Dermody was naturally concerned to see boom prop Ethan de Groot start the tournament with a relatively poor performance against France then cop a two-game suspension for a high shot against Namibia.
But he also knows his fellow Southlander is strong enough to put it behind him and play a role in leading the All Blacks to glory in France.
"He’ll be gutted with the red card," Dermody said yesterday.
"But he’ll be pretty hungry to show what he can do. We all know how good he is.
"I’d say Ethan will be keeping the axe pretty sharp and he will be ready to go, because he’s a pretty driven individual."
Dermody has a solid bond with the young prop and has been in touch with messages of support.
While de Groot copped some negative feedback for his performance against France in the tournament, his coach felt too much had been made of his alleged struggles against wily French prop Uini Atonio.
"It was funny watching that French game as a coach, particularly around the scrum penalties.
"I know people threw a few stones but I think people in the know potentially saw it a different way.
"You definitely need to adapt to different techniques in different countries, and potentially there was just some over-eagerness there on Ethan’s behalf, but it’s quite easy to pull a scrum down as a tighthead if you want it to look bad."
Another Highlanders forward, Shannon Frizell, has emerged as a key man for the All Blacks now he is fully fit.
All Blacks forwards coach Jason Ryan claimed more should have been done to keep the Japan-bound loosie in New Zealand, but while Dermody would have dearly loved to have had Frizell in 2024, that ship had sailed.
"I know the Highlanders were definitely keen to keep him. He’s not old by any stretch, and he’s only just now starting to hit his peak and consistency at international level.
"But it was all done ages ago. He was going to go last year but we fought to hold him.
"We would love him to stay around but we also understand a rugby career is pretty short, and players need to look after their families while they can."
Dermody has enjoyed a few weeks of effectively being a rugby fan during the NPC season.
Otago (three wins out of 10) and Southland (one win) struggled, but Dermody is a famously optimistic character and believes there were promising signs from both teams and the young players coming through.
"I think if you look at the Otago guys that got game time, especially as a Highlanders coach and looking to the future, it’s quite exciting.
"We saw those young guys play together and I think perform pretty admirably for young men.
"Seeing that is exciting for the future, with my Highlanders hat on. But even for Otago, if you look at the average age of the team that finished the season, that’s going to be a team that will take Otago forward.
"Yeah, there’s some pain in the short term, but I know those guys have learned a lot over the season.
"Southland, again, I actually see some growth in the team.
"It was a tough season when you look at results, but they’re growing a good core of young players. They pushed some teams pretty close, and it was awesome they got to taste a win at the end of the season."
Otago players Henry Bell, Oliver Haig, Nathan Hastie, Ajay Faleafaga and Jake Te Hiwi earn their first Highlanders contracts in 2024, while Jack Taylor and Hayden Michaels graduate from the Stags.
There was no concern about their confidence levels heading into the Highlanders campaign, Dermody said.
"I’d like to think they will come in refreshed and excited for the challenge of Super Rugby.
"Enthusiasm comes from youth. The will to get better is always going to be there. I guess we just need to make sure we coach them in a way they can get upskilled pretty quickly, because we know Super Rugby is another big step up."
Dermody has been pleased to monitor the form of star Highlanders recruits Jacob Raitamavuki-Kneepkens (Taranaki) and Timoci Tavatavanawai (Tasman).
Raitamavuki-Kneepkens was showing his pace and finishing power, and Tavatavanawai was displaying his strike ability and defensive prowess.
Highlanders first five Cam Millar is on track for Super Rugby after having ankle surgery, but Dermody is not confident Thomas Umaga-Jensen will be available at all after rupturing his ACL.
That means the Highlanders, who assemble in late November for testing, will likely be in the market for two midfielders along with a third hooker to complete their 2024 squad.
