The biggest hint yet has been dropped that Australia A duo Tane Edmed and Ben Donaldson are playing for a single back-up flyhalf spot on the Wallabies’ upcoming tour of Europe.
Red-head Edmed was today given his chance to impress the selectors when he was picked at No.10 for Australia A’s second match against the Japan XV in Fukuoka on Saturday.
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Australia A coach Jason Gilmore said it was a planned move to give both Donaldson, 23, and Edmed, 22, a shot as a starter in the opening two games.
“Dave (Rennie) is looking at this trip and how the boys go. Everyone knows there are some Spring Tour spots up for grabs,” Gilmore said of the young No.10s and his squad at large.
The best performer of Edmed and Donaldson is certain to start in the third game in Osaka on October 14. Donaldson played the third game of the Pacific Nations Cup in Fiji in July when both previously toured for Australia A.
Gilmore openly admitted he’d done a better job of managing the two young flyhalves in Japan than he did in Fiji.
“They have a great relationship as mates but don’t mistake a smile for not being competitive,” said Gilmore, who knows both from seasons together at the NSW Waratahs.
“In Fiji, I probably put them up against each other a little bit too much. In Japan, we have more joined them together to give them the keys to drive this team across the three weeks.
“They are constantly talking and staying relaxed which can all help with playing good footy. They review training, review games together. I thinking we’ve done a better job of just relaxing them and allowing them to be themselves.”
Donaldson was instrumental in Australia A’s fightback to win 34-22 in Tokyo last Saturday when the speed of the Japanese ruck ball rattled them in the first half.
He dabbed a lovely cross-kick to Suliasi Vunivalu and, in the second half, he took the line on himself, dummied into a hole and kicked ahead perfectly for a Mark Nawaqanitawase try.
Gilmore expects a different package of exciting skills from Edmed.
“The two No.10s are slightly different but give you the same result,” Gilmore said.
“Tane is a good game manager, astute and a bigger body to carry deeper into the line.”
Edmed or Donaldson shape as a third flyhalf for the longer five-Test tour of Europe beside Noah Lolesio and Bernard Foley.
Gilmore said Tom Banks was ready for “some good game time” at fullback in his comeback off the bench three months after breaking his arm in a Test against England.
It’s a great sign of Banks’ eagerness to stay in the hunt for a Rugby World Cup spot and coach Rennie’s belief that he can while playing with a Japanese club.
Halfback Teddy Wilson gets a dream chance off the bench at 19.
He played some eye-catching Shute Shield games for Easts in Sydney and his productive darts from the ruckbase were a feature for the disappointing Junior Wallabies this season.
The son of a gun has the genes for it as the offspring of 1999 Rugby World Cup winner David Wilson.
“Teddy is a great kid. He really lit up the Shute Shield in the back half of the season. We thought this tour would be a good opportunity for him to learn," Gilmore said.
“Make no mistake, he tackles really well and hustles. It’s exciting to give him a go.”
Versatile Queensland forward Seru Uru will cover lock and backrow from the bench.
His outstanding performance at No.8 for Wests in the Hospital Cup club grand final in Brisbane recently proved his recovery from finger surgery.
“Seru is probably a backrower at a higher level but he’ll cover lock for us. He has a deep understanding of the game and he just needs to play more at this level,” Gilmore said.
