McDermott raring for Moana challenge

Queensland are hopeful co-captain Liam Wright will return as soon as Round 3 with fellow Wallabies Tate McDermott and Fraser McReight named to lead the Reds against Moana Pasifika this Friday.

Wright - Joe Schmidt's inaugural Test skipper in 2024 - hasn't taken to the field since last July after suffering a shoulder injury 54 minutes into his Australian captaincy debut against Wales.

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Repeated injuries and surgeries have cruelled the Easts Tigers junior's return to play and while Reds coach Les Kiss has backed McDermott (captain) and Fraser McReight (vice captain) to steer the ship this week, he's eager to see Wright back in maroon.

"Liam's rehab has gone brilliantly, he travelled the UK with us and we worked on it there. he's so close it's not funny," Kiss told reporters on Wednesday.

"I'm hopeful that next week we'll be calling on him in some form to get some game time.

Speaking at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday, McDermott threw his support behind the injured Wright while sharing his excitement about Queensland's long-awaited 2025 campaign.

"Poor old Wrongaz (Liam Wright), he's been battling a little in the injury department but last year he was fantastic so you know it has been a while since I've been alone," McDermott said.

"But I've had Fraser McReight there doing a pretty similar job and Harry Wilson by my side. I'm really lucky and fortunate to be in that position.

"Watching (last week) was tough. It was such a good opening round of Super Rugby (Pacific) with every game down to the wire ... but we're chomping at the bit.

"We got a night preview of (Moana Pasifika) playing the Force last weekend and what we know is they've improved a hell of a lot since last year. They'll be disappointed with that but regardless of last weekend, they'll be coming to Suncorp raring to go."