AUSTRALIA

News | Profile | Anthem | Fixtures | Results

Deans confident in Tahu`s ability

Tuesday 26th August 2008

Options: Both Cross and Tahu are in the mix for Saturday's starting XV

Australian coach Robbie Deans has declared that former Rugby League star Timana Tahu is ready for his first start in Test rugby.

With Berrick Barnes ruled out of Saturday's clash with the Springboks due to injury Deans has confirmed that Tahu is being considered for a starting berth in the Wallaby midfield.

Deans has several midfield options open to him, including handing Tahu his first Test start since he switched from League to Union.

"There's no doubt he can start a Test, he's perfectly capable of that," Deans told reporters.

Tahu made his debut as a replacement against New Zealand a little over a month ago, but has only played twenty-three minutes of Test rugby in total.

In Saturday's win against South Africa Tahu came on at inside centre with Stirling Mortlock at outside centre, and Deans was more than happy with what he saw.

"It was great for Timana to get the time that he got," Deans said.

"We delayed his entry obviously and deferred to the blokes who had the background of Test rugby first with the initial replacement option.

"But when Timana got in the game my first instinct was that he did really well having watched it live.

"We'll have a look at the footage and pore over it and contemplate our combinations and what we believe will work for us."

Whilst Australia are after back-to-back wins in South Africa for the first time in forty-five years the game will have no bearing on the Tri-Nations. Either way Australia will need to beat New Zealand in the final game of the tournament to take overall glory.

Due to this the Wallabies will lose nothing by experimenting with Tahu, despite his inexperience at Test level.

Ryan Cross, another former League star, also performed well on Saturday and has put his hand up for a promotion from the bench.

"I think I've taken my opportunities this year so hopefully if I get a spot we can make it another good win," he told reporters.

"I see myself as a thirteen but obviously Stirling's captain and also had a great game on Saturday, but I could slot in at twelve or any other place in the backline.

"We can swap any time, I can go twelve, he can go thirteen, we're both big centres and get over the advantage line and I think that's a bonus for us."

Meanwhile, Deans will wait anxiously for a decision on Rocky Elsom who was cited after pulling Springboks jumper Victor Matfield down in a lineout.

Elsom won the man-of-the-match award on Saturday and his availability would be a massive boost for the Wallabies, who have lost line-out chief Dan Vickerman with a shoulder injury.