Penetimana James Aporo Tahu

A strong running three-quarter Timana Tahu starred in the National Rugby League where he won a premiership, played State of Origin and represented his country. Despite that strong CV Tahu’s transition to the 15-man game was not heralded in the same way, nor was it as successful as that of fellow league converts Mat Rogers, Lote Tuqiri and Wendell Sailor.

Born in Melbourne to a New Zealand Maori father and an indigenous Australian mother, Tahu joined the New South Wales Waratahs in 2008 after eight years in the NRL. He made his Super Rugby debut that year against the Hurricanes and a few months later played his maiden Test against New Zealand in Sydney.

Tahu was capped four times in 2008 but an injury-plagued 2009 saw him reach agreement with the ARU to release him from his contracts, a decision that ended his international rugby career.

Highlights

2008

Tahu won his first Test cap off the bench when he replaced Matt Giteau at fly-half (before switching to inside centre with Berrick Barnes) in the 34-19, 1st Test victory over New Zealand in Sydney. He made his run-on XV debut at No.12 in the 8-53, 3rd Test loss to South Africa in Johannesburg.