‘Shifted my mindset’: Tane Edmed opens up on Dan Carter's influence

Dan Carter retired from Test rugby 10 years ago, but the legendary All Blacks first five-eighth continues to impact the next generation of playmakers, helping transform Wallabies fly-half Tane Edmed’s mindset and approach to training.

Wallabies great Adam Ashley-Cooper hadn’t met Edmed before, but helped connect the young fly-half with Carter. Edmed admitted he had been a player who “drifted through” extras at training, before speaking openly about the influence ‘Carts’ had.

Edmed had been a mainstay of the NSW Waratahs’ matchday 23 for a series of season, having helped the team record multiple famous wins over the Crusaders as a particular highlight, before elevating to Test status towards the end of 2024.

After a mixed Super Rugby Pacific campaign, Edmed reached new heights across the Tasman in the NPC with North Harbour. Edmed was rewarded with a Wallabies call-up, debuting against Ireland at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium during last year’s Spring Tour.

In 2025, Edmed has started two Tests at fly-half, including an appearance against the All Blacks earlier this month. After being selected in the Wallabies’ squad for this year’s Spring Tour, Edmed was asked by Ashley-Cooper about Carter.

“It was a while ago now but I think for me with Dan Carter it was just about how intentional are you with your preparation? For me, I’ve been someone that maybe does a lot of extra work but maybe just drifted through it a little bit,” Edmed said on Kick Offs and Kick Ons, as seen on RugbyPass TV.

“Just got it done because I felt like that was enough. Then I’ve seen a lot of guys, as well as Dan Carter, but at a lot of guys in training who are just so intentional from the moment they step on the field. They might not stay out there for as long as everyone else but they’re locked in.

“For me, that shifted my mindset to not so much quantity, it’s just the quality of those reps and being as intentional as you can. That was probably something that I took away from Carts, Dan Carter – close enough to call [him Carts], he quipped.”

Australia have a mammoth five-Test Spring Tour ahead, set to face Japan later this month before Tests against England, Italy, Ireland and France. Edmed remains a contender to wear the No. 10 along with Rugby Australia’s newest recruit Carter Gordon.

Gordon left NRL side the Gold Coast Titans earlier this week, putting pen to paper on a deal with Rugby Australia through until 2028. The eight-Test Wallaby has signed with the Queensland Reds, but that’s not the only key fly-half transfer ahead of the 2026 season.

Edmed has committed to the ACT Brumbies, linking up with famous Wallabies fly-half Stephen Larkham who is the head coach of that side. Again, Edmed was candid about his growth mindset, seeing the move to Canberra as a great opportunity.

“A development decision, same as going to New Zealand. I think it might have just been time for something new,” Edmed explained.

“To get coached by Bernie Larkham is obviously something that really, really appeals to me. Probably one of the greatest fly-halves for Australia. That’s something that definitely appealed to me.

“I’ve been at the Tahs now for five years. It’s been a roller-coaster up and down, probably more than I would have liked. Just kind of a fresh start and just trying to get better and I think that’s a good place to do it.”