Tate McDermott to join exclusive Reds club in clash with Brumbies

Tate McDermott will join an exclusive club this weekend, with the scrum-half set to bring up 100 games for the Queensland Reds when they take on the ACT Brumbies in a crunch Australian derby at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.

There are only two other halfbacks who have brought up that milestone for the Reds. Will Genia and Peter Slattery have also brought up a century of appearances, but McDermott will also become one of the youngest ever to reach the mark at just 26 years of age.

McDermott debuted for the Reds on February 23, 2018, in a 45-19 loss to the Melbourne Rebels at AAMI Park. In the years since, McDermott has emerged as a leader, with the halfback captaining the side on multiple occasions.

With 31 tries in 99 appearances to date, McDermott is in the top bracket for career try-scorers at the Reds, which included a last-gasp winner against the Western Force in a recent fixture. McDermott spoke candidly when reflecting on the upcoming milestone.

“As a young kid from the Sunshine Coast, I never thought I’d be in this position. It’s a really proud moment for me and my family,” McDermott said in a statement.

“Things have worked out perfectly to be playing the Brumbies. I love these games. They’ve been the benchmark of Australian rugby and the side we’ve been chasing for a number of years.

“Obviously, big games are decided by big moments and we’ve got to make sure we’re playing Reds rugby in those moments.”

There are milestones aplenty for the Queenslanders this week with hooker Matt Faessler and prop Zane Nonggorr also set to bring up 50 matches. Both men were included in Eddie Jones’ Wallabies squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.

Those two have been named to start at hooker and tighthead prop respectively, and will be joined by Sef Fa’agase in the No. 1 jumper. Josh Canham and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto round out the tight five as the locking duo.

“When you talk about what it means to be a Queensland Red and what it means to represent this squad, you look no further then Tate McDermott,” coach Les Kiss said.

“Beyond his leadership, it’s his commitment to the maroon jersey.

“In addition, Saturday night will be a wonderful milestone for Matt Faessler and Zane Nonggorr, who both bring up their 50^th game for the Reds.

“They are two young men making their names in the front-row in a manner that bodes well for their futures and that of the club.”

Wallabies captain Harry Wilson and centre-winger Filipo Daugunu aren’t in the 23 this week. In Wilson’s place, coach Kiss has named a solid backrow tiro of Seru Uru, vice-captain Fraser McReight and Joe Brial.

McDermott joins Tom Lynagh in the halves, with Harry McLaughlin-Phillips dropping back to the bench, while Hunter Paisami will partner Dre Lakeho in the midfield. Tim ‘Junkyard Dog’ Ryan joins Lachie Anderson and Heremaia Murray in the outside backs.

This match at Suncorp Stadium is scheduled to kick off at 7:35 pm AEST on Saturday evening.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

1

Draws

0

Wins

4

Average Points scored

21

28

First try wins

20%

Home team wins

40%

Queensland Reds team to take on ACT Brumbies

1. Sef Fa’agase – Sunnybank – Shailer Park State High – Beaudesert Warriors
2. Matt Faessler – Brothers – Toowoomba Grammar School – USQ Saints
3. Zane Nonggorr – Bond University – The Southport School – Gold Coast Eagles
4. Josh Canham – Bond University – Brighton Grammar, Melb – Harlequins RC, Melb
5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto – Souths – John Edmondson HS, Sydney – Southern Districts, Sydney
6. Seru Uru – Wests – Ratu Kadavulevu School, Fiji – Namoli RC, Fiji
7. Fraser McReight (vc) – Brothers – Brisbane Grammar – Albany Creek Brumbies
8. Joe Brial – University of Queensland – Scots College – Easts, Sydney
9. Tate McDermott (c) – University of Queensland – Sunshine Coast Grammar – Flinders RC
10. Tom Lynagh – University of Queensland – Epsom College – Richmond RC, UK
11. Tim Ryan – Brothers – St Patrick’s College, Shorncliffe
12. Hunter Paisami – Wests – Mangere College, Auckland
13. Dre Pakeho – Brothers – Anglican Church Grammar School
14. Lachie Anderson – University of Queensland – Oakhill College, Sydney – Dural RC, Sydney
15. Heremaia Murray – TBC – Auckland Grammar – Te Rarawa RC, NZ
Reserves:
16. Richie Asiata – Sunnybank – Anglican Church Grammar School
17. Alex Hodgman – Sunnybank – Mount Albert Grammar, Auckland – Suburbs RFC, Auck
18. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen – Norths – Wellington College, NZ
19. Angus Blyth – Bond University – The Southport School – Casuarina Beach RC
20. John Bryant – Souths – St Laurence’s College – Souths
21. Kalani Thomas – University of Queensland – Ipswich Grammar School – Souths
22. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips – Wests – Brisbane Boys’ College – Gunnedah Red Devils
23. Jock Campbell – University of Queensland – The Southport School – Inverell Highlanders

Unavailable through injury: Filipo Daugunu, Josh Flook, Matt Gibbon, Frankie Goldsbrough, Mason Gordon, Isaac Henry, Will McCulloch, Josh Nasser, Harry Wilson, Liam Wright