News

Tahu enjoying life on the inside

June 20 2008

Not many would have put money on it, especially given that he missed a large chunk of the season with injury, but Timana Tahu is loving his time with Australia A.

In his maiden season in Rugby Union, having previously played for Parramatta Rugby League side, Tahu has achieved more than he would ever have expected.

Having played two full games for Australia A at inside centre he is now looking forward to another crack at the whip against Tonga in Australia A's latest Pacific Nations Cup game.

The high-profile convert denied he expected to play Test rugby in his debut season and was grateful for the chance to learn his trade in the five-week second-tier tournament.

"I just want to stay on the field and play as many games as I can for Australia A, if opportunities come up with the Wallabies that will be a bonus for me," he told Fox Sports.

"I wasn't expecting to make representative teams this year.

"Through injury and plus limited game time in the Super 14 I thought I would be going back to the local league. So for me to come to Australia A, I was excited."

Now over the on-going hamstring problem that kept him out for most of the Super 14 season Tahu is enjoying life as an inside centre in Phil Mooney's unbeaten Australia A side.

He scored the match-winning intercept try in the 20-15 victory against Samoa on a Apia mud-heap last weekend and joked it was one of the few things he did.

"The forwards slugged it out and I was just kicking puddles on the sideline, it was pretty easy for me," said Tahu, who will be watched by Test coach Robbie Deans at North Sydney Oval.

Coach Mooney has been impressed by Tahu's willingness to learn and get involved while the code-crosser has enjoyed the more laid-back approach.

"The coaching staff are good, it's a lot more relaxed than Super 14," he said.

"I'm not worried about what happens in the future it's just getting more game time on the field.

"My ball skills and passing skills are getting better and my kicking skills and just my knowledge of the game is getting better with more time on the field."

Tonga won't be under-estimated by the Australians after pushing New Zealand Maori in the opening round before losing 20-9.

The As have been bolstered by the inclusion of seven Wallabies squad members as well as World Cup players Drew Mitchell and Hugh McMeniman.