'Pretty crazy what a new environment can do': Record breaking NZ stint stamps new Test contender
Updated . First published at
NSW Waratahs playmaker Tane Edmed feels he is ready to make his Wallabies debut after boosting his confidence in New Zealand.
The 24-year-old missed out on Test selection after NSW's miserable Super Rugby Pacific season ended with the dreaded wooden spoon.
But instead of feeling sorry for himself, Edmed - the son of former Tigers and Cowboys league player Steve - took up an opportunity with North Harbour in the National Provincial Championship.
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Tane Edmed of North Harbour kicks at goal. Getty
Harbour's campaign wasn't a resounding success, finishing 10th of 14 teams with a 3-7 record.
But Edmed boosted his personal stocks with some consistently strong performances, including 33 points in one game against Manawatu.
He scored two tries and kicked all 10 shots at goal to set a record for most points scored by a Harbour player in an NPC match.
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Tane Edmed of North Harbour gets back in defence. Getty
Edmed was also the competition's leading point scorer for the season with 137.
"I've always known I've had the ability, it's always been there, but it's pretty crazy what a new environment can do, a fresh start and a new perspective," Edmed said at the Wallabies training camp in Canberra.
"It definitely helped me confidence-wise to see that I can do that, and just getting that enjoyment back again as it's been a tough few years at the Waratahs.
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"At the same time, I'm also very aware that NPC is not Super, it's not Test-level rugby, so obviously there'll be challenges still ahead, but it definitely made me more confident in my own abilities, for sure."
Edmed will almost certainly be selected to tour Europe next month but it remains to be seen whether he gets picked in the Wallabies or Australia XV squad next week.
Noah Lolesio, Ben Donaldson and Tom Lynagh are the incumbent five-eighths under Joe Schmidt but none have fully taken control of the gold No.10 jersey.
"Everyone's trying to get better here for the sake of Australian rugby, so we're all happy to help and Noah's been awesome, showing me the attack plan and all that sort of stuff," Edmed said.
"It's a really positive environment and just being here for two days, I've loved it so much and I want to make sure that I'm trying to expose myself to this environment as much as I can. It's definitely a big motivator but in saying that, I've been pretty grateful just to be here for the two days and learn as much as I can. But would love to be in it a bit more."
The Wallabies tour opens against England in London on November 10 (AEDT).
