Timana Tahu should not return to training with Parramatta until he is ready mentally, the NRL club’s coach Daniel Anderson says.
Tahu caught Anderson by surprise by failing to return to training with the Eels on Wednesday in the wake of his walkout from the NSW State of Origin team camp last week.
Eels chief executive Paul Osborne has given the star centre time off until Friday as the Eels prepare for a Monday night match against Newcastle.
The 29-year-old quit the Blues camp over a racially disparaging remark from assistant coach Andrew Johns, who is also a coaching consultant with the Eels but whose position at the club is now under review.
Tahu has had little contact with Anderson or club team-mates since the controversy erupted, but did catch up with Eels CEO and close friend Osborne on Wednesday.
“I’ve got a couple of texts earlier in the week and that’s about it,” Anderson said.
“It’s no use me continually ringing him … I’m not a person who is going to demand he return to training because he won’t be in the right mental frame.
“I expect that when he is in a comfortable frame of mind to come here to training, then he trains.
“I would like him to come back to training when he feels he can make a contribution to our team.
“I’m not sure what routine is going to enhance his moving forward.
“If Friday is the start of that process and he feels he can play Monday then we’ll welcome him into the team.
“If it doesn’t work out that way then we’ll take that as well, we’ll see how it goes.
“We’ll take Friday first.”
Osborne said Tahu had requested the time off.
“He only just got back from Newcastle. He wanted to spend another day with his family,” he told AAP.
“His kids have all been sick.
“He’s going really good, he’s going great. He wants some positive outcomes, that’s all.”
Osborne said the club would begin working on the next step in the Tahu-Johns relationship on Thursday.
Anderson said he had spoken with Johns, who had expressed his regret.
“It wasn’t a significant conversation,” the coach said.
“He’s very upset and I think he is keen to try and meet Timana and have a chat with him.
“I’ve had a great contribution here from Joey … I also have a very valuable member of our playing roster.
“It’s a relationship between a consultant member of the coaching staff and a player here, of course that’s a relationship we have to identify (if) it’s possible to continue.”
Anderson said it was too early to gauge the reaction of the Eels’ players to the situation.
“It’s difficult for us. It’s only Wednesday, we haven’t seen Timana,” he said.
“I don’t know if hardly any of the players have spoken to him.
“I know that they would be very encouraging in their support for him.
“We haven’t done enough as a team to recognise that yet.”
amband
Guest
No, Clipper, it's political cowardice. That''s why they line up to apologize. It's the trendy thing to do
good on ya brother
Guest
It takes far more guts to stand up against racism and injustice than it does to play a game of football.. Football is rife with racism and its necessary for people to take a stance to change things. For all those who think Tahu is a skirt and a sook, it takes far more courage to make social changes than it does to be a whinger in your loungeroom.
clipper
Guest
Maybe he's stunned by the amount of people offering apologies for Johns, indicating an underlying racial bent. I would've thought there would only be 10% support for Johns from the ingrained racists. Who knows? It takes a bit out of you to stand out and attract the frenzied media attention this has. I wonder how many harden up / build a bridge / toughen up cliches we'll get on this post
James
Guest
I had sympathy for Timana at first, but my sympathy is running dry….now he's not turning up to Eels training because he’s not ‘mentally fit’…..for goodness sakes Timana, MAN up a bit and get on with it. He’s not only let his Blues teamates down by leaving (yes, i can understand his stand…but he took out what Joey said on his fellow NSW players by walking), but now he’s letting his fellow Eels down. Jarryd Hayne, Jamal Idris and even the man who was on the recieving end of Johns’ idiotic comments Greg Inglis managed to get on with it, but Timana is starting to look like he needs to put on a dress. I’m a lifelong Parra Eels fan and luv big Timana…but for goodness sakes, get on with it for the sake of your teammates mate.
Ronnie the Eel
Guest
Yes, Timana, make sure your kids are ok and have a small rest, but come back and help us beat the Knights. And remember, when Gidley has the ball, just steal it straight off him in a one-on-one and you can then score a try. Thurston does it all the time to him! Why aren't you mentally ready? How have only Joey's (your old teammate and supporter for the last 10 years) affected you so much that you can't even partake in a training run? The player whom it was supposedly directed at (Greg Inglis) seemed to have no such problem last night and he will be backing up for the Storm. Get some cattledog into ya!
amband
Guest
i don't believe this. He's not mentally ready LOL It's all too much!