Queensland Reds captain Tate McDermott has confirmed he will stay at Ballymore until the 2027 Rugby World Cup, turning down any short-term offers from overseas.
McDermott re-signed for four years at the start of 2023, although he had an option to head overseas as part of a sabbatical.
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Wallabies prop Angus Bell had a similar option in his deal that he opted to take up with Ulster for next season.
However, McDermott is eager to build something special with the Reds as they prepare for the finals.
"At the end of the day, it came back to what was important for me and whilst there was a little bit of interest, I love playing for Queensland," McDermott told the media.
"I'm in a position where I've played over 100 games for Queensland...With the continuity that's happening next year with our team, not only players, but also the staff, the direction the organisation is heading in, I'm really happy to be a part of that.
"I love wearing that Maroon jersey and I'm stoked I'll be here again next year."
McDermott admits the Reds haven't lived up to their own expectations, yet to make it past the quarter-finals under coach Les Kiss outside of Super Rugby AU since their 2011 title campaign.
"We've created an environment there where players are getting better every day. For me, that's what I want to keep doing. I want to keep getting better and I want to win more with Queensland," the scrumhalf said.
"We're not where we want to be, but we're moving in the right direction."
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt was pleased McDermott was sticking around.
"I think it's a bonus for us and it's great for Tate," he said.
"If Tate went on a sabbatical, we weren't letting him go for long anyway. So that is one bonus about sabbaticals: we know they're coming back and their long-term future's committed, but to have them continuously, I think, is a huge advantage.
"It just allows them to build not only within their Super team but to be at Wallabies gatherings, whatever we call them, because some overseas guys might not be back in time for the first assembly date on June 22.
"It just gives you continuity to catch up with Tate or to talk to Tate's coaches about how he's going. It's a lot more difficult if players are overseas."
