Wallabies’ McDermott Faces Extended Recovery After Injury

The Wallabies will be without scrumhalf Tate McDermott for the upcoming Rugby Championship finale against New Zealand and likely for the rest of their end-of-season tour. McDermott suffered a serious hamstring injury during last week’s match against the All Blacks in Auckland, which has been confirmed to require surgery and an extended recovery period.

According to Rugby Australia, McDermott’s injury occurred early in the match, contributing to the team’s disappointing performance, which saw them lose to New Zealand. The organization announced on Tuesday that McDermott’s rehabilitation will keep him sidelined for a significant duration, impacting both the final match of the Rugby Championship and the subsequent tour.

Squad Adjustments Ahead of the Final

In McDermott’s absence, Jake Gordon is expected to return to the field after recovering from his own hamstring issue. He is likely to take over the scrumhalf position in Saturday’s match against the All Blacks in Perth. Additionally, Ryan Lonergan is poised to earn his second cap, potentially coming off the bench to support the team.

Veteran player Nic White, who had initially considered retirement, remains with the squad to help navigate the challenges presented by Gordon’s and McDermott’s injuries. White’s experience will be crucial as the Wallabies aim for a victory that could secure their first Rugby Championship title in a decade.

The Wallabies need not only a win against New Zealand but also to rely on Argentina to defeat world champions South Africa in London for a chance at the title. A bonus-point victory for Australia is essential in this scenario.

Upcoming Tour and Challenges

Following the Rugby Championship finale, Australia will embark on a demanding end-of-season tour, facing Japan, England, Italy, Ireland, and France during October and November 2023. The absence of McDermott will undoubtedly put additional pressure on the Wallabies as they prepare for these high-stakes matches in the coming months.

As the team adjusts to these changes, the focus remains on maintaining momentum and achieving success, both in the immediate match against New Zealand and throughout their international tour. The Wallabies will need to rally and leverage their depth to overcome this setback and achieve their goals.