In a surprising turn of events, Wallabies icon Michael Hooper has endorsed Tane Edmed as the starting fly-half for the upcoming high-stakes clash against the All Blacks in the Rugby Championship. This endorsement comes despite Edmed's shaky debut as a starter against Argentina, where the Wallabies suffered a narrow defeat.
The All Blacks are set to welcome the Wallabies on September 27 at Eden Park, Auckland, for the first of two Bledisloe Cup matches, with the second game scheduled a week later at Optus Stadium in Perth. With only a slim margin in points amidst the competing nations, the stakes are incredibly high. Australia currently leads the pack, narrowly edging out both the Springboks and the All Blacks by a single point, with Argentina not far behind.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has been grappling with the fly-half position throughout 2025, having already rotated through five different players in this key role. Edmed's recent performance in Sydney did not make a strong case for him; he was substituted out at the 55-minute mark with Australia trailing significantly. However, his replacement, James O’Connor, managed to reinvigorate the team's offense, though it was not enough to secure a win.
"I'd like to see Tane started again. It'd be tough to come in for a game for a start and then get dropped,"
Hooper expressed on Stan Sport’s Inside Line show.Despite alternatives like Tom Lynagh being available – now recovered from his injuries – Hooper's confidence in Edmed remains unwavering. He advocates for Edmed to retain his position and suggests Lynagh could support from the bench.
"I think it’d be nice to see Tane get another go at it. What I really liked about Tane’s performance, he was very vocal... He’s largely a facilitator,"
Hooper added, highlighting the positive aspects of Edmed's game despite some visible errors.The Wallabies' setup often relies heavily on the scrum-half, with players like Jake Gordon and Tate McDermott playing pivotal roles, yet the fly-half remains a critical component of their strategy. Hooper's backing of Edmed could be a significant vote of confidence for the young player as he possibly gears up to face one of the most formidable teams in rugby history.
As the Wallabies prepare for their next encounter, the selection decisions made in the coming days will be crucial in their quest for Rugby Championship glory.