26 Aug 2008

Tahu ready, says Deans, as Elsom decision delayed

6:06 am on 26 August 2008

The Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has declared former league star Timana Tahu ready to start his first rugby Test.

Deans has confirmed Tahu will be considered as the replacement for injured second-five Berrick Barnes in Australia's clash with the Springboks in Johannesburg on Sunday.

He says the 20 minutes Tahu played in the win at Durban shows he is perfecty capable of starting a Test.

The Wallabies say back-to-back wins in the Republic for the first time in 45 years is their priority, but the match will will have no bearing on the outcome of the Tri-Nations so they'd have nothing to lose by experimenting with Tahu.

Meanwhile 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 last night only for the result to be held over.

There was also no decision on South African prop CJ van der Linde's citing for a headbutt on Wallabies halfback Sam Cordingley.