Tahu Will Not Ram Into Side

Sydney Morning Herald

Friday September 7, 2007

Jamie Pandaram

PARRAMATTA star Timana Tahu is no certainty to walk into the Western Sydney Rams side should the Eels be knocked out of the NRL finals prematurely, Rams coach Brian Melrose said.

Tahu is switching codes and is contracted to NSW for next year, so naturally Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie is keen to give the flying back line entertainer as much game time as possible before pre-season training begins.

If the Eels bow out of the finals in the next few weeks, Tahu is expected to be available for the Rams in the Australian Rugby Championship.

Melrose said while Tahu was a tremendous talent, the former Kangaroos winger wouldn't simply oust a high-performing player at the top-of-the-table club.

"We have got to have a spot for him," Melrose said. "He is such a good player that if he did become available we would have to look at the situation.

"If we haven't [got a spot], there's nothing we can actually do about that."

But the Rams have three players sidelined including their in-form centre Chris Siale, who has a left ankle injury and will be out for at least two weeks.

"It is really frustrating because I was just starting to hit my straps," said Siale, who will play for the Queensland Reds in the Super 14 next year.

"One of my main goals this year was to stay injury-free ... I just want to get back out there, hopefully in two weeks."

© 2007 Sydney Morning Herald

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