He is not comfortable with the favourite’s tag either.
But when your team beats two Auckland 1A schools in the preseason, you attract a lot of attention.
The Otago Schools Rugby Championship gets under way this weekend and the Southlanders shape as the ones to beat.
They do not open their campaign until midweek, when they travel north to play defending champion John McGlashan in a game doubling as an interschool fixture.
Johnnies is rebuilding following a successful 2022 season and has lowered its expectations. But the game will be a good gauge of where both side are at nonetheless.
Otago Boys’ and King’s are always among the frontrunners. They will be tough again.
Dermody was keen to shine the spotlight on King’s, which he highlighted as perhaps the strongest team in the competition.
Otago Boys’ has a lot of players back from last season and will be led by powerful No 8 Phoenix Tapatu.
But Southland Boys’ has the preseason resume. It thumped King’s College 44-17 and edged Auckland Grammar 18-17 with a late penalty.
"You can’t complain about that," Dermody said when asked about that terrific preseason form.
"We’re not very big, but we’re highly skilled. And we’re quite excited about our prospects this year."
If all it goes well, there is a big carrot awaiting Southland Boys’ at the end of the season. Previously, the final has been staged in Dunedin, but a tweak to the rules means Southland Boys’ will be able to host the final if it secures the right.
Ironically, Dermody felt the hard track at Forsyth Barr Stadium would suit his side better.
About half of last year’s squad has returned this season.
Captain Gregor Rutledge shapes as a leading player. The hard-working openside flanker is the son of Southland stalwart Jason Rutledge and grandson of former All Black Leicester Rutledge.
There are two Muliainas in the backline. Mika will steer the team from first five and Rico is an exciting fullback. Their uncle, Mils, played 100 games for the All Blacks.
Winger Kiseki Fifita is another to watch. He is a fleet-footed player with a wonderful change of direction and the ability to beat even the most determined tacklers.
"We’re not big in the forwards but we can be pretty direct when we roll our sleeves up. But with our playmakers we can play expansively as well."
The format is the same as last year. The 12 teams are divided into the top six and bottom six based on their rankings at the end of the previous season, with the exception of Dunstan and Wakatipu.
Dunstan finished fifth last season but has dropped down to division 2 due to a lot of player turnover. Wakatipu has taken its spot in division 1.
At the end of the first round, the bottom team from division 1 will drop down and the top team from the division 2 will go up. The points table will be reset and another round robin will be played.
The teams will then be divided into top four, middle four and bottom four for the semifinals.
The three finals are scheduled for August 12.
