Tate McDermott extends Reds stay

David Skippers

Rugby Australia and the Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) announced on Friday that Reds scrum-half Tate McDermott has signed a new four-year contract.

McDermott will now remain with the Queensland Reds until at least 2023 following the next Rugby World Cup in France.

The livewire number nine rose to prominence this season under the guidance of Brad Thorn at the Reds with a Wallabies debut seemingly on the horizon for the 20-year old.

McDermott said: “I’m excited to sign for another four years with Queensland – a team I’ve not only grown up watching, but supported my whole life.

“With Brad and his coaching team, we are starting to build something incredibly special, attempting to not only restore the pride but continue the legacy associated with the maroon jersey.

“I cannot wait to make my mark on the Queensland Rugby landscape. There’s a lot of hard work still to be done before the start of the 2020 season, but alongside some of my best mates, I can’t wait to rip in.”

McDermott burst onto the scene in 2017 after making his debut for the Qantas Australian Sevens side in Wellington where he scored three tries, before featuring in Queensland Country’s National Rugby Championship title-winning campaign later that year.

The Sunshine Coast product made his Super Rugby debut for the Reds in 2018 and also went on to skipper the Junior Wallabies for two games during last year’s U20 World Championships in France.

Meanwhile, it was confirmed that promising back-row forward Fraser McReight has also extended his stay with the Reds for four years.

McReight made his Super Rugby debut earlier this year, earning three caps off the bench before linking with the Junior Wallabies and is set to push new Wallaby Liam Wright for Queensland’s number seven jersey in the coming years.

“I am very excited to have inked a new deal with the Reds that will see me at Ballymore until the end of 2023,” said McReight.

“With the help of Brad Thorn and the rest of the coaching staff, this opportunity will see me grow as a player and as a person.

“What made this decision very easy for me was we’ve got a fantastic playing group right now and it will only get better, as each player pushes each other to achieve their best results.

“Having the ability to grow and keep developing with this squad was a huge factor in signing this deal and I can’t wait to get stuck in and deliver some great results over the next four years.”

Reds head coach Thorn was thrilled to have secured the signatures of the pair.

“It’s great to have these two men here at Queensland for the next four years,” he said.

“Tate McDermott really stepped up and showed us his potential this year. He was recognised for his hard work with the no. 9 jersey in 10 matches for us this season.

“We’re excited to see Tate continue his development in Queensland.

“Fraser McReight is an outstanding young footballer. He was rewarded for his hard work when he made his Queensland debut in Round 6.

“He captained his country this year with the Junior Wallabies and led them to the final which is a great achievement. We look forward to seeing Fraser’s future here in Queensland.”

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