Queensland Reds desperate to produce disciplined display against the Waratahs in Townsville

The Reds and the Waratahs will be desperate to improve their chances of playing in the Super Rugby Pacific finals when they meet in Townsville.

Tate McDermott is ready for a ‘State of Origin’ battle in Townsville. Picture: QRU Media/Brendan Hertel

Queensland halfback Tate McDermott has promised the Reds will play with a “State of Origin” style intensity against the NSW Waratahs in Townsville on Saturday night.

The Reds are two points ahead of the Waratahs in the battle for a Super Rugby Pacific finals spot, and McDermott wants to increase the gap between the teams with a win at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

“We’ve got some bloody important games coming up, and none bigger than (Saturday) night, the Reds co-captain said.

“We’ve got to play finals footy and a win puts us in good stead for that.

“It’s kind of like our version of State of Origin, and we’ll aim to emulate it.”

McDermott promised he would not let his individual battle with Waratahs halfback Jake Gordon engulf him.

Tate McDermott and the Reds are ready for the Waratahs. Picture: Joe Allison/Getty Images

“Jake’s a good mate of mine ... but my opponent is New South Wales not Jake Gordon,” the Reds star said.

“They’ve got Wallabies all over the park. The forwards have got to front up like they have been doing lately for us, then we’ve just got to kick well – it’s as simple as that.”

The Reds are also desperate for redemption in front of their Townsville fans after being thrashed 47-13 by the Hurricanes at the same venue in February.

“It was pretty disappointing. We got towelled up by much better opposition,” McDermott said.

“We’ve come a long way since that point. We just go to make sure we’re disciplined with everything that we do.

“We can’t afford cards, we can’t afford reckless penalties, and we’ve got make sure that we’re into each other around that kind of stuff as well.”

Reds: Sef Fa’agase, Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr, Connor Vest, Ryan Smith, Liam Wright, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott, Lawson Creighton, Jock Campbell James O’Connor, Josh Flook, Suliasi Vunivalu, Jordan Petaia. Bench: Richie Asiata, George Blake, Peni Ravai, Angus Blyth, Seru Uru, Kalani Thomas, Tom Lynagh, Filipo Daugunu.

Originally published as Queensland Reds desperate to produce disciplined display against the Waratahs in Townsville