Tahu Is Not Ready For Centres: Mckenzie

Sydney Morning Herald

Tuesday February 26, 2008

Greg Growden Chief Rugby Correspondent

TIMANA TAHU'S anticipated move into the Waratahs midfield is expected to be delayed for yet another week, but Wallabies halfback Josh Valentine is in line to return against the Highlanders in Dunedin on Saturday night.

Although the Waratahs' 20-17 loss to the Chiefs in Hamilton on Saturday exposed the visitors' attacking frailties, putting extra pressure on the NSW selectors to move Tahu from the wing into the centres, coach Ewen McKenzie was yesterday calling for calm.

McKenzie argued that this was not yet the time for a major overhaul, and argued that he learnt during last year's dismal Super 14 season the dangers of repeatedly changing personnel.

However, McKenzie is also aware the Waratahs' attack lacks experience and there are few leaders out wide. To counter that, McKenzie is considering recalling Valentine, who has six seasons of Super 14 experience.

Valentine has performed with distinction in recent NSW A games and is an assured midfield kicker. The Waratahs' positional kicking against the Chiefs was poor and Valentine, who is also considered a back-up five-eighth, could help solve that problem.

McKenzie was bobbing and weaving about selections yesterday but conceded Valentine, who had been overlooked for the first two rounds of the tournament, was back in the mix.

"The kicking skills of Valentine are very important," McKenzie said yesterday. "He's also one of the more experienced players we've got.

"The reality is that Lote Tuqiri is about 50 Tests and 50 more caps more experienced than anyone else in the Waratahs' back line. So someone like a Valentine could add some experience."

That general rawness was on show in Hamilton, especially when the NSW attack broke down. Five-eighth Kurtley Beale put outside-centre Ben Jacobs through with a majestic pass in the 46th minute but the Waratahs No.13 subsequently struggled, throwing one bad pass, and missing another. One try was scored but two more went missing.

Such indecisiveness has added weight to the call for Tahu to be moved from wing to the centres. McKenzie conceded it will happen, but when exactly is still a bit of a mystery.

When asked about Tahu moving to midfield, McKenzie replied: "We consider it every week. It's just a question of what's best for the team. In the end, it will happen. But I don't think we will be making radical changes.

"I'm conscious of balancing cohesion and confidence. I learnt that lesson last year. If we just chop and change every week, players will battle confidence because they're not quite sure whether they're in or out, and we will also battle for combinations. We just have to work through and attend to details.

"We're quite confident we've got a pretty good skeleton in place. We've just got to get the proverbial flesh sorted out."

Even though the Waratahs have a good record in Dunedin, one of the Highlanders' traditional strengths could lead to their downfall. Man mountain Carl Hayman has left, but the Highlanders have recovered well, with two enormous props in Jamie Mackintosh and Clint Newland, a pair with the ability to decimate opposing packs.

? The International Rugby Board will intensify its campaign to convince the northern hemisphere countries to follow the lead of the south and play under the experimental laws variations (ELV) being trialled in the Super 14.

Despite the belief of some in the north that the experimental laws are a southern conspiracy aimed at improving its standing in the international game, the laws have the solid support of many influential European IRB members. The IRB will next month meet with the Six Nations representatives to persuade them that they should consider the law variations.

However, the first major tournament to use the experimental laws is likely to be this year's Tri Nations. SANZAR will meet soon to decide whether the tournament is played under the ELVs.

Spiro Zavos - Page 36

© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald

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