Tahu to play at outside centre

The much raved-about Waratahs recruit Timana Tahu looks firmly set to start his first season of Rugby Union at outside centre. Tahu joined the Waratahs after spending three successful seasons with National Rugby League (NRL) outfit the Parramatta Eels. He announced in March that he would switch codes when his NRL contract expired this year. Although there has been considerable hype surrounding his joining the Super 14 tournament, there has also been some uncertainty about which position would best suit him. "I talked over where I would play with Ewen (McKenzie) and the coaching staff and we decided I would be better off at outside centre rather than inside," Tahu told the Illawarra Mercury on Monday. "I have watched a few tapes and I thought it would better suit my game," added the 27-year-old midfielder. After playing some Rugby Union at Wollongong University last week, the League star admitted that he was still finding his feet in the more structured form of the game. "There are a few things to learn but having Lote [Tuqiri] there is really helpful and the other guys are making things easier to pick up," said Tahu. Tuqiri joined the Waratahs in 2003 after playing Rugby League for the Brisbane Bronco's and Queensland and has adapted very well ever since. Tahu feels that he will also adapt soon. "It's different from the NRL in many ways but it's still football," said the former Rugby League star. "I have played in representative teams with different coaches and different structures and have had to pick things up quickly," said the confident Waratahs player. Tahu added that it was just a matter of time before all the new things he had learned became second nature. One aspect of the game he might need to get used to, however, is receiving a lot less ball than he would in Rugby League. "I'm used to following the ball a bit but in rugby it's more important for me to get back out wide and wait for the ball to come to me. "All the boys have been great at training saying things might sound complicated at training but once you get out on the field it will be just like the NRL. Play it as you see it," said Tahu. The warm-up match against the Reds at Campbelltown, Adelaide on January 26 will be the true test for Waratahs centre.