Timana Tahu leaves Union to go back to Rugby League

Wallaby back Timana Tahu has walked out on Australian rugby union as he wants to return to rugby league with the Parramatta Eels, it was announced last week.

Reports have stated that Tahu was unhappy playing union, mainly based on the string of events that saw him spend much of his time coming off the bench.

He earned four Wallaby caps, but has now walked out on the remaining two years of his ARU and Waratahs contracts, taking a reported $100 000 pay cut in the process.

A league to union convert, Tahu had huge promise and the expectation for success in the 15 man game was high. He failed to deliver on his potential though, and along with a few injury problems, never quite made the impact most had hoped for.

When making the switch to union, Tahu was on the list of well paid and high profile league players who converted. Lote Tuqiri, Wendell Sailor, Mat Rogers, and Ryan Cross were all on that list. Cross is the only player that remains in union.

Waratahs officials said that there was little excuse for walking out mid-season.

"While Timana didn't get much game time, he was injured early on and when he did play more often towards the end of the year he showed some real flashes of brilliance," the official said.

"It was a tough back line to break into but the players thought highly enough of his contribution to award him our best back award for the year.

"But if Timana doesn't want to be here … then we're happy to work out an agreement, because you don't want players at your club who aren't committed. The disappointing thing is this is the second time he's said he's been happy in a code before switching that same week."


Time: 03:16

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