Tane Edmed enters Wallabies playmaker battle after surprise selection by Joe Schmidt
Three players off contract are in the running for the contentious Wallabies No.10 jersey, with a surprise candidate called up from the Waratahs after being benched for their last game of the season.
Tane Edmed’s addition to a wider Wallabies training squad has added further intrigue to the all-important five-eighth battle for the opening Test against Wales next month.
The NSW playmaker, who was relegated to the bench for NSW’s final game of the season last week against Queensland in favour of Jack Bowen, has been picked by Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt in an extended squad along with Western Force five-eighth Ben Donaldson.
No players from Australia’s playoff teams have been picked in the squad, which means Melbourne’s Carter Gordon, Queensland’s Tom Lynagh and the Brumbies’ Noah Lolesio will be considered once their teams exit the finals.
Many presumed the Wallabies’ No.10 spot was a three-way battle between Gordon, Lolesio and Donaldson – who have all worn the jersey before.
But the introduction of Edmed into Schmidt’s first squad suggests the son of Balmain Tigers legend Steve Edmed is right in the mix for his Test debut in July.
Interestingly, Edmed, Gordon and Lolesio are all off contract after this year.
Lolesio is tipped to sign a one-year extension with the Brumbies, although does have offers overseas.
Now the Melbourne Rebels have been axed from the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific competition, the future of Edmed and Gordon is still unclear.
It was tipped that Gordon would join the Waratahs if the Rebels folded, but in recent days speculation has grown that he is considering leaving Australian rugby, either for an overseas stint or switching to the NRL.
Edmed’s future will very much be entwined with Gordon’s decision.
The Waratahs finished dead last in this year’s tournament, and have already released coach Darren Coleman, but have not decided upon his successor.
Nathan Grey is the lead contender, but Rugby Australia – who now run the Waratahs – are still working through their hiring process.
The Wallabies host Wales on July 6 (Sydney) and July 13 (Melbourne), and Georgia on July 20 (Sydney).
Schmidt is already on record saying he won’t know what his best team is until the end of this year, after The Rugby Championship and European spring tour.
That suggests 2024 will represent experimentation and adjustment.
The Wallabies five-eighth position has long been problematic, with 10 players used in that spot in the past 11 years.
Five-eighths used by the Wallabies since 2013
James O’Connor
Quade Cooper
Christian Leali’ifano
Bernard Foley
Kurtley Beale
Matt To’omua
Noah Lolesio
Reece Hodge
Ben Donaldson
Carter Gordon
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