Wallabies 2025

[KOB1987]

There's that, and it's also possible that the RA owned franchises wanted both Edmed and one of Creighton or Bowen in starting roles rather than all 3 of them vying for 2 spots in the one team.

 

[Yoda]

Did Tahs offer him a contract? He might have been wanted, but maybe thought Brumbies would be better for his development. History would tell us this is likely accurate given Brumbies development reputation.

I think the Brumbies will be good for him although he wont have a walk up start with Declan Meredith there. I heard the Tahs didn't want him. Crazy.

 

[Braveheart81]

I prefer Edmed to Creighton (although for a fair chunk of the season, McKellar didn't) but once Creighton was signed to a two year deal it was going to be hard to retain Edmed for 2026.

Jack Bowen was certainly a must to retain (but is now getting to the age where he needs to be playing and needs to turn the potential into reality).

 

[Strewthcobber]

The Waratahs have been left scrambling for options at five-eighth after the Brumbies poached one-Test Wallabies playmaker Tane Edmed.

Edmed, who has been with the Waratahs for five years, was courted heavily by the Brumbies and coach Stephen Larkham, who targeted the 24-year-old as a replacement for the departing Noah Lolesio.

NSW coach Dan McKellar had been keen to retain Edmed, but the 24-year-old told Tahs teammates at the weekend he needed a fresh start and that he had chosen to play under Larkham at the Brumbies.

For what it's worth, Iain Payten reported otherwise

 

[Yoda]

I prefer Edmed to Creighton (although for a fair chunk of the season, McKellar didn't) but once Creighton was signed to a two year deal it was going to be hard to retain Edmed for 2026.

Jack Bowen was certainly a must to retain (but is now getting to the age where he needs to be playing and needs to turn the potential into reality).

Edmed was better than Creighton and Bowen. He's better off leaving the Tahs though like Donaldson did. He's playing 80 minutes a game there at the Force which is helping him. Edmed might not have the same luxury with Meredith there too but Larkham will be a great guide.

 

[Braveheart81]

Edmed was better than Creighton and Bowen.

I agree with that because I prefer Edmed to Creighton by some margin.

I agree he is better than Bowen now but Bowen is more than 3 years younger and I think he has a higher ceiling.

They're all very average Super Rugby 10s though and I don't see Edmed or Creighton having the potential to be more than that.

 

[Adam84]

I think this year it came down to the simply fact that Creighton was able to execute the game plan that McKellar wanted more consistently then Edmed, few would argue that Edmed has a lesser ceiling though.

Edmed’s kicking games in particular the length on his kicks was pretty dam average, unsure if it’s improved. There was a couple of Super Rugby games where the Tahs were camped in their half simply because Edmed was barely getting 20m on clearing kicks, including penalties. That’s probably his biggest weakness that he needs to fix.

 

[Yoda]

I agree with that because I prefer Edmed to Creighton by some margin.

I agree he is better than Bowen now but Bowen is more than 3 years younger and I think he has a higher ceiling.

They're all very average Super Rugby 10s though and I don't see Edmed or Creighton having the potential to be more than that.

Which makes Joe Schmidt's interest in Tane all the more baffling. I just don't see Tane as Test material. Maybe Joe just likes a shuffler like Lynagh who underplays his hand, makes his tackles and kicks his goals. Don't expect much sparking of an attack though. Test footy maybe fine margins but you need to score tries to beat the All Blacks in particular. You won't beat them kicking goals. With Australia's backline and blessed with the likes of Jorgo and Sua'ali'i ... you need to get them the ball off set plays and more often. I don't see how Tane and Turbo do that?

 

[Adam84]

At test level, wallabies really just need someone who can kick decent, distribute the ball and defend their channel.

Anything more than that is a bonus at this stage. All candidates struggle in one of those 3 criteria.

 

[Major Tom]

Which makes Joe Schmidt's interest in Tane all the more baffling. I just don't see Tane as Test material. Maybe Joe just likes a shuffler like Lynagh who underplays his hand, makes his tackles and kicks his goals. Don't expect much sparking of an attack though. Test footy maybe fine margins but you need to score tries to beat the All Blacks in particular. You won't beat them kicking goals. With Australia's backline and blessed with the likes of Jorgo and Sua'ali'i ... you need to get them the ball off set plays and more often. I don't see how Tane and Turbo do that?

I don't think the Wallabies are struggling to score tries atm. Admittedly, a lot seem to be on turnover broken play.
Tane just seems to be there because he was in wallabies camp last year.

 

[Uh huh]

Or paid more to go somewhere else, and Edmed decided to leave?

Seems more likely that it was a "not getting on the pitch" issue than a "not getting enough money" issue. McKellar clearly preferred Lawson Creighton.

 

[Uh huh]

Edmed was better than Creighton and Bowen. He's better off leaving the Tahs though like Donaldson did. He's playing 80 minutes a game there at the Force which is helping him. Edmed might not have the same luxury with Meredith there too but Larkham will be a great guide.

His chances improved significantly when Tom Wright's knee exploded.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

That is an interesting signing for the Tahs. I thought Debreczini was retiring? McKellar let's Tane go and Joe Schmidt rates him as a starting 10 for the Wallabies. The Tahs are such a poor franchise for the talent they have at their disposal and let then go. I don't understand them.

Lets be honest, he may get a go but he's well below what a test 10 should be. The 10s nationally means almost all of them are in the convo
- NOT trying to start the 10 debate again. Edmed is a stock standard guy. If the Brumbies courted him and wanted him I don't think he's really worth extending yourself for. Brumbies had a need with Noah leaving and I reckon Tane would be cheaper than Noah so they come out ahead.

 

[Braveheart81]

Which makes Joe Schmidt's interest in Tane all the more baffling.

What's baffling about it? He's hovering between 4th and 5th choice for Schmidt (depending on where you see James O'Connor) so the level of interest is pretty low. It's more out of necessity than anything.

 

[Slim 293]

Edmed has been sitting behind Lolesio, Lynagh, Donaldson and then JOC (James O'Connor) over the last few years...

And just like Edmed, all of them have had their spells on the bench in recent times.

 

[Hogan]

The great Aussie 10 debate. Mind numbing at times. I think we need to cut our young 10’s some slack as they continue to learn and develop in the most challenging position in rugby. None of them are going to be perfect but it’s from the mistakes they make along the way where the learnings and improvement come from.

We can’t seriously expect them to be at the peak of their craft with so few Test starts and game time in the hot seat. Lynagh (4 starts), Donaldson (5) and Tane (soon be 1). From what I can see they are the best we currently have locally in the code and over the next 2 years they will hopefully gain the necessary experience and confidence by playing a heap of minutes in readiness for the ‘27 WC. Perhaps once they’ve all started in 20-30 Tests then we can truly judge them on their merits.

 

[Hogie]

This just highlights the long-standing mismanagement of the 10s in Australian rugby. The depth and development gap has been evident since the days of Foley and Cooper. Take the 2019 Junior Wallabies, for example — they had Will Harrison, Noah Lolesio, Isaac Lucas, and Ben Donaldson all in the same squad. Then came the next wave: Carter Gordon, Edmed, and Lynagh.

Four or five years ago, flyhalf looked like a position where the Wallabies would be stacked by now. So it’s understandable that fans are frustrated, given the talent that’s come through. That said, I agree we need to cut these guys some slack.

Personally, I always thought Will Harrison was the best fit for test rugby, especially with his kicking game.

 

[Crashy]

I don't think the Wallabies are struggling to score tries atm. Admittedly, a lot seem to be on turnover broken play.
Tane just seems to be there because he was in wallabies camp last year.

yeah but how many tries have the All Blacks scored against us that were in broken play? Thats what makes them so good and their fans dont discount their form due to this.

 

[Crashy]

when you reduce your super rugby clubs to 4 - there is always the risk of injury meaning we dip into unknown territory..
We need a 5th team that can pay its own way. Surely we can make it work in Melbourne with some creative thinking...(partnerships with overseas clubs, govt involvement, loads of tour games, RA ownership allowing for transfer of players etc etc)

 

[liquor box]

This just highlights the long-standing mismanagement of the 10s in Australian rugby. The depth and development gap has been evident since the days of Foley and Cooper. Take the 2019 Junior Wallabies, for example — they had Will Harrison, Noah Lolesio, Isaac Lucas, and Ben Donaldson all in the same squad. Then came the next wave: Carter Gordon, Edmed, and Lynagh.

Four or five years ago, flyhalf looked like a position where the Wallabies would be stacked by now. So it’s understandable that fans are frustrated, given the talent that’s come through. That said, I agree we need to cut these guys some slack.

Personally, I always thought Will Harrison was the best fit for test rugby, especially with his kicking game.

This is the problem with professional sports; they are a business who want to succeed today.

Why would a franchise have an inexperienced back up when they can have someone with experience? I think the Brumbies success is partly due to being able to put Jack Debreczeni on as a reserve.

The solution is a genuine third tier competition or some type of scholarship where RA helps them play overseas for a few years, but they are contracted to return to a franchise that RA chooses. This will never happen, but we have seen how NPC experience can help a young player improve.