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Tate McDermott eyes No 9 jersey as Wallabies spy 'easy fix'
Tate McDermott insists he is ready to start for the Wallabies against the All Blacks as the halfback explained how the side plans to shake off their wobbly start under returning coach Eddie Jones.
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Australia will host New Zealand at the MCG next Saturday, the squad in the middle of a three-day camp on the Gold Coast that’s followed humbling losses to South Africa and Argentina.
And the plucky No.9 said more pain was certain against their formidable neighbours if the Wallabies dished up more of the same in what will be the side’s third-last game before their September 10 World Cup opener.
“There’s a combination of factors there but a lot of it’s around our work hard early (philosophy),” the 24-year-old said on Friday.
“When we’re slow into position … we’re in a world of hurt; it’s an easy fix but we’ve got to make that shift and make it quick.
“If we roll out what we did … particularly in those effort areas, we’ll be looking at the same result.
“That break (after playing Argentina last Saturday) came at a good time; we put in a hell of a lot of work and didn’t receive much out of it.
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“But we’ve only got ourselves to blame and we’ve licked our wounds, reviewed and we’ve moved on bloody quickly.”
The Queensland Reds sniper has come off the bench behind Nic White in both Tests, while uncapped Ryan Lonergan remains the third No.9 in the squad for the two-Test Bledisloe Cup series.
McDermott was omitted from Jones’ first extended Wallabies squad but forced his way back into the reckoning with good Super Rugby Pacific form at the back end of the season and could earn a start in what would be his 24th Test appearance next weekend.
“Yeah, 100 per cent,” McDermott said when asked if he thought he was ready to wear the No.9 against New Zealand.
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“But there’s three nines that are 100 per cent capable of starting against the All Blacks.
“That’s what makes it exciting; each week we’re not sure whether we’re going to be starting, on the bench or out of the team.
“We’re working hard together as three nines to make sure we’re world-class in those areas.”
Comments on RugbyPass
End to end play, “THE FANS” this game was entertainment of the best. The conditions added to the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsSorry to say, but sadly the sadas were just ordinary and havilli at 10 as an abs selection just won’t cut it. He’s better suited in the centre’s and is a victim of past charge down kicks, he’s too slow under pressure. There’s better talent further north and I don’t mean dmac however I believe razor will sort him out. A feature of his presents on the park is the fact that the guys will follow him.
7 Go to commentsMarler was brilliant throughout both in the scrum and open play. His slap made virtually no contact with Ramos who milked it for a penalty when he could have been a decent sportsman and laughed it off, it was non-violent and shouldn't have been penalised. Smith failed repeatedly to kick when necessary and put up a couple of bombs into the TLS 22 that just handed back possession at key moments to the other side.
3 Go to commentsCros was outstanding and rightly awarded France TVs player of the match award. Mallia was brilliant as usual (the y is below the 6 on a UK keyboard and he deserves better than that). Level also seems to have been scored harshly as he walked the ball into touch under pressure from a Lynagh kick from well outside his own half which should never have led to a 50-22. Agree with BullShark that Dupont, while class at times, seemed to go missing for patches in the second half with props, hookers and wings frequently filling in at 9 as he couldn't get off the deck and up to the next ruck on time. A 7 by his standards at best, his kicking was also too long, too often. Kinghorn's overall contribution was worth well more than a five.
3 Go to commentsThe Harlequins team must be in minus figures. Did the reporter actually watch the game?
3 Go to commentsHow on earth did Walker escape a red card? Not dangerous? Dupont has his face in a mask earlier this season. Shocking decision. What is the point of TMOs? We had the Fassi ‘non-penalty try’ yesterday and now this.
2 Go to commentsCould have been a different result but yet again French tv able to affect the result by not showing the very clear high shot on harlequin centre if this would have been on a French player would have been on screen at least five times
3 Go to commentsAmazing. The losing team’s ratings are higher than the winning team’s. Mallia definitely didn’t deserve a y. What game were you watching? Should have got a w or an x. ADP hardly featured in that second half. At one point I wondered when he’d been subbed. Seems to me as if he gets an automatic 9 just for getting onto the team sheet.
3 Go to commentsI’m sorry. That second half was far from enthralling. It was painful to watch.
2 Go to commentsVery generous! If you’d missed the game, reading this you’d conclude that it was the Quins front row that cost them the game. Marler getting a blanket 6 for his demented contribution to the game. Puzzling.
3 Go to commentsCan’t see Toulouse beating Leinster at this rate.
7 Go to commentsADP was having a very average game until winning that penalty for Toulouse, sticking his big head in the way. “The head of God”?
7 Go to commentsHarlequins doing their best to do as little damage as possible with all the possession. Looks like they skipped catch and pass drills this week.
7 Go to commentsSeeing pictures of Jacques high-fiving it with Irish players breaks my heart. Too soon. I need more time.
1 Go to commentsquins is all over the place. The minute they get the ball they panic. Quins can still win tho just need to win all rucks otherwise just don't bother.
7 Go to commentsGreat wins for the male & female kiwi sides. Ireland not far away..
1 Go to commentsWhy is this dude getting so much coverage? Usually knobs like this get cancelled.
2 Go to commentsWow. What was that? A 3 million word meandering article about what exactly?
2 Go to commentsNice piece of writing. And yes the Sharks pulled a rabbit from the hat and were a little lucky with that penalty try that wasn’t given… however the Sharks (with their resources) should be way more consistent and should be putting teams like Claremont away for breakfast. I expect more from them and hope they kick on now.
8 Go to commentsJust what the Sharks needed to get things going in the right direction Defence on the outside really creates havoc for the whole team and needs to be addressed.
8 Go to comments