Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has declared former NRL star Timana Tahu ready to start his first rugby Test.
Deans has confirmed Tahu will be considered as the replacement for injured centre Berrick Barnes (shoulder) in Australia's clash with the Springboks in Johannesburg this Saturday.
While Deans has to wait another day to find out whether he'll be without flanker Rocky Elsom who faced a judicial hearing for dangerous play yesterday only for the result to be held over he's already making his feelings known about a possible replacement for Barnes.
The coach has several possible midfield combinations to choose from, one of which would include the fast-tracking of former Kangaroo Tahu into the Wallabies' No12 jersey.
''There's no doubt he can start a Test, he's perfectly capable of that,'' Deans said yesterday.
After playing just three minutes off the bench in his Test debut a month ago, Tahu got the final 20 minutes at inside-centre in Durban after Ryan Cross had originally replaced Barnes from the 20th minute of the game.
At that point, outside-centre Stirling Mortlock moved in one position with Cross playing at No13.
''It was great for Timana to get the time that he got,'' Deans said. ''We delayed his entry obviously and deferred to the blokes who had the background of Test rugby first with the initial replacement option.
''But when Timana got in the game ... my first instinct was that he did really well having watched it live.
''We'll have a look at the footage and pour over it and contemplate our combinations and what we believe will work for us.''
Tahu has been a pet project of Deans after the 27-year-old's debut season with the NSW Waratahs was all but wrecked by injury.
Tahu played wing and some outside-centre under Ewen McKenzie. But Deans insisted he get a chance at inside-centre in Australia A's Pacific Nations Cup campaign following the Super 14.
Australia is insisting a first win at Ellis Park in 45 years is its priority. But the Johannesburg Test will have no bearing on the outcome of the Tri Nations series, so the Wallabies would have nothing to lose by experimenting with Tahu. Cross, another former NRL star, performed well on Saturday and put his hand up for a promotion from the bench.
''I think I've taken my opportunities this year so hopefully if I get a spot we can make it another good win,'' he said. ''I see myself as a 13, but obviously Stirling's captain and also had a great game yesterday, but I could slot in at 12 or any other place in the backline.''
Australia's side is likely to provide a glimpse of a near future without lock Dan Vickerman and Elsom, who are both bound for Europe next year. Vickerman has been sidelined by a shoulder injury and Elsom was cited for dangerous play after he pulled Springboks jumper Victor Matfield down in a lineout. AAP
SATURDAY
Tri Nations: South Africa v Australia at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, 11pm. TV Time: Live on Fox Sports1.
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