Tate McDermott admits “talk is cheap” as he prepares to lead the Wallabies into Bledisloe Cup battle for the first time.
The 24-year-old is Australia’s fourth captain this season – following Michael Hooper, James Slipper and Allan Alaalatoa – in a sign of the struggles Eddie Jones is facing in trying to ignite a serious Rugby World Cup campaign.
McDermott is a surprise choice after not even being included in the first Wallabies camp of the season in April.
Watch the 2023 Bledisloe Cup and Rugby World Cup on the home of rugby, Stan Sport. All matches streaming ad free, live and on demand
“He’s obviously made a huge impression on Eddie Jones in a short space of time,” Morgan Turinui said on Stan Sport’s Rugby Heaven.
“Probably on the fringes, we would have thought, from some of the messaging we were getting during Super Rugby. And then now, Eddie Jones has been very complimentary over the last few weeks and putting him into that captain’s position. That’s a huge vote of confidence.”
The Wallabies have not beaten the All Blacks in New Zealand since 2001 when Eddie Jones guided Australia to a 23-15 win in Dunedin.
READ MORE: Morocco creates World Cup history as No.2 side crashes out
READ MORE: ‘Way off the mark’: War of words after coach’s allegation
READ MORE: Chappell’s left-field solution to burning Warner issue
That old school Carisbrook ground – dubbed ‘The House of Pain’ – has since been knocked down with a building supplies store now standing in its place.
Rebuilding, or regenerating, was Jones’ theme this week as he declared a “new era” of Australian rugby was nigh.
McDermott told Turinui that he was surprised but honoured to become the 86th Wallabies captain but wasn’t interested in following his coach’s penchant for bold proclamations.
“We want to be smarter this week. And we want to be tougher. So for us to do that – talk is cheap,” he said.
“We’ll be preparing to win and we’ve got to come out of the blocks fast. Hopefully you’ll see a team that fights for one another when it gets tough out there. And that’s the team we want to be.”
McDermott was flattened by Scott Barrett in a disastrous start to last weekend’s 38-7 loss at the MCG.
Brutal tackle gifts epic All Blacks try
The Wallabies naively fed lineout ball off the top to McDermott from their own 5m line and the halfback coughed up the pill in contact for Shannon Frizell’s try.
“It’s about ‘don’t make shoot yourself in the foot’ errors,” Turinui said when asked about a possible path to victory.
“So there’s errors that the All Blacks will force. There are forced errors and penalties, but for the Wallabies, it’s no gimmies. Don’t give them a cheap first try.
NEW PODCAST! Sean Maloney, Stephen Hoiles and Justin Harrison unpack a heavy Bledisloe Cup defeat and search for hope ahead of the return clash in Dunedin
“Don’t give them multiple phases in your zone so efficiently. Exiting your own zone will be crucial. I don’t mind kicking early from the Wallabies if they back it up with good kick chase. Good pressure on ball and discipline, it’s fractured kicking, poor kicking that cost them last week.”
Former Wallabies lock Justin Harrison also backed the retention of Carter Gordon at No.10 after a shaky starting debut in Melbourne.
“You look at the amount of times when we were making linebreaks, getting over the advantage line, how many times he flattened up, he was first receiver, wanting his hands on the ball, distributing effectively,” Harrison said.
“The kick option was right, the execution was not. Now, a lot of people say ‘that’s unforgivable, professional player, should be better than that.’
“That’s the cauldron of sport, human error creeps in. But we know that Carter Gordon is the one to take the game by the reins and to control.
“Corral the forwards and the backs, Tate McDermott can’t do it all.
“Carter Gordon will be steering those forwards around the field and manipulating and he knows that he’s a very good player when everything’s going right.”
The All Blacks have made 12 changes to their starting side as fringe players get the opportunity to impress ahead of Monday’s Rugby World Cup squad announcement in Napier.
“The big one, of course, (Sam) Cane comes back in, leads them again and then (Damian) McKenzie at 10,” Turinui said.
“It’s not too bad when you rest Richie Mo’unga from that 10 jersey and you bring in the form No.10 in Super Rugby.
“Will Jordan moves to his preferred position (fullback) this weekend – he could be even more dangerous.”
ALL BLACKS (15-1): Will Jordan, Shaun Stevenson, Braydon Ennor, Anton Lienert-Brown, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Damian McKenzie, Finlay Christie, Ardie Savea, Sam Cane (c), Samipeni Finau, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Nepo Laulala, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tamaiti Williams
Reserves: Dane Coles, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Fletcher Newell, Tupou Vaa’i, Luke Jacobson, Aaron Smith, Richie Mo’unga, Dallas McLeod
WALLABIES (15-1): Andrew Kellaway, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Jordan Petaia, Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete, Carter Gordon, Tate McDermott (c), Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Tom Hooper, Richie Arnold, Nick Frost, Pone Fa’amausili, Dave Porecki, Angus Bell
Reserves: Jordan Uelese, James Slipper, Zane Nonggorr, Will Skelton, Rob Leota, Nic White, Quade Cooper, Izaia Perese
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here
