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Hey peanut, give back your Wallabies jersey
- By Brendan Cannon
- From: The Sunday Telegraph
- May 23, 2010 12:01AM
Jumper trashed...Timana Tahu in one of his rare performances for the Walalbies. Picture: Sam Ruttyn Source: The Sunday Telegraph
I'VE never met Timana Tahu, but here is a collection of thoughts that sprang to mind when I heard him rate the NSW Origin jumper ahead of the Wallaby jersey last week.
Space cadet, peanut, pelican, impostor, mercenary and muppet.
Upon closer inspection, I discovered Timana has a serial case of foot-in-mouth disease dating back to well before he switched codes to chase the lure of more cash in rugby union.
Tahu is a classic example of the old analogy about people who hunt with the hounds and run with the foxes.
Here are some pearls of wisdom from the world according to Timana.
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After selling out on the NRL: "Coming across to Super 14 no one really knows how I play, which is probably a bonus for me."
Or in early 2009, when the word got around he was looking to quit and head back to league, another gem: "I don't miss the game at all. I won't be going back. To go back to rugby league now I don't think I would have the spark that I had a couple of years ago.
"In rugby, you don't see as much of the ball but, skill-wise, I've become a better player. I've learned how to pass, kick and play both sides of the field. In certain situations I play first receiver, sometimes I'm on the wing or I might be at fullback."
And what about this dig at his old NRL brethren: "In rugby union, our players have other things to worry about than getting on the piss. They have uni degrees or go to uni and they're occupied with life outside of football. When I played league I did nothing but play league. Union is setting me up for something more."
Tahu went on to outline how he was studying for a business diploma and hoped to work in sports management upon retirement.
Wow. Truly, special stuff.
Righto, Timana, my go.
Firstly, you can start by handing back your Wallaby jumper and forfeiting the number you were given when you ran on for your first cap.
Next, we'll reduce the number of capped Wallabies from 836 to 835, because playing for Australia obviously meant so little to you.
Every capped Wallaby, starting from the great Patrick "Paddy" Carew in 1899, would be ashamed with your lack of respect.
Thirdly, let's have a look at your form in the 15-a-side game. Mate, you spent more time with the West Harbour Pirates or warming the Waratahs bench than you did in any Wallaby camp. And you got paid $400,000 a year.
I had to laugh when I read your quote about, "coming across to Super 14, no one really knows how I play, which is probably a bonus for me".
Mate, you didn't even know how you played rugby union! Hilarious.
Rugby fans only have to remember the Test you played against South Africa in Pretoria for a reminder of your career in the Wallaby gold.
That was the day we found out that two extra players on the field was two too many for you.
It was like you were playing on your own. The Springboks kept running around you, inside and out. You looked like a deer in the headlights.
If that's the reason you rate your NSW Origin jerseys ahead of the Wallaby jumper, maybe I can begin to try to understand where the dribble that spouts out of your mouth originates from.
Hang on, no, sorry, I can't.
One thing I'll never grasp about rugby league - and this isn't intended to be a shot at the code - is how playing for the Kangaroos is secondary to playing for NSW or Queensland in Origin.
Look at the fanfare State of Origin is currently generating compared to the treatment the Anzac Test received in Melbourne this month.
Origin is everything, which for me, is just all wrong.
It's a sad reflection when you openly have some of the game's finest athletes endorsing playing for their state ahead of playing for their country wearing the green and gold.
I just don't get that. In rugby union, the golden pathway everyone wants to follow is to play for the Wallabies.
So Tahu should hang his head in shame. And while I've still got hold of him, let me add this.
Of the league converts who have become dual internationals, Tahu is by far the worst.
The others - Wendell Sailor, Lote Tuqiri and Mat Rogers - warranted selection and absolutely loved playing for their country.
You could see it in their eyes at the 2003 World Cup, on a world stage.
Tahu struggled in a game he obviously felt he would be able to master standing on his ear.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/spo...-1225870010397
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Originally Posted by jargan83
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