Fraser McReight Named Queensland Reds Captain for 2026

Fraser McReight has been installed as Queensland Reds captain for 2026 in a worthy show of his pedigree as a world-class player and leader for his teammates.

The standard-setting flanker has established himself as one of the game's most influential players as he enters his eighth season for the Reds with 39 Tests for the Wallabies. 

McReight's leadership credentials are well documented. He stepped up to skipper the Wallabies for the first time against South Africa in Cape Town last year after leading the Australia Under-20s in 2019.

He captained the Reds for two games in 2022 when just 23 and hits this season with greater experience and confidence to channel into getting the best from the team.

"This role is a huge honour and even more so because I follow some great mates and leaders into the role having watched Tate (McDermott) and Liam (Wright) do a terrific job," McReight said.

"They showed me the path over the past four seasons and hopefully I'll now land on my path as a captain with all I've learnt about myself as a person and as a player."

McReight, 26, is twice a winner as Australia's Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year (2023 and 2024) and earned the highest individual honour in Queensland rugby with the Pilecki Medal as the Reds' best in 2024.

Having senior figures like Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson, McDermott, Jock Campbell and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto in the Reds' 2026 squad is a major asset.

"As the Reds, we are a team that wants more success. Great teams have many leaders and I feel that is a strength we can call on," McReight said.

"Harry leads through his actions. As Wallabies captain, he speaks at the right times and asks questions.

"Likewise, for me, it's important to know when to ask for help from our other leaders in the playing group, Les (Kiss) and our specialist coaches.

"Tate is a leader with that fierce, competitive, rip-in attitude of his that he always brings. He is also a halfback and game-driver who naturally demands a lot."

When rugby great John Eales was leading the Wallabies in a golden period between 1998-2001, the quality of the Queensland teams of that era was the Reds' captaincy also embracing champion players Tim Horan, Dave Wilson and Dan Herbert.  

McReight last year re-signed with the Queensland Rugby Union on a new three-year deal through 2028 in a powerful statement of what the club and his teammates mean to him as they pursue success together.

He has played more than 80 games for the Reds. He has closed games for both the Reds and Wallabies as captain when the starting skipper has been off the field and feels in a sweet spot with the experience he has gained.

"Coming up through the Reds and Wallabies, I was always one of the youngest," McReight reflected.
"You have to earn respect with how you perform on the field, your day-to-day. I now feel that self-belief and confidence in how I'm leading is right.

"I can't wait to rip into pre-season. We've made a few tweaks, there are a lot of younger boys coming through at the Reds and the coaches have us in a good place."

Reds Head Coach Les Kiss said it was a great pleasure to announce McReight as the club's 2026 captain. 

"His pedigree is world class as a player, he's shown his leadership skills and it's the right time for him to captain," Kiss said.

"Tate's experience and influence as a leader will continue strongly into season 2026 as will the qualities of Harry Wilson, Jock Campbell, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and others to draw the best out of our group with strong leadership.

"Fraser epitomises what it is to be a Red. We are excited to head into the new season."

The Reds will play trials against the Western Force in Perth (January 23) and against the NSW Waratahs at Ballymore (January 31) before a big Round One lift-off to the Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific season against the NSW Waratahs in Sydney (February 13).