, referring to the challenges posed by the Chiefs. “It’s a good question, I’ve been thinking about it a lot this week. As a No.7, I dare say they’ll be targeting me in that area.”

The Reds will need to find ways to influence the breakdown, focusing on clean-outs, ball carry, and depth of ball placement to reduce the referee’s impact on the game.

Despite the challenges, the team remains focused. Although Hunter Paisami is unavailable due to a knee injury, the midfield is well-covered by Josh Flook, Isaac Henry, and Filipo Daugunu, all of whom have performed strongly this season.

McReight emphasized that the motivation goes beyond just winning a finals game before Kiss leaves. “We want to do it for the team, players, coaches, admin, fans, family,” he said. “People who love Queensland rugby know how important it is.”

He acknowledged the “hoodoo” surrounding the Reds’ quarter-final performances but stressed the importance of taking each day as it comes. “You’ll start thinking about things that might not even happen and wear yourself out.”