Timana Tahu ready for Wallaby starting debut
» Back to News Listing
Friday, 29 August 2008
NSWRU Media Unit
HSBC Waratahs centre Timana Tahu will make his starting debut for the Wallabies when Australia take on South Africa in their Tri Nations encounter in Johannesburg tomorrow night.
Wallaby centre Timana Tahu.
Wallaby centre Timana Tahu.
Tahu's promotion to the starting line-up in place of the injured Berrick Barnes is just one of five alterations to the Wallabies starting XV from last week's victory over the Springboks in Durban.
Fellow Waratahs Phil Waugh (flanker) and Tatafu Polota-Nau (hooker) have also returned to the starting side, with George Smith and Stephen Moore shifting back to the bench.
Waratah lock Dan Vickerman has returned to Australia with a shoulder injury and has been replaced in the second row by Hugh McMeniman, while Northern Suburbs fullback Adam Ashley-Cooper has recovered from a broken hand to return to the No.15 jersey.
Rocky Elsom has also taken his place in an all-Waratah back row after his one-match suspension was overturned last night.
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans said that the changes were a result of a need for some fresh legs as well as an expectation the Springboks will lift this week in their final match of the 2008 Tri Nations.
"It's because of the respect we have for them, and the enormity of the challenge we have in front of us trying to win back-to-back South African Test matches, and in Johannesburg for the first time in so long, that we feel we need to bring in some fresh legs," said Deans.
"Last weekend [in Durban] took a lot out of our guys as it did some of theirs. We will need the impetus that the fresh legs we've included today will bring."
Australia has only once previously won consecutive Tests in Africa. That was 45 years ago, when the second victory was achieved 11-9 at the ground formerly known as Ellis Park. The 1963 success remains Australia's only win (from nine attempts) in Johannesburg.
Deans acknowledges the Wallabies' poor previous history at Ellis Park and the likely South African response due to the current circumstance last year's Rugby World Cup-winning side finds itself in.
"They [South Africa] have got one more shot at it in this year's Tri-Nations," said Deans.
"If they can take it, they can park the rest of the tournament and move forward a lot more positively towards their end of season tour preparations. Ask yourself how you'd feel in their position? There's no doubt they'll be up for it."
2008 TRI NATIONS - MATCH 8
SOUTH AFRICA V AUSTRALIA
Saturday, 30 August 2008 (Kick-off 3:05pm SAST, 11:05pm AEST)
Ellis Park, Johannesburg
AUSTRALIA
1. Benn Robinson (Eastwood, HSBC Waratahs)
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau (Parramatta, HSBC Waratahs)
3. Matt Dunning (Eastwood, HSBC Waratahs)
4. James Horwill (Reds)
5. Hugh McMeniman (Reds)
6. Rocky Elsom (Randwick, HSBC Waratahs)
7. Phil Waugh (Sydney University, HSBC Waratahs)
8. Wycliff Palu (Manly, HSBC Waratahs)
9. Sam Cordingley (Reds)
10. Matt Giteau (Force)
11. Lote Tuqiri (West Harbour, HSBC Waratahs)
12. Timana Tahu (West Harbour, HSBC Waratahs)
13. Stirling Mortlock [c] (Gordon, Brumbies)
14. Peter Hynes (Reds)
15. Adam Ashley-Cooper (Northern Suburbs, Brumbies)
Reserves
16. Stephen Moore (Reds)
17. Al Baxter (Northern Suburbs, HSBC Waratahs)
18. Dean Mumm (Sydney University, HSBC Waratahs)
19. George Smith (Manly, Brumbies)
20. Brett Sheehan (Warringah, HSBC Waratahs)
21. Ryan Cross (Eastern Suburbs, Force)
22. Drew Mitchell (Force)