Timana Tahu called up to Qantas Wallabies Tri-Nations squad
July 07, 2008 - 9:12am
Story by: ARU
The selection of former State of Origin league winger Timana Tahu highlights the 30-man Qantas Wallabies squad that has been announced to contest the 2008 Tri-Nations.
A newcomer to Rugby Union this year, Tahu has joined an elite group of sportsman who have been selected to represent Australia in both Rugby Union and league.
The 27-year-old is one of four players named today, who were not originally selected in the initial Qantas Wallabies squad that contested the first three Tests of Bundaberg Rum Rugby Series.
Winger Drew Mitchell and flanker Hugh McMeniman have also made the cut for the Tri-Nations series after having performed strongly for Australia A in the Pacific Nations Cup.
McMeniman backed up for Australia A yesterday against New Zealand Maori in the tournament finale, after having played 43 minutes for the Qantas Wallabies the night before in Brisbane against France.
McMeniman had been called into the Test squad on Thursday as a replacement for the injured Nathan Sharpe.
Lock Daniel Vickerman also makes his entry into the Qantas Wallabies at this point after being forced to miss the opening three matches of the international season due to injury.
The unlucky players to lose their places in the squad are Queensland Reds winger Digby Ioane, Brumbies loose forward Mark Chisholm and Brumbies No.8 Stephen Hoiles, who played in the Test against France on Saturday night.
The other change to the squad that beat Ireland and won the two Tests against France is Western Force fullback Cameron Shepherd who could be out for the rest of the season after breaking his ankle last weekend in the second half against France.
The break down of the squad reflects a 17-forward, 13-back split, the same as featured in the first Qantas Wallabies squad of the year.
Qantas Wallabies coach Robbie Deans noted that Mitchell, Vickerman and McMeniman had all been unavailable for the original selection due to injury.
“That presented us with an opportunity to give other players, some of them quite young, an opportunity within our group, and we’re not disappointed with their contribution,” Deans says.
“All of the players who have missed out today have more to contribute at this level. It’s just a reality that our selection pool has grown. The quality of some of the blokes that we have coming into the squad, which has been proven previously at Test level, can’t be denied.”
Between them, Vickerman, Mitchell and McMeniman have featured in a combined total of 86 Tests, bringing with them a wealth of experience for the tough Tri-Nations campaign that lies ahead.
Tahu makes the grade after impressing for Australia A in the Pacific Nations Cup, including two tries on Sunday in the loss to New Zealand Maori, following a frustrating run due to injury with the NSW Waratahs in the Investec Super 14.
“We’ve been watching Timana closely, and believe the time is right to introduce him to this level,” Deans says.
“He has made good progress after a frustrating start to the year. While he is still learning the game, it is clear he has the ability to make an impact on a game, and will only get better as he gains more experience.”
A State of Origin representative with New South Wales in league, Melbourne-born Tahu appeared 11 times in that arena, while also scoring 102 tries from 159 games in the NRL. He also represented Australia in that code prior to joining the Waratahs for this year’s Super 14.
While injury restricted the involvements of prop Matt Dunning, hooker Tatafu Polata-Nau, winger Lote Tuqiri and No 8 Wycliff Palu during the opening phase of the Bundaberg Rum Rugby Series; all four are expected to be fit for some involvement when the squad assembles for training at Manly tomorrow.
Sharpe, who was ruled out of Saturday night’s Brisbane Test due to a groin strain suffered at training last week, is expected to be fit in time for the Tri-Nations opener.
Lock James Horwill and inside centre Berrick Barnes also remain in contention for the start of the tournament despite picking up injuries at Suncorp Stadium.
The injury news is also good on Vickerman. The 52-cap lock hasn’t played since the Investec Super 14 final at the end of May, but is making good progress and is likely to play at least one club match prior to being considered for a resumption of international duties.
Deans said the retention of 26 members of the squad that contested the first three Tests of the year reflected the selectors’ satisfaction with the progress that had been made.
“We’re relatively happy with where we sit heading into the Tri-Nations,” Deans says.
“We’ve made some solid progress, in terms of building up the combination within the squad, as well as developing the general understanding of our method.”
But while Ireland and France provided solid examinations, Deans acknowledged that his side would have to step up significantly in order to match the all-round capabilities of the All Blacks and the World Champion Springboks.
“History shows how difficult the Tri-Nations is to win. This year will be no different,” Deans says.
“You only have to look at how competitive last Saturday night’s game [the Tri-Nations opener between New Zealand and South Africa] was, to see how demanding this tournament is going to be.”
Australia, which has previously won the tournament in 2000 and 2001, opens its campaign when the Bundaberg Rum Rugby Series resumes with the visit of South Africa to Perth on 19 July.
The four-match Bledisloe Cup series then commences the following weekend, when the All Blacks visit ANZ Stadium in Sydney on 26 July. That series will stretch beyond the Tri-Nations tournament, concluding with the historic trans-Tasman Test match in Hong Kong on 1 November.
This year, Australia has two home matches against the All Blacks during the Tri-Nations, and one away [in Auckland], while this month’s home tie against the Springboks in Perth is followed later by back-to-back away matches in the Republic at the end of August.
Those games, which will be played in Durban and Johannesburg, will also double as contests for the Mandela Challenge Plate.
QANTAS WALLABIES SQUAD FOR THE 2008 TRI-NATIONS
PLAYER S14 DOB Ht(cm) Wt(kg)TEST CAPS TEST POINTS
Forwards (17)
Alexander, Ben Brum 13.11.84 189 120 2 0
Baxter, Alistair NSW 21.1.77 190 116 54 5
Brown, Richard WF 28.8.84 189 106 0 0
Dunning, Matt NSW 19.12.78 182 119 37 0
Elsom, Rocky NSW 14.2.83 197 112 35 30
Freier, Adam NSW 20.3.80 175 101 22 10
Horwill, James QLD 29.5.85 200 117 3 5
McMeniman, Hugh QLD 1.11.83 200 114 12 0
Mumm, Dean NSW 5.3.84 196 109 3 0
Moore, Stephen QLD 20.1.83 186 112 23 5
Palu, Wycliff NSW 27.7.82 194 120 19 5
Polota-Nau, Tatafu NSW 26.7.85 181 113 3 0
Robinson, Benn NSW 19.7.84 183 113 9 0
Sharpe, Nathan WF 26.2.78 200 115 66 35
Smith, George Brum 14.7.80 180 104 85 45
Waugh, Phil NSW 22.9.79 175 100 69 20
Vickerman, Dan NSW 4.6.79 204 115 52 0
Backs (13)
Ashley-Cooper, Adam Brum 27.3.84 182 97 14 20
Barnes, Berrick QLD 28.5.86 183 88 7 21
Burgess, Luke NSW 20.8.83 179 89 3 0
Cordingley, Sam QLD 20.3.76 178 87 16 0
Cross, Ryan WF 6.10.79 191 100 1 0
Giteau, Matt WF 29.9.82 178 85 54 286
Hynes, Peter QLD 18.7.82 180 92 3 0
Mitchell, Drew WF 26.3.84 182 92 21 70
Mortlock, Stirling Brum 20.5.77 191 102 66 468
Sheehan, Brett NSW 16.9.79 173 90 1 0
Tahu, Timana NSW 16.10.80 185 98 0 0
Tuqiri, Lote NSW 23.9.79 191 104 60 140
Turner, Lachie NSW 11.5.87 189 88 1 0
Tri-Nations – Qantas Wallabies Draw
Sat 19 July – Australia v South Africa, Perth
Sat 26 July – Australia v New Zealand, Sydney
Sat 2 Aug – New Zealand v Australia, Auckland
Sat 23 Aug – South Africa v Australia, Durban
Sat 30 Aug – South Africa v Australia, Johannesburg
Sat 13 Sept – Australia v New Zealand, Brisbane
