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Waratahs back Timana Tahu in secret talks with Sydney Roosters
By Dean Ritchie
April 16, 2009 A day after declaring he hates being known as a former rugby league player, New South Wales Waratahs star Timana Tahu has flagged a shock return to the NRL.
The Daily Telegraph reported a representative from Tahu's camp has approached Sydney Roosters about a return to league.
His manager, Warwick Wright, was adamant he was not responsible for the approach but senior Roosters officials last night revealed a "third party" did talk with the club about Tahu's possible return to league.
The development comes as Parramatta and Wests Tigers indicated they would be interested in talking with Tahu.
Although he will deny it, it is understood that Tahu is disillusioned in rugby union, despite having a contract which does not expire until the end of next season.
It is believed Tahu signed an incentive-based contract which could earn him about $400,000 a season in rugby union.
Just this week, Tahu said that being constantly referred to as a ex-league player was "irritating".
"I came over here to play rugby and I consider myself a rugby player, not a league player," he said.
But in late 2007, while with Parramatta, Tahu said he would never play rugby union. He signed with the Waratahs days later.
The former Newcastle Knights and Parramatta Eels winger has played little football this season, mostly coming off the Waratahs bench.
Eels chief executive Denis Fitzgerald said his club would be interested in talking to Tahu.
"We'd certainly be interested in having a chat," he said.
"He was brilliant for us, especially in 2007 before he went to rugby union. However, the salary cap does look tight for 2010. But we will see what happens."
Wests Tigers recruitment manager Warren McDonnell added: "Timana is a class act. I don't think there would be a club in the competition that would say no to talking with Timana.
"If they said no they would be talking rubbish. But the main question is can a club afford him and could you fit him under the salary cap?
"It would be a matter of juggling the figures to fit him in."
Souths and the Bulldogs claimed they would not consider signing Tahu.
Dogs chief executive Todd Greenberg said: "I hear he is catching a cold in rugby union most weekends."
Asked did he approach the Roosters, Wright said: "No, I don't know anything about the Roosters.
"I think he is pretty happy where he is. It's still early days for Timana (in rugby union)."
A close friend of Tahu said the former NSW Origin star was restless.
"I don't think he's overly happy," the friend said. "He is on the bench all the time which is such a waste.
"He'd be mad not to think about coming back to the NRL."
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...-23214,00.html