Timana Tahu set for return to Parramatta

[force addict]

he'd have to take a pay cut. Tahu did. but as laura said, it depends how much they are willing to cough up for a player like him

[jargan83]

He might not have a whole lot of choice after the cicumstances in which he left ARU, just depends how much he wants to play rugby again and how much they're willing to invest in a player with his history, age and current form.

The pay cut is a given, but my main point is that there is a salary cap in Rugby League (as well as AFL, A-League etc) and alot of teams may not be able to afford him under their cap

[shasta]

Meh!

Seems like he thought he would be a shoe-in for Wallabies, he made it in his first year and not this year so he's spat the dummy and left. Add to that he's good mate Lote's gone. I'd be thinking if Lote signs on with a league club he's likely to follow Tahu.

I know there's a lot of people who love to bash the Mungos whatever happens. RL forums are moreso in the opposite view. Good luck to them. But I think they are misreading what makes most players tick. Sure the money's a big factor, but the majority of them would still do it for nothing. The challenge of making it in the "other code" is also a big motivator.

Tahu is quitting and will take a pay cut to do so - he would earn more by playing for West Harbour and NSW. He's probably disappointed that he didn't make the very top consistently, for various reasons. But he's reached heights that most players can only dream of so he's plenty to be proud about. The knockers can suck it up.

I'd bet plenty that he's going back to League because he's reaching the end of his playing days and wants to play in the top grade week-in-week-out. He may also want another shot at Origin if he can't make RWC. Who'd blame him.

[laura]

Tahu was 'close' to Wallabies selection
AAP - July 23, 2009, 7:33 pm

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has revealed Timana Tahu had been pencilled in for his third Test start just a month before his anticipated departure from the code.

While the NSW and Australian Rugby Unions were on Thursday night still awaiting contact from Tahu's camp in order to clarify his position, it was understood the dual international was hoping to seek an early release from his lucrative rugby contracts in order to return to rugby league.

Parramatta boss Paul Osborne, a long-time confidant of Tahu's, earlier on Thursday said he was hopeful the backline star would return to the Eels next season on a three-year deal with his former NRL club.

Deans will not stand in his way, despite being an unabashed fan of the 28-year-old utility.

"It's entirely Timana's choice," Deans said. "I'm a great believer that players are entitled to choice.

"If he wants to be somewhere else, that's all we need to know really."

Perhaps all Tahu needed to know was that he was closer to selection in the Wallabies' starting XV than he may have thought.

Despite being a member of Australia's 30-man Tri Nations squad, Tahu has not figured in any of the four Tests this winter and is apparently growing more and more frustrated at his lack of game time, especially after spending much of the Super 14 season on the Waratahs bench.

Deans, though, said Tahu had been very much in his plans and would have started - almost certainly at outside centre - against Italy in Melbourne last month had he not withdrawn from a Sydney club game for West Harbour the previous Saturday because of a stomach bug.

"He wasn't far away at all, but insofar as he hadn't played, he had an injury, we didn't consider him," Deans told AAP.

"Yeah, he's obviously very capable.

"There's no doubt he was making headway. He'd worked really hard and obviously these blocks that we get them in camp are invaluable.

"But that's not the point. If you don't want to be there ultimately ..."

Deans is not overly surprised to learn Tahu seemingly wants out of rugby.

"We had some conversations, Timana and I," he said.

"It was never easy for him in terms of getting that continuity that would have served him well, whether it be because of injuries, selection, whatever. Both contributed to an inability to get a flow on.

"I also think the element that he found difficult was time away from home - travel time, which is something that's unique (in rugby)."

rest is here.....http://au.sports.yahoo.com/news/article/-/5746836

[The Lone Hydrangea]

Tahu is brighter than i thought. and saw the writing on the wall. Give him some dues, he is a good Mungo player and thats that.

[travelling_gerry]

By Jon Geddes
From: The Daily Telegraph July 23, 2009 7:32PM

WARATAHS skipper Phil Waugh, the heart and soul of rugby in this state, admitted he was very disappointed and surprised by Timana Tahu's decision to walk out on the code.

Loyalty has always played a big part in Waugh's career. He has just completed his 10th season of Super rugby with the Waratahs and, in April, knocked back big offers from top European clubs to re-sign until after the 2011 World Cup.

That would make Tahu's decision to cut and run and return to Parramatta even harder for Waugh to comprehend.

"It is very disappointing to see him leave," Waugh said. "All the indicators were he was actually really enjoying the environment and the team culture."

And Waugh said Tahu's performances at the back end of the season suggested he was adapting very well to rugby.

"Certainly the last six weeks of the Super 14 he really stood up and he won our best back award," Waugh said.

Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.
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The Waratahs captain first learned of the Tahu situation in the Wallabies team room after training on Wednesday and said it came out of the blue.

"He seems to be pretty good at that, he did it when he came across," Waugh quipped.

He said there were no signs Tahu was unhappy or thinking about a switch back to the NRL.

"We always made a big effort to see how he was feeling and all the indicators were that he was enjoying it," Waugh said. "As a guy just around the team at NSW, he was terrific."

Waugh added that the loss of Tahu now increases the pressure on other players in the squad.

"As I said when Lote (Tuqiri) was terminated, it is going to leave a big hole," he said. "It is going to be hard to replace those two guys, but we will certainly do our best. I know we are still in the market for a few players to replace those two."

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans said there was no doubt Tahu's best days in rugby were ahead of him.

"Obviously he would like to have played more rugby without a doubt and that might have assisted him," Deans said.

Former NSW coach Ewen McKenzie, who was instrumental in signing Tahu, said he was a professional player and was probably thinking he wasn't on the field enough.

"Perhaps the actual game doesn't actually suit his body, with the frequency of injury, and puts more pressure on his hamstrings than rugby league does."

McKenzie said the problem for the Waratahs was the timing as they searched for new players to fill the gaps.

"You are not going to find a player with experience in Australia," he said.

"And while there are players available in Europe, it usually means nobody else is picking them up for whatever reason."

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/spo...-1225754140282

[travelling_gerry]

By Iain Payten
From: The Daily Telegraph July 23, 2009 7:52PM

What are these?ONE player skips training to secretly take up a rugby contract. Another star skips training to covertly sign a league contract. Neither say a word to their teammates.

The first creates howls of protest and is rugby league's greatest ever villain. The second is warmly welcomed "home'' by the same league community, not least the game's top official.

Anyone smell the faint odour of hypocrisy?

The Sonny Bill Williams case and Timana Tahu's re-defection may not be directly related but they share enough DNA to be close cousins.

And the contrasting reactions have been very interesting indeed.

Unhappy in the NRL, Williams packed up and disappeared overseas to play French rugby.

He didn't tell anyone at the Bulldogs - including his mates - and had signed a deal while still under contract to them.

Understandably, there was widespread condemnation. Officials, players, former friends and fans all united to vilify the treacherous SBW - singing loudly the sanctity of contracts and the unbreakable bonds of a team.

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Fast forward 12 months and Tahu doesn't rock up to Wallabies training on Wednesday.

Though believed to be injured, Tahu didn't turn up for a medical as is standard practice or ring through an apology. Frustrated in rugby, Tahu was busy across town nutting out a new contract to play for the Parramatta Eels.

By that afternoon, the whole world had discovered the former Kangaroo was returning to league. All except his Wallabies teammates, that is, who only heard when the story slowly filtered through on the training track, via this paper's website exclusive.

And here's the rub. At the point of agreeing to a new deal with the Eels on Wednesday, Tahu had 30 months left to run on an ARU contract worth $400,000 a year.

Even with the get-out clause inserted in his contract, Tahu had six months to serve in rugby and no release had been secured.

None of this contractual obligation, however, was given a second thought by a joyously myopic league community.

Before Tahu has even sat down with the ARU to discuss a possible release - and as of last night he still hadn't - league types everywhere were celebrating the centre's "return home'', saying it was great to see him back where his heart was. All in all, a happy ending.

NRL boss David Gallop weighed in: "We're pleased to see Timana back in our game, hopefully pulling on the blue and yellow.''

Sorry? Is this same group who screamed blue murder when SBW signed a new contract with Toulon when already under one at the Dogs? Who were willing to tar and feather the IRB for not stepping in, simply because they had no jurisdiction?

Who said you don't - just don't - walk out on your mates?

Can anyone imagine what sort of wild reaction such triumphant cries from the French rugby chiefs, or any rugby figures, at the time would have elicited back here?

There appear to be some very short memories in rugby league on the virtues of a contract.

Tahu may have legitimate reasons - and ultimately a loophole - to leave rugby union.

However, the manner in which it has all gone down leaves a pretty sour taste in the mouthfor a lot of people.
It's fair to say both his NSW and Wallabies teammates were yesterday feeling pretty let down with the secretive departure.

Tahu hates confrontation, so white lies are his way to avoid it. But like SBW, blatant deception should never be excused. And definitely not celebrated.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/spo...-1225754140353

[travelling_gerry]

July 23, 2009 .Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has revealed Timana Tahu had been pencilled in for his third Test start just a month before his anticipated departure from the code.

The Australian Rugby Union, sick of waiting for initial contact from Tahu, attempted to make contact with the player’s advisers asking for a meeting to clarify his position.

It is understood however the dual international was hoping to seek an early release from his lucrative rugby contracts in order to return to rugby league.

Parramatta boss Paul Osborne, a long-time confidant of Tahu's said he was hopeful the backline star would return to the Eels next season on a three-year deal with his former NRL club.

Deans will not stand in his way, despite being an unabashed fan of the 28-year-old utility.

"It's entirely Timana's choice," Deans said.

"I'm a great believer that players are entitled to choice.

"If he wants to be somewhere else, that's all we need to know really."

Perhaps all Tahu needed to know was that he was closer to selection in the Wallabies' starting XV than he may have thought.

Despite being a member of Australia's 30-man Tri Nations squad, Tahu has not figured in any of the four Tests this winter and is apparently growing more and more frustrated at his lack of game time, especially after spending much of the Super 14 season on the Waratahs bench.

Deans, though, said Tahu had been very much in his plans and would have started - almost certainly at outside centre - against Italy in Melbourne last month had he not withdrawn from a Sydney club game for West Harbour the previous Saturday because of a stomach bug.

"He wasn't far away at all, but insofar as he hadn't played, he had an injury, we didn't consider him," Deans said.

"Yeah, he's obviously very capable.

"There's no doubt he was making headway. He'd worked really hard and obviously these blocks that we get them in camp are invaluable.

"But that's not the point. If you don't want to be there ultimately ..."

Deans is not overly surprised to learn Tahu seemingly wants out of rugby.

"We had some conversations, Timana and I," he said.

"It was never easy for him in terms of getting that continuity that would have served him well, whether it be because of injuries, selection, whatever. Both contributed to an inability to get a flow on.

"I also think the element that he found difficult was time away from home - travel time, which is something that's unique (in rugby)."

Indeed, Tahu was very much a family man who on Wallabies tours preferred to spend much of his free time talking to his wife and children rather than exploring the sites with teammates.

Those same teammates expressed surprise and disappointment that he appeared to want out of the code.

"All indications were that he was really enjoying the Waratahs and Wallabies - and he was playing his best footy," Waratahs captain and Wallabies flanker Phil Waugh said.

"Each game he played, he was getting better. He really looked like a rugby player at the end of the Super 14.

"Timing wise, he's probably left just as he was starting to come to terms with the game."

Deans did not expect the Tahu drama to be a distraction to the Wallabies and ruled out calling for reinforcements for the upcoming trip to Cape Town for the August 8 showdown with the Springboks.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...-32464,00.html

[travelling_gerry]

Brent Read | July 24, 2009
Article from: The Australian

IF Timana Tahu had been this evasive on the rugby union field, his switch of codes would have been a roaring success.

More than 24 hours after Tahu's return to the NRL with Parramatta was leaked to the media, the Australian Rugby Union remains in the dark.

ARU high-performance manager David Nucifora said his organisation had attempted to contact Tahu and his management without success. Confusion reigns.

"We're waiting for them to make contact with us," Nucifora said. "At this point they haven't made contact to organise a meeting. Until we know what's going on, it's pretty hard to do anything. There was no meeting organised for today. The only meeting that had been organised was for yesterday afternoon and Timana and his representatives couldn't come.

"They cancelled," he said.

Tahu's whereabouts remain a mystery. There had been speculation he spent part of yesterday getting scans on his hand, which he claims requires surgery.

His return to the NRL appears a fait accompli.

Although Tahu is under contract to the ARU, chief executive John O'Neill is unlikely to stand in his way.

Parramatta chief executive Paul Osborne, whose close relationship with Tahu was a key component in luring him back to rugby league, met the NRL yesterday over a range of issues, including Tahu.

The Eels have been liaising with the NRL over the salary cap implications of Tahu's return.

The club has attempted to move centre Krisnan Inu without success.

It is understood winger Luke Burt has toyed with the idea of heading to a club in the English Super League, a move that would ease the salary cap pressure.

"Timana's a Ferrari," Osborne said yesterday. "He's certainly a wonderful, wonderful player and it will be terrific for us as a club and for us as a game to have him back.

"He loved his time at Parramatta and he obviously hasn't been very happy at rugby.

"Timana's acquisition will be a wonderful bonus for us.

''Should we get him back to Parramatta, he will go back to being one of the best centres in the game."

Osborne said Tahu had been unhappy in rugby union for some time.

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans asked Tahu at a recent meeting where he would be in two years. Tahu's reply was in rugby league.

"He wasn't coming back to rugby league up until I got the job at Parramatta," said Osborne.

"All we've talked about is whether he is happy over there (in rugby) and clearly he's not -- he wants to come back and play league.

"Quite clearly he could have made a lot more money if he'd stayed in rugby over in places like Japan. It wasn't money for Timana.

"He just wants to be happy in his environment and I'm sure if we get him at Parramatta he will be very happy."

While Tahu is on his way to Parramatta, Daniel Mortimer has hinted at leaving the club one day to play at the Bulldogs, where his father Peter and uncles Steve and Chris are legends.

"It would be great to see a Mortimer back running around with the Dogs. Just growing up I always idolised players from the Bulldogs and I used to just dream of pulling on that blue-and-white jersey," Mortimer said.

"It'd be great to be back there, but I'll take it as it comes.

"Growing up I never thought I'd be playing against the Doggies -- I thought if I did end up making a career, it would be with the Doggies.

"It's a weird place to be in, but I've been at Parramatta for two years now and I've grown to love the club."

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au...015651,00.html

[travelling_gerry]

July 24, 2009 .Timana Tahu has confirmed he is seeking a release from his rugby union contract to return to rugby league.

The Australian Rugby Union issued a statement saying the peak body had “amicable discussions” with Tahu and his advisors on Friday, with the dual international looking to pull the pin on his ARU/NSW Rugby Union deal.

The ARU said it would work towards “a quick resolution on the matter,” along with the NSWRU.

“ARU and NSWRU will be considering a number of issues over the next few days and will be in contact again with Timana's advisors next week,” the statement said.

“ARU wishes to make it clear today's discussions have taken place in an environment of goodwill from both parties.”

Tahu has yet to publicly speak about his decision to give away the 15-man game. He is expected to join his former NRL club Parramatta on a three-year deal.

Tahu quit the Eels in 2007 to take up a lucrative contract with the ARU but endured a difficult two years in rugby, due to injury and loss of form.

He was recently dumped from the Wallabies squad to play club rugby alongside Lote Tuqiri, who was sacked by ARU last month.

The powerful centre, who won an NRL grand final with Newcastle in 2001, enjoyed a successful three-year spell with the Eels between 2005-07.


AAP
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...018866,00.html

[travelling_gerry]

Bret Harris
July 25, 2009 .New South Wales Waratahs coach Chris Hickey has revealed they rejected superstar South Africa centre Jean de Villiers before Timana Tahu's defection to the NRL.

Hickey said De Villiers' management contacted the Waratahs two weeks ago, but they were not in the market for a centre.

De Villiers has since signed with Irish province Munster.

The departure of Tahu compounds the Waratahs' loss of former Australia winger Lote Tuqiri, whose multi-million-dollar contract was recently terminated by the ARU for a breach of protocol.

The Waratahs have approached Wallabies and Queensland Reds winger Digby Ioane as a replacement for Tuqiri, but they will also need to find a player to fill Tahu's boots.

"There was some interest expressed by De Villiers a couple of weeks ago, but we said no, we are not looking to fill that position," Hickey said. "He would have been fantastic, but that opportunity is gone."

[travelling_gerry]

By Iain Payten
July 25, 2009 .New South Wales Waratahs' decision to bench Timana Tahu for nearly half the Super 14 season helped trigger the get-out clause in his contract.

Reasons behind Tahu's impending return to Parramatta began to emerge as the runaway Waratah finally sat down with ARU officials on Friday night at St Leonards to ask for a release.

Tahu and his lawyer met with ARU High Performance boss David Nucifora and a NSW Rugby counterpart Scott Bowen for an hour-long meeting, where "amicable" talks were held about with the 28-year-old.

Sources with knowledge of the Tahu's four-year contract - signed in 2007 - have revealed a range of milestones and incentives were inserted into the second year, and if not reached either Tahu or the ARU could revisit the last two years.

These milestones are believed to include a certain number of starting appearances for NSW, and a handful of Australia selections in the inbound series and Tri-Nations.

Tahu started in seven of 13 matches for the Waratahs and has yet to play a Test - although Wallabies coach Robbie Deans was set to start Tahu against Italy on June 20 but did not following his withdrawal from club rugby a week earlier with injury.

Given there are five Tri-Nations Tests remaining, Tahu's argument to prematurely enact his get-out clause appears to centre on his Super 14 game time and no involvement in the June inbound series.

Tahu began the Tahs' season starting in the first two matches, but was benched for the next two before returning for NSW's loss to the Brumbies. He was then benched for the Waratahs next four games before finally returning to the starting team against Western Force.

He then starred at No.13 on NSW's South African tour, and from the mix-and-match season was later awarded the Waratahs' best back.

The Waratahs this week defended their use of Tahu, saying a lingering injury and form considerations were behind the inconsistent selections of the centre. There's little doubt Tahu's form was up and down, but whether a lack of continuity contributed will remain unknown.

Tahu is currently battling a hand injury, but his potential to still play the required amount of Tests this winter - believed to be three - means he has jumped the gun on asking for a release.

But all signals point to the ARU having no issue with letting the $400,000-a-year convert off the hook.

That much was clear last night when an ARU release stressed: "ARU wishes to make it clear today's discussions have taken place in an environment of goodwill from both parties."

It added a "quick resolution" will be sought, whereupon Tahu's return to Parramatta will no doubt be finalised.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...002381,00.html