FOR Timana Tahu, the tactics and game patterns of rugby union were like a new language when he switched codes, but with one season behind him he has become an excellent student of the game.
In a recent knowledge test of secret Waratahs' plays by the 14 NSW backs, the former Parramatta Eels rugby league star was one of only four to score correct answers for 12 of the 13 questions posed by NSW assistant coach Scott Wisemantel.
And while he went into the exam confident his grasp of rugby science was good, his result - equal first - helped prove that while he has missed many games due to injury, his time out has far from stalled his progress as some might have suspected.
Tahu resumed contact training with the Waratahs on Monday after returning from the Wallabies end of season tour last year. He tore his left hamstring in the Test against Italy, in which he set up an early try.
"He has a much better understanding of it 12 months down the track," Waratahs head coach Chris Hickey said.
"That score in the knowledge test was pretty good given that he had limited exposure to the back line due to his rehabilitation program. That indicates he is developing a good understanding of the game."
Tahu said his time off was spent well during rehabilitation under NSW medico Dr Sharron Flahive, physio Keiran Cleary, strength and conditioning coach Jason Schulman and physical performance manager Peter McDonald.
Asked about the knowledge test on all the set-play moves being practised by the Waratahs, Tahu said: "I did pretty well. It was a test for 'Wisey' to see if everyone was on the same page, to see if any person was not studying.
"A year ago it would have all been another language. I wouldn't have known what is going on. But this time round, I know how the game is played, and as for the knowledge factor, I am up to scratch with it.
"That one year [in union] has helped me heaps. Playing rugby league ? it was pretty much just sit out on the edge and call the ball whenever you wanted .
"Whereas [in union], I had to learn a whole different and new game and the knowledge of working every move. There are that many set patterns. To learn all those during the year was hard, but this year I've flown into it."
After a year where Tahu was twice spelled because of hamstring tears, there is every reason to believe his knowledge will only sharpen with more time playing rather than in the gym regaining full strength.
"I need to be out on the paddock as much as I can because we have new coaching staff. We have new patterns," he said.
"The more time I am out on the paddock, the better I learn [the game patterns] and the more comfortable the coaches, medical staff and me will be when it comes around to round one [of Super 14]."
And while disappointed to have had his Wallabies tour cut short by injury, Tahu said he was happy for the extra time it has given him in Waratahs pre-season to adapt to the coaching style and philosophy of Hickey.
"I haven't heard one bad thing coming out his mouth. He is similar to Robbie [Deans], just the way he wants us to play," he said."It is not about thinking too much when you are on the field, just playing what you see and play an open game. [With] today's rules in the Super 14 you need to change and not be too structured."
Tahu is not expected to play in the Waratahs' first trial game, against the Queensland Reds in Toowoomba on Saturday week, but should play their second against the Fiji Warriors at Newcastle on Friday, January 30.
The Waratahs will still monitor his workload as the risk of recurrence increases with every breakdown. "It is the sort of injury that comes back to core stability, control around the pelvic area and an overloading on the hamstrings," Flahive said.
Meanwhile, Flahive said Wallabies props Matt Dunning (snapped Achilles) and Sekope Kepu (pectoral muscle) were making good progress with their injuries.
Dunning could be able to play club rugby in about five months, in time to impress for Wallabies selection later this year, while Kepu, at best, could be back in time for the Super 14 in two months, she said.
