Scrumhalf's messages to frustrated fans: 'It's hard to sit here and promise you stuff'
Tate McDermott knows they must frustrate their fans but hopes the Queensland Reds’ latest effort resonates as they shoot back into the Super Rugby AU frame.
A week after leaking six tries in a bleak loss to the NSW Waratahs, the Reds tackled themselves to a standstill for a bonus point 19-3 win over the Melbourne Rebels.
Making 204 tackles to the Rebels’ 66, coach Brad Thorn described it as State of Origin-esque as they moved from fourth to second on 16 points – behind the Brumbies (18 points) with three rounds to play.
Plucky halfback McDermott is known for his probing offence but it was his 80kg frame holding up the Rebels advances time and again that surely captured Wallabies coach Dave Rennie’s attention at Suncorp Stadium.
The 21-year-old McDermott saved at least two certain tries in one-on-one efforts against bigger men as the Reds somehow repelled endless Rebels attacks, even with hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa in the sin bin.
It was in stark contrast to their leaky defence a week ago and McDermott knows they must find consistency to finish the season with some silverware.
“It’s all about believing and we’re slowly believing that we can,” he said.
“It’d be massive (to win Super Rugby AU); it’s hard to sit here and promise you stuff, but we keep talking about it and it must get frustrating listening to it.
“But hopefully people are starting to see what we’re about.”
After toppling the undefeated Brumbies last week, the Rebels (15 points) could have gone top with a win on Saturday.
Instead they slipped to fourth behind the Waratahs (16 points) ahead of a bye, likely needing wins against NSW and the Western Force (two points) to qualify for the three-team finals series.
Fresh off a bye, the Brumbies play the Waratahs on Saturday and, if the Reds beat the Force on Friday, could create a gap between the top two and the rest with a win against Rob Penney’s men.
McDermott acknowledged the snakes and ladders feel to the season but hoped the Reds had turned a corner on Saturday.
“We’ve got a lot to work on in terms of one week having a good attack, bad defence and vice versa,” he said.
“We’re not perfect, we know that and you’ve seen Reds teams in the past give up and that’s why last week was so disappointing; that’s not us and we’re trying to make amends.”
The Reds’ depth will be tested again with Hunter Paisami (knee) a likely casualty, while Jack Straker was the fifth to start in the injury-cursed No.1 jersey.
SUPER RUGBY AU RUN TO FINALS
*Four points for a win, plus a bonus point for scoring three or more tries than opponent or losing by seven points or less.
1. BRUMBIES (18 points, +17) v Waratahs (h), Force (h), Reds (a)
2. REDS (16 points, -6) v Force (Gold Coast), bye, Brumbies (h)
3. WARATAHS (15 points, +36) v Force (a), Rebels (a), bye
4. REBELS (14 points, +18) v bye, Waratahs (a), Force (a)
5. FORCE (2 points, -65) v Reds (Gold Coast), Brumbies (a), Rebels (a)
Comments on RugbyPass
I wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
1 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
4 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
23 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
23 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
11 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
3 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to commentsNot so fast Aaron, we might need you in black yet lol. God knows he’d be a lot less nerve-racking than hot and (very) cold players like Perofeta. It’s really a shame Reuben Love isn’t playing 10, we’ve got enough 15 options.
4 Go to commentsAnd those from the NH still seem to be puzzled (and delighted) why NZ’s depth isn’t what it once was. Over 600 NZ players overseas, that’s insane. This sort of deal is why Super Rugby coaches have admitted they struggle now to find enough quality to fill out their squads.
6 Go to commentsArticle intéressant ! La question devrait régulièrement se poser pour les jeunes français originaires de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis-et-Futuna et de Polynésie entre la Nouvelle-Zélande et la Métropole… Difficile pour la fédération française de rugby de se positionner : soit le choix est fait de dénicher les jeunes talents et de les faire venir très tôt en Métropole, au risque de les déraciner, soit on prend le risque de se les faire “piller” par les All Blacks qui, telle une araignée, essaye de récupérer tous les talents des îles du Pacifique… À la France de se défendre en développant l’aura du XV de France et des clubs français dans ses collectivités d’Outre-mer !
3 Go to commentsWrong bay. He needs to come to the REAL BAY which is Bay Of Plenty and have a crack at making the Chiefs.
3 Go to commentsIs Barrett going play full back??? They already have all the centers…
16 Go to commentsForgive my ignorance, I might not fully understand so would appreciate clarification: Didn’t the Bulls have to fly with three different carriers, paid for by the South African Rugby Union, whilst Edinburgh got a chartered flight sponsored by EPCR? Also, as far as I understand it South African teams don’t yet share in the revenue from the competition and are not allowed to host Semi-finals or Finals at home. Surely if everyone wants South Africans to “take the competition seriously” then they must make South Africans feel welcome, allow them to share in the revenue, and give them the same levels of access as the teams from the other countries. Just a reminder that South Africa has a large and passionate Rugby audience. Just by virtue of our teams being a part of these competitions means that more of us are likely to watch the knockout games, even if our teams haven’t qualified. It would be silly to alienate such a large audience by making them feel unwelcome.
23 Go to comments