Fraser McReight was the turnover king in 2025, almost doubling the number of turnovers of his closest rival in international rugby.
The Australian flanker was on red-hot form during the 14 Test matches he’s been involved in this calendar year, making a remarkable 24 turnovers.
“My role… as a number seven, is to be a good defender, be a pest, have a high work rate, that’s what I try to do,” McRieight said in August, just before he became the 91st captain of the Wallabies for their match at the DHL Stadium against the Springboks.
OptaJonny – a page on X dedicated to highlighting the best stats in rugby union, claimed: “Five players won 10+ turnovers in men’s Tier 1 international rugby in 2025, with Wallabies back-rower Fraser McReight winning 10 more than anyone else.”
Sitting well down in second place, Manuel Zuliani, the Italian backrower, still made an impressive 14 turnover wins. Tied in third place was England’s Maro Itoje, Argentina’s Pablo Matera and New Zealand’s Ardie Savea with a respectable 11 each.
Fraser McReight – 24
Manuel Zuliani – 14
Maro Itoje – 11
Pablo Matera – 11
Ardie Savea – 11
24 – Five players won 10+ turnovers in men’s Tier 1 international rugby in 2025, with @Wallabies back-rower Fraser McReight winning 10 more than anyone else.
Fraser McReight 🇦🇺 – 24
Manuel Zuliani 🇮🇹 – 14
Maro Itoje 🏴/🦁 – 11
Pablo Matera 🇦🇷 – 11
Ardie Savea 🇳🇿 – 11
Pilferers.
— OptaJonny (@OptaJonny) December 23, 2025
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Fraser McReight Career Highlights
2016: Represented Australian Schools against Samoan Schools (W 50-10) and New Zealand Schools (W 32-22)
2018: Represented Australia at the 11th annual World Rugby U20s Championship in France.
2019: Captained Australia to runners-up at the 12th annual World Rugby U20s Championship in Argentina.
2020: McReight won his first Test cap off the bench when he replaced Harry Wilson in the 68th minute of the 5-43, third Test loss to New Zealand in Sydney.
2021: He played a single Test, again as a replacement, against New Zealand at Eden Park.
2022: McReight played eight Tests, including six as the starting openside flanker. He made his first run-on XV appearance in the 1st Test, 41-26 victory over Argentina in Mendoza.
2025: Started in all three Tests against the British and Lions and captained the Wallabies senior squad for the first time in the Autumn,