Waratahs coach reveals brutal review after hammering amid mass changes to starting side

Tane Edmed hasn’t started a game since round three. Now he’s been tasked with performing a miracle to save the Waratahs’ spluttering Super Rugby season.

The Waratahs have turned back to sidelined playmaker Tane Edmed as they attempt to miraculously save their Super Rugby season, starting against Queensland Reds on Friday.

NSW coach Dan McKellar dropped Edmed early this season and has preferred Lawson Creighton or Jack Bowen as his No.10, but with their finals hopes on the line he has put Edmed back in charge of the backline.

Edmed hasn’t started since the round three clash against Fijian Drua, and has at times been left out of the 23-man squad altogether.

Tane Edmed hasn’t started for the Waratahs since their round three clash with Fijian Drua. Picture: Getty Images

But with NSW needing to win their remaining four games to make the finals, McKellar has turned back to one-Test Wallaby Edmed.

It comes after a brutal post-match review following their 40-17 loss to the Brumbies last week, that has led to six changes in their starting XV against the Reds at Allianz Stadium on Friday, including the return from injury of hooker Dave Porecki.

“Review day was tough, they’ve got to be honest with each other,” McKellar said.

“I say to the players, it’s never personal. It’s about making individuals better and us better collectively as a team, and that’s our job as coaches and as players.

“The boys’ attitude’s been excellent in and around that. No one’s dragging their bottom lip.

“We’ve got to lick our wounds and take the feedback on board and put in a performance on Friday night in what is a huge game, one that we can be really proud of.”

Waratahs halfback Jake Gordon has re-signed with Rugby Australia. Picture: Getty Images

Waratahs halfback Jake Gordon confirmed that he has signed a contract extension through to the 2027 Rugby World Cup, and is keen to reunite with Edmed.

“I’ve played quite a lot of footy with Tane, so I feel quite comfortable there,” Gordon said.

“I thought Lawson’s done a great job. I thought some of the games we’ve played at home with him and Teddy (Wilson), I think they’ve worked the team around really well. I know Tane’s going to be really excited for this.

“He’s another competitive guy who he works his arse off, he will see this as a really good opportunity for himself individually.”

While Gordon had flirted with a move to French rugby, he has chosen to remain in Australia with hopes of starting for the Wallabies in the World Cup.

Gordon was left out of Eddie Jones’ 2023 World Cup squad, and asked for a release last year.

“It’s been a long decision-making process, I think back to when I first looked at Toulon, I was probably at a point in my career where I wasn’t really getting a look in at an international level,” Gordon said.

Halfback Jake Gordon has re-signed with NSW Waratahs and the Wallabies until the end of 2027. Photo by NSW Waratahs

“If you’re maybe not playing in as big a match, you look at Europe and that French Top 14 game, some of them are pretty cool to be involved in.

“When I first started talking to Perpignan, I was in the same situation.

“Then when I was talking with Rugby Australia, my position obviously has changed a little bit since then. I just think the risk of not being involved in a Lions (series) and a home World Cup is a big one.”

Originally published as Waratahs coach reveals brutal review after hammering amid mass changes to starting side