The Waratahs have given new Wallaby Ben Donaldson first crack at five-eighth, with Tane Edmed in the centres and teenage rookie Max Jorgensen at fullback, for the trial match against the Brumbies on Saturday.
The Super Rugby sides will lace up the boots for the first trial game of the year at Exies Sports Club in Griffith before a season in which competition for spots will be intense. NSW coach Darren Coleman has given an insight into his early thinking by naming two XVs, which will swap at half-time.
The first-half team, which is the stronger of the two, includes Nemani Nadolo in his first game for the Tahs since 2010 and 18-year-old Jorgensen, who will make his run-on NSW debut just months after leaving school. The son of Peter Jorgensen previously came off the bench for the Waratahs in a match against an ACT Brumbies XV.
Lachie Swinton returns after almost a year on the sidelines due to a nerve injury in his shoulder. Tolu Latu will make his return, after a three-year absence, in the second-half team.
Although most Wallabies were not considered for selection, several players from the spring tour were named.
There was no room for Langi Gleeson in a back row of Swinton, Charlie Gamble and Will Harris. However, the Manly back-rower will play in the second half.
Donaldson, who won two Test caps in 2020, got the nod over Edmed to wear the No.10 jersey, despite the latter holding the position for most of last year.
Edmed will start at No.12 but is also set to spend time at No.10. Donaldson will also play at fullback in the trial, according to a Waratahs media release.
The jousting for the Waratahs’ No.10 jersey was already very competitive but it will go up a notch in 2023, with Eddie Jones having name-checked both Donaldson and Edmed several times when asked about the position. Jones will be in Griffith for the trial on Saturday.
Injuries to Donaldson and Will Harrison gave Edmed a starting role in 2022, which he didn’t relinquish; contributing strongly as the Tahs made it to the finals.
Ben Donaldson and Tane Edmed are in the sights of Wallabies coach Eddie Jones.Credit:Getty, Fairfax
Both Edmed and Donaldson played for Australia A in tours of the Pacific Islands and Japan but former Wallabies coach Dave Rennie preferred the latter playmaker. The Randwick youngster made his debut from the bench against Italy and started in the Wallabies’ win over Wales.
Max Jorgensen (centre) cools his heels on Monday.Credit:Edwina Pickles/SMH
Edmed is unlikely to be considered as a centre in 2022, with Lalakai Foketi and Izzy Perese due to line up in the midfield. Joey Walton is also back from a long-term injury.
But with Kurtley Beale stood down, likely for the season, while he fights sexual assault charges, the need to find a fullback may become a factor.
Jorgensen and Randwick youngster Ben Dowling take the role in the trial match but with both yet to play a minute of Super Rugby, the versatile Donaldson, who is the Waratahs’ incumbent at No.15, could be the solution for Coleman. Third-choice No.10 Harrison – back from a serious knee injury – would also be in the mix for the fullback role.
Wallabies Michael Hooper, Jake Gordon, Jed Holloway, Perese, Foketi, Dave Porecki, Angus Bell, Mark Nawaqanitawase and Harry Johnson-Holmes were not considered for the first trial.
