How future Wallabies and Queensland Reds enforcer Massimo De Lutiis unseated a Test star

His inclusion has forced 10-cap Wallaby Nonggorr to the bench, with Toomaga-Allen and Alex Hodgman nursing injuries.

Australian rugby pundits have long been fascinated by emerging props who loom as attacking threats – Wallabies star Taniela Tupou perhaps the most recent example.

It is a path De Lutiis appears destined to chart, having already featured for the Australia XV and been invited into national coach Joe Schmidt’s new year camp ahead of the British and Irish Lions tour.

The 21-year-old has been monitored since his maiden Reds appearance, when his scrum work in the shadows of full-time against the Wild Knights stole a clutch 2023 win at Ballymore.

But despite the hype, McDermott does not believe it has hindered De Lutiis.

“I think he’s been really composed with it all. Obviously, there’d be a little bit of pressure on him, but he’s focused on the job at hand,” McDermott said.

“When it’s time to go, the intensity he trains with is really impressive.”

Tate McDermott on Massimo De Lutiis

Reds coach Les Kiss revealed all it took was one short meeting in pitching the club to De Lutiis to know he had the mettle to thrive among rugby’s elite, and his exposure to international-calibre opposition would ensure he would not falter against a physical Moana Pasifika outfit.

“He’s got a steely look in his eye, he’s willing to do what it takes and is determined to get better every day. He’s shown that in spades,” Kiss said.

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“The UK tour was another growth for him, I know the players talking about his game afterwards against that type of opposition and in a different environment, they were very impressed with him. He’s got a really strong sense of his carry and defence.

“Early on we had to manage his height, and now he’s getting stronger and better lower, and I think that improvement alone gave us the confidence to start him in the first match of the season.”