How Tate's 'owning' finisher tag as Wallabies bench ace

Tate McDermott is embracing being part of Australia's finishers, despite wanting more game time. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS)

Tate McDermott appreciates what the Wallabies' bench is becoming, but admits at "the end of the day everyone wants a smaller number on their back".

The Queensland Reds scrumhalf will play his 55th Test on Saturday, coming off the bench for a 40th time when he does so against Japan in Townsville.

McDermott briefly served as Wallabies captain under Eddie Jones in 2023 and started in three of the side's World Cup fixtures.

The ability to spy and exploit space is a big feature of Tate McDermott's game. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)

But his quick feet around the ruck and penchant for a probing try lends itself to a finishing role and that's where he's often earned his caps, behind the likes of Nic White and Jake Gordon.

Ryan Lonergan found himself down the pecking order last year but has jumped the queue and will wear the No.9 for a fifth-straight Test.

He boasts a quick, ripping pass out of the ruck and has been kicking goals literally and figuratively since earning the jersey.

McDermott has company, with playmaker Ben Donaldson - used at fullback off the bench in Osaka last weekend - not adding to his seven starts since the 2023 World Cup.

Keeping Australia in the right part of the field is important for Tate McDermott and the finishers. (Steven Markham/AAP PHOTOS)

"It's turned into a role, and there's been similar personnel on that bench for a while," McDermott said of being "a finisher" ahead of the Townsville rematch.

"You own that tag. At the end of the day everyone wants a smaller number on their back, but the game's changed so much since I debuted.

"It comes down to a similar group performing the same role over and over again."

Ben Donaldson and Tate McDermott have spent plenty of time trying to ice or win a Test match. (Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOS)

The game was in the balance when McDermott entered the fray in Japan, as it has been in all but one of four Tests played this season.

"Whether we start well or don't it always ends up around that 60 minute mark that decides the fixture," he said.

"The finishing tag, that's our identity and we want to finish games off.

"Whether we're clawing back or continuing to attack if we've got the lead."

Carter Gordon will return at flyhalf from a calf injury to partner Lonergan while Massimo De Lutiis, a 22-year-old prop from the Reds, is poised to become Wallaby No.1000 after being named on the bench.

The Wallabies are chasing three successive wins for the first time in almost three years ahead of a two-Test tour of Argentina that begins later this month.