By David Beniuk
August 27th 2008 @ 1:48am
Tahu ready to start for Wallabies
He thought it would take three years but it has taken Timana Tahu just 23 minutes of Test rugby to be in the reckoning for a spot in the Wallabies’ starting side.
And the dual international is confident that’s time enough to have him ready.
There was never any doubt about Tahu’s talent and neither, it seems, was there any doubt in national coach Robbie Deans’ mind that the former NRL star could learn the intricacies of rugby’s inside centre position quickly.
Deans declared the 27-year-old’s readiness the day after he had played 20 minutes off the bench in his second Test, last Saturday’s tough 27-15 win over the Springboks in Durban, and Tahu followed suit today.
“Yeah, I’m ready,” he told reporters at the Wallabies’ base in Durban’s northern beachside suburbs.
“I’ve been preparing all season for this moment and if it does come up I’ll be happy to get in that position, but we’ll see what happens during the week and see what Robbie wants to do.
“Ryan Cross has been playing really good so we’ll see what happens.”
Deans sees Tahu as a natural No.12 and his promotion will come down to whether the coach sees either skipper Stirling Mortlock or Cross as a makeshift one for this Saturday’s clash with the Boks in Johannesburg.
Australia are desperate for a win at Ellis Park for the first time since 1963.
Tahu said last week’s hit-out had answered some questions in his own mind, and not only whether the big South African stadiums would be a step up from Newcastle or Parramatta.
Not that he expected to be there yet.
“I was thinking maybe two, three years, maybe cracking the Wallabies, but it’s come around quick,” he said.
“But I’ve trained hard and I’ve prepared myself well so if it does come to Saturday where I do start I think the team and Robbie will have confidence in me and I’ll have confidence in myself as well.”
Tahu said Deans was a coach the players wanted to play for.
“The things he does tell me are really important and I take them in,” he said.
“He’s been really good to me. Just at training, little things that I need to work on my game he helps me, if it’s skills or if it’s just talking about mindset during the games.
“He makes everyone in the whole camp feel confident.”
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LeftArmSpinner said | August 27th 2008 @ 5:49am | Report comment
Just as Tahu is ready to start for the wallabies, the Wallabies are ready for Tahu!!!
Its Tahu time, as I said in my previous article!!!!
mudskipper said | August 27th 2008 @ 10:58am | Report comment
Yep…Tahu could well be the 12 the Wallabies have needed for many years. Giteau played 12 because Larkham had flyhalf covered. He is bigger stronger 12 with good speed and excellent off load abilities, he opens up more running lines to the backline for the blindside winger, fullback or Giteau to do the old run around. The defence will always be questioning the next play. There is not always the need to have a big lock bashing up the middle of the backline when you have Tahu which opens up the lock to cover the breakdown or look for the short inside ball.
Now we just have to workout how to get Tahu to the Brumbies….haha
H-RAINE said | August 27th 2008 @ 4:41pm | Report comment
if barnes comes ack nfor brizzie can tahu make the 21 jumper ? or will it stay to cross
mudskipper said | August 27th 2008 @ 5:27pm | Report comment
Cross is required to cover a brilliant but aging injury prone Mortlock if Ashley Cooper stays at fullback. Barnes is really required to cover Matt Giteau… I guess it depends how well Tahu plays and if he gets the opportunity to do something special… it could be hard for Barnes to get back into the 22 as a regular starter….Deans clearly believes in Tahu and I think will play him often if all goes well this weekend…
This could also result in Barnes pushing more to play flyhalf with the Reds next S14…
mudskipper said | August 27th 2008 @ 5:33pm | Report comment
However Deans tends to play home town guys so Barnes might be good for Brisbane…if his injury heals in time… Tough call on Barnes as he has been good but Tahu brings some size with speed to the inside backs…
Worlds Biggest said | August 27th 2008 @ 11:41pm | Report comment
It’s not a bad position to be in regarding selection of Tahu or Cross or Barnes when fit again. Happy with all these guys but everyone is keen to see Tahu get a full game to see what he can do. He was a beast in League so wonder if he can bring that same intimidation to Rugby. I think it was last year he pulled off one of the biggest hits ( quasi sholder charge ) I have ever seen. Barnes had a great game in the Sydney Bledisloe so he should remain in the mix for Brisbane.
gavin said | August 28th 2008 @ 1:47pm | Report comment
quote” I think it was last year he pulled off one of the biggest hits ( quasi sholder charge ) I have ever seen.”
That’s what we want!
I just hope Deans doesn’t confuse him will unnecessary advice and just let him do what he can do
H-RAINE said | August 29th 2008 @ 5:52pm | Report comment
if barnes and gito r both injured will beale play 10 or sam norton nihgt
Sluggy said | August 29th 2008 @ 8:43pm | Report comment
Deans might take Beale on the November tour (and work on his physical development and defence while there), but I don’t think he’ll throw him in the deep end, at least not yet.
That basically leaves SNK, unless Deans decides to experiment and slip AAC in there as a one off… Deans has put AAC straight back in ahead of Mitchell (who did nothing wrong last week) and must see him as one of his core players.
I don’t think he’ll pick the other S14 5/8s, Halangahu or the lad from Canberra, not good enough., Cooper from Bisbane or James O’Conner (currently Force) will probably also get a run along with Beale.