Quiet captain won’t change ways after being appointed new Wallabies leader

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FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Rugby Championship - Australia Captains Run - Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa - August 15, 2025 Australias Fraser McReight with teammates during training REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/File Photo

CAPE TOWN - Stand-in Australia captain Fraser McReight does not expect his new responsibilities to change his approach and style when he leads his country against South Africa in the Rugby Championship on Saturday.

The flanker takes over from the injured Harry Wilson as skipper, with coach Joe Schmidt hailing him a “quiet leader” when appointing him the Wallabies 91st captain on Thursday.

I feel very privileged and honoured to be captain this week, although Id probably say I’d rather be playing with Harry and for him to be leading us out,” McReight told a Friday press conference at their hotel.

“But I also feel very proud to be part of a special club.”

The 26-year-old, a former Australia under-20 captain, said it would be business as usual for him at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

“It probably wont change too much from what Id be doing if Harry was playing. Ill let my game do most of the talking, try to get to the referee when I can, but other than that, just do what I normally do, he added.

“Weve got such great leaders in this team. Before this weekend, we had James Slipper, whos played almost 150 tests (but is injured); Nic White, James OConnor, Will Skelton ... blokes who