Reds looking to bring speed to UK tour as Lions loom

It’s been 35 years since the Queensland Reds toured the United Kingdom, but only months since Tate McDermott was there with the Wallabies.

The historic, two-game Super Rugby Pacific preseason tour features games in Bristol and Belfast and is designed to “close the gap” for Australian rugby on their northern rivals.

And it’s a significant opportunity for McDermott, the halfback and recent Test skipper, who is keen to avoid being pigeonholed as a Wallabies finisher after playing 10 of his 12 games for Australia off the bench last year.

“I want to try and force my way up the ladder there,” McDermott told AAP ahead of Friday’s departure.

“It’s always a privilege wearing that gold jersey, but, yeah, there’s definitely aspirations, particularly with the (British and Irish) Lions touring this year.”

Australian coach Joe Schmidt has preferred Jake Gordon and Nic White as starters in the No.9 and asked McDermott, a potent runner of the ball, to work on his core skills and game management.

McDermott points out that Super Rugby encourages the open play that suits him, whereas Test rugby and the Northern Hemisphere club method promote what Schmidt wants to see more of.

“There is a difference and I like to think ours is more entertaining, but that’s the beauty of rugby,” the Reds co-captain said. “It’s why I’m excited to see how we against teams like Bristol and Ulster.

“It comes back to how I can shift gears in a game … about how I get the balancing act of that all right.”

The Reds have sent a full-strength squad including current Wallabies captain Harry Wilson, fit-again Liam Wright and recruits Josh Canham, Filipo Daugunu and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto.

Their visit follows offseason clashes with Wales in Brisbane, Tonga in wet Nuku’alofa conditions and the Wild Knights, twice, in Japan.

The extra fixtures are designed to bridge the gap on northern hemisphere rivals, who traditionally play about 30 matches a year – about double that of the Australian-based professionals.

The Western Force enjoyed a three-match South African tour in October while Fijian Drua will host Major League Rugby’s Los Angeles on Friday.

“We realise we have to do more to shape our own destiny by finding more quality games to develop our younger players because that is a gap in the Australian system at the moment,” QRU boss David Hanham told AAP.

“Coach Les Kiss is very strong on ‘closing the gap’ which is bringing up the quality of our entire squad with chances that otherwise might not be there.

“There’s also an opportunity to build real respect and recognition for the Queensland Reds brand overseas through these types of match-ups.

“We want to build on that legacy, as well as finding ways to showcase our commercial partners and develop our staff on a global scale.”

SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC PRESEASON

* Drua v RFCLA – January 24, Lautoka

* Waratahs v NSW Pacifica – Jan 25, Sydney

* Moana Pasifika v Highlanders – Jan 31, Albany

* Crusaders v Blues – Jan 31, Kirwee

* Reds v Bristol Bears – Jan 31, Bristol

* Waratahs v Brumbies – Feb 1, Bowral

* Chiefs v Hurricanes – Feb 1, New Plymouth

* Highlanders v Crusaders – Feb 6, Invercargill

* Brumbies v Force – Feb 7, Canberra

* Reds v Ulster – Feb 7, Belfast

* Hurricanes v Blues – Feb 7,  Wainuiomata

* Chiefs v Moana Pasifika – Feb 8, Pukekohe