One-cap Wallaby Tane Edmed has revealed the series of conversations with legendary flyhalf Stephen Larkham that helped tip the scales towards his signing with ACT for 2026.
It's been a roller-coaster 2025 for Edmed, 24, who finds himself back in Test contention after Joe Schmidt included the former Waratah in his 35-man TRC squad to tour South Africa.
Despite earning his Test debut against Ireland last year, Edmed found himself on the outer at Daceyville with Jack Bowen and Lawson Creighton preferred by NSW boss Dan McKellar.
Speaking during Thursday's Wallabies squad naming, Edmed admitted Larkham helped "instil belief" in the young playmaker after a difficult Super Rugby Pacific campaign and ultimately helped lure him to the Brumbies.
"Those conversations were definitely a big positive for me in those times. He just instilled a lot of belief in me," Edmed told reporters.
"(Larkham) thinks that he can make me a better player and that's kind of all you need to hear is someone who's trying to just get better day to day.
"He feels like he can have a really positive influence on my career. That is something that was really special.
"’Bernie’ is a legend of Australian rugby and a great flyhalf (so) the opportunity to learn off Bernie and go to a club like the Brumbies, which is so consistent and so strong, is something that I'm really grateful for.
"To continue my rugby journey and to stay in Australia is something really special and I'm really excited for the next two years."
Edmed also paid tribute to an unlikely Super Rugby Pacific rival turned-teammate in helping regain his confidence - Crusaders skipper David Havili.
The pair combined during the British & Irish Lions series for Les Kiss' AUNZ Invitational XV with Edmed glowing in his appraisal of the 30-Test All Black.
"I was just so impressed by his skill set," Edmed said of Havili.
"Run, pass, kick was outstanding. His footy IQ and the way he thinks about the game is unreal, just his communication throughout the week, especially at training just kind of looking into how he sees different pitches and stuff like that.
"I think Kiwis and Aussies probably look at certain rugby scenarios a little bit differently, so it was cool to compare ideas - he was definitely open to hearing what my thoughts were on certain things.
First, Edmed will have the chance to press his claims for a Test berth alongside uncapped halfback and new Brumbies teammate Ryan Lonergan - a man Edmed will be spending plenty of time with in Canberra and beyond.
"We've played together before. We were roommates for Australia A all those years ago in 2022 so we've played together a little bit," Edmed said.
"He's a great player and a great man - someone that I'm really looking forward to playing next to."
The Wallabies open their Flight Centre Rugby Championship campaign against South Africa at Emirates Airline Park on Sunday August 17 - watch live and on-demand via Stan Sport.
