Queensland Reds and Wallabies scrumhalf Tate McDermott insists his hamstring injury will not prohibit his trademark game style heading into the 2026 season.
McDermott is still rehabbing a hamstring injury suffered in the opening Bledisloe Cup match in September, following a complete rupture early in the first half.
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It leaves the Reds skipper racing the clock to be fit for the Super Rugby Pacific opener against the NSW Waratahs on February 13.
“I don't have a target date just yet, but we're really happy with how they're progressing,” McDermott told reporters. “With these injuries, it can be anywhere from four to six months so once I get back running, which will hopefully be at the end of the month, I'll be able to give you a clearer picture but at the moment, all things are going really positively.
“I've had no hiccups. I've been getting flogged in the pool just because I haven't been able to run, which I’ve enjoyed.
“Across my whole career, I've been really lucky I haven't been injured so this is my first serious stint on the sidelines, and it gives me a really good chance to freshen up, so that when I am ready, I'll be ready to go.”
McDermott has been renowned for his freakish pace and acceleration around the ruck, having initially represented Australia in Sevens before his rise in the 15-a-side game saw him debut in 2020.
The 50-cap Wallaby is confident the injury won’t have any effect on this part of the game, although he joked other areas will be tweaked.
“I did [the injury] cleaning out so you might see me in some less rucks,” he said when asked if the injury would change his approach.
“I'm feeling really good at the moment. If I tried to change how I play, I wouldn't be here so I'll stick to my strength. Still got a bit of time to assess how I'm going to play when I come back. But I've learned a lot from being off the field.”
The Wallabies are currently in camp before their return to their respective Super Rugby clubs after a tough Spring Tour.
With McDermott watching from Queensland, the livewire reflected on his newfound perspective.
"It's a lot easier, obviously, on the other side of the fence to be critical, which is the main thing I learned," he said. "You've got to feel for the supporters getting up early for some of those tough losses, particularly in the back end of the year.
"I know what was happening within the camp, so I could throw that hat on a little bit and really feel for my teammates who were under the pump there. But also, I can see exactly what the boys are trying to do.
"We just weren't good enough so that's the goal this year, just to be a lot better in those little moments and the boys are working hard here today, and they'll work hard across the Super Rugby season with their clubs."
