Carter Gordon’s Rebels next: What Waratahs’ tough run taught Tane Edmed

Fully aware that it’s “not good enough” for the Waratahs just to be competitive but lose in Super Rugby Pacific, Tane Edmed is looking to put some key lessons into practice on Friday night.

The Waratahs will be desperate to get their season back on track with Edmed set to start in the No. 10 jersey opposite Wallaby Carter Godon in a blockbuster Australian derby with the Rebels.

Edmed, 23, made a statement earlier this season with the young playmaker finishing with a 17-point haul in an upset win over defending competition champions the Crusaders in Melbourne.

But a week later, the New South Welshman was left feeling the pain of rugby heartbreak by missing a penalty after the siren that would’ve seen the Tahs beat the Highlanders at home.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

2

Draws

0

Wins

3

Average Points scored

27

27

First try wins

80%

Home team wins

60%

It was déjà vu a week later by the scoreboard at least as the Blues came to Sydney and left with a two-point win, with the Waratahs’ late fightback not enough to snatch a victory.

But, unfortunately for the Tahs, more pain was on the way with Fijian Drua replacement Kemu Valetini knocking over a drop goal to win a golden point thriller 39-36 in Lautoka on Saturday.

Moments earlier, Edmed had a chance to be the hero for the Tahs but missed his own drop goal attempt. But with all that in the past now, Edmed has learnt “a lot” from the last month of footy.

“I guess the importance of just trying to close out games and trying to manage games towards the backend of the 80 minutes,” Edmed told RugbyPass.

“But at the same time, just how you’re prepping through the week – are you knocking off the scenarios that you want to knock off that could come about during the game? Are you ready for those scenarios? Are you having conversations during the game that’s going to help put you in positions to win?

“But at the same time, I’ve also learnt that sometimes that’s rugby. We’ve had three really tough losses against some quality opposition but we’ve actually been quite happy with how our preparation has been, our processes and our performances have been much improved from last year.

“In saying that, we need to get some wins on the board and we’re super aware of that. It’s not good enough just to lose and be competitive. We know we’re better than that and we want to get some wins on the board.”

Edmed wants to help the Waratahs return to the winner’s circle in the sixth round of Super Rugby Pacific and their next chance is at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium against Carter Gordon’s Rebels.

The Rebels are also coming off a disappointing loss of their own with the Melburnians going down to a new-look Hurricanes outfit 54-28 in Palmerston North on Friday night.

With team lists coming out on Wednesday afternoon, it’s not hard to pinpoint one of the positional matchups of the round with Edmed set to come up against Gordon.

“I’ve known Carter for a little bit now because I obviously went through the schoolboys stuff together and had a few 20s camps together,” Edmed said. “We actually get along quite well.

“I think Carter’s a great player. He’s a bigger body, he’s tough, he’s got all the skills, he’s got a really good kicking game and the Rebels’ attack really flies off him.

“He’s playing some good footy and obviously he was rewarded with a World Cup selection last year.

“We’re gonna have to be on the top of our game just to stop him come Friday night.

“In regards to the comparison, to me, I feel like we’re both pretty well-rounded players: run, pass, kick… and trying to be physical in defence and take on the line

“It should be good fun on Friday night.”