Earlier, Reds chief executive David Hanham said the game was in a strong position to retain McReight, declaring “you’ve got three of the best years ahead of us, so I think if things can get sorted out the way we all would like he’s got a long career here, and he’s been clear on that as well.”
Matt Faessler has re-signed with the Reds and Rugby Australia until the end of 2027.Credit: Getty Images
On the same day Test hooker Faessler inked a two-year extension to remain in Australia, Brumbies star Nick Frost signed for the same length, taking the pair through to the end of the 2027 Rugby World Cup on home soil.
They join national captain Harry Wilson and locks Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Jeremy Williams in extending their contracts this year, while halfback Tate McDermott, Rob Valetini, Angus Bell, Allan Alaalatoa and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii are confirmed 2027 signings.
Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Dylan Pietsch were reported to have signed “long-term” and “multi-year” deals respectively in 2024.
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Upon announcing his contract extension with the Reds and Rugby Australia on Thursday, Faessler implored McReight to ensure he remained a focal point of the country’s long-term ambitions, but refused to weigh in on whether overseas offers came his way.
“I think we’re building a nice crew that’s staying together who have played a lot of games together here in Queensland,” Faessler said.
“Queensland’s home for me. I grew up supporting the team and was born and raised here, so it was a pretty straightforward decision for me.”
The future of other off contract Wallabies – including five-eighth Noah Lolesio, fullback Tom Wright and prop Taniela Tupou – may hinge on who takes over Joe Schmidt as Wallabies’ head coach at the end of the year.
Queensland coach Les Kiss, who served as Schmidt’s assistant with Ireland, is thought to be a frontrunner for the job, despite being contracted at the Reds until the end of 2026.
His forthcoming Waratahs rival Dan McKellar and Brumbies mentor Stephen Larkham are also hotly in the race.
Reds coach Les Kiss has been touted as a natural successor to Joe Schmidt at the Wallabies.Credit: Getty
When asked if he was prepared to lose Kiss, Hanham said he was unwilling to speculate on who Schmidt’s successor may be, but believed the club would know in the coming weeks.
“Les has been open about the process and what’s going on, and for me, it shows we’ve got a great coach,” Hanham said.
“Let’s let that run, but from my perspective I know we’ve got a world-class coach, so if Les has those aspirations those things can take their course over the next two or three weeks.”
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