Former Wallabies star Will Genia has urged selectors to tread carefully with their handling of Waratahs No.10 Tane Edmed after his sensational rise this season.
New South Wales have exceeded expectations this campaign and Edmed has been one of the Super Rugby Pacific’s biggest success stories after coming into the starting team in round six and consolidating his position.
The Wallabies playmaker role is creating plenty of debate five weeks out from the first Test against England with Quade Cooper expected to play some of the domestic Tests, James O’Connor injured and Edmed and Noah Lolesio in good form.
Speaking on The Roar Rugby podcast Genia, who was capped 110 times for the Wallabies, said Edmed should be given time to reach consistent performances with the risk being considerable if rushed in before he’s ready.
“I think he’s been very, very good but I think it would be detrimental to him to chuck him in there and say ‘we want you to play or sit on the bench’,” Genia said.
“It’s really important that you temper your ambitions for players. You can stunt a player’s development if you chuck them in there too early.
“Obviously playing good consistent rugby at a good level for the Waratahs, the focus should be let’s keep him at that level to be able to perform consistently week in week out maybe for a year or two, bring him into the squad, have him see what it’s like to be at this level, what it takes to train at this level and what it takes to perform at this level, and then go from there.
“An England series is massive. These types of series can make or break people’s careers. Go well and it gives you a reputation of being a big-game player. Or it goes the other way and it can destroy you.
“Someone like him, just keep allowing him to grow, develop and get better. As well as he’s playing, he’s only played six or seven games at this level. It’s a bit unfair to expect too much too soon.
“He’s made of tough stuff and you see that in his performances. But you’ve just got to be really careful in managing expectations.”
Genia said when he came into international rugby in 2009 his first four games were off the bench, with staggered playing time.
Tane Edmed (Photo by Getty Images)
“It’s amazing how much it does for you to be able to learn what it takes to be at that level and then gradually increase your minutes and move into a starting position,” Genia said.
“Maybe it is a case of you bring him in and he comes off the bench but [he’s not had] many games starting at Super Rugby level and I promise you Test level is a huge step up.
“Especially when you come up against England who are a world class team.
“And Eddie’s a smart coach. The one thing with Eddie is he will know how to target certain weaknesses in individuals and teams for the benefit of his side.”
England will likely go with a young flyhalf in Marcus Smith, but Genia pointed to the difference in experience levels between him and Edmed.
Smith has only played 10 Tests but 120 games for Harlequins.
“That foundation can’t be understated,” said Genia. “Playing for Harlequins you’re playing at high level, playing against the best players in Europe.
“That gives you a foundation to your game where you can continue to grow and learn. That makes that issue of transition into Test rugby a little bit easier.
“It paints a picture as far as talking about Tane. He’s played seven or eight games at this level and then a huge jump to play against England, the World Cuup finalist in 2019.
“I really think those expectations need to be managed for the players’ sake, for his welfare, for his continued growth.”
For his part, Edmed has made no secret of his desire to wear the gold jersey.
“It’s human nature to think about that sort of stuff,” he said on Wednesday.
“It’s hard not to because obviously everyone wants to be in that position. I’d love to be wearing the 10 jersey for the Wallabies.
“But in saying that I’ve been trying not to think about it and focus on each week and winning games for the Tahs because as a 10 that’s our job, to manage games and get those wins.
“As much as it would be nice to be in a Wallabies jersey I’m really trying hard to focus on each week and getting better and winning games for the Tahs and that sort of stuff will look after itself.”
Genia has just finished a season playing alongside Quade Cooper in Japan and had some excellent insights into his long time friend as he prepares to return to the Wallabies fold.
Genia also talked about other key selections looking ahead to the England series, saying Nic White was a lock at No.9 and calling for Jock Campbell to be given a shot at fullback.
“Nic White has been outstanding all season. It gives a little bit of freedom to pick someone like Noah if Quade isn’t available because the Brumbies play off 9 because of the amount of experience Nic has,” Genia said.
“That can translate to the Test arena as well. You can rely on Nic to be able to control the game a little bit more while giving Noah a bit more freedom. If you then pick Samu on the outside it’s like a buffer – you’ve got a cushion of a world class 12, world class 9 and your 10 can basically just do the simple things.”
As for the No.15 jersey, Genia said: “like the look of Jock Campbell. He’s had to bide his time and get the experience of playing good consistent rugby at Super level.
“He’s got that foundation. He’s got the amazing ability to always beat the first defender, he’s strong through the hips and exceptionally quick.
“The thing I like about him is he’s a natural fullback in that he’s a good kicker of the ball and understands when to kick and how to kick.
Jock Campbell of the Reds (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
“Coming up against a team like England that will be very important because they like to play a lot of territory but, then you don’t want to give them the ball aimlessly, so having someone at the back there who understands space, understands fullback play, will make a big difference.
“I would love to see him get an opportunity. The guys who play fullback, obviously Banksy and Hodgey in years just gone by, I don’t think they’ve fully taken the opportunity.
“Having a traditional fullback against England will make a big difference. He does the simple things and basics really well. He takes his high balls , he knows where to inject himself and play from the fullback position and he doesn’t make many mistakes.”
Will Genia will be returning as a columnist for The Roar for the Rugby Championship.
Wallabies_Larkham
Roar Rookie
Bourkos..i hope Lolisio trajectory will turn out the same as it is for Hannigan now..
Wallabies_Larkham
Roar Rookie
I think lolisio has played something like 30 super games and 9 or 10 games as a starter in the test arena..i would have preferred he started off the bench(if he was part of the 23) in all those games...
Jezdexter
Roar Rookie
How has Lolesio not performed? He was one of our best 2/3 players in the France series last year. Cool, he didn't do great against the kiwis last year but either did JoC. He's been our most consistent 10 through SRP. Edmed and Donaldson have had some good games, but haven't strung a season together at 10 yet. All 3 are potentially excellent. Petaia has twice as many Wallabies caps as Lolesio with 1 out of 16 where he performed but he must start? I'm not suggesting getting rid of Petaia but he's been average, at best, in gold.
Bentnuc
Roar Pro
Porecki is a very good thrower and many years playing in England so might be one of the options?
FrancisF
Roar Pro
I agree everything what Will Genia said. Don’t throw someone into the rough sea full of sharks who is still learning the skills of survival underwater in a swimming pool. Some kids can’t handle sudden fame… they shrivel and fold and eventually fade off into the sunset with a one-game Wallaby jersey to show off. As Will Genia rightly suggested, allow these new faces with potential to join the Wallaby squad during training and as an understudy…. And allow each one opportunity to spend a few minutes in the field in some safe games. Promotion to be a Wallaby regular should be gradual and vey measured.
Wigeye
Guest
Thinking Australian Rugby has come a long way in the past 2 to 3 years, Best to forget the exports completely who decide in there contracts to be unavailable or who want Cherry pick, Go with what we have and reward the fellas in the wings,continue the rebuild with what's here,show the carrot ,the keeness and the motivation there.
Wigeye
Guest
True, so many throws are stolen or go astray majorly these days,IM not sure of the stats but i would go with best all round stats for hooker.
JC
Roar Rookie
Not sure that JOC will be fit for England — and he will have played no rugby for weeks, plus the risk he breaks down again. Cooper, Lolesio and Hodge should be sufficient cover — very unlikely that all were unavailable.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
Who you got at 2? No one in super rugby has put their hand up for me. There is some talent about to shine through but we can’t just throw everyone in the deep end against England and expect to get at least one win. Because if we do we would have a very green (or a rookie) 10, 2 and 15 and those are very vital positions. Australia A is our key to success this year.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
He won’t get that go forward like he does at the brumbies. Hannigan, (not strong enough in contact), Swinton (will be sent off so no impact from him) or Leota (does not have the work rate) will be at 6. This will put all the onus on Bobby V and he is only one bloke. For the wallabies to get the go forward they need Bobby V to 6, Wilson at 8 and two locks who are not afraid of some hard contact.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
You’re dreaming and it is not a good one.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
“ but if JOC is in a suit,Quade picks up a strain in a big game, and Noah cops a head knock early” And if Tane is bit by a rabid dog the day before and Donaldson has a freak surfing accident? Loosing all three front runners is not going to happen. JOC will be back by the England series, Cooper will be there and so will Noah. Hodge can give in an emergency but loosing all three won’t happen.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
Donaldson is not 1st choice at super level but we should be thinking about him for the wallabies. No thanks…Tane I can see in the conversation but Donaldson is out.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
Good comment. Donaldson isn’t even starting at 10 for his super side but talk is still that he should get a look in at a gold 10. Noah has his faults but is growing week in week out and will continue with more international experience. I also think he will do better with a 9 like Gordon or Tate who is a capable ball runner. With White the defenders know it is either a box kick or a pass which adds more pressure on a ten.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
Koroibete is the enigma in all this. Dave can only bring 3 players in and I see Karevi as the only certain. Quade is a highly likely now JOC is out and I would be putting my money on BPA at hooker being another highly likely. He does not need to bring in Koroibete in as wing sticks are pretty healthy and he knows exactly what he gets when Koroibete is on the field. Arnold is another big question mark as lock stocks are good and some of them need game time. Only time will tell but I don’t see Koroibete in for the England series.
Harry Jones
Expert
That’s very good thanks
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
JC, I am a long way from the people who make these decisions. I assume that you are too? Larkham drove himself into the ground in 2007, and went lame when the finals come around. We don’t get to dictate what fate awaits our log jam of young tens. NZ needed four in 2011. Rennie will have picked six, and be ready to play four. Me? I’m hoping that we only need one or two. And the first one starts with Q. Dave knows much more about this than does my guessing here. I can only talk in principles. Yes, I agree that England looks too soon for Tane. But the hoary hand of fate comes early, and late, and is not our mate. Better to be looking AT an extra 10, than FOR one. I don’t know, but wouldn’t be surprised if one day soon, possibly next year, Tane gets a few minutes from a gold bench.
JC
Roar Rookie
Oh okay. I thought we were discussing the England series. If one of the young 5/8 performs outstandingly well in Aus A then give him some time against Argentina or at the end of the year. But I don’t think we should expect any of the youngsters to be ready for a major role at the RWC, except perhaps Lolesio.
Wigeye
Guest
Thats not crazy,was thinking same earlier in the year when there was alot of talk on OS Players and seeing all these good young Players comming through and loosing a few,not really fair too of the OS Players Cherry pick for whatever reason
peterj
Roar Rookie
Ha! Plenty! But I’d like to hear from someone from either Rugby Australia or one of the state unions what they’re doing for grassroots, specifically schools. I’m a school teacher and junior coach and I’d love to know what their strategic vision is for getting kids playing more rugby. Admittedly, I don’t live in Oz anymore but did for many years as a teacher and coach and I feel like this is an area that was massively overlooked for community engagement etc. The AFL are miles ahead in this regard and I think rugby should be worried. I’d love to hear about your experience of growing up in SA with Craven Week and the schoolboy scene there as well as grass roots rugby. Sorry! That’s probably a lot more than you were asking for!