Tahu gets Wallaby call-up

Waratah back Timana Tahu has been rewarded for an eye-catching Pacific Nations Cup campaign in the Australia A side with selection in the Wallabies 30-man squad for the 2008 Tri-Nations.

Waratah back Timana Tahu has been rewarded for an eye-catching Pacific Nations Cup campaign in the Australia A side with selection in the Wallabies 30-man squad for the 2008 Tri-Nations.

The 27-year-old is one of four players named on Monday who were not selected in the initial Wallabies squad that contested the first three Tests of the season.

Waratahs lock Dan Vickerman returns to the national squad following injury, while Force back Drew Mitchell and Reds forward Hugh McMeniman have also been named after strong performances for Australia A.

Tahu's selection comes after impressing for Australia A in the Pacific Nations Cup, including two tries in Sunday's loss to New Zealand Maori.

His elevation to the national squad continues a meteoric rise for the former rugby league international who missed much of the Super 14 due to a hamstring injury.

“We've been watching Timana closely, and believe the time is right to introduce him to this level,” said Wallaby coach Robbie Deans.

“He has made good progress after a frustrating start to the year.

“While he is still learning the game, it is clear he has the ability to make an impact on a game, and will only get better as he gains more experience.”

Fellow Waratahs Matt Dunning, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Lote Tuqiri and Wycliff Palu have all missed recent Tests with injury, however all four are expected to be fit for some involvement when the squad assembles for training at Manly on Tuesday.

Half of the Wallabies squad is now made up of Waratahs who fill ten of the 17 forwards positions and five of 13 places in the backs.

Wallabies Tri-Nations squad:

Backs: Adam Ashley Cooper ( Brumbies), Berrick Barnes (Reds), Luke Burgess (Waratahs), Sam Cordingley (Reds), Ryan Cross (Force), Matt Giteau (Force), Peter Hynes (Reds), Drew Mitchell (Force), Stirling Mortlock (c) (Brumbies), Brett Sheehan (Waratahs), Timana Tahu (Waratahs), Lote Tuqiri (Waratahs), Lachie Turner (Waratahs).

Forwards: Ben Alexander (Brumbies), Al Baxter (Waratahs), Richard Brown (Force), Matt Dunning (Waratahs), Rocky Elsom (Waratahs), Adam Freier (Waratahs), James Horwill (Reds), Hugh McMeniman (Reds), Stephen Moore (Reds), Dean Mumm (Waratahs), Wycliff Palu (Waratahs), Tatafu Polota-Nau (Waratahs), Benn Robinson (Waratahs), Nathan Sharpe (Force), George Smith (Brumbies), Phil Waugh (Waratahs), Dan Vickerman (Waratahs).