Michael Hooper is likely to be the “master” however don’t name his Wallabies’ inheritor obvious Fraser McReight the “apprentice”.
The open facet flankers will go head-to-head on Saturday evening when McReight’s Reds host Hooper’s Waratahs in Townsville.
McReight was excellent within the Reds’ 31-17 Super Rugby Pacific weekend win over Western Force, whereas Hooper additionally performed properly for the New South Welshmen of their one-point victory over the Highlanders.
Their performances have added additional gas to the pair’s showdown – which may have Wallabies choice implications – at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
“I love locking horns with him,” McReight stated forward of the tussle with Hooper.
“It’s a good battle, we’re both competitive, so I’m sure we’ll be right in amongst it and be involved quite heavily and hopefully have a few wrestles either side of the ball.
“(We are) two good players, (with) two different styles, so hopefully they both come out on Saturday.”
McReight, 24, admitted he had learnt quite a bit from 34-year-old Hooper, each on and off the sphere, however want to consider that the 124-Test veteran may also have picked up one thing from him.
“I love watching and playing against Hoops – I can take sone awesome things from him,” he stated.
“And who knows? Maybe he can watch and learn from me.”
That’s maybe why McReight, who has 10 caps, isn’t “fussed” with being tagged as Hooper’s “apprentice”.
“People are going to call it what they want to call it. I just want to do my job. learn, play better and play good rugby.” he stated.
“He’s played so many games. I see him as the frontrunner, obviously, to the (number) seven jersey.
“I’m just here push him, be competitive and make him better, as well as myself.”
The sixth-placed Reds are chasing a third-straight win this weekend of their ongoing bid to avoid wasting their season after a sluggish begin.
“During the bye week, we had a big review, and we touched on some things that really needed addressing,” McReight stated.
“We’ve found something, especially in our attack, which is coming along really nicely, so hopefully, I think we can keep building on it.”
Playing towards the Waratahs may even give McReight and the Reds additional incentive to chalk up a hat-trick of wins.
“It’s always an easy game (to get up for), especially in Queensland,” McReight stated.
“There has been a lot of rivalry over the past few years, personally, so it’s going to be a god battle.
“If we can snag some points that would be so helpful, but there’s a long way to go (in the season).”
Source: www.news.com.au
