Ex-Crusader Heremaia Murray poised to deliver at fullback for Queensland Reds

An injury to Jock Campbell has given a New Zealand recruit the chance to shine at fullback for the Queensland Reds.

Reds co-captain Tate McDermott is relishing the “different dimension” new fullback Heremaia Murray will add to Queensland’s team on Saturday night against Western Force in Perth.

The 25-year-old New Zealander, who played in three matches for the Crusaders last year, will make his first Super Rugby Pacific appearance for the Reds in the absence of regular custodian Jock Campbell, who injured his arm in Queensland’s 56-36 win over Moana Pasifika last Friday night.

Murray signed a two-year deal with the Reds in November after impressing as a “player of interest” on Queensland’s tour to Japan.

He was also performed well recently on the Reds’ pre-season tour of the United Kingdom.

Despite Murray’s usual position being on the wing, McDermott tipped him to shine in the No.15 jersey this weekend.

The Reds play Super Rugby again tomorrow 😁 pic.twitter.com/Y6idPrdxls

— Queensland Reds (@Reds_Rugby) February 28, 2025

“Jock’s a big loss but Heremaia comes in, and he adds a different dimension to the game and that’s something we can be really excited about,” halfback McDermott said.

“What impressed me about him (on the tour to the UK) was just how relaxed he was out there

“Look at that Ulster game (won 38-31 by Queensland) where he ran down the touchline and beat four or five defenders … his speed, his power, his acceleration and his strength for someone with a slimmer build is really impressive

“He gets his crack at fullback. It’s obviously a different position to the wing but he’s played a little bit there and he’s trained a lot there so I’m looking forward to seeing how he slots in.”

McDermott said Reds were keen to improve their away form this season.

Last year’s defeats included a 40-31 loss to the Force at HBF Park, where the hosts jumped to a 28-5 lead that proved too much for Queensland to recover from.

“We weren’t quite where we needed to be away from home last year, and we don’t have to look to far further back than that game against the Force, where they came out of the blocks really hot and we didn’t have any answers until the middle of the game when it was already too late,” McDermott said.

The Force are aiming for a third successive win on Saturday night.

“We’re expecting the Force to be full of confidence like they deserve to be after two wins,” McDermott said.

“They’ve got threats all over the park.”

Queensland’s 23-man squad also includes McDermott’s fellow co-captain Liam Wright, who having been named on the bench, is poised to make his first appearance since injuring his shoulder while captaining the Wallabies against Wales almost eight months ago in Sydney.

“I’m super excited to see him back in the side. He’s a massive part of our team,” McDermott said.

Originally published as Ex-Crusader Heremaia Murray poised to deliver at fullback for Queensland Reds