His injury mystified doctors, but Wallabies skipper reveals comeback intent

Liam Wright has vowed his latest injury setback would not derail him, as the one-time Wallabies skipper announced his extension with Australian Rugby.

Wright’s emphatic Super Rugby season with the Queensland Reds garnered his first Test cap since 2020, leading the side against Wales before he suffered a shoulder setback that had mystified medical staff.

Complications delayed the flanker’s recovery, and had him pushing for a comeback for the Wallabies’ spring tour, rather than the coming Bledisloe Cup.

Liam Wright has re-signed with the Reds and Australian rugby for the 2025 season.Credit: Getty Images

It was his eighth major setback in six years, following shoulder woes, an ankle issue, hamstring tears and a broken hand.

“It’s been quite a frustrating one – I put a lot of pressure on myself to get back as soon as possible,” Wright said.

“We thought we’d been close to figuring it out and would only be a few weeks.

“Being back in a Wallabies Test for the first time in four years … I feel like I didn’t get to revel in that.

“Initially, a lot of the issues were that I couldn’t get any range of motion lifting my shoulder forward, and the solution there was to have a bicep tenotomy, cut the long head of the bicep tendon off, which freed up a lot of that range and motion.

“We gave it a good crack to push for the Springboks, but just another knock in the tackle caused a lot of pain in the rotator cuff area.

“But … we’ve got a good lead-up of another seven or so weeks until spring tour to really get it as strong as possible.”

Wright showed enough to earn a new one-year extension with the Reds, after a campaign in which he topped the competition for lineouts won (69) and finished seventh for tackles won (185).

The 26-year-old confirmed he had remained in contact with Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt in anticipation for a hopeful recall.

Wright’s retention was an important piece in Queensland’s leadership, following James O’Connor’s move to overseas rugby, where he was negotiating offers.

But one mystery remained: would Jordan Petaia stay at Ballymore in 2025?

The two-time World Cup representative underwent shoulder surgery this year, but was reportedly weighing up his options – a rugby league defection and ambitious NFL bid among them.

Jordan Petaia leaves the field for the Reds.Credit: Getty Images

Wright said there was no indication yet as to where the 24-year-old would sign, with his focus on overcoming his latest challenging injury.

“I know Jordie’s in a similar boat to me, where the rehab probably hasn’t gone as smoothly as he would have liked,” Wright said.

“His main thinking is to get his shoulder right so he can play footy and be ready to join squads. I think he’s finally seeing that last little bit to get over on his shoulder.

“Everyone in Australian rugby wants to see a healthy Jordie Petaia. Hopefully, he’ll be back with us, and hopefully stays with Australian rugby, but that’s his decision.”