Tate McDermott cleared for club rugby grand final

The late all clear for Wallabies halfback Tate McDermott to play for UQ could swing the Hospital Cup Grand Final against Wests at Suncorp Stadium.

Forgotten Wallaby halfback Tate McDermott is the surprise late inclusion who can turn Sunday’s Hospital Cup rugby grand final for University of Queensland.

McDermott contacted UQ’s coaching staff on Friday afternoon to make himself available to face Wests at Suncorp Stadium after the green light from Wallabies coach Dave Rennie.

Delighted UQ coach Mick Heenan said McDermott would play as a super-sub off the bench behind fellow Queensland Reds halfback Kalani Thomas, himself a star from last weekend’s preliminary final win over Brothers.

McDermott has played just 46 minutes of Test rugby off the bench for the Wallabies in eight Tests this season with Rennie preferring Nic White and Jake Gordon.

The dynamic halfback will relish the run on Sunday. He was a two-try hero for UQ in their 2019 grand final win so he has form on club rugby’s biggest stage.

Postive injury updates and inclusions have added to the grand final excitement.

Wallaby squad fullback Jock Campbell will start for UQ while Melbourne Rebels flyhalf Carter Gordon (ankle) and Reds No.8 Seru Uru (finger) have been passed fit for Wests.

Alec Evans Left and Connor Anderson right

Wests stalwart Connor Anderson would happily trade the highest individual honour of his career if it meant the Bulldogs winning their first premiership in 16 years.

The tireless flanker was named the Alec Evans Medallist on Wednesday, an award named after the master coach of the Bulldogs’ 1985 grand final win over UQ.

As humbled as he was, Anderson said there was a far bigger goal.

“It’s pretty cool but I’d trade it in 100 times for the premiership. It’s all I care about,” Anderson said.

Wests and UQ meet just a fortnight after a nailbiting 37-all draw played over 121 minutes in the major semi-final.

“It was 37-all but we re-watched the game and we didn’t challenge them much at all. Both teams could have iced that game,” Anderson said.

“I’m keen. I just want to play, get the win and celebrate but there’s an uphill battle first.”

Feeding dynamic winger Filipo Daugunu more ball is one must, he said.

Wests Connor Anderson (left) the Hospital Cup (middle) and Cam Flavell of UQ. Pic: Brendan Hertel/QRU.

UQ may be into a seventh straight grand final but they have only a 50 per cent record leading into this one with Brothers (2016), GPS (2018) and Easts (2020) crashing the party in the past.

UQ centre Kye Oates had high praise for Heenan saying he has a winning game plan and lets the boys play: “He knows what he’s working with and comes up with the best plan to let you do what you do.

“That’s probably the reason why he’s had so much success. He is able to recognize the players he’s got and the strengths of each team and then find a way to make it work.”

In the 11am women’s grand final, Easts have been given a big boost with Wallaroos captain Shannon Parry cleared to line-up against Bond University.

At 1pm, Easts flyhalf Taj Annan will look to deliver one more match winning performance against UQ, having booked the Tigers a grand final ticket last week with a last-minute conversion in the preliminary final.