Tane Edmed and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii plan to replicate Israel Folau aerial assault for NSW Waratahs
Waratah playmaker Tane Edmed holds the key to unlocking Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii’s potential, and has a plan to replicate Israel Folau’s aerial assault, JAMIE PANDARAM with the exclusive details.
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WARATAHS playmaker Tane Edmed and new backline superstar Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii have been conducting private one-on-one sessions after training in order to unleash a threat set to rival Israel Folau’s flying assaults for NSW.
Edmed is the man with the keys to the Rolls Royce Tahs backline in 2025, and Suaalii will be the linchpin of their raids, particularly in the air as they look to use the high flying giant to win the ball from kicks.
At 196cm, Suaalii is two centimetres taller than Folau, who in just seven seasons at NSW broke the Super Rugby try-scoring record (60, since surpassed by TJ Perenara and Julian Savea), most of which came from kicks to the leaping fullback from five-eighth Bernard Foley.
Edmed and Suaalii have formed a close bond since the pair connected at a Wallabies camp in Canberra before their spring tour, and have since continued to build their combination at Tahs HQ in Daceyville over the pre-season.
“Me and Joe have been working pretty closely together, he’s someone who resonated with me straight away, just his mentality and his professionalism,” Edmed told this masthead.
“Me and him have been working really hard together, doing our extras together, talking about the game together. And I’ve learned plenty from him in terms of his mentality since he’s come here. He’s a really switched on guy.
“But for me, it’s about just getting him in positions where he can do his thing. He’s obviously extremely talented.
“So whether that’s getting him in the game early with a kick chase or giving him some space out wide with a one on one, whatever it is, I just want to give him the opportunity to be who he is.
“And that goes for everyone in the back line. I think that’s my job. Something that I’m still learning how to do is how to get the best out of everyone.”
Suaalii makes his Super Rugby Pacific debut on Friday night against New Zealand’s Highlanders, wearing the same No.15 jersey made famous by Folau, who was part of NSW’s only premiership win in 2014.
Waratahs captain and halfback, Jake Gordon, said they’d look to exploit Suaalii’s aerial advantage.
“Joseph has been great for the group, he has come in and we know his aerial skills, how good he is in the air,” Gordon said.
“His professionalism has been impressive. He knows his strengths and backs himself. Our job with a playmaker is to get his hands on the ball a little more, make this area a real point of difference.”
Edmed, 24, made his first Wallabies squad last year on the back of an impressive stint in New Zealand’s NPC with North Harbour, and if he can get the Tahs backline rolling he will be in contention for the British & Irish Lions tour.
With NSW transforming their roster following last year’s wooden spoon, and bringing in new coach Dan McKellar along with assistants Dan Palmer, Mike Catt and Lachlan McCaffrey, there will be added pressure on Edmed to deliver.
“I’ve got to make this engine run, the talent that’s outside me is phenomenal,” Edmed said.
“In saying that, I’m probably more excited about the forward pack because as a 10 and as a game driver and as a team, your forward pack needs to be humming.
“So I’m probably more excited about what those boys can bring, especially with the mentality of Dan McKellar and Palms.
“And then you throw the talent that we have in the backline and Catty’s coaching in that aspect, it’s super exciting.”
NSW Waratahs
1. Angus Bell (Sydney University)
2. David Porecki (Manly)
3. Taniela Tupou (West Harbour)
4. Hugh Sinclair (Northern Suburbs)
5. Miles Amatosero (Eastern Suburbs)
6. Rob Leota (Eastern Suburbs)
7. Charlie Gamble (Eastern Suburbs)
8. Langi Gleeson (Manly)
9. Jake Gordon – captain (Sydney University)
10. Tane Edmed (Eastwood)
11. Max Jorgensen (Randwick)
12. Joey Walton (Gordon)
13. Lalakai Foketi ((Manly)
14. Andrew Kellaway (Randwick)
15. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
Reserves:
16. Mahe Vailanu (Gordon)
17. Tom Lambert (Sydney University)
18. Siosifa Amone (Northern Suburbs)
19. Ben Grant (Sydney University)
20. Jamie Adamson (Eastern Suburbs)
21. Jack Grant (Eastern Suburbs)
22. Jack Bowen (Eastern Suburbs)
23. Darby Lancaster (Eastern Suburbs)
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Originally published as Tane Edmed and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii plan to replicate Israel Folau aerial assault for NSW Waratahs
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