“Everything you read at the moment has been Carter Gordon and obviously his battle with Noah was a lot in the media, Ben’s just trying to find his form and he’s starting to do that,” Coleman said.
“I’m happy for him because he’s a good kid and teammate. He’s a really popular member of the team so when he’s copping shit in the media you feel for him. Everyone’s just happy he’s delivering at the moment. He had a great day. He kicked really well, his goal-kicking was impeccable, he tackled bravely. He’s getting better every week – like the whole team.”
Donaldson, Harrison and Edmed have been competing for the Waratahs No.10 for several years, and Bowen was promoted up from the pathways system last year.
Edmed, who held the No.10 jersey for most of last season and at the start of this year, has been sidelined with a back injury since round three but is due to return via club rugby as early as this week.
Harrison was once seen as the best of the trio and wore the No.10 for most of 2020 and 2021. But a nasty knee injury suffered playing fullback last year ruined his season, and Harrison was recently ruled out for another season with a recurrence of the knee injury.
Tane Edmed has been sidelined with a back injury this year.Credit: Getty
Injury to one or more has largely helped Waratahs coaches avoid choosing between all three at once, and like Harrison, Donaldson has also played a lot of No.15.
Edmed was extended last year for two more seasons but after starting for the Wallabies at No.10, Donaldson would be looking to secure a future as a starting five-eighth; finally presenting a tough choice for the Waratahs.
The Force have Reesjan Pasitoa on their books, but he has been sidelined this season.
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Discussing his future in April, Donaldson said he was looking at all options.
“It’s all still up in the air at the moment. A lot of people have said it would be a great time to stay in Australia with the British and Irish Lions tour coming up and then a home World Cup,” Donaldson said.
“Ideally, my first preference would be to stay put. I haven’t really had too many talks as of yet, my manager is doing the rounds at the moment, sussing out options. It’d be a great time to stay in Australia and hopefully we can figure something out soon.”
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