WARATAHS centre Timana Tahu will play his first match of club rugby for West Harbour when the Pirates play Randwick at Coogee Oval tomorrow.
Tahu has overcome injury, had an impact in the Waratahs' charge to the Super 14 final and impressed for Australia A in the IRB Pacific Nations Cup. This form in less than six months in the sport has already earned the rugby league recruit a place in the Wallabies squad. However, this week he will wear Pirates colours for the first time.
West Harbour have scored 76 tries in 2008, equal top of the competition with Sydney University, and Tahu's inclusion will only add more potency to what is already one of the Shute Shield's most impressive back lines.
The match features third against fourth and could have a big impact on which team qualifies for semi-final positions.
Tahu is one of eight players not required by Robbie Deans for the Wallabies' Test against South Africa tomorrow night, with seven players returning to play in the Shute Shield.
Two of those Wallabies are Dean Mumm and Dan Vickerman, who will lock the Sydney University scrum in their first-versus-sixth clash with Eastern Suburbs.
This match has extra significance being the 200th clash between the two teams and Easts will wear a commemorative black jersey to recognise the occasion.
The other top-six match features second-placed Gordon against fifth-placed Warringah at Chatswood Oval.
In Wellington, meanwhile, nine All Blacks squad members have been cleared to play provincial or club rugby ahead of the Tri Nations Test against the Wallabies on Saturday week.
New Zealand coach Graham Henry took the chance to give the fringe players game time during a week's break in their Tri Nations program. His squad regathers in Wellington on Sunday to prepare for the clash with Australia in Sydney.
Stephen Donald, Richard Kahui, Sione Lauaki and Kevin O'Neill were scheduled to play in Waikato's pre-season match against Japanese side Suntory yesterday. Flanker Chris Masoe and prop Neemia Tialata are available for Wellington's match against Otago today.
The other players include winger Anthony Tuitavake, halfback Jimmy Cowan and hooker Keven Mealamu.
NZPA
