Wallabies halfback Tate McDermott reflects on rugby union World Cup journey

On the eve of the 2023 Rugby Union World Cup, Wallabies scrumhalf Tate McDermott has opened up on his journey from the Sunshine Coast to the elite level and the key pathways the region has to offer.

Tate McDermott reflects on his journey from the Sunshine Coast to the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Before bursting on to the international stage, Wallabies scrumhalf Tate McDermott honed his skills on the Sunshine Coast and has reflected on the pathway he chose to reach the elite level.

The 24-year-old became the Wallabies 86th Australian captain against the All Blacks on August 6 and will help kick-off Australia’s Rugby World Cup campaign against Georgia on September 10.

Prior to making his Super Rugby debut in 2018 and his Test debut in 2020, McDermott began playing rugby union for Matthew Flinders Anglican College before attending Brisbane State High School and later graduating from Sunshine Coast Grammar School.

Despite not being selected for a state representative side until his final years of school, McDermott said he always dreamt of playing for the Wallabies.

“I never made any major junior representative teams until Queensland Schoolboys in Year 12 and then the Australian 7s squad which is the pathway I went down once I graduated,” he said.

Tate McDermott pictured in 2014 when playing for Sunshine Coast Grammar School against Matthew Flinders Anglican College. Picture: Brett Wortman.

From there McDermott was offered a contract with the Queensland Reds where he has since made 79 appearances and was named co-captain in 2022.

The former Grammar 1st XV captain said he was thankful of the opportunities that the Sunshine Coast presented him and voiced his support behind aspiring junior players.

“I think if you work hard enough and you love the game, being on the Sunshine Coast can work towards your advantage,” he said.

“I think you’re able to stand out more if you’re a good player rather than being that same player in a wider pool of kids.

“You see those players attracted to the GPS system all of the time and that system is fantastic as there’s a really good culture and high level of rugby but the pathway is just as strong from the Sunshine Coast.

“If you work hard enough, you’ll get recognised and I think being able to enjoy your footy plus enjoy the lifestyle that the Sunshine Coast presents is another major drawcard for me.”

McDermott also joins current Wallabies fly half and former Sunshine Coast junior Carter Gordon at the RWC.

The number nine and 10 duo also grew up surfing together and McDermott said he was proud to see how far Gordon had come.

“We both knew of each other when we were at school together,” McDermott said.

“He’s obviously a bit younger than me but my brother played against him and he was a bloody good player when he was a youngster at Grammar as well.

“It’s very cool to see that journey and see him transition into the player he is today.”

Carter Gordon of the Wallabies passes the ball during the The Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup match between the Wallabies and the New Zealand All Blacks at Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 29, 2023. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

Throughout 2023 more than 50 junior Sunshine Coast rugby union players were selected in various Queensland representative teams and a further five year 12 students were picked to don an Australian Schoolboys jersey.

Former Nambour Toads captain Megan Prinsloo was also the first Sunshine Coast female player to join a Super W squad with the Queensland Reds.

In 2022, current Super Rugby players and former Sunshine Coast juniors Louis Werchon and Mason Gordon echoed their feelings behind the growth of the region.

“There’s plenty of Sunshine Coast players at those high levels now and I think the Coast is only getting better in terms of development and pathways,” Gordon said.

“It’s clear to see the rewards through the likes of Carter (Gordon) and through Tate (McDermott).”

“It shows these juniors that are playing rugby union on the Sunshine Coast that they don’t have to move to Brisbane to get these opportunities,” Werchon said.

Originally published as Wallabies halfback Tate McDermott reflects on rugby union World Cup journey