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New Wallabies scrumhalf Tate McDermott gave an impressive and honest pre-Test press conference on Friday, acknowledging flaws in his game but confidently predicting he was ready to make an impact in the deciding third Test against France on Saturday night.
McDermott was one of eight changes to the Wallaby starting lineup after featuring as a second half replacement in the opening two games of the series, which is locked 1-1.
He will feature as part of a youthful backline with the four players between No.9 and No.12 having just 17 Test caps between them.
McDermott, 22, was behind Jake Gordon in the pecking order for the first two Tests, with Wallabies coach Dave Rennie openly criticising the Queensland Reds players’ “core skills”.
“Look, it’s no secret and even I’d admit to that,” said McDermott when asked about Rennie’s critique.
“My pass is probably not where it needs to be and that’s something we’ve spoken about from a coaching point of view.
“For me it’s being about spending time with Dave, Scott Wisemantel, Jake [Gordon] and Ryan Lonergan to work and improve together.
“I’ve learnt a lot of how Jake passes and it’s something I’ve tried to add to my game a little bit.
“From the kicking point of view, we’ve had Dave Alred in working on our kicking so that’s been a plus.
Tate McDermott passes during a Wallabies training session. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
“The biggest thing for me is I need to spend time on those core skills. I know I said that last year as well but it’s a part of me. I’ve passed a certain way for so long and it’s not working. There’s a technique aspect that I need to change and I’m really focused on that.”
Rennie has focussed a lot on the Wallabies’ kicking this week after they kicked just nine times in the second Test.
“It’s pretty interesting,” said McDermott. “The first game we probably kicked off No.9 a little too much and then the second game we didn’t kick at all. The biggest thing we’ve spoken about is that balance.
“It’s everyone’s job in the back line to share that load. When we have from No. 9 to No. 15 kicking the ball people can’t predict it, it’s better from our attack point of view and will have a flow on effect with our defence as well.
“That’s been a big talking point this week. Dave has really honed in on that.
“Sometimes we can look at kicking as a bit of a negative and sometimes it can really hinder us. But there is definitely time and space where we have identified that we need to kick it this week.”
McDermott said he felt comfortable with his transition from Super to Test rugby.
“Obviously there is a step up in physicality at Test level and while I haven’t started at 9 I’m not going to change anything,” McDermott said.
“My job is to increase the tempo when I can and that’s what I’m good at. I’ve got guys I need to unleash like Hunter and Lenny, Tom Banks, so my distribution is going to be key in this game.
“But to say I’m going to change aspects of my game is not where my head space is at the moment. I’m going to focus on my strengths.
“I know I’ve got a really important job of steering this team around and I’m going to do my best with that.
“Hunter moving in (from No.13 to No.12) is probably an advantage for me. My strength is to challenge people in and around the ruck and if Hunter is closer, and I know he loves running those ard lines, all I need to do is hit it flat.
“We’ve got to be direct and go straight up the guts and we’ve got to earn the right to go wide.”
McDermott also echoed his coach’s criticism of the French play around the ruck, with the Wallabies convinced the tourists are lingering illegally in an effort to slow Australia’s play.
“It’s an absolute nightmare when teams are doing that intentionally,” he said. “It’s a really good strategy to slow your ball down – whether it’s illegal or not is another question that’s out of my hands.
“It will definitely be talking point when we go to see the referees this week but hopefully it’s adjudicated a little bit better.”
McDermott was thrilled to be named for a start, but made it clear that’s not the main story of the weekend.
“It’s pretty special. I think Jake’s done a really good job so it’s nothing taking away from him, but to play at Suncorp in front of my friends and family is a really special moment for me and my career.
“But there’s more at stake this weekend – it’s not about me. It’s not about the other boys who are getting a run. We’ve got a job to do for our country and there would be no better way to kick start the year than with a series win over the French.
“That’s been focus. I’m really excited don’t get me wrong but at the same time we’ve got a job to do for our country.”
While Australia made eight changes, France made seven.
France coach Fabien Galthie recalled winger Teddy Thomas among those. He switched four forwards with Clermont tighthead prop Sipili Falatea and Montpellier loosehead prop Enzo Forletta coming in.
They will line up alongside Toulon lock Romain Taofifenua and Lyon flanker Dylan Cretin.
Galthie also shook up the backs, with Racing’s Thomas, France’s most experienced player who has scored some brilliant tries for his country, getting the nod for the first time on tour.
Six French players — Gatean Barlot, skipper Anthony Jelonch, Baptiste Couilloud, Arthur Vincent, Damian Penaud and Melvyn Jaminet — will play a third Test in 11 days.
France (15-1): Melvyn Jaminet; Damian Penaud, Pierre-Louis Barassi, Arthur Vincent, Teddy Thomas; Antoine Hastoy, Baptiste Couilloud; Anthony Jelonch (captain), Cameron Woki, Dylan Cretin, Romain Taofifenua, Cyril Cazeaux; Sipili Falatea, Gaetan Barlot, Enzo Forletta
Replacements: Anthony Etrillard, Quentin Walcker, Demba Bamba, Pierre-Henri Azagoh, Alexandre Becognee, Julien Heriteau