Back-row depth has Queensland Reds in no rush to bring back co-captain Liam Wright from a shoulder injury

As desperate as Liam Wright is to return from a shoulder injury for the Reds, the Queenslanders aren’t expected to risk him while there is any doubt over his fitness.

Reds coach Les Kiss says there’s no need to rush co-captain Liam Wright back from a shoulder injury such was Queensland’s performance in a 56-36 Super Rugby Pacific win over Moana Pasifika.

The Reds defied having only 14 men on the field for 30 minutes of Friday night’s clash due to three players receiving three yellow cards to secure an eight-tries-to-five victory at Suncorp Stadium.

Wright, who hasn’t played since hurting his shoulder captaining the Wallabies against Wales in July, had hoped to return for the start of the Reds’ 2025 campaign.

Having failed to do that, the 27-year-old blindside flanker’s next target is Queensland’s clash against Western Force next Saturday night in Perth.

“Liam has this week to really see where he comes out,” Kiss said.

“Hopefully it all goes well for him and we get time for him on the weekend, (but) if it needs another week … we won’t rush Liam if we don’t need to.

“He’s getting closer and closer – that’s for sure.”

Versatile Wallabies forward Seru Uru filled the position on the side of the scrum normally occupied by Wright with aplomb as part of a dynamic back-row combination that also included openside flanker Fraser McReight and No.8 Harry Wilson.

Fraser McReight was among Queensland’s best in the Reds’ win over Moana Pasifika. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“(McReight) has just taken off from where he finished (last year) … and his combination with Seru and Harry was crucial again for us,” Kiss said.

“We came up against a pretty good team. I didn’t expect anything less from them.”

Kiss also said that Joe Brial and John Bryant added to the Reds’ back-row depth.

“Joe Brial will be biting at the bit to get some time next week, and Johnny Bryant had a really good (pre-season) tour (of the United Kingdom).”

The Reds coach added that the “cohesion” his team gained on the tour would prove crucial during the season.

“We’ve added some extra layers to our game. We don’t just play one way and we had to show that against Moana Pasifika,” Kiss said.

Reds co-captain Tate McDermott was “super proud” of the “fight” Queensland showed under the adversity of being down a man for 30 minutes after having McReight, centre Hunter Paisami and lock Ryan Smith all shown yellow cards.

“(It was) crazy stuff,” halfback McDermott said.

“We didn’t plan for that but the way the boys responded, the way they just kept showing up, was incredible, and hopefully something that our supporters can be really proud of.

“It shows really good fruits for the future for us in this competition.”

Reds fullback Jock Campbell could be in doubt for the trip to Perth because of an arm injury despite finishing Friday night’s game.

Originally published as Back-row depth has Queensland Reds in no rush to bring back co-captain Liam Wright from a shoulder injury