Even after years as the premier scrumhalf in Queensland, captain Tate McDermott is still just as excited as ever to pull on the maroon jersey.
McDermott will bring up 100 caps for the Reds on Saturday as they face the ACT Brumbies in Brisbane.
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The scrum-half has come a long way since sitting in the stands watching the 2011 title success.
The former Sevens prodigy made his debut for the Reds in 2018 and has stepped up as co-captain since 2022.
“I was probably the same height, just longer hair. I still feel that young so it’s a bit of a pinch me moment," he said to reporters on his development since his debut.
“I always supported the Reds, a young kid from the Sunshine Coast, and never thought I’d be in this position.
“Really fortunate and it’s a really proud moment for me and my family come Saturday.”
McDermott relished the chance to play it on home soil against the team he called the 'benchmark' of Australian Rugby.
The Reds and Brumbies rivalry has developed over the past five years as the two sides battled it out towards the top of the Super Rugby ladder.
The Brumbies defeated the Reds in the 2021 Super Rugby AU Final before McDermott and the Reds flipped the ledger the following year.
“I love playing against the Brumbies, they’re the benchmark of Australian Rugby and have been for a number of years," he admits.
“We’re just sticking true to what we believe is important for us but you have to respect the Brumbies for what they’ve done this year and in the past and they’ve been the side we’ve been chasing for a number of years.
“They’ve been playing some great games this year.”
The Reds sit third on the ladder after briefly holding top spot before their defeat to the Chiefs last week.
