NSW Waratahs’ Tane Edmed, Jack Grant in 45-33 trial win over Qld Reds

They starred for their Shute Shield clubs last season. Now things have got real for these Waratahs young guns - including two sons of NRL stars - in their trial against the Reds.

Tane Edmed was a standout in the Shute Shield last season. Pic: Sergio T Gonzalez

The super boot of Tane Edmed and the creativity of Jack Grant went on show for the Waratahs for the first time in their trial against the Reds on Friday.

But it was the two other youngsters in Will Harrison, 21, and Joey Walton, 20, - along with new captain Jake Gordon - who stole the limelight in the Waratahs 45-33 win over the Reds.

Five-eighth Harrison and centre Joey Walton combined for two tries in the final 10 minutes of the match at Narrabri.

Gordon also scored twice in the morale-boosting win.

Action in the trial match between the NSW Waratahs and the Queensland Reds.

Numerous new faces were named to play in the match including Eastwood’s Edmed, one of the top kickers in 2020 Shute Shield, and Eastern Suburbs’ Grant, a player who grew up in Orange and played with the local Lions club there.

Edmed is the son of former Balmain Tigers star Steve and such a natural athletic talent he could also have pursued careers in both cricket career and NRL.

Rugby League great Steve Edmed from Balmain Tigers and his rugby playing son Tane.

Edmed, who grew up in Sydney’s inner west, was signed with the West Tigers u20s and also in numerous cricket rep sides before Rugby Australia snared the signature of the youngster to their books at the end of 2018.

Fate intervened with the youngster, now 183cm and 90kg, offered a professional rugby contract at the end of 2018.

Grant is the son of former Wallaby and Balmain Tigers player James Grant who made a big impressions for Easts last season.

Jack Grant playing for Easts last season.

1989 Balmain players Tony Chalmers, James Grant and Matt Parish.

Grant was playing in Japan for NTT Docomo last season when forced to return home due to coronavirus and ended up playing for Eastern Suburbs in the Shute Shield.

The trial match was part of the Santos Festival of Rugby, which will also treat rugby fans to some of the best sevens talent in Australia going head-to-head in a three-day event, as well as junior clinics for the local community.

It was also the only trial match the Waratahs get to play ahead of the Super Rugby season.

Joey Walton made his debut last season.

NSW Waratahs Team for the trial: 1 LOOSE-HEAD PROP Sio Tatola, 2 HOOKER David Porecki

3 TIGHT-HEAD PROP Harry Johnson-Holmes 4 LEFT LOCK Michael Wood 5 RIGHT LOCK Sam Caird 6 LEFT FLANKER Hugh Sinclair 7 RIGHT FLANKER Charlie Gamble

8 NUMBER EIGHT Will Harris 9 SCRUMHALF Jack Grant 10 FLY HALF Tane Edmed

11 LEFT WING Triston Reilly 12 INSIDE CENTRE Tepai Moeroa 13 OUTSIDE CENTRE

Alex Newsome 14 RIGHT WING Mark Nawaqanitawase 15 FULLBACK Max Bury REPLACEMENTS 16. RESERVE Tom Horton 17. RESERVE Angus Bell 18. RESERVE

Te Tera Faulkner 19. RESERVE Jeremy Williams 20. RESERVE Carlo Tizzano 21. RESERVE

Jake Gordon 22. RESERVE Joey Walton 23. RESERVE Jack Maddocks 24. RESERVE

Will Harrison 25. RESERVE Izaia Peresi 26. RESERVE Max Douglas 27. RESERVE Chris Talakai 28. RESERVE Jack Whetton

Jack Dempsey avoiding a tackle by Josh Flook at an empty SCG in August.

The NSW Waratahs will play their Australian rivals at three completely different venues across Sydney in 2021.

Their round five game against the Queensland Reds will be played on March 27 at ANZ Stadium and their round six game against the Brumbies on April 2 at the SCG.

The round 10 match against the Rebels will be fought out at Bankwest Stadium.

The variety of venues is due to the Sydney Football Stadium (SFS) redevelopment with officials now looking at the locations for their two Super Rugby trans-Tasman clashes on home soil.

A high-flying Alex Newsome in action for the Waratahs last season.

“We made it clear from the outset [of 2021 draw announcement] that we’d be staying in Sydney for our home games this season due to the logistics of travelling while the threat of COVID still lingers,” said NSW Rugby CEO Paul Doorn.

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