1
Tate McDermott and Liam Wright to captain Reds again in 2024
New coach Les Kiss has named familiar co-captains to lead the Queensland Reds during Super Rugby Pacific with Tate McDermott and Liam Wright holding onto their roles in 2024.
ADVERTISEMENT
With Brad Thron’s commendable stint at Ballymore coming to an end last year, the Reds are preparing to usher in a new era with Les Kiss in charge.
But for the Reds to take some steps forward this season, the Queenslanders need the right people leading the way. For Kiss, two men emerged as proven candidates.
Wallabies Tate McDermott and Liam Wright will pave the way for the Queenslanders as they look to build on their eighth-place finish last time around.
“It’s important to allow a thorough process and clear thought when making a decision of this magnitude, but I am extremely pleased to be announcing Liam and Tate as our 2024 co-captains today,” Kiss said in a statement.
“Forming relationships with them both over the last few months at Ballymore has been a fantastic experience.
“They are outstanding young men on and off the field, who share an immense passion for the team and the state of Queensland, and genuine care for our organisation and their peers.
ADVERTISEMENT
“They are determined to deliver for our fans and, supported by a squad rich in both potential and experience, they will wear our jersey with pride and everything in their power to achieve success.”
It should be of no surprise really to see either man named as a co-captain. McDermott has developed into a respected leader, not just with the Reds but Wallabies as well.
McDermott captained Australia during last year’s Bledisloe Cup Test at Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium after cementing his place as the nation’s number one halfback.
With 22 tries in 79 Reds caps, as well as 29 Tests for Australia, there’s no denying that McDermott will continue to play a pivotal role for the Queenslanders in 2024.
ADVERTISEMENT
“I feel honoured to be asked to lead our group alongside my good mate Liam again this season,” McDermott explained.
“I’m enthusiastic about where our team can go and bringing the fans on the journey with us is something that I care deeply about.
“It’s an utter privilege for ‘Wrongaz’ and I to lead this club forward and is something I’ll never take for granted.”
McDermott debuted for the Queensland Reds in the second round of the 2018 season against the Melbourne Rebels at AAMI Park. But he wasn’t the only debutant that night.
Backrower Liam Wright ran out in Reds colours for the first time at Super Rugby level that night, and the pair have both been mainstays of the team ever since.
Wright has played five Tests for the Wallabies, dating back to a debut against the All Blacks at Eden Park in 2019. The leader has also played 69 games for Queensland and scored 10 tries.
“Leading and serving this group is a great privilege, and I will work hard to help make us a team that Queensland and its fans can be proud of,” Wright added.
Head-to-Head
Last 5 Meetings
Wins
4
Draws
0
Wins
1
Average Points scored
32
21
First try wins
80%
Home team wins
40%
“Les and his coaches bring a new, exciting dynamic that I’m eager to learn from and add to.
“It is a genuine pleasure getting to do this side-by-side with my good mate Tate, and I can’t wait to build on the foundations and cohesion we have developed in the roles and see how far we can go as a team in 2024.”
The Queensland Reds will kick off their 2024 Super Rugby Pacific campaign – and their new era under Les Kiss – at home against arch-rivals the NSW Waratahs on Saturday, February 24.
Comments on RugbyPass
Dear Ben Smith you are a genius! God please become the next all blacks coach that can take on the mighty BOKS. Your rugby acumen is second to none - imagine your dads sperm bounced as unfortunately as that oval ball did….we would not be blessed with your presence. Just as the all blacks were missing a man you too are missing a chromosome for 80% of your life, so your insights are not only profound but ring true from your own experiences. Just as the TMO interfered with citing an illegal pass I am sure your local authorities interfere with your illegal passes you make on women - How dare they!!! God forbid that rugby be officiated fairly. You are the right man for the job. Next all blacks coach is here ladies and gentlemen Miss Ben Smith (He/She/They/IT)
218 Go to commentsHuge engine this guy and great to see him back ..The amount of clean outs he does at the ruck are ridiculous !!
3 Go to commentsThe level of desperation in this article is just embarrassing.
218 Go to commentsSome silly trolling in the comments.
8 Go to commentsEverywhere you turn some irish journo is advocating Ireland as the greatest, reasoning that the wc is a 4 year cycle event so, they say wc doesn’t matter it’s the rugby in between that should account for the accolade. If there was no wc then some substance could be gained, however in my opinion the moment that defined Ireland’s fate against the abs was 37 phases of repeated head bashing against a brick wall. If a change in strategy or a tinker with the game plan was executed then things could've been vastly different. And to point a finger the let down was in the hands of the number 10.
44 Go to commentsI have heard it asked if RA is essentially one of the part owners and I suppose therefor should be on the other side of these two parties. If they purchased the rebels and guaranteed them, and are responsible enough they incur Rebels penalties, where is this line drawn? Seems rough to have to pay a penalty for something were your involvement sees you on the side of the conned party, the creditors. If the Rebels directors themselves have given the club their money, 6mil worth right, why aren’t they also listed as sitting with RA and the Tax office? And the legal threat was either way, new Rebels or defunct, I can’t see how RA assume the threat was less likely enough to warrant comment about it in this article. Surely RA ignore that and only worry about whether they can defend it or not, which they have reported as being comfortable with. So in effect wouldn’t it be more accurate to say there is no further legal threat (or worry) in denying the deal. Unless the directors have reneged on that. > Returns of a Japanese team or even Argentinean side, the Jaguares, were said to be on the cards, as were the ideas of standing up brand new teams in Hawaii or even Los Angeles – crazy ideas that seemingly forgot the time zone issues often cited as a turn-off for viewers when the competition contained teams from South Africa. Those timezones are great for SR and are what will probably be needed to unlock its future (cant see it remaining without _atleast _help from Aus), day games here are night games on the West Coast of america, were potential viewers triple, win win. With one of the best and easiest ways to unlock that being to play games or a host a team there. Less good the further across Aus you get though. Jaguares wouldn’t be the same Jaguares, but I still would think it’s better having them than keeping the Rebels. The other options aren’t really realistic 25’ options, no. From reading this authors last article I think if the new board can get the investment they seem to be confident in, you keeping them simply for the amount of money they’ll be investing in the game. Then ditch them later if they’re not good enough without such a high budget. Use them to get Jaguares reintergration stronger, with more key players on board, and have success drive success.
15 Go to commentsYeah, and ours is waaay bigger than yours. Just as you's get a semi…oh hold on that never happens
44 Go to commentsLove watching
1 Go to commentsThe Melbourne Rebels lineout is a complete disaster so not surprisingly a kiwi coach of the Wallabies hires the worst lineout coach in the country and a foreigner to boot. No surprises whatsoever here…….
3 Go to commentsThank your for wasting 2 minutes of my life Daniel. There is a useful message in there somewhere but your delivery sucks.
7 Go to commentsBen Smith, you are cry baby
218 Go to commentsSux that homophobia is still a thing though. I wonder how many players who could have become legends never kept playing rugby because they felt unwelcome.
7 Go to commentsCrazy he’s only 28, feel like he’s been around forever - don’t mind the move, safe pair of hands and creates depth in a thin position for ABs. Hopefully aides Kemara’s growth also without thrusting too much responsibility on him
1 Go to commentsMen should show strength and be mean, but they should be able to show emotion to those close yo them in certain times, birth of your child, death of family, proud moment. This article is stupid
7 Go to commentsWhat a weak article…absolute drivel and clickbait, well done. Will stick to rugby365 thanks
7 Go to commentsHonest, discipline, humility… Priceless.
2 Go to commentsSo many excuses. No mention of the SA number 2 being taken out illegally in the 2nd minute. That act of foul play had a massive impact on the SA game. Face it, NZ play pretty dirty very regularly, and it’s only since 2016 they’ve been held to higher officiating standards via stricter officiating and TMO reviews. They deserved to have a man down. Sorry. Fix the yellow and red cards and NZ will win more RWCs. Plus, there WAS a knock on invalidating the one try, so it was NOT a try. Period. Here’s a Kleenex…
218 Go to commentsOverheard conversation between NZ and SA rugby fans everywhere: We’re the greatest! No! we’re the greatest! We’re the greatest! No we’re the greatest! Ireland are arrogant! True but they beat you! We’re the greatest! No! we’re the greatest! Etc. etc, etc.
44 Go to commentsTypical crap Aussie weather
11 Go to comments“If they’d have beaten England, I still feel we would have been talking ‘is this the best team ever,’ ‘is this the best team that’s ever played in the Six Nations'” he said. “I still think they’re not quite that good. I actually don’t think they’re that good.” So Trimble is saying he doesn’t think this is the best 6N team of all time. He is silent on if it is the best Irish team of all time. Can’t disagree with him. Just another misrepresentative clickbait headline from the guys at RP.
44 Go to comments