Reds skipper Tate McDermott to remain with Queensland next year
Reds captain Tate McDermott has rejected the chance to play his club football abroad next year, preferring to stay with Queensland in a move that has delighted Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt.
As part of his current contract, McDermott could have a taken an overseas sabbatical in 2026 before returning the following year ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
However, the 26-year-old halfback can't get enough of playing for the Reds, who host Fijian Drua in a Super Rugby Pacific clash at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
'It came back to what was important for me, and while there was a little bit of interest, I love playing for Queensland,' McDermott said.
'I'm in a position where I've played over 100 games for Queensland. I love wearing that maroon jersey and I'm stoked I'll be here again next year.'
'We've created an environment there where players are getting better every day. For me, that's what I want to keep doing. I want to keep getting better and I want to win more with Queensland.'
Schmidt said it was a 'bonus' for Australian rugby that McDermott would not be heading overseas.
'To have (players) continuously (in Australia), it's a huge advantage,' the Wallabies mentor said.
'It just allows them to build not only within their Super Rugby team but to be at Wallabies gatherings.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ABC News
an hour ago
- ABC News
Saving Samoa's bees; a mission in motion
This Week on Radio Australia — we're turning up the volume on Pacific voices! On Nesia Daily, hosts Jacob McQuire and Michael Chow buzz into the world of beekeeping in Samoa, catching up with a local beekeeper in the wake of World Bee Day. Over on Politok, Scott Waide dives deep into the Pacific's health crisis unpacking the political pulse behind the region's struggling systems. And on Nesian Footy, Sam Wykes and Tinirau Arona go one-on-one with a former rugby star, tracing his wild ride across continents — the highs, the heartbreaks, and everything in between. From culture to current affairs, sport to storytelling — it's all happening this week on Radio Australia. Relax into your Sunday morning with two hours of the best stories from across the Pacific. Host Kuntamari crofts, will take you on a Pacific Sundays journey, bringing you stories that will inspire, entertain and inform you.
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Reds' romp soured by late injury to Wallabies star
A fresh injury to incumbent Wallabies captain Harry Wilson has soured a historic night for four-try Queensland Reds winger Lachie Anderson in a clinical finals tune-up against Fijian Drua. Wilson, as well as winger Tim Ryan (ankle) and replacement flyhalf Harry McLaughlin-Phillips (HIA) were all late casualties in a 52-7 win on Saturday night at Suncorp Stadium. Test flanker Wilson had returned from a fractured arm last week but coach Les Kiss believed this concern was a knock on his opposite wrist. All three will be monitored on Sunday and remain in the mix for Friday's sudden death quarter-final against the Crusaders in Christchurch. It was a tussle locked in before a ball was kicked on a soggy Saturday night in Brisbane, after other results had ensured the teams wouldn't budge from their second and fifth places respectively. "It does put a dampener on a couple of things," Kiss said. "It was pretty complete … for a game that really had no bearing on anything really it was us developing the type of game we're good at. "We just get on with the business." Anderson scored three times inside 10 minutes while the Drua were a man down in the first half, then added another before the main break to set a new mark for the Reds. He's only the third Australian to score four tries in a Super Rugby game, after Joe Roff in 1996 and Drew Mitchell in 2010. Most were handed to Anderson on a platter, especially a neat cross-field kick from clinical flyhalf Tom Lynagh for his fourth. But the haul was just reward for a fine season from the former rugby sevens and Melbourne Rebels recruit. Test centre Josh Flook also scored in his confident return from a long-term hamstring injury. If Ryan is fit to play, Kiss will have a tough call to make on his backline, with red-hot Filipo Daugunu surely starting in the centres or on a wing next week after coming off the bench on Saturday night and scoring a late try. Joe Brial completed the rout with a try on the full-time siren. "I played sevens with him, seen his journey and how far he's come. He's shown he's a true, class winger," Reds captain Tate McDermott said of Anderson. "A rock defensively and he's quick. "Hopefully he gets a bit of credit and let's get him some more tries next week." The Suva-based Drua won four games on home soil, including their clash with the Reds, but weren't able to muster a victory on the road as they finished second-last in their fourth campaign. They had themselves to blame after an encouraging start, with Iosefa Masi yellow carded for up-ending Jock Campbell in the ruck and then Etonia Waqa binned in the second half for taking out Tim Ryan's legs in the air. Haereiti Hetet scored their sole try while hooker Tevita Ikanivere, in his 50th game for the fledgling Drua, was denied from a trick play from the lineout. He charged through two would-be tacklers only to be sent into touch by a flying Lynagh, who again showed defensive grit to go with offensive flourish. "We have a lot of faith in Tevs and Isoa Nasilasila as well," coach Glen Jackson said of the Drua pair first to the 50-game milestone. "They're the two guys who've shown week in, week out what it means to play for the Drua." A fresh injury to incumbent Wallabies captain Harry Wilson has soured a historic night for four-try Queensland Reds winger Lachie Anderson in a clinical finals tune-up against Fijian Drua. Wilson, as well as winger Tim Ryan (ankle) and replacement flyhalf Harry McLaughlin-Phillips (HIA) were all late casualties in a 52-7 win on Saturday night at Suncorp Stadium. Test flanker Wilson had returned from a fractured arm last week but coach Les Kiss believed this concern was a knock on his opposite wrist. All three will be monitored on Sunday and remain in the mix for Friday's sudden death quarter-final against the Crusaders in Christchurch. It was a tussle locked in before a ball was kicked on a soggy Saturday night in Brisbane, after other results had ensured the teams wouldn't budge from their second and fifth places respectively. "It does put a dampener on a couple of things," Kiss said. "It was pretty complete … for a game that really had no bearing on anything really it was us developing the type of game we're good at. "We just get on with the business." Anderson scored three times inside 10 minutes while the Drua were a man down in the first half, then added another before the main break to set a new mark for the Reds. He's only the third Australian to score four tries in a Super Rugby game, after Joe Roff in 1996 and Drew Mitchell in 2010. Most were handed to Anderson on a platter, especially a neat cross-field kick from clinical flyhalf Tom Lynagh for his fourth. But the haul was just reward for a fine season from the former rugby sevens and Melbourne Rebels recruit. Test centre Josh Flook also scored in his confident return from a long-term hamstring injury. If Ryan is fit to play, Kiss will have a tough call to make on his backline, with red-hot Filipo Daugunu surely starting in the centres or on a wing next week after coming off the bench on Saturday night and scoring a late try. Joe Brial completed the rout with a try on the full-time siren. "I played sevens with him, seen his journey and how far he's come. He's shown he's a true, class winger," Reds captain Tate McDermott said of Anderson. "A rock defensively and he's quick. "Hopefully he gets a bit of credit and let's get him some more tries next week." The Suva-based Drua won four games on home soil, including their clash with the Reds, but weren't able to muster a victory on the road as they finished second-last in their fourth campaign. They had themselves to blame after an encouraging start, with Iosefa Masi yellow carded for up-ending Jock Campbell in the ruck and then Etonia Waqa binned in the second half for taking out Tim Ryan's legs in the air. Haereiti Hetet scored their sole try while hooker Tevita Ikanivere, in his 50th game for the fledgling Drua, was denied from a trick play from the lineout. He charged through two would-be tacklers only to be sent into touch by a flying Lynagh, who again showed defensive grit to go with offensive flourish. "We have a lot of faith in Tevs and Isoa Nasilasila as well," coach Glen Jackson said of the Drua pair first to the 50-game milestone. "They're the two guys who've shown week in, week out what it means to play for the Drua." A fresh injury to incumbent Wallabies captain Harry Wilson has soured a historic night for four-try Queensland Reds winger Lachie Anderson in a clinical finals tune-up against Fijian Drua. Wilson, as well as winger Tim Ryan (ankle) and replacement flyhalf Harry McLaughlin-Phillips (HIA) were all late casualties in a 52-7 win on Saturday night at Suncorp Stadium. Test flanker Wilson had returned from a fractured arm last week but coach Les Kiss believed this concern was a knock on his opposite wrist. All three will be monitored on Sunday and remain in the mix for Friday's sudden death quarter-final against the Crusaders in Christchurch. It was a tussle locked in before a ball was kicked on a soggy Saturday night in Brisbane, after other results had ensured the teams wouldn't budge from their second and fifth places respectively. "It does put a dampener on a couple of things," Kiss said. "It was pretty complete … for a game that really had no bearing on anything really it was us developing the type of game we're good at. "We just get on with the business." Anderson scored three times inside 10 minutes while the Drua were a man down in the first half, then added another before the main break to set a new mark for the Reds. He's only the third Australian to score four tries in a Super Rugby game, after Joe Roff in 1996 and Drew Mitchell in 2010. Most were handed to Anderson on a platter, especially a neat cross-field kick from clinical flyhalf Tom Lynagh for his fourth. But the haul was just reward for a fine season from the former rugby sevens and Melbourne Rebels recruit. Test centre Josh Flook also scored in his confident return from a long-term hamstring injury. If Ryan is fit to play, Kiss will have a tough call to make on his backline, with red-hot Filipo Daugunu surely starting in the centres or on a wing next week after coming off the bench on Saturday night and scoring a late try. Joe Brial completed the rout with a try on the full-time siren. "I played sevens with him, seen his journey and how far he's come. He's shown he's a true, class winger," Reds captain Tate McDermott said of Anderson. "A rock defensively and he's quick. "Hopefully he gets a bit of credit and let's get him some more tries next week." The Suva-based Drua won four games on home soil, including their clash with the Reds, but weren't able to muster a victory on the road as they finished second-last in their fourth campaign. They had themselves to blame after an encouraging start, with Iosefa Masi yellow carded for up-ending Jock Campbell in the ruck and then Etonia Waqa binned in the second half for taking out Tim Ryan's legs in the air. Haereiti Hetet scored their sole try while hooker Tevita Ikanivere, in his 50th game for the fledgling Drua, was denied from a trick play from the lineout. He charged through two would-be tacklers only to be sent into touch by a flying Lynagh, who again showed defensive grit to go with offensive flourish. "We have a lot of faith in Tevs and Isoa Nasilasila as well," coach Glen Jackson said of the Drua pair first to the 50-game milestone. "They're the two guys who've shown week in, week out what it means to play for the Drua."
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Cherry-Evans makes Origin statement in big Manly win
Daly Cherry-Evans says he would still be grateful if his Queensland State of Origin career ended tomorrow, after making a statement in Manly's 34-6 win over Brisbane. Three days after Queensland's series-opening loss prompted questions over Cherry-Evans' position, the Maroons captain answered his critics at Brookvale. The Manly No.7 had a hand in all four of the Sea Eagles' first-half tries, in what was close to his best game in months. Lehi Hopoate was also superb filling in for Tom Trbojevic at fullback, while Haumole Olakau'atu scored a double to send Manly back into the top eight. The result consigned Brisbane to their sixth loss in seven games, with the Broncos in freefall and out of a finals-finishing position for the first time this year. But the story was Cherry-Evans, who has been subject to calls from the likes of Andrew Johns for him to be axed from Queensland's side in recent days. The 36-year-old was only cleared to play for Manly on Saturday morning, before being diplomatic on his Origin future after the match. "At the end of the day I have to try and keep it really simple. I play footy for a living. I am so grateful for the opportunity," Cherry-Evans said. "If it ended, I played 26 Origin games. I am very grateful for that. But I would love to be back there again. "I just love playing footy for this club and this team. We haven't found our best footy consistently yet. Tonight is a reminder that it's there." Cherry-Evans would not enter into debate about whether Saturday night's performance helped his cause to add to his 26 Origins in Perth on June 18. But it certainly can't have hurt, in what was one of his best performances since announcing in March he was leaving Manly at year's end. The half kicked in the lead-up to three tries, routinely booted Manly out of trouble, and had the Sea Eagles' right edge back playing with depth again. And it all came within hours of Tom Dearden starring for North Queensland, with the Cowboys No.7 considered the other option for the Maroons. Cherry-Evans laid on Manly's first try when he grubbered for Clayton Faulalo, and Jesse Arthars failed to dive on the loose ball in the in-goal. Faulalo's second try came when Cherry-Evans sent the ball right and Hopoate fired a perfect cut-out ball for the winger to go over. Nathan Brown was the next to benefit from Cherry-Evans' kicking game, with the big prop chasing down a grubber. And when Cherry-Evans toed one ahead for Hopoate and the fullback sent Olakau'atu over on halftime, it was 22-6. This was also close to Olakau'atu's best game since March, with a number of powerful runs to go with his passing game on the right edge. He had a second try late to seal the match, leaping up to take a Luke Brooks kick and dive over the line. Hopoate was the other star, setting the tone when he burst through a Payne Haas tackle in the opening set, before finishing the night with 228 metres. Haas was gallant for Brisbane three nights after being man of the match in Origin on a torn quad, but the spark is clearly missing from the Broncos attack. Ezra Mam had his moments, but he still made three errors and was booed by the Brookvale crowd with every touch of the ball. Arthars had limited impact at fullback, as did Selwyn Cobbo on the wing, with the Broncos a long way removed from the team that ran in 50 points in round one. "There were patches of what we can do and there are patches we need to improve on," coach Michael Maguire said. "It's straightforward. We will look at it and make sure we have long periods of what we want to do in our game." Daly Cherry-Evans says he would still be grateful if his Queensland State of Origin career ended tomorrow, after making a statement in Manly's 34-6 win over Brisbane. Three days after Queensland's series-opening loss prompted questions over Cherry-Evans' position, the Maroons captain answered his critics at Brookvale. The Manly No.7 had a hand in all four of the Sea Eagles' first-half tries, in what was close to his best game in months. Lehi Hopoate was also superb filling in for Tom Trbojevic at fullback, while Haumole Olakau'atu scored a double to send Manly back into the top eight. The result consigned Brisbane to their sixth loss in seven games, with the Broncos in freefall and out of a finals-finishing position for the first time this year. But the story was Cherry-Evans, who has been subject to calls from the likes of Andrew Johns for him to be axed from Queensland's side in recent days. The 36-year-old was only cleared to play for Manly on Saturday morning, before being diplomatic on his Origin future after the match. "At the end of the day I have to try and keep it really simple. I play footy for a living. I am so grateful for the opportunity," Cherry-Evans said. "If it ended, I played 26 Origin games. I am very grateful for that. But I would love to be back there again. "I just love playing footy for this club and this team. We haven't found our best footy consistently yet. Tonight is a reminder that it's there." Cherry-Evans would not enter into debate about whether Saturday night's performance helped his cause to add to his 26 Origins in Perth on June 18. But it certainly can't have hurt, in what was one of his best performances since announcing in March he was leaving Manly at year's end. The half kicked in the lead-up to three tries, routinely booted Manly out of trouble, and had the Sea Eagles' right edge back playing with depth again. And it all came within hours of Tom Dearden starring for North Queensland, with the Cowboys No.7 considered the other option for the Maroons. Cherry-Evans laid on Manly's first try when he grubbered for Clayton Faulalo, and Jesse Arthars failed to dive on the loose ball in the in-goal. Faulalo's second try came when Cherry-Evans sent the ball right and Hopoate fired a perfect cut-out ball for the winger to go over. Nathan Brown was the next to benefit from Cherry-Evans' kicking game, with the big prop chasing down a grubber. And when Cherry-Evans toed one ahead for Hopoate and the fullback sent Olakau'atu over on halftime, it was 22-6. This was also close to Olakau'atu's best game since March, with a number of powerful runs to go with his passing game on the right edge. He had a second try late to seal the match, leaping up to take a Luke Brooks kick and dive over the line. Hopoate was the other star, setting the tone when he burst through a Payne Haas tackle in the opening set, before finishing the night with 228 metres. Haas was gallant for Brisbane three nights after being man of the match in Origin on a torn quad, but the spark is clearly missing from the Broncos attack. Ezra Mam had his moments, but he still made three errors and was booed by the Brookvale crowd with every touch of the ball. Arthars had limited impact at fullback, as did Selwyn Cobbo on the wing, with the Broncos a long way removed from the team that ran in 50 points in round one. "There were patches of what we can do and there are patches we need to improve on," coach Michael Maguire said. "It's straightforward. We will look at it and make sure we have long periods of what we want to do in our game." Daly Cherry-Evans says he would still be grateful if his Queensland State of Origin career ended tomorrow, after making a statement in Manly's 34-6 win over Brisbane. Three days after Queensland's series-opening loss prompted questions over Cherry-Evans' position, the Maroons captain answered his critics at Brookvale. The Manly No.7 had a hand in all four of the Sea Eagles' first-half tries, in what was close to his best game in months. Lehi Hopoate was also superb filling in for Tom Trbojevic at fullback, while Haumole Olakau'atu scored a double to send Manly back into the top eight. The result consigned Brisbane to their sixth loss in seven games, with the Broncos in freefall and out of a finals-finishing position for the first time this year. But the story was Cherry-Evans, who has been subject to calls from the likes of Andrew Johns for him to be axed from Queensland's side in recent days. The 36-year-old was only cleared to play for Manly on Saturday morning, before being diplomatic on his Origin future after the match. "At the end of the day I have to try and keep it really simple. I play footy for a living. I am so grateful for the opportunity," Cherry-Evans said. "If it ended, I played 26 Origin games. I am very grateful for that. But I would love to be back there again. "I just love playing footy for this club and this team. We haven't found our best footy consistently yet. Tonight is a reminder that it's there." Cherry-Evans would not enter into debate about whether Saturday night's performance helped his cause to add to his 26 Origins in Perth on June 18. But it certainly can't have hurt, in what was one of his best performances since announcing in March he was leaving Manly at year's end. The half kicked in the lead-up to three tries, routinely booted Manly out of trouble, and had the Sea Eagles' right edge back playing with depth again. And it all came within hours of Tom Dearden starring for North Queensland, with the Cowboys No.7 considered the other option for the Maroons. Cherry-Evans laid on Manly's first try when he grubbered for Clayton Faulalo, and Jesse Arthars failed to dive on the loose ball in the in-goal. Faulalo's second try came when Cherry-Evans sent the ball right and Hopoate fired a perfect cut-out ball for the winger to go over. Nathan Brown was the next to benefit from Cherry-Evans' kicking game, with the big prop chasing down a grubber. And when Cherry-Evans toed one ahead for Hopoate and the fullback sent Olakau'atu over on halftime, it was 22-6. This was also close to Olakau'atu's best game since March, with a number of powerful runs to go with his passing game on the right edge. He had a second try late to seal the match, leaping up to take a Luke Brooks kick and dive over the line. Hopoate was the other star, setting the tone when he burst through a Payne Haas tackle in the opening set, before finishing the night with 228 metres. Haas was gallant for Brisbane three nights after being man of the match in Origin on a torn quad, but the spark is clearly missing from the Broncos attack. Ezra Mam had his moments, but he still made three errors and was booed by the Brookvale crowd with every touch of the ball. Arthars had limited impact at fullback, as did Selwyn Cobbo on the wing, with the Broncos a long way removed from the team that ran in 50 points in round one. "There were patches of what we can do and there are patches we need to improve on," coach Michael Maguire said. "It's straightforward. We will look at it and make sure we have long periods of what we want to do in our game."
