Eels turn to Tahu

Rugby-bound centre Timana Tahu has slotted straight back into the Parramatta starting line-up for Monday's NRL clash with Newcastle, despite the strong recent form of Krisnan Inu.

Tahu has missed the Eels last four games with a hamstring injury.
But coach Michael Hagan said the club was confident the former test star, who will join the Waratahs next season, was now fit to return.

"He has trained really well over the past fortnight and we are confident he will be okay," Hagan said.

New Zealand international Inu, who has scored four tries in eight NRL games this season and formed a lethal centre combination with Ben Smith in recent weeks, has been named on a five-man bench as insurance for NSW Origin winger Jarryd Hayne.

"It was a bit of a tough call leaving Krisnan out but he has been named on the bench as some coverage for Jarryd Hayne who has to come through the Origin match," Hagan said.

"The Knights are a different team when Buderus, Simpson and Kurt Gidley are in their line-up.

"It is going to be a tremendous match and Monday nights have been good to us so far, so we are looking for that to continue."