Wright + McDermott Named Reds Co-Captains for 2025

The proven leadership of Liam Wright and Tate McDermott has been harnessed to guide the Queensland Reds in an important and challenging 2025 season.

The Wallabies duo will act as co-captains of the Reds for a fourth consecutive season in a strong show of continuity.

Today’s appointments are endorsement that Reds Head Coach Les Kiss recognised the right leadership, growth and top-level performances in Wright and McDermott last year.

“The privilege I feel captaining Queensland never dips entering another season,” flanker Wright said.
“I appreciate the support of the staff and players and want to do my best to serve the club.

“I feel like Tate and I are getting more and more cohesive each year with the way we work together. We bounce ideas off each other really well.”

The Reds are just 37 days out from their first game of Super Rugby Pacific when they host Moana Pasifika at Suncorp Stadium on February 21.

More immediately, the Reds will embark next week on a major pre-season tour of the United Kingdom with matches against Bristol in Bristol (January 31) and Ulster in Belfast (February 7).

For halfback McDermott, the chance to lead his state always adds another layer of excitement to any season.

“The captaincy is a big honour. I’m a proud Queenslander who loves representing the state,” McDermott said.
“It’s exciting times again to lead Queensland with Liam.

“It’s a great feeling to know the trust is there from Les, after our first season working with him and his coaching team in 2024, because he is doing a brilliant job leading the club.”

Wright and McDermott made their Reds debuts together in Round Two of the 2018 season against the Melbourne Rebels at Melbourne’s AAMI Park. 

Wright’s record has expanded to 84 Reds caps, including his standout 2024 Super Rugby Pacific campaign when he started in all 15 games in the backrow as one of the ironmen of the competition.

McDermott has earned 91 caps for the Reds.

It is a reflection of how they have grown as captains that they have both been picked to lead the Wallabies over the past 18 months.

“There is a lot of respect, from coaches and fellow players, for Liam and Tate and the job they do as captains,” said Kiss.

“When I asked them about 2025, neither had any hesitation about stepping up again.

“These are two guys who underpin the values of the club and the Reds are in a good place for them to be leading us into a big year.

“They will have the support of a strong group of senior players.”