Super Rugby rookie pushing for a Wallabies call up
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With Super Rugby already eight rounds into the 2019 season a number of Australians have put their hands up for selection later this year with a number of places still up for grabs in the Wallabies squad.
Michael Cheika already has a few certainties nailed down in his squad to take to Japan but every team has or should have a place for a bolter.
Nehe Milner-Skudder is a prime example of why taking a chance on youngster can pay dividends at the World Cup and with the Wallabies enduring a poor 2019, it wouldn't be surprising to see Cheika and Scott Johnson make a few bold calls when selecting their squad for Japan.
The one position that is truly nailed down in the Wallabies squad and starting line up is that of scrumhalf with Will Genia understandably making the jersey his own both under Cheika's guidance and throughout his test career.
The veteran Wallaby is still one of the finest halfbacks around but the national side has failed to find a truly reliable back up to their star halfback.
Cheika has used Nick Phipps to cover for Genia with the Waratahs man a favourite of the Wallabies boss since his days at the Waratahs. However, Phipps has failed to impress when handed the starting jersey in Genia's absence.
The likes of Nick Powell and Jake Gordon have both debuted under Cheika's guidance and too have yet to deliver on the promising signs they produced in Super Rugby.
With a World Cup squad generally containing three scrumhalves Cheika would be looking at the likes of Gordan and Powell to fill that final slot.
However rookie scrumhalf Tate McDermott has really impressed in his first full season in Super Rugby.
McDermott made his debut for the Reds last season putting in some fine shifts off the bench and has delivered similar performances this year but has since gone on to make the Reds #9 jersey his own.
Genia starred in his first World Cup in 2011 at the age of 23 and McDermott will be two years his junior by the time the World Cup comes along. Admittedly, Genia already had 20 odd test caps behind his name but a few appearances off the bench before the World Cup and perhaps some time off the bench during the pool stage matches against Georgia and Uruguay could put the wheels in motion for life after Genia.
McDermott has all the traits in becoming another world-class Australian halfback. His pass is excellent, he has the pace to punish lazy defences around the fringes with his kicking game the only attribute that needs some work.
At the age of 30 and boasting over the required 60 test caps to be eligible as an overseas Wallaby, Nick Phipps is unlikely to feature for the national side after the World Cup with the new head coach likely to start rebuilding the squad.
McDermott, Gordan and Powell are all well within the conversation for further caps in the Wallabies squad but so far this season McDermott has been the standout despite playing for the underperforming side in the Australian conference and should be fast tracked into the squad and get used to the national set up to prepare for life after Genia.
Tate McDermott has the potential to be a very good Wallaby. Watch how calm he is in a game. Reminds me of Marshall the way he carries, Gregan how he patrols the back of the ruck, Bachop how he runs and passes.
— Scotty Stevenson (@sumostevenson) April 5, 2019
Tate McDermott is a player.
— Christy Doran (@ChristypDoran) April 5, 2019
Won’t be surprised if he’s a bolter for the Wallabies in 2019.
He provides a running threat and exuberance few other No 9s offer in Australia #REDvSTO
