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Tahu pours cold water on code switch


Parramatta centre Timana Tahu said the thought of touching the ball "two times a game" was enough to turn him off a switch to rugby union.

Tahu, currently between managers and off contract at the end of the season, said staying with the Eels would be his priority when he sat down to begin negotiations on a new deal.

There had been rumours that the Test and NSW Origin three-quarter would be a target for the cashed-up Australian Rugby Union, but Tahu said he wouldn't even consider a switch of codes as a last resort.

"I don't know if I'd (even) talk to rugby," Tahu said.

"Probably by then I'll just sign up with an NRL club... it wouldn't even be an option to go to union.

"For me it's happiness first, where you're more comfortable.

"They've got heaps of money and they can blow any NRL club out of the water with any player they want but then it comes down to expectation.

"I think that's too much pressure if you want to do that. You're going to have everyone watching you and you make one mistake you're probably going to get pounded for it the rest of your career."

While the pressure that comes with the fat paycheck is one thing, so too is the enjoyment factor for Tahu.

The 26-year-old said he had taken note of the frustrations voiced by Wallabies star Lote Tuqiri about the lack of ball he had received while playing on the wing in rugby union.

Tuqiri is believed to be exploring a move back to rugby league for next season, in part due to his lack of opportunities in the 15-man game, something Tahu said he had taken into account.

"He's a competitive player and so am I, I like being competitive and I like to have the ball in my hands," Tahu said.

"That would probably be the most stressful thing - the game's close and you want to do something and you can't even get the ball because they're very structured.

"Being a centre or winger, you touch the ball two times in a game and I don't really want to be doing that."

While remaining at Parramatta is his No.1 priority, Tahu is sure to command interest from rival NRL clubs.

Neighbouring club Penrith is believed to be in the hunt for the former Newcastle flyer, while other clubs short on outside backs such as Cronulla and South Sydney would also be interested.

Eels coach Michael Hagan, who also coached Tahu at the Knights, said re-signing the centre was a priority.

HINDMARSH EXTENDS STAY WITH EELS

Parramatta has received a massive boost heading into the 2007 season with star forward Nathan Hindmarsh agreeing to remain with the Eels until the end of the 2010 season.

Hindmarsh was on contract for another two years and has now decided to extend that by another two seasons. The way Hindmarsh has handled his contract negotiations is a credit to himself and his family and should serve notice to how other players should handle themselves.

The powerful forward who has been compared to the legendary Ray Price has played in 15 Tests and 13 State of Origin matches and says it's his drive to win a Premiership that keeps him going at the Eels.

Hindmarsh said, "That's what you play for - winning premierships."Everyone wants to play for their country and state but to win a premiership, that's what every young bloke used to watch on the last day of the season. I've never won a grand final, I don't know what it feels like.

"The worst thing is we've been there and lost one (in 2001) so if I happen not to win one I'll always look back on the one we lost, saying 'you've blown the chance to do it'.

"I think the fans are looking forward to one too, we've been there in recent years but we haven't gone all the way and I think they're getting frustrated and I think a few of the senior players are getting frustrated as well because we know we can be a strong side

.Hindmarsh has left the door open in his deal to have a stint in the English Super League competition once his deal expires, which he will be 31 at that time.

The 27-year-old added, "We've left room for maybe trying to get a couple of years overseas depending on how the body's going or a couple of seasons at Parramatta.

"Players these days, they chop and change clubs and you don't see too many players sticking to the one club anymore.

"Parramatta's a great club, they're the one's that gave me the opportunity in the first place so it's nice to repay the favour.

"I started in SG Ball in the under 16s and I'd like to finish at Parra."

Congratulations to Hindmarsh on his new deal, his loyalty to Parramatta and how he has conducted himself in a very quiet and professional matter.

Strong Eels squad to play Titans

PARRAMATTA coach Michael Hagan has named a near full-strength side to play the Gold Coast Titans in a trial match at Lismore on Saturday night.

Internationals Nathan Hindmarsh and Timana Tahu were not considered because of minor injuries but they were the only front-liners missing from the team released today:

Eels: Luke Burt, Jarryd Hayne, Ben Smith, Joel Reddy, Eric Grothe, Brett Finch, Tim Smith, Nathan Cayless, Mark Riddell, Fuifui Moimoi, Ian Hindmarsh, Chad Robinson, Daniel Wagon. Interchange: PJ Marsh, Josh Cordoba, Todd Lowrie, Justin Tsoulos, Richard Fa'aoso, Feleti Mateo, Aaron Cannings.

The trial will start at 7.30pm local time (6.30pm Qld) at Oakes Oval.

Eels win trial match against Sharks

Michael Hagan's reign as Parramatta coach has got off to the best possible start with an understrength Eels outfit beating Cronulla 36-14 in Saturday's NRL trial in Parkes.

The Eels scored seven tries to the Sharks' three in what was the first hitout for both sides ahead of the season proper, which kicks off in just under four weeks.

Hagan chose to rest most of his first-choice squad for the match but the Eels still had too much class for the Sharks, with young Parramatta halves Blake Green and Feleti Mateo particularly impressive.

Despite their performance they are still likely to find themselves in Premier League for round one of the NRL with Hagan insisting he was set to go with Tim Smith and new buy Brett Finch in the halves for the trip to New Zealand when the Eels meet the Warriors in the season opener.

Stand-in skipper Mark Riddell also showed he was ready for a big season with a try and two goals in a typically robust performance, while former Sydney Rooster Richard Fa'aoso did his claims for a place in the Eels pack no end of good with a powerful debut.

"It probably doesn't mean too much but it's good to get the season off to a winning start," said Hagan, who would have been just as relieved to see his side get through the game without any injury concerns.

While the scoreline wouldn't have left on smile on new Sharks coach Ricky Stuart's face, he would have been happy to have seen Ben Ross get through the game unscathed.

The former Queensland Origin front rower was playing his first game in almost 10 months following a knee reconstruction.

Halfback Brett Kearney, former Manly three-quarter Paul Stephenson and young centre Dane Neilsen scored tries for the Sharks, while former Brisbane centre Fraser Anderson showed he was ready for a lengthy stint in the top grade with a solid display.

Eels bid to scare off Tahu poachers

PARRAMATTA has opened talks with Test winger Timana Tahu as it looks to ward off poaching attempts from western Sydney rival Penrith and the Australian Rugby Union.

Tahu's contract with the Eels expires at the end of 2008 but the 26-year-old has an option to leave the club at the end of this year.

"We're obviously very keen for him to stay and we'd like to get it done sooner rather than later," Eels coach Michael Hagan said yesterday.

"We're not naive enough to think there wouldn't be some interest there for him."

Parramatta's attempts to keep its centre under lock and key have been hampered by the fact that Tahu appears to be in the midst of changing management teams.

Penrith has made Tahu its priority signing for next season.

The biggest hurdle the Panthers face is the type of contract he signed with the Eels.
The deal was structured incrementally, meaning Tahu stands to earn much more in the final year of his four-year contract than he did in his first.

However, money would not be a problem for the ARU.

Super 14 team the NSW Waratahs expressed interest in the State of Origin representative when he was off contract with his former club, Newcastle, at the end of 2004. Wallabies coach John Connolly confirmed that Tahu had been mentioned as a possible cross-code recruit.

"His name has crossed my desk but there's a heap of (rugby league) blokes who've been mentioned," Connolly said.

"There's an interest there but we haven't spoken to him."

ARU chief negotiator Pat Wilson said: "On the face of it, he might have the skills that's adaptable to rugby, but we haven't entered into anything yet."

Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie said he first heard Tahu wasinterested in rugby several years ago.

"It was back in the Brumbies days," said McKenzie, who was assistant coach of the ACT side in 1999-2000.

"I haven't spoken to him but I'd be happy to. I never not speak to anyone. You have to speak to people to work out if there is an interest.

"I speak to a lot of rugby league players, more than anyone would know.

"He (Tahu) is a good player but there's lot of good players out there."

A player of Tahu's stature would almost certainly require top-up funding from the ARU, which opens up the prospect ofthe three other Australian Super 14 teams bidding for his services.
Certainly if the Queensland Reds are unsuccessful with their bid to lure Lote Tuqiri back to Brisbane, Tahu would loom large in coach Eddie Jones' sights.

The timing for a league centre making the switch to rugby could not be better.

Such is the dearth of quality centres in Australian rugby that unless some exciting new talent is unearthed during the Super 14 campaign, Connolly will be forced to abandon all thoughts of using Matt Giteau as a halfback during the World Cup and play him instead at inside centre.

Tahu is battling a minor hand injury and wasn't named in the squad to face Cronulla at Parkes on Saturday night for the Eels' opening trial of the season.

"He had a plate inserted in his hand about four or five weeks ago," Hagan said.

"He had it done a couple of years ago and that needed to be replaced.

"He's trained well but he hasn't done much with the team.

"He would be every chance to play in the last trial."

Hagan, who coached Tahu at Newcastle, has confirmed several times he has no intention of switching the Eels centre to his former position on the wing.

That could make Tahu's representative ambitions in his preferred position tough, given that Justin Hodges, Brent Tate, Mark Gasnier, Matt Cooper and Matt King could all vie for Australian honours.

It could also make the switch to rugby a far more attractive option.

"He had a pretty good go at it (centre) in 2005 but last year he only played nine games," Hagan said. "I still think he needs to play a fair amount of time there to establish himself as a representative centre."

In other news, Cronulla has granted Richard Villasanti a release to join English Super League club Harlequins.

Villasanti, who toured with the Kangaroos in 2003, joined the Sharks midway through last season after spending five years at the New Zealand Warriors.

Grothe pursues switch to rugby

RAMPAGING Parramatta winger Eric Grothe could be rugby's next big buy from rugby league, irrespective of whether or not Lote Tuqiri stays with the code.

Australian Rugby Union chief negotiator Pat Wilson yesterday confirmed rumours circulating in league circles that Grothe, 27 next month, had made it known he was interested in switching to rugby when he comes off contract at the end of this year.

"It is very preliminary at this stage," Wilson said.

"It's a balloon going up, nothing more. We haven't met with him, we haven't discussed anything with him at this point."

While Tuqiri's decision on whether to remain with the Waratahs and Wallabies obviously would influence how seriously the ARU pursues Grothe, there is little doubt that he would be seen as a prize recruit to the 15-a-side game.

Grothe, son of Test league wing sensation of the 1980s Eric, is regarded as one of the hardest and fastest runners in the 13-a-side game. At 188cm and 102kg, he has the build to fully exploit crosskicks to the winger.

Confirmation that the ARU is chasing Grothe comes a day after The Australian revealed it was also targeting his Parramatta team-mate Timana Tahu.

The Eels' bid to negotiate a new deal for Tahu, who has a get-out clause for the final year of his contract next year, is being hampered by the fact the winger is between management companies. Sources told The Australian yesterday the sports agency trying to acquire Tahu could be doing so to offer the Eels duo as a package to the ARU.

It is understood The Eels opened talks with Grothe last month and are in the process of tabling a two-year offer to keep the NSW winger.

"We are very keen for him to stay at the Eels and we are hopeful or confident of reaching a decision soon," Eels coach Michael Hagan said yesterday.

Parramatta is treating the threat seriously, although there is some scepticism as to whether the ARU's interest in Grothe is genuine. Unlike Tahu, Grothe has never played rugby and is hardly regarded in the NRL as an outside back with any kicking prowess.

However, these obstacles did not stop the ARU from signing Brisbane duo Wendell Sailor and Tuqiri.

Grothe enjoyed one of his best seasons last year, being selected to represent NSW in all three games in the Origin series. That eased the pain of his previous selection in 2000 when he was forced to withdraw with a knee injury.

"He just played Origin for the first time last year and I thought overall during the season he played some good footy," Hagan said. "He's a damaging outside back in our game and I think he's happy enough at Parra at this stage."

Riddell to lead Eels

While coach Hogan has decided to leave most of his top line players at home and give some of his younger stars the opportunity to shine, several will be keen to play well and push claims for first side positions.

One the new faces in a Parramatta guernsey this season will be Richard Fa'aoso who signed a three-year contract with the club after having played with Castleford in the English Super League.

Fa'aoso is a versatile type who can play either in the centres or be used as back-rower in the forwards. He has been suggested as a replacement for departing Eel Michael Vella who is currently in England with Hull KR.

Parramatta: 1 Michael Lett, 2 Etu Uaisele, 3 Krisnan Inu, 4 Joel Reddy, 5 Taulima Tautai, 6 Feleti Mateo, 7 Blake Green, 8 Josh Cordoba, 9 Mark Riddell, 10 Justin Tsoulos, 11 Richard Fa'aoso, 12 Weller Hauraki, 13 Zeb Taia.

Bench: 15 Matthew Keating, 15 Junior Paulo, 16 Brendan Oake, 17 Aaron Cannings, 18 James Maloney, 19 David Williams, 20 James Grehan, 21 Aaron Wood, 22 Alfred Betham

Lack of big names short-changes fans

THE media release accompanying the naming of Parramatta's team for Saturday night's trial in Parkes said it all.

A lone paragraph telling us hooker Mark Riddell would be captain.

There wasn't much else you could say about the 22-man squad. Only the staunchest Parramatta supporter would know most of the players.

Riddell, props Josh Cordoba and Justin Tsoulos, second rower Richard Fa'aoso and bench player Aaron Cannings are the only players likely to figure in coach Michael Hagan's first grade plans once the season unfolds.

People planning on attending the game in Parkes could easily feel short-changed. Maybe the timing of the trial is the problem. The Eels play a second trial against the Roosters at Gosford in March and more of their stars are likely to be involved there given it's the last trial game before the NRL season gets under way.

Sure, trials are designed for coaches to run their eye over fringe first graders and promising juniors. But coaches can do that at home. When teams come to country towns like Parkes the fans want to, and deserve to, see the big names.

As much as a trial, the game is also a promotion. I don't expect the clubs to send full strength squads.

It's unrealistic to ask someone like Parramatta second rower Nathan Hindmarsh to play in Parkes given his taxing season last year, but surely some of the other 'name' players could have been involved.

Maybe the Eels have a good excuse for not using more of their stars. Maybe some are injured. But there's certainly a long list of regular first graders who aren't playing in Parkes, namely Nathan and Ian Hindmarsh, Nathan Cayless, Brett Finch, Eric Grothe, Jarryd Hayne, PJ Marsh, Tim Smith, Ben Smith, Daniel Wagon, Chad Robinson and Timana Tahu.

The Sharks are only marginally better. There's no Brett Kimmorley but at least new signings Brett Seymour and Josh Hannay and prop Ben Ross will play.

Coaches have every right to feel nervous about using key players in trials for fear of injury.

It's just disappointing a lot of the big names aren't going to feature in Parkes.

Eels coach puts faith in Finch and Smith

New Parramatta coach Michael Hagan has assured Brett Finch and Tim Smith first crack at forming the Eels' new halves combination - despite both being left out of the opening trial.

Hagan named a mostly inexperienced side for Saturday night's trip to Parkes to play Cronulla, with not one of the players named in the backline likely to feature come round one of the NRL season.

The pack has a more familiar look about it with hooker Mark Riddell leading a group that includes Josh Cordoba, Justin Tsoulos and former Sydney Roosters backrower Richard Fa'aoso in the starting line-up and rugged prop Aaron Cannings on the bench.

Feleti Mateo and Blake Green were named at five-eighth and halfback respectively but Hagan said Finch and Smith still remained his first-choice and likely halves pairing for the Eels' NRL opener against the New Zealand Warriors.

"I know training's one thing and playing's another but they've been really impressive in what they've done," Hagan said.

"They're running the team particularly well so I'm going to give them every chance to work together and get some confidence."

Finch joined the club in the offseason following an up-and-down four year stint at the Roosters.
He was viewed as the ideal replacement for departing five-eighth John Morris, and so far Hagan likes what he's seen.

Finch and Smith are likely to play in next week's trial against the Gold Coast in Lismore, with the opening trial against the Sharks more a chance for the younger brigade to shine.

"I guess you could say it's a reward in some cases for some players," Hagan said.

"Most of those young guys have spent a fair bit of time with us in the pre-season and deserve the opportunity at the start of the trial campaign to show what they can do.

"(Mateo and Green) have served a pretty good apprenticeship - both played in premiership winning teams in Premier League, they've both been at the club a number of years.

"I think one or both would be a real chance of playing some first grade this year either in the halves or Feleti could even play lock or backrow - he's probably going to have that allrounder sort of tag."

The match will mark the return from shoulder reconstructions for front rowers Tsoulos and Cannings, both having missed the tailend of last year's run to the NRL finals.

Hagan said Riddell had come to him seeking to play in the trial - a request the former Newcastle mentor was only too happy to agree to.

"He's a bloke that needs to play games and (we're) mindful of getting him as much footy as we can before the season starts," Hagan said.

"But as far as the amount of work that he's done and his weight's going - he's done's everything asked and he's trained really well so hopefully he'll start the year in pretty good shape."

Following the clash with the Sharks, the Eels take on the Titans in Lismore on February 24 before wrapping up their pre-season preparations with a match against the Roosters in Gosford on March 3.

Stop tackling, start running

NEW Parramatta coach Michael Hagan fears his star forward Nathan Hindmarsh is facing burnout if he does not reduce his phenomenal workload in defence.

Hindmarsh has made a staggering 3405 tackles in the past five years.

But Hagan wants him to turn back the clock and become the destructive wide-running forward that once terrorised opposing defensive lines.

Hagan revealed yesterday he has asked Hindmarsh to reduce his defensive workload this season and focus more on attack.

"Nathan was a damaging ball-runner early in his career,'' Hagan said.

"In the brief couple of chats I've had with him, Nathan has said he'd like to do less in defence.

"His workrate is phenomenal - that's why he is among the top five players in the game.

"But we need to get a balance. There is an opportunity for him in attack outside (halves) Tim Smith and Brett Finch rather than be stuck in the middle carting it forward as he's done the last few years.

"There are other players there to do that.''

The other players Hagan refers to are props Nathan Cayless, Fuifui Moimoi, Justin Tsoulos, Josh Corboda and Aaron Cannings.

"Nathan's workrate won't completely disappear but he can combine with (centres) Ben Smith and Timana Tahu on the edge of the ruck - it's not just an opportunity for Nathan but also for the team,'' Hagan said.

Hindmarsh struggled in attack last year mainly due to Parramatta's horror injury toll in the forwards.

Toward the end of last season, the Eels were missing five front-rowers through injury, with Hindmarsh forced to play occasionally at prop.

"We were a bit light-on last year,'' Hagan said.

Hindmarsh says he's keen to again start lurking wide in attack.

"It's not that I don't enjoy the workload,'' Hindmarsh said.

"I now understand how hard it is being a front-rower. The quality of your attack is hampered by the defence you do in the middle.

"I want to improve my attack and if that means standing out wide in attack then I'll do that.''
Hindmarsh admitted his attack had decreased in recent years.

"It has tended to fall away,'' Hindmarsh said.

"Maybe I've lost a bit of speed but I do want some of the spark to come back.'' Hindmarsh is enjoying life under Hagan.

"He has a few different ideas to (last year's coach Brian Smith),'' Hindmarsh said. "Everything is going well

Eels are closing in on a premiership, says Price

PARRAMATTA legend Ray Price believes the Eels are set to end their premiership drought - if their halves can fire.

Price, who captained the Eels to their last title in 1986, has been a vocal critic of the club in recent years, especially of former coach Brian Smith.

But he is upbeat about the Eels' chances under Michael Hagan and believes a title is within reach.

"I think they'll go a lot better with a new coach," he said.

"They had to get rid of Brian Smith. They obviously weren't responding to him. I think in the next couple of years they'll have a comp.

"You can't say 'Hagan will come in and win it for us' all of a sudden, but I don't think he'll be far from it.

"He'll sort out the players he wants and take it from there."

Price said his only reservation was about the new halves pairing of Tim Smith and Brett Finch.

"The halves are the only thing that concerns me about Parramatta," he said.

"We haven't got a strong Peter Sterling [type] halfback who can set up the forwards and continue to play.

"Neither of those players do that, but if they can run off each other, then there'll be light at the end of the tunnel."

The 53-year-old said the Parramatta players owed it to their long-suffering fans to win a competition after years of disappointment.

"It's not just them now, they're not playing just for themselves - they are playing for their fans and their pride," he said.

"[Prop Fuifui] Moimoi has to take more responsibility this year and not get sent off for 10 things as he did at the end of last year."

Price said he was making a strong recovery from bowel cancer and had experienced no side effects from chemotherapy.

"It will take more than a bastard like this to get me down," he said.

Bring on the football, say Eels

NEW Parramatta coach Michael Hagan says his players are now "frustrated" with pre-season training and want to start playing some football.

The Eels yesterday completed a two-day camp on the NSW Central Coast which included a game of park cricket at Terrigal.
Hagan said his players have had 10 gruelling weeks of off-season training and are now ready to play.

Parramatta play their first trial against Cronulla in Parkes on February 17.

"I think it's got to the stage where they want to play a game," Hagan said last night.

"They're probably a little frustrated.

"Normally at the end of a week you can get out there and vent some anger or energy.

"But that doesn't happen in the off-season.

"Having said that, it's only two weeks before our first trial."

Hagan said skipper Nathan Cayless had admirably led his side's pre-season training.

"I think we're in pretty good shape physically and the boys are in good spirits," Hagan said.

"It has been a hard 10-week pre-season so going to the Central Coast just mixed things up a bit."

Parramatta will field a class side this season. The Eels have stylish outside backs, sharp halves and a mobile forward pack, led by Cayless and representative player Nathan Hindmarsh.