Cannon unleashes on Tahu

[TOCC]

I think he said what we are all thinking

Hey peanut, give back your Wallabies jersey

I'VE never met Timana Tahu, but here is a collection of thoughts that sprang to mind when I heard him rate the NSW Origin jumper ahead of the Wallaby jersey last week.
Space cadet, peanut, pelican, impostor, mercenary and muppet.

Upon closer inspection, I discovered Timana has a serial case of foot-in-mouth disease dating back to well before he switched codes to chase the lure of more cash in rugby union.

Tahu is a classic example of the old analogy about people who hunt with the hounds and run with the foxes.

Here are some pearls of wisdom from the world according to Timana.

"Coming across to Super 14 no one really knows how I play, which is probably a bonus for me."

Or in early 2009, when the word got around he was looking to quit and head back to league, another gem: "I don't miss the game at all. I won't be going back. To go back to rugby league now I don't think I would have the spark that I had a couple of years ago.

"In rugby, you don't see as much of the ball but, skill-wise, I've become a better player. I've learned how to pass, kick and play both sides of the field. In certain situations I play first receiver, sometimes I'm on the wing or I might be at fullback."

And what about this dig at his old NRL brethren: "In rugby union, our players have other things to worry about than getting on the piss. They have uni degrees or go to uni and they're occupied with life outside of football. When I played league I did nothing but play league. Union is setting me up for something more."

Tahu went on to outline how he was studying for a business diploma and hoped to work in sports management upon retirement.

Wow. Truly, special stuff.

Righto, Timana, my go.

Firstly, you can start by handing back your Wallaby jumper and forfeiting the number you were given when you ran on for your first cap.

Next, we'll reduce the number of capped Wallabies from 836 to 835, because playing for Australia obviously meant so little to you.

Every capped Wallaby, starting from the great Patrick "Paddy" Carew in 1899, would be ashamed with your lack of respect.

Thirdly, let's have a look at your form in the 15-a-side game. Mate, you spent more time with the West Harbour Pirates or warming the Waratahs bench than you did in any Wallaby camp. And you got paid $400,000 a year.

I had to laugh when I read your quote about, "coming across to Super 14, no one really knows how I play, which is probably a bonus for me".

Mate, you didn't even know how you played rugby union! Hilarious.

Rugby fans only have to remember the Test you played against South Africa in Pretoria for a reminder of your career in the Wallaby gold.

That was the day we found out that two extra players on the field was two too many for you.

It was like you were playing on your own. The Springboks kept running around you, inside and out. You looked like a deer in the headlights.

If that's the reason you rate your NSW Origin jerseys ahead of the Wallaby jumper, maybe I can begin to try to understand where the dribble that spouts out of your mouth originates from.

Hang on, no, sorry, I can't.

One thing I'll never grasp about rugby league - and this isn't intended to be a shot at the code - is how playing for the Kangaroos is secondary to playing for NSW or Queensland in Origin.

Look at the fanfare State of Origin is currently generating compared to the treatment the Anzac Test received in Melbourne this month.

Origin is everything, which for me, is just all wrong.

It's a sad reflection when you openly have some of the game's finest athletes endorsing playing for their state ahead of playing for their country wearing the green and gold.

I just don't get that. In rugby union, the golden pathway everyone wants to follow is to play for the Wallabies.

So Tahu should hang his head in shame. And while I've still got hold of him, let me add this.

Of the league converts who have become dual internationals, Tahu is by far the worst.

The others - Wendell Sailor, Lote Tuqiri and Mat Rogers - warranted selection and absolutely loved playing for their country.

You could see it in their eyes at the 2003 World Cup, on a world stage.

Tahu struggled in a game he obviously felt he would be able to master standing on his ear.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...wallabies-jersey/story-e6frey4i-1225870010397

 

[RugbyReg]

wow! How very un-Canno like!

 

[Scarfman]

I would have liked to have seen the exact Tahu quote. Still, if he did say that the origin jersey is worth more to him than the Wallaby jersey, then yeah, it's open season.

 

[fatprop]

Timana Tahu rates playing for NSW ahead of representing Australia in league or union

* By Nick Walshaw
* From: The Daily Telegraph
* May 18, 2010 12:00AM

TIMANA Tahu has put the entire state of Queensland on notice - warning his latest NSW Origin jersey means more than any worn for the Wallabies or Kangaroos.

Despite already being written off by bookies, banana-benders and even some Blues fans, an impassioned Tahu insists the 2010 NSW squad is capable of causing an Origin upset to rival Alfie Langer's ambush nine years ago.

And the dual international, who returns to Origin footy after two seasons in rugby, told The Daily Telegraph it would be "NSW passion and aggression" that silenced critics such as Queensland icon Chris "Choppy" Close, who suggested on Sunday the Blues could "bring back Jesus Christ if they like, it won't make any difference".

"Queenslanders think Origin belongs to them," Tahu fired.

"They think this game is theirs and us New South Welshman are only good for turning up every year to get bashed. To lose.



"That's what they think, what their fans think, too. And to be honest, I hope that's what Chris Close is telling them.

"Because I can assure you they've got another thing coming this year. For me personally, this NSW jersey means more than any I wore representing my country in rugby. Means more than playing with the Kangaroos.

"I put this jersey on and get shivers right down my back. Honestly, I get goosebumps.

"To me this is the pinnacle."

Indeed, this is what the Blues intend to enforce over the next seven days.

Dean Ritchie is tired of Queensland's arrogance and thinks NSW can win. Join his live blog here

It started when a mob of NSW legends joined the squad at Wollongong's Unanderra Hotel - owned by 1980s Origin enforcer Craig Young - for a bonding session last night.

And it's set to be hammered home at every session by Tahu, Brett Kimmorley, Matt Cooper and Jamie Lyon, who between them boast 40 Origin appearances.

It's an underdog attitude buoyed by the fact that, when TAB Sportsbet opened its Origin market yesterday, Queensland were paying $1.67 to win the opener and $1.60 for the series. NSW are $2.15 and $2.30 respectively.

"But there's a lot of aggression in this side. A lot of passion," continued Tahu, who will be given at least 48 hours to overcome an ankle strain after Trent Barrett and Brett Finch were called into camp last night as standby players. "From the moment I walked in here I really felt that - and I think you'll see it when we come out ready to play Wednesday week."

Which, of course, hasn't softened the snickering from north of the border. A state where Israel Folau can threaten to walk to AFL, rugby, soccer or UFC ... and still be picked come Origin time.

So what does NSW skipper Kurt Gidley make of the interstate sledge-a-thon? "Oh, look, I don't buy into any of that rubbish talk," the Newcastle fullback shrugged. "All I can worry about is what I can control, which is my own game and how I lead this team.

"Personally, I like the size of our outside backs.

"Guys like Timana Tahu, Brett Morris, Matt Cooper, Jarryd Hayne, they're a real positive.

"Then you've got a fella like Jamal Idris, in outstanding form, coming off the bench."

 

[louie]

tahu never earned the right play for the green and gold. he failed big time. we all know that he's to stupid to.

 

[tranquility]

Completely over the top.

 

[Scarfman]

OK - in the light of that quote, Conno has gone overboard. He rates NSW above Australia, which is his problem, but I don't see this as a league v union thing the way Canno presents it.

MInd you, "Space cadet, peanut, pelican, impostor, mercenary and muppet" is pretty good. :lmao:

 

[TOCC]

pretty much Tahu never earned the right to wear the wallaby jersey, he received a wallaby jersey based on potential displayed in the NRL, maybe if he played the game from 18yrs old he might have been a real star, but alas he didnt and he goes down in the record books as a failed signing.

 

[fatprop]

pretty much Tahu never earned the right to wear the wallaby jersey, he received a wallaby jersey based on potential displayed in the NRL, maybe if he played the game from 18yrs old he might have been a real star, but alas he didnt and he goes down in the record books as a failed signing.

:nta: His got is chance by being the best player in the Aus A series and injury. He cut the other sides up and then went on the be found out in SA by de Villiers.

I think the whole thing is a beat up, most NRL players would think exactly the same as Tahu.

 

[El Barto]

MInd you, "Space cadet, peanut, pelican, impostor, mercenary and muppet" is pretty good. :lmao:

Albiet, a very rich one now...............

 

[DPK]

Tahu's a league player first and foremost, and SOO is the top level of league. Obviously he's going to think its better than the top level of Rugby. He's entitled to his opinion.

I think Cannon is out of line. Unfortuantley, former player/journalists are representatives in our society of the Rugby community on a whole, and this portrays us as angry, divisive and defamatory by nature. Not on.

Cannon is also entitled to his opinion, but you can't just personally attack someone from a position in the popular media.

 

[RugbyFuture]

cannons working for the daily telegraph......

tahu aint a leaguey hes a mercenary....

enough said.

 

[en_force_er]

Wasn't there some story that he was bagging union a week before penning for the Tahs and he claimed it was to keep the code change under wraps?

Perhaps he was just a massive douche.

 

[MrMouse]

angry, divisive and defamatory by nature.

...and then? :

I think Tahu's pair of brain cells have been working on overtime for some time. He's a spectacular athlete and bear of little brain. He also never got the adoration in Union that he has in League, so it's natural that he'd feel more warm and fuzzy. Canno is just selling off real estate in his soul churning out guff for the Telly.

 

[rugbywhisperer]

Can we put this down to another vote to discontinue active recruitment of league players?

 

[RugbyFuture]

atleast league players with inflated egos and no background in rugby.

 

[RugbyFuture]

reclamation is a different matter

 

[TOCC]

pretty much Tahu never earned the right to wear the wallaby jersey, he received a wallaby jersey based on potential displayed in the NRL, maybe if he played the game from 18yrs old he might have been a real star, but alas he didnt and he goes down in the record books as a failed signing.

:nta: His got is chance by being the best player in the Aus A series and injury. He cut the other sides up and then went on the be found out in SA by de Villiers.

I think the whole thing is a beat up, most NRL players would think exactly the same as Tahu.

i disagree, yeah he went well against the likes of Fiji, Japan and other minnows, however so did many other players, from memory Turinui also carved it up that series, but he wasnt called up to the Wallabies..

I stand by the statement that Tahu was called into the Wallaby jersey based on potential displayed in the NRL not the form he displayed in union.

 

[fatprop]

As well as NZa, Fiji. Tonga

 

[#1 Tah]

Tahu spent his union career playing behind horne. and CARTER