Tate McDermott eyeing World Cup spot despite missing selection for Wallabies camp

Tate McDermott hasn’t let the disappointment of not being chosen in the latest Wallabies squad stop him from signing a new contract with Queensland and Rugby Australia.

An “honest chat” with national coach Eddie Jones has Queensland Reds co-captain Tate McDermott confident he can force his way into Australia’s Rugby World Cup squad despite being overlooked for this month’s Wallabies camp on the Gold Coast.

A regular member of 23-man Test squads under former Wallabies mentor Dave Rennie, Reds halfback McDermott paid the price for his ordinary start to the Super Rugby Pacific season with his omission from the first squad under the new Jones era.

“I was obviously disappointed but at the same time I wasn’t surprised,” McDermott said.

“I was far from my best in the first five rounds of the season.

“I had a pretty honest chat with Eddie about where he sees my improvements are and where I can force my way into that (Wallabies) side.”

Despite the Reds’ disappointing season continuing last Friday night with a 25-12 home loss to the Crusaders, McDermott was happier with his own performance.

“I played a lot better. I’ve just got to find that form again like I showed against the Crusaders and just replicate that week in, week out, and at the end of the day, players pick themselves, he said.

Tate McDermott has signed a new deal with Queensland and Rugby Australia. Picture: QRU Media / Brendan Hertel

And it’s not just this year’s World Cup which 24-year-old McDermott – who has made 15 Wallabies appearances – is eyeing off, with the Bundaberg product having recommitted to Queensland and Rugby Australia until the end of 2027.

“It was a pretty easy choice. I’ve always said I want to stay here and achieve things for Queensland and the Wallabies,” he said.

“I love Queensland, I love Australia – I don’t want to go anywhere yet.”

Jones said McDermott has “much to achieve in the game”.

“To have him re-sign long-term shows his commitment to Australian rugby, which is really positive,” Jones said.

“He’s a leader at the Queensland Reds and we’ll be watching him closely for the remainder of the Super Rugby season.”

Reds general manager of professional rugby Sam Cordingley said: “Tate is a very proud Queenslander. He entered into his contract negotiations stating he only wants to play for Queensland and the Wallabies.

“He is one of our leaders and we are really proud to have him at the Reds for the next four years.”

McDermott is set to play a key role in the Reds’ bid to avoid a third successive defeat when they host the ACT Brumbies at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.

“We were better in patches against the Crusaders but our error rate is far too high at the moment,” he said.

“We’ve got to knuckle down because that’s the only way forward. We’re doing some bloody good things but not enough of them.”

Originally published as Tate McDermott eyeing World Cup spot despite missing selection for Wallabies camp