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Tate McDermott's first impression of Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt
The Wallabies’ fresh start in 2024 took a step forward on Wednesday morning as all five Australian Super Rugby Pacific captains met new national coach Joe Schmidt.
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Schmidt, 58, is the Wallabies’ third coach in as many years following stints from New Zealand-born coach Dave Rennie and now-Japan boss Eddie Jones.
But Schmidt, who just like Dave Rennie is also a New Zealander, brings a wealth of experience into the role following historic stints with Ireland and the All Blacks. More recently, he was an assistant coach under Ian Foster during New Zealand’s run to last year’s World Cup final.
During his coaching reign with Ireland, Schmidt led the men in green to their first-ever win over the All Blacks and their ascent to world number-one status for the first time in history.
But this might be Schmidt’s biggest test. Following the Wallabies’ disastrous Rugby World Cup exit last year, the new boss will look to inspire Australia’s redemption as a rugby nation.
While the Wallabies’ first Test of the year against Wales (July 6 in Sydney) is just under five months away, Schmit had a chance to meet some of Australia’s best on Wednesday morning.
“Very casual chat with Joe but good to meet him,” Queensland Reds captain Tate McDermott told reporters in Auckland.
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“I’ve heard a lot about him from different people – New Zealanders and also Irish people – and heard nothing but good things about him.
“There’s still a lot of unknowns about the Wallabies environment, about who surrounds Joe and his staff, but that’ll come with time.
“It was great just to get to meet him really.”
The Wallabies are ninth on World Rugby’s official men’s rankings with last year’s World Cup rivals Wales (eighth) and Fiji (10th) sitting either side of them.
If history is anything to go by, especially recent history, then this is a tough mountain to scale for Schmidt and the yet-to-be-confirmed coaching group.
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But from a player’s point of view, the chance to make amends – or at least to star that process – begins in just over one week when the new Super Rugby Pacific season gets underway.
“It starts at Super Rugby,” McDermott added.
“There’s been a lot of change from what happened last year at all levels – executive level, new coach, new Super Rugby coaches.
“For me, it’s just about going back to Super Rugby and improving.
“We’ve got to upskill, we’ve got to get fitter, we’ve got to get faster and I guess it’s very rare for Wallabies to have such a big pre-season that we’ve had, so I guess that’s the other way you can look at it.
“We had three weeks pre-Christmas, from a Reds point of view, where we had new coaches, new staff and new players. We’ve got to make sure that when we’re getting that amount of tie, you put in that time to work, (that) you’re making sure you get the most out of it. That’s the way I’m looking at it.
“I’ve got to play good footy anyway to make the Wallabies. It starts in a week and a half time.”
The Queensland Reds kick off their season at home against arch-rivals the NSW Waratahs in a “State of Origin” battle at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on February 24.
“It’s our version of State of Origin. The oldest rivalry pretty much in Australian sport,” McDermott said.
“A lot of people don’t know that but it’s big. There’s a lot in it, there’s a lot on the line.
“To have them in our home at Suncorp Stadium in a week and a half’s time, it’s brilliant.”
Comments on RugbyPass
There’s plenty I could write on this, I won’t stop if I really get going, so i’ll make just 2 important points. Don’t forget that SA didn’t have a hooker, don’t discount that fact. I would have taken MBONAMBI fit for the game over a yellow to Frizelle. Also you forget that NZ had the luxury of playing without pressure once the red came. Noone expected them to win and they could always fall back on 14 men if they lost. I’d also have taken 15 men NZ and MBONAMBI on the field over what transpired.
18 Go to commentsSome people in France say that JB Lafont have some problems with alcohol….
2 Go to commentsThis is awesome news. I hope he goes well.
1 Go to commentsI get that Ben's role is to attract SA readers with controversial clickbait, but what about respecting the rivalry of over 100 years? The Boks won, we lost. The Boks have now won 4 world cups since their inclusion back into international rugby, and in that time the rest of the world combined have only won 4! It's an incredible achievement. Show respect, and then hope we win 2-0 in SA later this year. But don't be a whiner; it means you don't understand the rivalry at its essence. Winner takes all when NZ plays SA. Sport in it's purest form. Long may it continue.
18 Go to commentsU Nz never ever use to be such a bunch off whining girls,now this so sad that u got this aasss writing some crap
18 Go to commentsBeautifully written.
5 Go to commentsYou can be a dominating team and still lose. The Boks know that if the ABs are a man down, they play as if they have another two players on the field. The ABs did attack, they did apply pressure, they built more plays but they did not add more points to the board. The ABs are still the most dominant team in sports today as the ABs will go for a win in every game they play. Rassie and Jacques have used the time between World Cups to build squad depth. They were also the last tier 1 nation to start playing rugby after COVID restrictions were eased and still won the series against The B&I Lions. Ben may write to persuade the reader that the Boks are not worthy of the trophy or worthy to be the best in the world but Ben, since you enjoy stats so much, you forgot the most important statistic….the score! That's the one that matters most.
18 Go to commentsNot a fan of Penney to be fair as I don’t see him able to perform at SR level. However he has stepped into a bit of a mess with so many long service players leaving. No matter how good a coach us he can’t wave a magic wind and turn young pups into Crusaders in 5 mins. Wheaven to accept this is a complete rebuild of players and culture. Have some patience just as the other teams have had in years gone by
29 Go to commentsWhat is Ben’s point exactly? Cause if it’s that the ABs should’ve won that game, then yes I think every AB fan would agree with that. But the DIDN'T. You need luck to go your way and it went the Springboks way, just as it went the ABs way in 2011. Given that this article is written 6 months after the final shows that Ben is still incredibly butthurt. Time to move on Mr Smith. Maybe join something that suits your bias… i’m thinking the Australian commentary panel?
18 Go to commentsSA players and fans calling the irish arrogant, ooh the irony!!
86 Go to commentsPersonally i’d have BB off the bench and DMac as 10. BB seems to have more ‘average’ games and less ability to mix it up on the fly than DMac,
7 Go to commentsBen’s Myth History is written by the guy who does the engraving on the trophy. Took Ben six months to write this piece.
18 Go to commentsThis article should have been written immediately after the final, not half a year later. While the content of the article is accurate with the references to the cruel bounce to Savea right before the try line, Etzebeth’s cynical infringement, and the inconsistent cards, some of the hyperbole emotional statements are unnecessary and gaslighting. The fact remains that the Springboks took their scoring opportunities. They had amazing defence throughout the entire match (limiting the ABs to one try is very respectable), their scrum was pretty good and they had quite a solid lineout despite having a part-time hooker throwing the ball in. Let’s give credit where credit is due and move forward. The Springboks won because they know how to win big games through strong defence and kicking, and they had lady luck on their side on the day. The All Blacks miraculously made the final despite everyone’s predictions and could’ve won the whole damn thing with 14 men who should’ve taken better advantage of their scoring chances and committed less mistakes (shoddy lineouts, dropped balls, some poor kicks and passing, etc), and an average coach and captain with some questionable tactics (Jordie kicking for goal late in the game from a dodgy position and perhaps the wrong game plan overall). Time to move on.
18 Go to commentsThere’s no doubt the All Blacks were the better team on the day, but it’s not enough to be better, you also have to have luck.
18 Go to commentsI dunno, Ben. It does feel a little like you are just in denial that the Springboks are really good. Good enough to win two straight world cups.
18 Go to commentsAre we still talking about the World Cup final in May? The final took place more than 6 months ago. Isn’t it time to move on?
18 Go to commentsIt looks like the trauma counseling is not helping the Ben Smith troll much. He is still trying to convince his little brain that his loser team won the RWC.
18 Go to commentsOh dear, Jon. Ben Smith’s Saffer clickbait was at least backed up by some rationale!
18 Go to commentsThe more direct approach to your past time this time I see Ben. Look, it doesn’t need to be said, anyone watching the match knows the ABs played better and just got robbed by the officiating, but lets face it, their dominance in the match was only because South Africa choked and forgot how to play rugby with the ball. South Africa were still the better side. Of course Ireland and France were also better sides that New Zealand. Possibly even England on WC performances.
18 Go to commentsGreat mythology - no surprises Ox didn't talk about being driven backwards by Laulala in the RWC final!
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