Wallabies halfback Tate McDermott has been selected to make his return for the Queensland Reds against Moana Pasifika on Saturday in Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific.
McDermott’s first game of the season for the Reds in Auckland follows a lengthy and diligent repair of his hamstring after surgery late last year.
He made a positive 40-minute comeback for the University of Queensland club in the Sumo Energy Hospital Cup last Saturday.
In other changes, lock Josh Canham is back in the starting side after injury to partner the returning Lukhan Salakaia-Loto.
Flanker Fraser McReight is back to take over the captaincy while backs Josh Flook and Filipo Daugunu are further Wallabies returning from regeneration weeks.
“It was just awesome to get out there for UQ, get the legs ticking over again, feel the lungs burning a bit and shed a few cobwebs,” McDermott said.
“I was on modified training for a while so it’s good to know the chain is off now. Over the past few training weeks, I’ve started to feel how I used to which is really positive.
“I’ve watched a lot of games from the sidelines this year so it’s exciting to get back in there. We’ve got an important couple of weeks coming up leading into finals and I want to play my role.”
McDermott will pair with flyhalf Carter Gordon. In the centres, the versatile Daugunu will partner Flook with Hunter Paisami and Isaac Henry both nursing niggles.
The return of Salakaia-Loto and Canham means Hamish Muller misses a spot on Saturday after being voted the C’est Bon Players’ Player for his strong performance against the Western Force last weekend.
“Obviously, it’s brilliant to have Tate back. His leadership from the sidelines has been fantastic for us and he now gets out there to help Fraser on the park,” Reds Head Coach Les Kiss said.
“Sharp, keen, energetic, busy...Tate has been all of those things at training and he comes in to start. Kalani (Thomas) and Louis (Werchon) have really stepped up at halfback for us this season. We’ve grown in that position and they will continue to make valuable impact.
“Josh Canham is back at lock with Seru (Uru) now on the bench. Hamish Muller was our Players’ Player last weekend so his teammates recognised his quality.
“We have strength in our back three. It’s Treyvon and Tim who will start on the wing against Moana with Lachie Anderson on the bench.”
Kiss said the Reds respected the dynamic style that Moana Pasifika brought to every game.
“They are a dangerous side. We have a lot of respect for Tana Umaga and his team and know they will be fired up for their last home game,” Kiss said.
“We know we need to respect them by producing our best performance.”
Saturday, May 23
North Harbour Stadium, Auckland
2:35pm AEST
Watch live on Stan Sport
1 George Blake - Bond University - The Southport School - Fasi Maufanga Eels, Tonga
2 Josh Nasser - University of Queensland - St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace - Easts
3 Massimo De Lutiis - Wests – The Southport School – Surfers Paradise Dolphins
4 Josh Canham - Bond University - Brighton Grammar, Melb - Harlequin RC, Melb
5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto - Souths - John Edmondson HS, Sydney - Southern Districts, Sydney
6 Joe Brial - University of Queensland - Scots College - Easts, Sydney
7 Fraser McReight (c) - Brothers – Brisbane Grammar School – Albany Creek Brumbies
8 Harry Wilson - Brothers - St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace - Gunnedah Red Devils
9 Tate McDermott - University of Queensland - Sunshine Coast Grammar - Flinders RC
10 Carter Gordon - Wests - Brisbane Boys' College – Wests
11 Tim Ryan - Brothers - St Patrick’s College, Shorncliffe
12 Filipo Daugunu - Sunnybank - Dogotuki District School, Fiji
13 Josh Flook - Brothers - Nudgee College - Brothers
14 Treyvon Pritchard - Brothers - Anglican Church Grammar School - Springfield Hawks
15 Jock Campbell - University of Queensland - The Southport School - Inverell Highlanders
16 Matt Faessler - Brothers - Toowoomba Grammar - USQ Saints
17 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen - Norths - Wellington College, NZ
18 Zane Nonggorr - Bond University - The Southport School - Gold Coast Eagles
19 Seru Uru - Easts - Ratu Kadavulevu School, Fiji – Namoli RC, Fiji
20 Vaiuta Latu - Brothers - St Peters Lutheran College - Pine Rivers Pumas
21 Kalani Thomas - Souths - Ipswich Grammar - Souths
22 Ben Volavola - Sunnybank - Newington College - Seaforth Raiders, Sydney
23 Lachie Anderson - University of Queensland - Oakhill College, Sydney - Dural RC, Sydney
