Wallabies selection showdown looms in Townsville between Michael Hooper and Fraser McReight

The battle between Fraser McReight and Michael Hooper looms as the highlight of Saturday night’s Reds-Waratahs clash.

Michael Hooper might be the “master” but don’t call his Wallabies’ heir apparent Fraser McReight the “apprentice”.

The open side flankers will go head-to-head on Saturday night when McReight’s Reds host Hooper’s Waratahs in Townsville.

McReight was superb in the Reds’ 31-17 Super Rugby Pacific weekend win over Western Force, while Hooper also played well for the New South Welshmen in their one-point victory over the Highlanders.

Their performances have added further fuel to the pair’s showdown – which could have Wallabies selection implications – at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

“I love locking horns with him,” McReight said ahead 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.”

Fraser McReight starred in the Reds’ win over the Force. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

McReight, 24, admitted he had learnt a lot from 34-year-old Hooper, both on and off the field, but would like to believe that the 124-Test veteran might also have picked up something from him.

“I love watching and playing against Hoops – I can take sone awesome things from him,” he said.

“And who knows? Maybe he can watch and learn from me.”

That’s perhaps 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 said.

“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 in their ongoing bid to save their season after a slow start.

“During the bye week, we had a big review, and we touched on some things that really needed addressing,” McReight said.

“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 against the Waratahs will also give McReight and the Reds extra incentive to chalk up a hat-trick of wins.

“It’s always an easy game (to get up for), especially in Queensland,” McReight said.

“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).”

Originally published as Wallabies selection showdown looms in Townsville between Michael Hooper and Fraser McReight