Wallabies youngster Tate McDermott primed for starting test debut
Will Genia’s tutelage and Queensland’s Super Rugby AU title have Tate McDermott primed to make his Wallabies starting debut in their opening test against France.
With veteran halfback Nic White out with a knee injury and Jake Gordon nursing the same, McDermott is the frontrunner for the No.9 jersey for next Wednesday’s test at Suncorp Stadium.
McDermott said on Tuesday he’d been training in the halves with Noah Lolesio and Reece Hodge, with first-choice five eighth James O’Connor another under an injury cloud with a groin complaint.
Genia, who played 110 tests at halfback before retirement, took McDermott under his wing last year for weekly sessions sessions to work on his pass and also his on-field presence.
Genia has been known for as a vocal, dominant character throughout his career.
Renowned for his running game, McDermott said that Genia’s guidance, which he put into practise as Queensland won the Super Rugby AU crown, meant he felt better prepared for the test arena after two appearances from the bench last year.
“I’ve still got a hell of a lot of improvement left in me in my core skills and that’s what I hear from my coaches – I know my passing and kicking have got to get better and that’s been the focus for me leading into this camp,” the 22-year-old said.
“In terms of my evolution, I think I really relished the opportunity to steer the Reds team a little bit more this year with James (O’Connor), as in past seasons I’ve let whoever has been the 10 run the show.
“The time I spent with Willy G really showed me that in order to progress at this level I need to take that step up, whether that’s talking in meetings or really being that voice on the field and that’s something I’ve tried to focus on – to make sure people listen to you when you speak.”
McDermott was disappointed that White was forced out of their Gold Coast camp after the training injury and said he’d also been generous with advice.
“I was gutted to see Whitey go down so early in the camp,” McDermott said.
“He was really good, just in and around my kicking game, which has improved a lot.
“It’s still not exactly where want to be but I could give credit to Whitey to where I’m moving in that space.”
Meanwhile, the Wallabies have lost another veteran, with prop Scott Sio ruled out of the Test series with a hamstring injury.
The 29-year-old, who has 59 test caps, suffered the injury at training last Friday.
After scans on the weekend it was decided he should return to Canberra for further treatment and Melbourne Rebels loosehead prop Cameron Orr has joined the squad as his replacement.
Matt Toomua, who has been battling a neck injury, returned to the squad on Tuesday after seeking treatment in Canberra, where Rugby Australia’s chief medical officer Warren McDonald is based.
Comments on RugbyPass
Bar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
9 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
35 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
35 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
35 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
35 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
35 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
35 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
35 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
18 Go to comments