It’s time to deliver on promises, says rookie

TATE McDermott perfectly sums up the mood of long-suffering Reds fans by saying the time for empty promises is over and only crunch wins matter.

It’s not always that the mantra for a pivotal period in Queensland rugby comes from a 20-year-old rookie but take it as an upbeat sign.

If the Reds are to roll the Sunwolves on Friday night at Suncorp Stadium, chances are the livewire little halfback will be a trigger for plenty of the best moments.

McDermott cut through the humdrum words from the 2019 Reds by yesterday saying exactly how important the next three games are.

Win against the Sunwolves, Melbourne Rebels (May 10) and NSW Waratahs (May 18) or pack it in for the year. Thank you.

“A lot of times this season we’ve said ‘that’ performance was the line in the sand,” said McDermott, who at this stage of the season looks a likely candidate for the Super Rugby Rookie of the Year award.

“We said it in Tokyo (after a 34-31 thriller against the Sunwolves) and before the Rebels game (after a strong 36-14 win over the Brumbies) but haven’t actually backed it up.

“This is the line in the sand for us in terms of our season and that win over the Sharks (21-14) has definitely put us in a good place.

“As a young group this is a massive opportunity leading into the Sunwolves, Rebels and the ‘Tahs. There’s something there to be salvaged and we’re up for the challenge.

“We’ve spoken a little about finals but we want to be the team that stops making those promises and actually delivers in this three-week block.”

Jock Campbell seems certain to start on the wing against the Sunwolves with Jack Hardy heading to surgery for a knee reconstruction.