Tahu tipped to debut for Wallabies

(AAP) - His fullbacks are falling by the wayside, but Wallabies coach Robbie Deans may well have seen enough from Timana Tahu to include the former league star in his Tri-Nations squad.

As Deans looked on, inside centre Tahu passed his biggest test yet.
Tahu scored two tries and again displayed some terrific footwork in Australia A's
21-18 Pacific Nations Cup loss to New Zealand Maori at Sydney Football Stadium.

One man who won't be in the squad is fullback Cameron Shepherd, who suffered a
broken leg in Saturday night's 40-10 win over France in Brisbane.
Shepherd, who missed much of 2007 with a knee injury, was the favourite to wear the
Wallabies No.15 jersey against South Africa on Saturday week in Perth.
However, he will miss the entire tournament and will be out for four months and
undergo surgery this week.

There was better news for Deans regarding two other casualties from the game.
Centre Berrick Barnes (shoulder) and lock James Horwill (eye socket) were cleared of
serious injury.

Tahu, who could come under consideration as a backup for Barnes as well as an
outside centre and winger, downplayed his Tri-Nations prospects.
"It would be an honour to make the Wallabies, but the Wallabies are not on my mind
at the moment," Tahu said.

Fullback has quickly become Australia's cursed position. Shepherd's injury blow
follows the extended losses of Test stalwart Chris Latham (shoulder) and Julian
Huxley (brain tumour).

The trio were Australia's World Cup fullback options late last year.
"As is often the case you get runs (in positions),' Deans said. "It's a bit
like the locking area, we've had a run there as well but that's fine, it's just part
of the terrain.

"One man's suffering is harsh but one man's suffering is always an opportunity for
another and I'm sure there's heaps of willing men who'll step up."
Brumbies utility Adam Ashley-Cooper, whose preferred position is outside centre, is
the frontrunner to start at 15 against the Springboks.
"Ashley-Cooper did well, he handled some things very well,' Deans said.
"He's a player who likes to be involved which is a good trait and he can do better
too."

But unlike the second-row, where Nathan Sharpe (groin), Daniel Vickerman (ankle) and
Mark Chisholm (virus) are all set to return in the coming weeks, the Wallabies
coaches will have to cultivate a fullback.

Like Ashley-Cooper, Drew Mitchell and Mark Gerrard have played the bulk of their
careers on the wing.
Mitchell rolled an ankle in the PNC game, but it wasn't expected to affect his
availability for the Tri Nations opener.

Talented rookie Lachie Turner, who produced a patchy debut on the wing was keen to
put his name forward after taking the custodian's role for NSW in the Super 14.

Deans is optimistic Barnes will overcome an AC problem to play the Springboks after
he improved when taken off early in the second half.
"He's a bit sore but it freed up as the night went on so we're pretty hopeful," he
said.

"It's hard to know really."
Prop Al Baxter also sported bandages after an accidental poke in the eye but
reported he was in no doubt for the Tri-Nations.
Deans said Sharpe should return next week while much attention will be on how winger
Lote Tuqiri (knee) returns to training in the coming days.

Apart from man-of-the-match five-eighth Matt Giteau, flanker Phil Waugh was one of
Australia's best in his first 2008 start to throw down the gauntlet to George Smith.
"He's a class act and he's a world class player and we're blessed to have two of
them, possibly more in that position in Australia,' Deans said.
"It's one area where we're pretty good so it's great and they relish every
opportunity they get. He'll get more, they both will."