'I let a lot of people down': Reds captain hoping for finals 'springboard' after breaking hoodoo
Queensland are hoping to use their hoodoo-busting victory in Christchurch as a springboard into the Super Rugby Pacific finals, says returning co-captain Tate McDermott.
Sitting out the last three rounds through suspension, the Wallabies halfback was in the stands, celebrating among a contingent of travelling Queensland fans who watch the Reds beat the Crusaders at home for the first time in 25 years.
It’s also the first time since 2013 that the Reds have won three matches in a season against New Zealand outfits.
“It was massive, a huge result from the fellas,” McDermott said on Tuesday, ahead of Friday night’s challenge against the Melbourne Rebels at Suncorp Stadium.
“I was actually there with 90 other travelling Queenslanders as part of a tour group and to be on the other side of the fence and experience from a supporters’ point of view was fantastic.
“There’s a huge buzz here in the playing group but hopefully there’s a buzz in Queensland rugby as well.”
While McDermott enjoyed the intimate fan experience he’s eager to get back into the thick of the action.
“As a captain of this side, I let a lot of people down and I’ve got to be, and I will be better,” the 25-year-old, who wasn’t proud of his ban for a high tackle, said.
“Now it’s up to me to earn my way back on the side because the boys have been playing so well.
“We probably should have been sitting with three wins … hopefully I can help them get where we want to head pre-finals and then into that, so four huge games coming up.”
Queensland are fifth on the ladder, one spot ahead of Melbourne, who are coming off two losses against Kiwi opposition while the debt-ridden club is also teetering on extinction.
There’s a distinct Queensland flavour in the Rebels, with Taniela Tupou, Filipo Daugunu, Sam Talakai and injured lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto all former Reds while star five-eighth Carter Gordon also comes out of the sunshine state.
“I think the Rebels have been a surprise packet this year, haven’t they?,” McDermott said.
“They’ve got so much adversity going against them and I know a lot of the players there really well.
“They’re capable of anything and we’re really wary of that and we respect the Rebels as a team.
“There’s quite a few old Reds boys playing for them, they’ve bolstered their tight five and got some exciting backs as well.
“They’re a difficult team to preview actually because they’ve got so many strings to their bow so we’ve got to respect them across the park.”
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Comments on RugbyPass
This game was always going to be close, Canada have such a dominant pack and the Black Ferns have come unstuck in that area against teams like France and England in the past.
2 Go to commentsA distinct discomfort with the officiating they were probably selected from the local IRA narcos branch along with the commentators bloody fly tippers.
1 Go to commentsWow, never thought I would read that
2 Go to commentsExcellent match. Great to see Keenan and Ryan back for Leinster. Super result for Ulster. Season is turning around.
1 Go to comments“We need eight or nine new players, who are hard-wearing and durable and experienced Premiership performers”. So why are they scouting a retired fullback who himself admits that his “body is broken”?
1 Go to commentsBrumbies hand, knocked a Crusaders hand. Therefore, knock on in goal. Crusaders, goal line drop out should’ve been awarded. most likely after that 24 each at full time, so extra time would’ve been the right an entertaining outcome. Act Jim
1 Go to commentsSpeell cehck
1 Go to commentsColeman is gaawwwwnnn.
1 Go to commentsnext SA head coach?
3 Go to commentsGreat try by van Poortvliet.
1 Go to commentsThey have been cruelled by injuries but almost nobody (Sevu Reece and Fletcher Newell big exceptions) has played above himself which regularly happened before. Surely Scott Robertson had maintained the recruitment programme and it looks like a reasonable squad. Last in this competition will stall a lot of careers. Penny seems likeable. But it’s not enough even though this was better. We haven’t been good enough and it’s not helped by the “it’s been 15 years since… “etc “after nearly every match. Seems somehow a soft gifting of something once valuable. Kieran Read giving comments last week almost choked describing the easy surrender of possession by the forwards. I’d love to think that the senior players some of whom are back can show enough pride in the jersey to test the Blues next week.
3 Go to commentsWho will Joe select for the back three with so many in form candidates? Just hope he doesn’t get shafted like Dave Rennie and to a lesser extent Deans.
6 Go to commentsAlways reluctant to blame a coach when losses rack up, but Penney must go. The backline is dysfunctional and the coach must carry the can. No cohesion, no idea and in many cases, minimal skill. The trains out of Roma St depart faster than the ball from Crusaders’ set pieces. Wouldn’t be surprised if the forwards went on strike.
3 Go to commentsAdding to earlier comment. Cullen Grace has been playing great at no6. Lio-Willie , who was on fire a few weeks ago, had a bad game. I think Cullen should have been moved to 8 earlier, Dominic Gardiner on earlier. Feel for Quinten Strange , put in a big shift .
6 Go to commentsWe dominated the scrums Ben Curry was all over pitch again .Surely James Harper got to be one of best English tightheads
1 Go to commentsRoos is a better option at 6 than 8 for the boks. Needs to work on his windgat though.
1 Go to commentsThe Sharks’ 2nd team maybe?
1 Go to comments‘radical’
1 Go to commentsCome back to Christchurch Robbie, please!
1 Go to commentsI think there is zero chance Sam Cane will be selected for another Test. There is simply no point except sentimentality. Razor is not sentimental- ask Wyatt Crocket. Razor is a ruthless selector
5 Go to comments