Embrace the hairdryer. That’s the view of Waratahs five-eighth Tane Edmed when it comes to NSW players lifting standards and fixing systemic problems that have been holding the Tahs back for years.
While he’s not yet in Sir Alex Ferguson’s “hairdryer” league, Waratahs coach Dan McKellar has also become known for having a pretty fearsome spray in his kitbag, and it gets rolled out when sloppy mistakes are made on the training field, or in the wake of a disappointing defeat.
There has been plenty of opportunity via the second category this season for the Tahs. The seventh defeat came on Friday night when the Waratahs all-but crashed out of finals contention, with an insipid loss to the Crusaders at Allianz Stadium.
The fed-up Waratahs coach didn’t hold back when addressing the media about some ingrained issues he’d encountered at the franchise.
“There are some people who are too comfortable. That needs to change. If you’re too comfortable, just happy to be here and wear the tracksuit, that will change,” McKellar said.“It’s in daily habits. If we look at the Waratahs as a whole over the last few years, there’s things that need to change.”
Waratahs captain Jake Gordon also conceded there were “systemic” issues that need addressing.
Tane Edmed looks dejected after Friday night’s defeat.Credit: Getty Images
Edmed said the team had sat through the “brutal review” promised by McKellar on Monday, and agreed there had been something missing at the Waratahs since he debuted in 2021.
“It’s probably something that’s, as Dan’s obviously alluded to, that’s been there for my five years here at the club,” Edmed said.
“It’s something really hard to identify and we’re really trying to work it out. As Dan said to us, it’s going to take time to figure it out and fix the problem. We’ve shown in parts, definite improvement.
“That fight and that passion for the jersey has been shown in segments, but we haven’t been able to show it for 80 minutes consistently every week. So we’re trying to put our finger on that and then fix it. It’s going to take some time, but we’re trending in the right direction.”
Edmed said he appreciated harsh truths being delivered by McKellar, and the Waratahs squad should too.
Dan McKellar watches on in the Waratahs warm-up, with trainer Tom Carter in the background.Credit: Getty Images
“It’s something that you want to see, as a player who’s driven and wants to be the best version of yourself as a football player,” Edmed said.
“It’s good to see, but also it can be tough. As a human being, no one wants to be told that they’re doing something not so well. But it’s how you take that criticism.
“As a football player, you can’t take anything personal. You really can’t. You need to realise that it’s for the betterment of the team. It’s for the betterment of yourself. It can be hard at times, but it’s definitely what we need.”
Jake Gordon addresses the Waratahs at Allianz Stadium.Credit: Getty Images
Edmed has endured a rollercoaster season, after finishing 2024 as a Wallaby and starting in the No.10 in the opening two rounds, but then being benched and even dropped by McKellar.
He was recalled as starting five-eighth in round 13 but the redhead had a surprising take on his turbulent season when asked on Tuesday.
“If I’m being honest, I actually think it was good for me. At the time, in the middle of the year, being on the bench and out of the team, it was good for my perspective on things. I’ve probably been someone who’s maybe aligned myself with rugby a bit too much, identity-wise,” Edmed said.
“It took for me to be out of that to mature and realise that you can’t let footy dictate you as a person. I definitely made some strides there. Also, the idea of gratitude. I was still coming into training with my best mates, getting paid every day. When I looked at it like that, that eight weeks was probably the most enjoyable I’ve had.”
Edmed hasn’t given up on a Wallabies call-up for the Lions series, but conceded he may not have played enough footy to beat out rivals who are in good form.
The 24-year-old is also pressing pause on a decision about his future. Edmed is off contract at the Tahs at the end of 2025, and is being courted by the Brumbies about a move to Canberra to replace Noah Lolesio. Coach Stephen Larkham is a fan and has spoken to Edmed about a move south.
“I’ll leave it up to my manager to sort out and update me,” he said. “I’m just trying to focus on these last couple of games and play as well as I can. Playing well is the answer to everything. Obviously, it would be nice to sort out my future pretty soon. I understand these things move slowly. I’m just trying to take it a week at a time.”
