Two players, one air ticket, and one match left to claim it. That’s the scenario shaping up for Australia’s young flyhalf hopefuls Tane Edmed and Ben Donaldson ahead of the Spring Tour.
Australia A coach Jason Gilmore has confirmed the plan is to take a third flyhalf on the five-Test tour starting on October 30 against Scotland. Bernard Foley is expected to tour despite playing his club football in Japan while Noah Lolesio is presumably locked in as the other No.10 on the plane, a year after he was initially left out of the Spring Tour.
Waratahs assistant coach Gilmore has had plenty to do with the development of both Edmed and Donaldson and is working closely with Dave Rennie on how to manage them through the Australia A tour of Japan.
Donaldson started the opening game and Edmed played the full game in a 22-21 win on Saturday – landing a clutch conversion with his first goal kick of the match after the siren, as Donaldson watched from the stands.
Afterward, Gilmore suggested it was likely that both of them would get game time in the third and final match of the tour on Friday in Osaka. A decision on who starts and who finishes will be made later in the week, but Edmed may have closed the gap on his teammate and rival on Saturday
“Tane’s slightly different to Donno,” said Gilmore. “They both gave us the same result which is great. Tane’s really astute with how he plays. He’s a good game manager. Good right foot kick, bigger body so he can carry deep into the line and defensively he’s strong.”
Gilmore was asked how the pair got along, being friendly rivals at Super Rugby and now international level.
“They don’t talk to each other,” Gilmore joked.
“No, they’re great mates, along with Will Harrison back home who’s injured. We’ve had those three at the Waratahs the last three years. They’re super competitive.
“They all want the jersey, they’re definitely not going to give up that spot, but they drive each other to be better. I think it’s a great reflection on the character of those three. But don’t mistake smiles for them not being competitive.”
Gilmore said his job was to help each of them achieve their goals.
“Because they’re such good fellas and I’ve known them for a long time now I feel like I’m connecting with the boys pretty well,” said Gilmore.
“You’ve just got to be mindful that they’ve all got their aspirations with what they want to do but they’re such great kids that it’s no issue at all.”
Tane Edmed (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Both players are aware of the stakes they’re playing for in Japan, and flyhalf is a position that has been up for grabs in the past two seasons thanks to injuries and form lapses. Rennie has a clear idea of what’s required – a player who can calmly execute the coach’s plans.
In game one in Tokyo, Donaldson started slowly but grew into the game. On Saturday, Australia were clunky but Gilmore absolved Edmed of the responsibility for that – putting it down to injury stoppages and the refereeing.
It’s a high-pressure role and Gilmore is working to have both players thinking clearly despite the additional stress of battling each other for higher honours.
“I definitely know Dave’s looking at this trip and how the boys go. I’ve just got to make sure that both boys are in the right mindset this trip,” Gilmore said.
“Probably in Fiji [on the Australia A tour in July] I probably put them up against each other a little bit too much. Whereas we’ve more joined them together to give them the keys to drive this team.
“If they just stay relaxed and stay who they are, they’ll play good footy. Everyone everyone knows Spring Tour’s around the corner so there’s certainly some spots up for grabs.”
He has the pair working more closely as a unit in Japan.
“They’re both together in terms of how they drive this footy team as a five-eighth. They review training, review games, they’re constantly talking to each other. I feel like this trip we’ve done a better job of just relaxing them and allowing them to be themselves.”
The ability to give both of those players and their teammates games against a Test strength team in Japan should prove worthwhile for the Wallabies.
There was an impressive return from Tom Banks, who scored a try with his second touch in his comeback from a broken arm, and Jock Campbell scored a try that will have had his supporters swooning – and then seething if he’s left out of Rennie’s tur squad.
Pone Fa’amausili produced a big effort for 50 minutes to lay down a marker for Spring Tour selection.
“That’s probably the longest Pone has played for a long time so he was a little bit tired before half time but we just freshened him up and rolled him out for another 10 minutes,” said Gilmore. ” You can see he carries hard, is mobile, and can do some damage. His challenge is building that base so he can play at least a strong 50 or 60 every time”
While Fa’amausili was impressive, Matt Gibbon, Brad Wilkin, and Seru Uru off the bench also had strong games to catch the eye.
But there must be concerns over the form of Suliasi Vunivalu, who failed to ignite for the second game in a row. Former Sevens star Dylan Pietsch was the more effective winger, and a week earlier Mark Nawaqanitawase’s double lit up the Tokyo win.
Before the tour Vunivalu was promised three games with big minutes to show his value to the Wallabies. Prior to Saturday’s game Gilmore said the best team would be chosen for the third match in Osaka. It will be interesting to see how Gilmore, and Rennie, get those two factors to match up in the case of the former NRL star.
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
Perfect is the enemy of good mate!
wigeye
Guest
Yup, the building for the future has been ok but plug me you have to shake your heads when your saving a space for quade to walk in like a king when you don't know if he's out boxing the night before or he can't be bothered again or wants stay injured in the A Lister club. It is criminal these new tens aren't in ages back. Noah is same as quade filling positions blocking the fringe players that need to be thrown in
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
My confidence is at the lowest ebb it has been since knowing we would be smashed by England in the 2019 WC QF. It’s why I am going for the hail mary of jettisoning Foley and rolling the dice with Donaldson/Edmed. I’d also like us to run out Gleeson to see whether he might be another backrow option. I’d also like the Guiteau Law extended to 7 next year
Ray L
Roar Rookie
In this year’s Super Rugby, Tah’s coach Darren Coleman, who is an astute judge of talent, preferred Edmed as No 10 in the latter part of the season and moved Donaldson to 15. Edmed did nothing wrong in his stint at 10 in the second Japan XV match and his coolness under pressure to win the match at the death with his conversion kick for goal is testimony to that. That would somewhat make up for his obvious devastation in missing two opportunities to win the match for Eastwood in the dying moments in their Shute Shield semi-final loss against Sydney University. In fairness, a penalty kick from near halfway on an angle was outside his range, but he missed a drop goal at the death from the box which was near in front of the posts. That has been, and will be, a salutary lesson in his learning curve. Looking to the future, both Edmed and Donaldson, along with Lolesio, should tour to Europe. I can’t see the logic of including Foley, as he is approaching his use by date. Thoughts of winning next year’s RWC, based on results to date, are delusional.
Faithful
Roar Rookie
The best thing they can do is to take all 3 young 5/8s on the tour. To be frank, the '23 WC will be a success if Oz make it into the Semi-Finals. A QF exit is expected. So really, it's about building to the '25 Lions tour and the '27 WC.
Chivas
Roar Rookie
Agreed, there is no best way before the RWC. The ABs are better off but I still dont think they will get up for the next RWC. I think we also need to havevan eye on the future. Of course everyone wants to do their best and go as deep as possible but I think both the Walkabies and the ABs could be in a spot of bother. Hopefully the ABs get their midfield back off thr injury bench which gives them.more options. But I think the Wallabies have too big of a mountain to climb before the next RWC so theirbbest option is to continue to put the best team they can on the field and drag the newbies up for a run in the easy games. Against France and England i can"t see Edmed or Donaldson getting much of a run except for the last 10-15 mins of a game not in the balance. You are right though it is vety late not to have had them in and around the squad before now even if they didnt get any playing minutes. It is a tough one, but i just cant see the benefit of blooding them in a game where they can only get their confidence severely dented. U actially have some faith in the Wobblies... they have a habit of punching way above their weight, regardles of their ranking. You give them an inch and next thing you know they will have robbed ypu of your clothes and looking around wonderi gbwhat just happened... nobodybtakes them for granted.. rhe second Bledisloe test was testament to that. Still havr the sh$ts the ABs gave up that many points and blimmin lucky to get out of jail.. certainly didnt deserve to.
tsuru
Roar Rookie
NickoM. Umm . . . Don’t let good be the enemy of perfect??
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I agree with all of the above and I agree we shouldn't, in normal circumstances, hand out caps to undeserved players. However, I'm just not sure we have the time to do it the best way. I feel like that horse has bolted. Hence, bringing in one or both of the young guys and treating this tour as a series of warm-up matches
wigeye
Guest
:laughing: :shocked: at 55 I can't see me spulling improving. I was wonce a great spiller though :thumbup:
Rhys
Roar Rookie
Absolutely, we anoint guys before they’re ready and then try to shoehorn them into a poor side without proper development. The weight of expectation was placed on Loleiso and, when he didn’t perform like Dan Carter, now it is shifted to Edmed and Donaldson. None of these guys are yet ready to takeover a test match without a strong side around them. They’re good SR players but need much more time there and in the NRC to develop. Aus A is another great initiative for development, but when it comes to the Wallabies, these guys should be sharing the role and getting increments to not be over exposed. There’s no reason Rennie can’t take Isaac Lucas (I really like him), Noah, Ben, Tane and when fit Harrison to let them get a taste of the squad. Not all of them would play of course, but it’s better than having an off season imo.
Rugbytrylover
Roar Rookie
Agree .. Tony’s article not accurate and some repetition from a previous one. Both good players although I think Donaldson is ahead imho.
Chivas
Roar Rookie
Yes, but you need to bring greenhorns in under more experienced players. Foley us not the greatest first five, but he has the mental strength at this level and his game management is solid. Everyone makes a big deal about his defence, but seriously Quade's is not flash either. His passing and lines are better than anyone else currently available, so imo you need him against top sides... This idea you can just throw Donaldson or Edmed into the mix against top sides is nuts..they will get eaten alive. They need game time, but it needs to be managed. This approach of throwing u tested green players in just burns them out. Take Hooper as an example. He made the team and fortunately for the Wallabies and Australia he was able to make an immediate impact... even so everyone rode him for his hair, the way he spoke, the way he tackled, the way he ran. They blamed him for Ewen McKenzie. It would have driven a lesser person into a really bad place mentally and this a player who is widely regarded by those he competes against and plays with as world class. Forget the numpties and pattisan media hacks. What happens if a player is not up to scratch. Throw them to the wolves and burn out another young up and comer. This is not the amateur era we are in when that sort of trick worked. I personally think it is unfair and the coach needs to manage that along with developing the wallaby side. I don't believe handing out jerseys to develop green undeveloped players is smart or fair. So yes Foley is the best you have who has an understanding of what is required and can cope with the mental side at this level. Once you have a first five that can actually hold their own against international sides then you can drop Foley. Anyway, just my opinion. I dont know many other top tier teams that would throw such new players into such a critical position when they have never spent any minutes on the field, but if you can afford to damage a coupe of guys or treat the wallaby side as a training side where winning and losing is not important (I'm sure it is to the rest of the players) then fine.. as i started with i think you cheapen the jersey by taking this approach.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
You’re taking it seriously. I’m unconvinced about Foley. His defence is not good enough and his passing game is far from elite. He’s played 70-odd tests and we know what he can do. Cooper is first choice but there’s now a big fitness concern. Lolesio hasn’t convinced and I’m not confident Foley is the best back up. We need to get minutes into another option, maybe two. We can wait and see how they go playing 5/6 SR matches each nest year at best or we can try them on this tour. It seems an obvious risk to take to me
signpost
Roar Rookie
Good article Tony, but don't agree with some comments around the 10's Edmed & Donaldson. eg "In game one in Tokyo, Donaldson started slowly but grew into the game." Not so, please go watch the replay on STAN. The first half of that game was played at a frantic pace most of it attacking by JXV. The AA15 were not cohesive, made errors that coughed the ball. Donaldson played well in clunky outfit even kicked one from the sideline. Then this slice poetic preference "Donaldson started the opening game and Edmed played the full game in a 22-21 win on Saturday – landing a clutch conversion with his first goal kick of the match after the siren, as Donaldson watched from the stands." Would be more accurate to say both Donaldson & Edmed played 80+min in those tests. Both kicked goals from sideline. Edmed's led a more familiar team to 1 point victory & Donaldson led less familiar team to +12. So if Tony is right with Gilmores quotes it looks like Edmed is on the plane. Please selectors go watch the games against, SAMOA, TONGA, FIJI, JAPAN again watching only Edmed & Donaldson. On the form displayed Donaldson (who also plays 15) wins by a decent margin.. They should take both go. Please selectors stop wasting time with Bernard & Noah.
Chivas
Roar Rookie
That is not an argument but silly rhetoric... retirement bonus seriously. The coach selected him because he considers him to be the best option not some gold watch.. dont even know why I M bothering to respond. Maybe because based on previous contributions I thought you were above this type of rhetoric.
Deano
Guest
If Edmed gets thrown off his game by excessive injury stoppages and overly officious refs, he will never be successful in test rugby.
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Of course...
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
And Foley getting retirement bonuses is more valid than young blokes being promoted early? Same problem, different solution
Rhys
Roar Rookie
Hehe I had a moment there TLN
Chivas
Roar Rookie
The wallaby jersey aint worth much if you just hand it out on a wing and a prayer to players who are nowhere near where they need to be in terms of international rugby.