Queensland Reds star Fraser McReight set for head-to-head clash with Chiefs captain Sam Cane

Fraser McReight has a good chance to show he deserves more playing time with the Wallabies when he takes on All Blacks flanker Sam Cane.

Queensland Reds star Fraser McReight’s Wallabies credentials will face stern a test on Friday night when he goes head-to-head with leading All Black Sam Cane.

McReight’s path to becoming a permanent Wallaby is being blocked by Australia’s captain Michael Hooper, who with Cane is among the world’s best openside flankers.

Hooper’s ongoing presence has limited McReight to just a couple of Wallabies appearances off the bench.

While it’s frustrating for the 23-year-old Queenslander, he remains committed to being part of Australia’s World Cup squad next year despite the lure of a lucrative overseas club contract.

“I’ve made it clear I want to play for the Wallabies,” McReight said on Tuesday.

“Every time I go into the Wallabies camp I put my best foot forward and everyone knows that.

“It’s not like I don’t want to be here because I definitely do want to be here.

“It’s more about playing the best footy I can and pushing my case which I certainly have been.”

Chiefs captain Sam Cane will go head-to-head with Fraser McReight this week. Picture: William WEST / AFP

McReight is relishing the prospect of further displaying his qualities against Cane when the Reds host the Chiefs in Friday’s Super Rugby Pacific clash at Suncorp Stadium.

“I haven’t had the chance to play against that calibre player for a while,” McReight said.

“It’s going to be a great test for myself if I do line up against him – he’s a physical person, a good on-baller (and) a traditional New Zealand No.7.

“It will be a personal battle with him, but I’ve just got to do what’s right for the team and team comes first.”

The Reds are desperate to claim a Kiwi scalp.

They led the Hurricanes 17-0 at the weekend’s “Super Round” at AAMI Park in Melbourne only to lose 30-17.

“If they (the Chiefs) beat us and they’re better on the day then congrats to them, but we can’t beat ourselves. We have to be the best we can and we’re trying to do that,” McReight said.

“Each week we want to be better on the field, not only for us but for our fans.

“We’re back at home and it’s an opportunity. Let’s do it for a full 80 minutes and hopefully get that win.”

The Reds’ loss to the Hurricanes was only their second defeat in nine Super Rugby Pacific matches this season, but their seven wins have all been against Australian opposition.

The Chiefs have won six from nine and take winning form into this week’s match after beating the NSW Waratahs 51-27 last Friday night.