Bittersweet was perhaps the best way to describe the Reds’ campaign – who ended their 2023 premiership tilt.
Tate McDermott has weighed in on the Reds season of promise that ended bleakly.Getty
But through the disappointment,McDermott is adamant the squad’s growth had thrown up to a dozen names as genuine Wallabies contenders,as new national coach Joe Schmidt ponders his first side to take on Wales in July.
“We played some great footy,and we birthed a lot of new talent and guys that had blinders of a season. Boys just took their chances this year,you saw in that three week window against three Kiwi teams where we played some of the best footy this club has played in a long time,” McDermott said.
“The hunger now is well and truly there … and a lot of those guys will be playing Wallabies on the back of this year. They 100 per cent deserve it on the back of the work they put in at Ballymore the whole year.”
While back-row star Harry Wilson and two-time World Cup representative Jordan Petaia will be unavailable through injury,McDermott and flanker Fraser McReight loom as automatic inclusions.
The form of inside centre Hunter Paisami should ensure he features in the green and gold once again,
Liam Wright,Matthew Faessler,Zane Nongorr,Ryan Smith and former All Black Alex Hodgman should all garner consideration,while the rapid rise of rookie winger Tim Ryan and outside centre Josh Flook could force Wallabies flyer Suliasi Vunivalu down the pecking order.
But another name who McDermott declared was “knocking down the door” was Seru Uru,having converted his 10-kilogram weight-loss since joining the Reds into becoming a forward capable of covering the field without stripping away the X-factor he could provide.
Reds’ key individual statistics
“I guess just the unpredictability about his game - he’s got the offloading ability,he’s got the ability to break the line,he’s got the speed,and he’s really worked hard and improved his defensive capabilities as well,” McDermott said.
“I think he’s been knocking at the door for the last couple of years,but I’d say all our pack’s knocking on that door at the moment,and Seru is one of many who deserve a spot.”
Seru Uru scores against the Melbourne Rebels.Getty
Future secured … almost
Much of the Reds’ squad has secured their futures at Ballymore into 2025,with Petaia looming as the most intriguing piece of the recruitment puzzle.
The versatile 24-year-old is a man Kiss said he hopes remains;
That was before Petaia underwent shoulder surgery,and the progress of young wingers Ryan and Mac Grealy,as well as the career-best campaigns from Flook and fullback Jock Campbell,has indicated there is enough x-factor to survive without the 31-Test ace.
Jordan Petaia leaves the field for the Reds.Getty Images
But while his prowess across the backline will make him a high priority for the Reds,beyond 2025 they face a crucial retention dilemma.
Lynagh’s development has thrust the 21-year-old into the Wallabies mix – set to battle Brumbies star Noah Lolesio and World Cup No.10 Carter Gordon – and his form could be a stumbling block for Harry McLaughlin-Phillips.
The latter showed signs of brilliance in his debut season,coming up with two match-winning plays to deliver a win over the Chiefs in round three.
The 20-year-old,who was recently selected for Australia’s under-20s World Cup,comes off contract at the end of next year,as does Lynagh. there will be one less club on home shores for Rugby Australia to house their up-and-coming playmakers.
Tom Lynagh has demonstrated a level of composure and courageous decision-making beyond his years.Getty
McDermott,however,was adamant it had been the competition between the club’s No.10s which had inspired breakout performances.
“I think Tommy’s development’s come from having three other good 10s that he’s competing with week in and week out,” McDermott said.
“Having that depth in that position and the competition’s been crucial for Tommy’s game. I think the team can see what he’s capable of and what he can do for the team.”
Paisami,Nongorr,Smith,Flook and George Blake have all inked Reds’ extensions.
Slow starts prove costly
For all the improvements in the Reds game,one glaring area they will need to rectify is a tendency to start games slow on the road.
That problem culminated in their quarterfinal defeat,allowing the Chiefs to take a 31-0 lead into halftime,before salvaging some respectability in the 43-21 loss.
It was a similar case in tight losses to the Western Force in Perth (21-0 after 30 minutes),Moana Pasifika in New Zealand (trailing 10-0 at halftime),and the Fijian Drua in Suva (10-0 after 10 minutes).
“I’m proud of the fight,we always talk about how we want to be a team who never gives up and is never beaten,” McDermott said.
“This squad had a lot of potential,and we felt like we could’ve done a bit more and there were times there we let ourselves down. I’s disappointing,but a tough lesson for the team.
“We have to make sure we don’t fall into the trap of learning these harsh lessons and repeating them.”
Building blocks towards success
At times throughout the season,there were signs of formidable combinations being built.
Lynagh’s impact alongside Paisami looms as a lethal union,the back three of Campbell,Ryan and Grealy linked up in attack,and the back row of Wilson,Wright and McReight showed potential international calibre.
Former Wallabies captain James Horwill reflected on the 12-months that turned the Reds into the 2011 champions.Getty
While there were holes in their defence,McDermott lamenting their quarterfinal efforts where spacing issues cost them,Reds legend James Horwill reflected on the side’s 2011 premiership success as proof a year could be all it took to transform into a title force.
That progress could well be accelerated courtesy of an off season featuring clashes against Wales and Tonga in July,before taking on Japanese side Saitama Wild Knights,and embarking on a European tour in January.
“A lot of us had played together previously before,but we’d only been in that regimen maybe 12 months before,” Horwill reflected.
“It doesn’t take too long,but it’s getting that understanding and being really strong in the repetition and understanding in stressful situations.”