TNT Sports
‘What on Earth was he thinking?’ – How kicking blunder from Tane Edmed almost led to comical England try
By
Updated 06/11/2025 at 10:18 GMT
England were 10-7 up against Australia on Saturday in the first half of their Quilter Nations Series match at Allianz Stadium when the visitors were given the chance to kick for touch. Fly-half Tane Edmed attempted to take the opportunity to bring the half to a close, but almost gave England the chance to add another try with an error nobody would have predicted.
‘What on earth was he thinking?’ - Bizarre Edmed gaffe nearly proves costly for Wallabies
Video credit: TNT Sports
Australia fly-half Tane Edmed’s bizarre error almost gifted England a try moments before the end of the first half at Allianz Stadium.
England were 10-7 up in the first half of their Quilter Nations Series opener on Saturday, when Australia were given the chance to kick for touch.
Edmed was given the responsibility, and it appeared that he would look to send the ball out of play.
Given Australia were just metres from their own try line, it was common sense for the Wallabies to play conservatively and end the first half trailing by three points, rather than risk conceding again.
Alastair Eykyn observed on TNT Sports: "Going to kick it into touch, aren't they? Just winding the clock all the way down."
The 25-year-old then lined up his effort, and instead of a routine kick up and away, he somehow managed to get things completely wrong.
- ‘A peroxide peach!’ – Pollock makes instant impact with ‘outstanding’ try
- Earl steams under posts for first try as England make fast start
Austin Healey continued: "Well that job is done, of course, the clock already is in the red. He's kicked it directly to Fin Baxter! What on Earth was he thinking?
"He couldn't kick it straight into touch to take us into half-time, [he] gets it right the second time around. Tane Edmed, well he's smiling now, my goodness.
"His heart would have been in his mouth as he saw that ball land in Fin Baxter's arms."
Edmed struck the ball almost immediately into the ground, towards touch, but the bounce meant that the ball was robbed of enough pace.
Fin Baxter leapt forward to seize the ball and then proceeded to drive towards the try line in search of another five points for the home side before the whistle went for the end of the half.
For several seconds it looked as if Steve Borthwick's side might add another try before the whistle for the first period came, as England drove into their opponents, who were also attempting to get possession in a ruck that had started to form.
Moments later, Australia somehow regained possession of the ball and they were able to take a sense of control.
It was quickly worked back to Edmed, whose second attempt was much more emphatic and effective, and his kick flew into touch, bringing the referee’s whistle.
While that kept the scores static before the second half, Australia were not able to keep a lid on England for the second period, as they added three more tries to the scoreline.
Henry Pollock, Alex Mitchell and Luke Cowan-Dickie all scored tries in the second half, adding to Ben Earl's first-half opener. Harry Potter scored Australia's try.
George Ford converted Earl’s try and scored a penalty, giving England a 25-7 win as they started their series with an impressive performance, ahead of three more matches to come this autumn.
England's next match in the series is against Fiji on Saturday, November 8 with a hotly anticipated clash against the All Blacks the following weekend on Saturday, November 15. Their series concludes on Sunday, November 23 when they host Argentina - with all games live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
- - -
- - -
Stream the Gallagher Premiership, Quilter Nations Series and Premiership Women's Rugby on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement