Exclusive: Wallabies gun to miss start of TRC against Springboks as 11th debutant expected

The Wallabies’ hopes of toppling the world champion Springboks in their Rugby Championship opener have been rocked, with in-form flanker Fraser McReight set to miss the first half of the tournament.

The Roar can reveal that McReight will miss up to six weeks of action after suffering a thumb injury, meaning he will miss the Tests against the Springboks and Los Pumas.

The 25-year-old injured his thumb in the Wallabies’ first-up win over Wales in Sydney.

Initially, it was hoped that McReight would get surgery at the end of the season, but after consulting with a specialist, it was decided to clear up the issue to ensure his career isn’t cut short.

The timing of his surgery comes at a frustrating time, with the 20-Test flanker, who led the Junior Wallabies to the under-20s world championship final in 2019, entering the conversation about being a possible solution to the Wallabies captaincy revolving door.

The injury leaves Joe Schmidt short of internationally proven onballers.

After Michael Hooper wore the jersey with distinction for a decade and often formed a back-row combination alongside David Pocock, McReight had found his feet in recent weeks with stellar performances against Wales and Georgia.

Indeed, McReight’s linebreak in the second half against Georgia in Sydney stemmed the tide as the European nation roared back into the contest following two opportunistic tries to narrow the margin to 26-24.

But McReight’s linebreak and stunning one-two with Harry Wilson allowed Rob Valetini to dive over from close range, before the No.7 sealed the win with his second try of the match.

Nor will Schmidt be able to call on first-up captain Liam Wright, with the Wallabies’ 89th skipper having surgery last week to fix a bicep issue. It’s understood the 26-year-old is hoping to be fit for the two-Test tour of Argentina.

While versatile Brumbies forward Tom Hooper wore the No.7 jersey at times throughout 2023 under Eddie Jones, it’s believed Schmidt is strongly considering calling up a specialist openside flanker to take on the Springboks on August 10.

The Roar understands that Brumbies duo Luke Reimer and Rory Scott, as well as Western Force hard on-baller Carlo Tizzano and Waratahs No.7 Charlie Gamble, are all in the conversation to be called up.

None of the quartet have pulled on a Wallabies jersey.

If any of them did, they would become the 11th player in four Tests to make their Wallabies debut.

Although Gamble is the most physical of the lot, Reimer, the breakdown specialist, could come into strong consideration given his ability to get on the ball and change the momentum

But it’s more likely that he would be considered a bench option, with the 24-year-old most potent as supersub at this early stage of his career.

Whoever wears the No.7 jersey will face two-time World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolisi, with the Springboks great to lead a strong squad featuring 22 players who have held the Webb Ellis Cup.

Schmidt will name his Wallabies squad later this week, with his new-look group to regroup in Brisbane on Saturday.