Reds star Tate McDermott focused on winning rather than head-to-head battle with Nic White

There will be a ‘whole lot more to play for” than just a Super Rugby Pacific win when the Brumbies and Reds meet in Canberra.

Reds star Tate McDermott will go head-to-head with Nic White in Canberra. Picture: Evan Morgan

Queensland Reds co-captain Tate McDermott has vowed to remain focused on beating the ACT Brumbies on Saturday night rather than become distracted by his individual battle with Nic White, his rival for Australia’s halfback spot.

Smashed 47-13 by the Hurricanes in Townsville in the opening round of the Super Rugby Pacific season, the Reds bounced back in style last Sunday, thrashing Western Force 71-20.

But the Brumbies, who McDermott labelled the “best team in Australia”, are a step up from the Force, and Reds players can’t afford to think about Wallabies selection if the visitors are to prevail in Canberra.

“We’ve got to focus on doing the job for Queensland,” McDermott said.

“We let our state down in the first game this year, then made amends in a way. In the back of your mind, some boys will be thinking about the Wallabies, but for me, first and foremost, I’ve got to perform in the maroon (jersey), and until I’m doing that consistently, then I can chat a little bit more about the Wallabies.”

Reds halfback Tate McDermott prepares to meet the Brumbies. Picture: Evan Morgan

McDermott played down his rivalry with White, saying there was “nice chat, surprisingly so” between the pair when they went head-to-head.

“It’s good ... and it’s not just me and Nic. There’ll be guys all across the field, which makes for pretty good viewing.” he said.

With the recent appointment of Eddie Jones as Wallabies coach and a Rugby World Cup on the horizon, White said “there was a whole lot more to play for” that just competition points on Saturday night.

“We’ve got to play well in this tournament but there are Wallabies jerseys up for grabs as well,” White said.

“You’re seeing a lot of those match-ups (on Saturday night).”

White, who will captain the Brumbies in the absence of injured prop Allan Alaalatoa, is wary of both McDermott and the Reds.

“I didn’t read too much into round one. That just wasn’t then,” White said.

“You saw what they are and what they’re about last week. They’re straight back to what we expect. and what the competition expects of them.

“They’re dangerous. They’ve got threats all across the park, and they can pile on points real bloody quick.

“They’re backline is littered with talent. The guy (McDermott) I’ll be up against has got an immense amount of talent.

“We’ll have to be on our toes. We know how good they can be. Within the Australian teams, this (game) is the one you circle,”

Originally published as Reds star Tate McDermott focused on winning rather than head-to-head battle with Nic White