The Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) today announced scrumhalf Tate McDermott and backrower Fraser McReight have signed with the St.George Queensland Reds for a further four years.
The long-term deals will see the promising pair stay in Australian Rugby through 2023 following the next Rugby World Cup in France.
The announcement comes after Taniela Tupou also inked a four-year contract extension with the Reds earlier this week.
Both McDermott and McReight will face-off for Queensland Premier Rugby bragging rights this weekend, as minor premiers Brothers (McReight) battle University of Queensland (McDermott) in Sunday’s Hospital Challenge Cup Grand Final at Ballymore.
McDermott enjoyed a breakout year for the Reds in 2019 and announced himself as a future Wallabies bolter after scoring four electric tries in the space of six matches for the Reds this Super Rugby season.
A fellow Queensland pathway product, McReight made his Super Rugby debut against the Brumbies in Round 6 this year, before he captained the Junior Wallabies to a Grand Final appearance against France at the 2019 U20s World Championships in Argentina.
"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," said McDermott.
"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," said McDermott.
"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," said McReight.
Reds head coach Brad Thorn said: “It’s great to have these two men here at Queensland for the next four years.
“Tate McDermott really stepped up and showed us his potential this year. He scored some good tries and provided direction both at the breakdown and during our set-piece.
“He was recognised for his hard work with the number nine 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’s come through the system with Schoolboys and the U20s for both Queensland and Australia.
“Fraser was a standout for us in the pre-season. 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,” said Thorn.
McDermott represented Australia in Sevens Rugby as a 19-year-old, before featuring in Bond University Queensland Country’s National Rugby Championship (NRC) title-winning campaign in 2017.
The Sunshine Coast product made his Super Rugby debut for Queensland the following year and also went on to captain the Junior Wallabies in two matches during the 2018 U20s World Championships in France.
The livewire played 14 matches for the Reds this year, before an ankle injury sidelined him for the final two games of the Super Rugby season.
McReight is also a Sunshine Coast product and played Sevens after representing Queensland in 2015.
The following year, he was selected in the Queensland and Australian Schoolboys side and went on to again play for his country and state at U20s level.
He was awarded Rugby Australia’s 2018 U20s Player of the Year and had the honour of captaining the Junior Wallabies during their 2019 championship campaign.
An ankle injury ruled McReight out of Queensland Country’s title-winning campaign in 2017, but the backrower eventually made his NRC debut the following year with Brisbane City and played six matches.
McReight has three Queensland caps after coming off the bench in successive matches against the Brumbies, Rebels and Stormers all at Suncorp Stadium this year.
Tate McDermott
Position: Scrumhalf
Height: 179cm
Weight: 82kg
Born: 18/09/1998
Place of birth: Bundaberg, QLD
Senior Club: University of Queensland
Junior Club: Sunshine Coast Grammar
School: Sunshine Coast Grammar School
Representative Honours: Australian Sevens (2016-2017), Queensland Country NRC (2017), Australian U20s (2018), Queensland (2018-)
Super Rugby debut: 2018 v Rebels, Melbourne (Queensland)
Super Rugby caps: 22
Fraser McReight
Position: Backrow
Height: 184cm
Weight: 100kg
Born: 19/02/1999
Place of birth: Buderim, QLD
Senior Club: Brothers
Junior Club: Albany Creek
School: Brisbane Grammar School
Representative Honours: Queensland Sevens (2015), Australian Schoolboys (2016), Queensland Schoolboys (2016), Queensland U20s (2017), Queensland Country NRC (2017), Australian U20s (2018-2019), Brisbane City NRC (2018-), Queensland (2019-)
Super Rugby debut: 2019 v Brumbies, Brisbane (Queensland)
Super Rugby caps: 3
