TATE TAKES INSPIRATION FROM GREAT
TATE McDermott was just 12 when he was packed into the family car for the trip to Suncorp Stadium in 2011 to watch Will Genia make history with the Queensland Reds.
He was perched in the packed upper bleachers that night when Genia ran 20m, 30m, 40m and finally 65m for his incredible solo try.
The Super Rugby final triumph left a huge impression on the surf-loving youngster from Mudjimba on the Sunshine Coast. He ogled at what great rugby is supposed to look like ... fizzing fans, plenty of Reds caps and jerseys in a home crowd, onesided support and fast, attacking footy.
Remarkably, McDermott, at just 20, is now the fastest mover in the queue of halfbacks looking to make a mark with the evergreen Genia in World Cup year.
The wet blankets saying McDermott is too young can’t want to win the thing because the spark to his play means he must be selected for the first Wallabies camp.
Experience? McDermott has little but it hasn’t stopped the diminutive 77kg halfback from throwing his weight around by taking on forwards 40kg heavier.
McDermott talks with genuine excitement about the possibilities for the Reds over this next three-game block and that Genia game in 2011.
“I do remember that 2011 final as being quite surreal,’ McDermott said.
“Mum and dad took the whole family to the game and we carried on when Will Genia made that run. The crowd erupted. I loved it.”
No one is looking beyond tomorrow night’s tricky encounter against Japan’s Sunwolves at Suncorp Stadium. But they sort of are.
“We’ve spoken a little about finals but we want to be the team that stops making those promises and actually delivers in this threeweek block,” he said. “We know the Sunwolves are dangerous and can be unreal on their day so we are putting all our resources into this.”