For the Love Of It: An Interview with Reds/QLD Country Scrum-half Tate McDermott

The NRC is heating up! Queensland Country are at the top of table, even after a close loss to the Western Force on Sunday and Brisbane City are coming off two big wins. So the annual City Vs Country is set to be a fun one! I’ll be there, at the Wests Bulldogs Club, Saturday at 3pm.

And during the lead up, I was lucky enough to catch up with Tate McDermott, Queensland Country scrum-half and of course now an up and coming Reds player! I hope you enjoy reading our chat!

Tough game over the weekend, but you guys have played extremely well this season.  How do you feel about the NRC season so far overall?

Yeah, it was a tough loss over the weekend. But we started the season well and you know, we kind of picked up from where we left off last year. We’ve had a few good wins, over Fiji, the Canberra Vikings and the Melbourne Rising. We started well, to be in the position we’re in now, on top I believe.

How much are you looking forward to this weekends game?

Should be good aye! I’m really excited. That’s where I made my debut last year, against them. That was up at my home on the Sunny Coast, up at Noosa. We’ll be going up against some of the boys we’ve been playing and training with all year. Ideally we’ll put a cricket score on them, but it’ll be a close game. It’ll be a really tough game and I’m really excited for it, we all are.

How long have you played rugby and what drew you to play the game?

So I guess I’ve been playing since I was four. I started at a little school on the Coast called Matthew Flinders. That’s where I attended school for the first eight years of my life and then I moved across to Sunny Coast Grammar. But I guess I really fell in love with the game, in the early years, you know, winning the Bledisloe and winning those world cups early on. I always loved watching them play and I always wanted to be where they were. I’m pretty lucky standing where I am today with the Reds. I just love the game!

What’s your favourite memory with the Reds this year?

Um, I’m gonna say my favourite memory would be my starting debut against the Sunwolves, in the last game of the year. It was good to get a win. Other memories would be my debut against the Rebels. They’d probably been my two.

Are you looking forward to the upcoming Super Rugby season?

Yeah, definitely. While we only won five games last year, we certainly built a platform that we can really work on next year. We’re putting hard work in and Thorny has a plan and we’re looking forward to that and what we can achieve next year. So hopefully we can make you and the rest of Queensland proud.

Banter with the Brothers: Catching up with CEO Matt Kaye and Lawson Creighton

This week Reds Rugby Rules is putting the spotlight on one of the great clubs in Queensland: Brothers Rugby Club. Earlier this week I sat down with the club’s CEO Matt Kaye, who answered a few of my questions about the club. Then later on in the evening, down at Ballymore, I caught up with Lawson Creighton after Brisbane City training! We talked about Brothers (his rugby club!), the NRC, and other important things.

Brothers Rugby Club: known as "The Family Club" in Brisbane

Thanks to Matt and and Lawson for taking time to catch up! I loved spending time at Brothers.

Brothers had a long and proud history in Australia. Established in 1905, it is the oldest rugby club in Brisbane.
(Note the big picture of the great John Eales, wearing his Brothers uniform.)

Matt Kaye, Club CEO 

The Brothers Premier Grade team had a few wins and quite a few close losses this season. How do you think the team is going to go next year?

We think we’re going to improve. We’ve appointed a new coach in Rob Seib, he’s the Queensland Country coach for the NRC. We’ve got a good group of young players who will be back again for the club. Se we’re working hard again to have a better performance in 2019, a bit of a fresh start and a little bit of a rebuild I suppose, with the new head coach. But we’re excited about the new season and refocusing on our skills and our play and what we do.

Loved seeing all the displays and hearing some of Brothers history

I read about the Brothers Rugby Club Strategic Plan 2018 - 2022. How did this come about and how is it progressing?

Every 4 years we relook at our strategic plan I guess, to ensure that we’re staying ahead of the game, I suppose. For us, it’s about continuing to grow and to get better at the things that we do. So one of the key objectives is to provide better facilities. So we are in a master plan at the moment, which will be a rebuild of the training centers and the club house and repairing the fields as well. 

Hopefully in 3-4 years time, this place will be completely different and it will be up to a high standard when not only the community and the junior players that we have, but also the international teams can train here. We had the Wallabies train here last year which was great and we hope to be able to have other teams train here as well.

The “Brothers Way”,  Club Culture Behaviour Guidelines are a great initiative, how long has it been in place?

That’s a good question. That was developed by the players. So 3-4 years ago, we ran a leadership program for a number of our senior players and they helped develop the framework behind what they want the club to achieve, in behaviour and culture and in terms of what’s acceptable and not acceptable. We’ve really changed our culture over that period of time and there’s not as many, I hate to say it, “dickheads” around. You know, those clubs that don’t have those people, probably build a really strong knit. It is player driven, but it’s also top driven, from the board and the management staff as well. We want to live those values as much as we can.

How does the future look for the Brothers junior competition supporting “grass roots” rugby?

Yeah. Very good. I think there’s a bit of a decline across traditional rugby, in terms of 15-a-side for juniors. But we continue to grow a lot of our external programs.

We’ve got around 350 Sevens players starting in a couple of weeks time after the holidays, we’ve got a girls Sevens program, we’ve got a girls touch football program, which has 846 registered now, playing touch football for the club. So, from a community and a grass-roots point of view, we’re in excess of over two and a half thousand people playing at the club, across “little bros”… If you were here earlier this morning, you would have seen me coaching our three, four and five year old players, through to our Premier grade and our International players. So we’re really excited to continue to grow “non-traditional rugby”, but also the 15-a-side game through our juniors as well. And we’re putting a lot more emphasis on our program development and our coach education, for juniors, over the next 12-18 months. Make better people, make better skills, I suppose.

The “Family Club” motto, based around community values seems to be great concept, do you feel it has boosted the clubs livelihood?

Matt is very happy that his club won the "Doughty Shield"
this year - awarded to the club that does the best across

all grades (based on points accumulation).

It’s a motto that we’ve accepted, because we do cater for everyone. Whether that means we’re including everyone… I think we do. We’re trying to do that with everything we do, we’re trying to be better communicators and respect everyone that’s a part of the club. I think the family value in the club is much bigger than we even realise ourselves. The way we engage with the community from a family point of view… we want to be more than just the local rugby club that people want to come to. We want to be a club that’s known for being accepting, family orientated with a good culture, that sort of thing.

What is your own rugby journey and what led you to do what you’re doing now here at Brothers?

Interesting journey, I think Tom. I’m from Queanbeyan, down near Canberra. I played for the Brumbies B teams, I didn’t make the Brumbies side, back in the day of the 1999-2001 team when they were extremely strong and winning titles. I had 3 knee reconstructions and retired at the age of 22. So, I was very young when I retired and was lucky to get a position at the Brumbies as a development officer and then worked my way through to an academy manager, coach education, before getting an opportunity to coach professionally in Japan for four years.  I originally went there with the CEO of the Melbourne Rebels , Baden Stephenson. Then I stayed there for a few years coaching, before returning to Australia. Then I was lucky enough to get the position of head coach and general manager at Brothers here in the 2011 season, after they played a grand final. I did that from 2012 to 2013. I’ve stopped coaching the Premier team, but I’m full-time just running the club and all aspects of it, from sponsorship, to functions and events, to overseeing the rugby program, and the Brothers Touch association. I also coach a junior under-10s team and a girls sevens team. It’s a Rugby Club, but it’s also a community business looking to provide something back for the community.

Out on the field. Matt told me these are the posts that used to be used at Ballymore.

One of the legends... and one of six Wallabies Captains that have come from Brothers (including John Eales)

Catching up with Lawson Creighton

Lawson's been loving training at Ballmore Stadium.

One great player that represents Brothers is now back in action with Brisbane City. He's just bounced back from an injury and had a few good runs against the Sydney Rays last Saturday. I hope you enjoy reading our interview and getting to know a rising player in Brisbane!

Congrats to you and your team on a great win over the weekend!

It was really good to get back into the winning circle. Obviously, two bad losses, the one in Fiji was pretty bad, but to see it back in the winning circle was good and it's my first game back from an ankle injury. It was good to be on the field again, finally.

What’s been a highlight from the NRC season so far?

I think, just being around some of the big name players, just being able to train with them and to take little things out of their games. Coming into my first year in this sort of professional squad, even just training here is pretty big for me.

What’s your rugby journey? How old were you when you started playing?

Well, I started playing rugby back in high school. I went to Padua College in Kedron and I started playing then. I mostly played league when I was in younger. I finished school, I played a year of colts at Norths, on Shaw Road. Then a couple of the boys left there, I was thinking about going back to league and all my mates from school stopped playing, so I didn't know what to do. My older brother played for Brothers, so when I talked to him, I went over to Brothers. My last year of Colts there, we got done by Uni, that sucked. I've got a couple of Premier grade caps at Brothers now which is really good. This year, I didn't play a lot, I've been in the Reds academy and was lucky enough to play for the Australian Under-20s and went over to France in June, which was an unreal trip. That's where I did my ankle, in the very last game.

It's been pretty wild, this year especially. I've just been a club rugby player and loving it, but this years been massive.

What do you love most about Brothers rugby club?

I think it's a pretty unique culture. Everyone gets around each other, they all mingle... during training, the Colts will train with the Premier grade stuff like that, so you get around a lot of circles and you get to know a lot of people. It's a really good culture and I don't think I'll leave any time soon.

What’s your favourite position to play?

It's a tough one. I play a bit of five-eigth and a bit of full-back. I think I prefer playing at 10 (five-eighth) but I also like the freedom of playing at full-back where you don't have worry about everything. Full-back's isn't as much pressure and you can just enjoy it.

Some of my readers might still be learning about the game of rugby. Can you explain what the five-eigth does in your own words?

I think they just control the team and directs the team around of the field. In a game of rugby, if you've got a good 10 that can direct a team and lead a team, I think you've got a very good chance of winning. So it's a very key role in the team.

What else do you like to do in your spare time, besides rugby?

I think just a Sunday roast at Mum or Dads joint's pretty good, when I get out with my mates it's a pretty good time as well. I wouldn't say working, but I'm an electrician, I'm doing my apprenticeship, so getting that knocked over which is good. So yeah. Overall, just hanging out with mates and a Sunday roast, can't beat that.

Thanks Lawson for taking time to catch up. I’ll continue to cheer you and your team on this season.

Perfect. Thanks Tommy! Up the Brothers.

A Conversations with Queensland Country Captain: Duncan Paia'aua

NRC is well and truely underway. Two weeks into the season, I got to catch up with Queensland Country captain Duncan Paia’aua. His team beat the Canberra Vikings in round one and came through to beat the Melbourne Rising in a close game last weekend.

The team has been travelling a fair amount. They are playing in Mackay this weekend and I am looking forward to their next game close to home at Bond Uni, next Saturday (22nd Septemeber). To check out where all of this seasons games are for Brisbane City and Queensland Country, check out the drawer here and see if there's a game near you.

Duncan Paia’aua - Representing Queensland Country

2 wins in 2 weeks. As Captain, you must be happy with how the NRC season has kicked off.

Yeah. Obviously, we’ve had two wins in a row, against two tough teams. Canberra was a good outfit and Melbourne really tested us, but the boys really showed some fight in the first two weeks and got two wins. So very happy.

Anyone that knows me knows I love the NRC. What do you love most about this competition?

What I like is getting out to communities that we don’t really get to go to with Super Rugby. Last week we're heading to Townsville and this week we get to go to Mackay and take the game to towns that don’t really get to see footy. That’s what I really love about the NRC at the moment.

I know it’s a long way off, but how do you feel things are building towards the next Reds season?

Yeah, good. The NRC is a good way to keep playing some footy. There’s a lot of us in both squads, in City and Country. It’s a chance for us to build some connections and partnerships. Hopefully that builds into the pre-season coming up and a really good 2019 season.

What’s been your career highlight since our last (official) interview?

Probably winning the NRC last year. We had a really fun season, we had a really good team and to finish it off with a premiership was really up there in my career highlights I think.

What do you think your team will need to do to defend the championship?

Obviously, just do our basics right I guess. We have really good attacking players, players that can score points. But I think the things that’s gonna win the NRC is defence. That’s the big key, especially against teams like Fiji and those types of teams that like to throw it around. Defence is gonna win those games. We know we’ve got it within us, but defence is key.

Thanks for your time Duncan. All the best this weekend up in Mackay.

Thank you very much!

Catching up with Kiwi: Brisbane City Captain - Adam Korczyk

NRC is back again for 2018 and as you can expect, Reds Rugby Rules here to give you the latest. Australia’s own National Rugby Championship is an exciting mix of Super Rugby and Club rugby players that often brings games into club territory for fans to enjoy. Last week this kicked off, with Brisbane City playing against the Western Force at the Norths Eagles Rugby Club. It was an exciting game in front of a big home-town crowd. There were plenty of tries, but unfortunately the City Slickers went down 29-47.

When our NRC teams are strong, the Reds are stronger.

In the lead up to their second game against the Fijian Drua, I was lucky to catch up with City captain, Adam Korczyk. It’s the second time we’ve caught up for Reds Rugby Rules and since last years interview, he’s risen through the ranks in the Queensland Reds and seems to be a perfect choice to captain the Slickers this year. (Because his family came from New Zealand, the nickname stuck early on.)

Hey Adam, Thanks for catching up at the start of the season!

That’s alright! Hope they’re good questions. (laughs)

The NRC season is always exciting to me. How many years have you been in this now?

So I’ve been in here for 4 years now. 2014 was the first year of NRC, and I’ve been with Brisbane City the whole time. I played the first game here [at Ballymore] televised, against the Sydney Stars. It was a good game. Obviously I was excited to play against Super Rugby players in the other team and play with players like Liam Gill and Jack Schatz, so it was a good experience. 

Good effort over the weekend, there were some great tries scored.

Yeah there were some good tries scored. We have some great attacking players, some great club guys and experienced guys like Quade and Karmichael. There’s nothing wrong with our attack, I think just our defence was a bit of an issue against the Force on Sunday.

Are you looking forward to this weekends game in Fiji?

Yeah I am! I actually played in the same place for the Australian school boys actually, against the Fijian Schoolboys, back in 2012. It was quite a tough game. It was very hot, 35 degrees or something, but it was really exciting. People are very nice from what I remember, people are happy and always smiling, that’s what I took from it. So I’m really excited.

How does being captain affect your game?

Obviously, first time being captain, it’s a bit daunting I guess. You’ve got to talk to the ref, which is always interesting… Within training sessions, I guess I’m talking up a bit more.

I’ve been with Brisbane City for four years now, being more of a follower, for a lack of a better word. But I’ve always thought I lead with my actions. So I try and do that, while trying to instill more feedback where I want and share things I’ve picked up from my experience over the years, from Super Rugby aswell.

I’m super-proud to be captain of Brisbane City. I’m trying to get my team back to where we were, back to the top.

When City plays Country on Sunday September 30th, there will be a number of Reds on both sides. What’s it like going up against your team-mates in games like that?

Having a yarn with Adam after the game at Norths

It’s always interesting. Through out the year, you train with them, so you obviously have some friendships there. I guess when it’s on the field and with the rivalry from the last four years and even before NRC began there was the City/Country rivalry… So your alway want to get one up in that game, you always want to bash your mates. It’s always a fun time. And throughout the week there’s always a bit of chat, either around the Reds gym, everyones wearing their City or Country gear, it’s great. It’s great for the NRC and it’s great for Queensland to see the next Reds players.

This is our second sit down chat for Reds Rugby Rules… Last time we sat down, your career highlight was your second ever Reds game, where you scored a try. Have you had another career highlight occur since then?

Well, since there, I’ve played a fair few Reds games and I’ve been involved with the Wallabies squad (aswell). For me, the next thing would be playing with the Wallabies setup [in the trial game last month]. I haven’t got a cap yet, or played again, but that’s still a milestone. But playing in that game would surpass that Reds game.

I loved visiting your club (UQ) a few weeks back, obviously one of the great clubs in Brisbane. What’s your favourite thing about playing for Uni?

The great thing is just grassroots rugby, people just love rugby. Whether it’s Fifth grade, or Reserve grade, or Prem grade, everyone gets around each other. So I think after games, you might have a little bit to drink or something, whether it’s a win, or even a loss, coming back to Uni, it’s always a fun time. There are mates that I’ve played with since the beginning of my career. 

It’s always great coming back… meeting new people as well. You sort try to give feedback and advice to the players that are aspiring to be professional players as well. It’s always a good time.

Thank you for taking time to catch up. Good luck this season. When our NRC teams are strong, the Reds are stronger.

Exactly, yeah. Thank you Tommy. It’s alway good to have a chat with you. I think the boys will be up for it this week. It’ll be a tough game, but the boys will rip in and they’ll be ready for that City/Country game too.