'Created our own luck': Wallabies avoiding complacency as hunt for Pumas sweep begins

Tue, Sep 9, 2025, 7:30 AM
NW
by Nathan Williamson and Nick Wasiliev

The Wallabies are hoping to build on the good times as scrumhalf Tate McDermott warns against complacency heading into Saturday's Test against Argentina in Sydney.

McDermott and the team are riding high after last weekend's thrilling comeback victory saw them overturn a 14-point half-time deficit to run out 28-24 winners after the siren.

Watch the Wallabies tackle Los Pumas at Allianz Stadium live and on-demand via Stan Sport.

"We've strung together a couple of really good performances and that's been really important for us and an objective from the start of TRC but for us, we can't look any further ahead than this weekend," McDermott said to reporters.

"We know, particularly from that first half, that they're going to be unbelievably good this weekend and they're going to be disappointed with how that game finished because they had it there particularly once they kicked that penalty.

"They probably should have closed it out and they didn't so we got lucky in a sense there but we also created our own luck and I've been working really hard this week.

"We've obviously reviewed the game, got some key areas of growth, and we've got to keep doing what we've been doing, which is finishing the game strong."

It's their third win in their last four games, which includes a similar win over world champions South Africa to break their drought in Johannesburg.

However, the team doesn't have to look far for inspiration about the importance of keeping focused on Argentina.

The Wallabies found themselves in a similar situation last year after a last-minute Ben Donaldson penalty clinched a 20-19 win, before following that performance up with a 67-27 defeat - their second-biggest loss in Test history.

"I think complacency's never really been an issue for us. We only have to look at last year, for example, a really good performance and then they put 60 on us the next week," McDermott reinforced.

"There's absolutely no complacency from our point of view because we know firsthand just how good this team is we're coming up against.

"Joe [Schmidt] post-game was happy with the result but the actual game itself we've got a hell of a lot to work on and that's what we've been doing.

"We've been being real with the feedback we've been received and some honest chats around where we need to get better but it's great because we're turning in the right direction and we've got to make sure every single day we continue to do that."

The successful run has seen a resurgence of support for the Wallabies, with Allianz Stadium already sold out days in advance, the fifth sell-out in the last eight games for the team.

McDermott was feeling the love from the Australian fans after a strong crowd in Townsville inspired them to victory.

"This year's been unbelievable, the support we've had across that Lions series and that's rolled into TRC and another sell-out this weekend. Gold jerseys everywhere, and I'm really proud to be a Wallaby," he said.

"It's great to see so many supporters at the stadiums, regardless of where we're going, like at Townsville on the weekend, just to see the gold jerseys up there, and that's rare. Usually, it's [North Queensland] Cowboys and that's it, but gold jerseys all across the street. It'll be more of the same this weekend.

"We're really appreciative of everyone who keeps showing up, who keeps coming to the games week in, week out, and from a player's point of view, we're absolutely loving the support and morale to also put in performances that they can be proud of."

McDermott will be hoping he can remain in the halves as the former Sevens star's versatility has become unexpectedly crucial for the Wallabies.

Twice this year, the Reds skipper has played significant minutes on the wing, replacing Harry Potter (hamstring) during the Lions series and Len Ikitau against South Africa.

"That is an option now that I'm sure I can play there. We've got far better wingers than me, I'm just a break glass in case of emergency," McDermott said and laughed.

"That's the beauty of this squad. We've got so many boys playing well in that wing position and right across the back line, forward back, that boys are competing week in, week out.

"Joe's got the luxury of sometimes going to a 6-2 because of the players that can not only cover other positions, but also the other back on the bench can cover multiple positions as well, whoever that may be.

"It's been interesting to be a part of. I was under Brad Thorn and he used to play me a little bit in the wing late in games. It's been different coming on as only a winger. I haven't done that in the past but it's been a role I've really enjoyed."

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