Timana Tahu set for Wallabies debut in Bledisloe
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Wednesday, 23 July 2008
NSWRU Media Unit
HSBC Waratahs back Timana Tahu is set to continue his meteoric rise in Rugby after being named on the bench for Saturday night's Bledisloe Cup encounter with New Zealand.
An electrifying Timana Tahu with Tatafu Polotu-Nau in support.
An electrifying Timana Tahu with Tatafu Polotu-Nau in support. [2008 Super 14 - Rd 1 v Hurricanes]
In his first season of Rugby and after just seven Waratahs caps, five appearances for Australia A and a club game last week for West Harbour, Tahu has been named as one of eleven Waratahs in the 22-man squad and will become the 827th Wallaby should he take the field.
With Gordon centre Stirling Mortlock succumbing to a head knock sustained in last week's victory over South Africa, Eastern Suburbs back Ryan Cross has been named in the No.13 jersey for his first chance in the starting XV while Manly flanker George Smith assumes the captaincy.
Waratah lock Dan Vickerman continues his return from an ankle injury, named on the bench after proving his fitness in two matches for Sydney University.
In addition to the eleven Waratahs in the Test team, the squad includes three more players who ply their trade for Sydney clubs in the Tooheys New Shute Shield: Cross, Smith and Adam Ashley-Cooper (Norths).
2008 TRI NATIONS - MATCH 3
2008 BLEDISLOE CUP - MATCH 1
AUSTRALIA V NEW ZEALAND
Saturday, 26 July 2008 (Kick-off 8:05pm AEST)
ANZ Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park
AUSTRALIA
1. Benn Robinson (Eastwood, HSBC Waratahs)
2. Stephen Moore (Reds)
3. Al Baxter (Northern Suburbs, HSBC Waratahs)
4. James Horwill (Reds)
5. Nathan Sharpe (Force)
6. Rocky Elsom (Randwick, HSBC Waratahs)
7. George Smith [c] (Manly, Brumbies)
8. Wycliff Palu (Manly, HSBC Waratahs)
9. Luke Burgess (Eastern Suburbs, HSBC Waratahs)
10. Matt Giteau (Force)
11. Lote Tuqiri (West Harbour, HSBC Waratahs)
12. Berrick Barnes (Reds)
13. Ryan Cross (Eastern Suburbs, Force)
14. Peter Hynes (Reds)
15. Adam Ashley-Cooper (Northern Suburbs, Brumbies)
Reserves
16. Tatafu Polota-Nau (Parramatta, HSBC Waratahs)
17. Matt Dunning (Eastwood, HSBC Waratahs)
18. Dan Vickerman (Sydney University, HSBC Waratahs)
19. Phil Waugh (Sydney University, HSBC Waratahs)
20. Sam Cordingley (Reds)
21. Timana Tahu (West Harbour, HSBC Waratahs)
22. Drew Mitchell (Force)