A fit Liam Wright looms as the missing ingredient in a potent Queensland Reds back row that is primed to do damage on both sides of the ball when the Les Kiss era begins against the NSW Waratahs.
New coach Kiss, a former Queensland State of Origin league winger, will return to Suncorp Stadium in maroon on Saturday after a decade of rugby coaching in Europe, South Africa and as an assistant at the Waratahs.
There is a feeling the seasoned mentor can unlock a squad well-fostered by former coach Brad Thorn that was never able to hit its straps.
Their three-headed monster of flankers Wright, Fraser McReight and No.8 Harry Wilson will be central to that, with the trio boasting a versatile set of skills that could take the game away from the visitors.
Wright, dogged by injuries since taking over the captaincy under Thorn in 2020, is fit again and can complement reigning Reds player of the year Wilson and Australian Super Rugby player of the year McReight.
"His fifth year now as skipper, he's such a leader," Wilson said.
"His lineout calling is key for us and his work rate on the field complements the other back-rowers really well. He's had his ups and downs with injury. I just love having him on the park."
McReight's support play and pilfer, combined with Wilson's line-breaking and offloading ability, complete the package, with Kiss encouraging his men to play with confidence and back their skills.
"With our new style of footy you need quick ball for it to be successful and Fraser is such a weapon for us on the defensive side.
"That all works if we are defending well as a unit, which will create the chances for him."
Of the Test-capped trio, only McReight has established himself for the Wallabies but Wilson knows this brand of football won't hurt his chances.
"It is going to help everyone; if we are getting quick ball and playing on the front foot then that opens up spaces in the opposition defence," he said.
Tom Lynagh, 20, won the battle with 19-year-old Harry McLaughlin-Phillips to start at five-eighth while Jordan Petaia will line up at fullback and Jock Campbell will come off the bench.
A neck injury to Lalakai Foketi on Thursday forced Darren Coleman to move fullback Joey Walton to the centres and promote Max Jorgensen from the bench into the No.15.
"There is nothing better," Wilson said of the Queensland-NSW rivalry.
"There are no other (oval-ball) footy codes on at the moment and I would love to see Caxton St full before the game and post-game for a few celebratory drinks after."
