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It has taken a failed, albeit financially lucrative, attempt at rugby union to finally convince Timana Tahu that he should never have left the Parramatta Eels at the end of a 2007 season which saw him become arguably the game’s premier centre.
On the back of career best form, Tahu helped lead the Eels to a preliminary final against the Melbourne Storm, which ultimately proved to be his last hurrah in rugby league.
Until now.
Although the Eels fell one short against the eventual premiers away from home, Tahu single-handedly kept his side in the contest thanks to his incisive running which proved to be a constant nightmare for Storm superstar Israel Folau.
It was Tahu himself that crushed Folau in a ball and all tackle that nearly broke down the former Storm winger’s brilliant debut season.
Tahu also set up what should have been a legitimate try to Krisnan Inu, after the former Wallabies international produced a brilliant offload to find the Kiwi winger on the fly late in the second half.
Had that try been awarded, maybe Tahu’s career in the NRL would have received the necessary finish it deserved. Not that it matters now, though.
In great news for the NRL, Tahu activated a get-out clause in his ARU contract that has enabled him to switch codes once again.
The former NSW Origin player yesterday agreed to a three year deal with the Eels and will be eager to return to the form that made him such a joy to watch.
Age will no doubt prove to be a barrier for Tahu, with the former Test player now hitting the twilight of his professional career.
At 29 years of age, Tahu may find it difficult to adjust to the superior speed of play that the NRL possesses in comparison to union.
The Eels themselves will be desperate to see Tahu return to his best form, due to the fact Parramatta never managed to fill in the attacking void that presented itself when he departed two years ago.
Coach Daniel Anderson should know that if Tahu manages to replicate the form that saw him nearly lead the side to a 2007 Grand Final, then it will be a homecoming that both the Eels and the rest of the NRL will no doubt enjoy.