Queensland Reds star shuts down talk of Wallabies selection in lead-up to Super Rugby AU final
Trending on RugbyPass
- 1 Heated boiled over in training
- 2 'Bloody worried' - Bok fears
- 3 Most confusing All Blacks selection
- 4 Kirwan questions ABs jersey's 'value'
- 5 Hansen on Dagg's winning try
Duelling halfbacks Tate McDermott and Nic White will square off in Saturday’s Super Rugby AU final with Wallabies ramifications at play.
But Queensland Reds playmaker and White’s Australian understudy McDermott said that motivation “was miles behind” as the Reds look to reverse the result of last year’s decider in front of what could be a 50,000-strong Suncorp Stadium crowd.
More than 32,000 tickets had been sold on Tuesday morning for the domestic decider, with the final shaping as the Reds’ biggest game since their only Super Rugby crown at the same ground 10 years ago.
McDermott has been central to the side’s revival – they’ve lost just once this season in a dead rubber clash with the Western Force – as he pushes incumbent Wallabies No.9 White ahead of a loaded test calendar later this year.
But after claiming honours in two tight contests already this season, the long-time Reds fan won’t be distracted by that individual battle.
“Wallabies (auditions) is miles behind (in my thoughts),” he said.
“I’ve got a job to do for my state first.
“I really do mean it; it’s a grand final and we’ve got Queenslanders to make proud.”
The Reds have been bullish in stating their ambitions this season and it hasn’t gone unnoticed in Canberra, with Brumbies coach Dan McKellar referencing the Reds’ outspoken confidence earlier this week.
McDermott said they were just returning the favour after witnessing the Brumbies’ title-winning jubilation up close in last year’s Super Rugby AU final, won 28-23 in Canberra.
“There’s been a couple of points where we’ve rewatched that … you see they kick it out and there’s a bit of carry-on and they win,” McDermott said.
“There’s been a fire burning since that moment last year and it’s helped.
“We’re still not the complete package, but we’re building and we owe them a lot from that game.”
Listen to the latest episode of the Aotearoa Rugby Pod below:
David Havili proving the All Blacks dream is alive and real More often than not, it can take a little bit of time before players really embed themselves into test rugby. Building the All Blacks around Richie Mo’unga’s Crusaders Analysis: The All Blacks are building their attack around the in-form Richie Mo'unga. TJ Perenara the new guide for integrating returning All Blacks TJ Perenara will follow a different path back into the All Blacks than Beauden Barrett and Brodie Retallick. Ian Foster’s All Blacks vision taking slow steps forward We don't yet have a full appreciation of what Ian Foster is trying to do as head coach of the All Blacks. Cohesion key in Canterbury’s ongoing success Analysis: All signs point to Canterbury marching on in the Farah Palmer Cup. Trending on RugbyPass
More News Recommended
- 'The Aussies have got nothing to lose': Why Australian teams could shock Kiwi opponents in Super Rugby Trans-Tasman
- Rising Wallabies star Rob Valetini re-commits to Australian rugby with new contract extension
- The big benefit the Brumbies have over the Reds ahead of Super Rugby AU final
Mailing List
Sign up to our mailing list for a weekly digest from the wide world of rugby.
Sign Up Now