Tahu Not Wanted By Some Players

T

TheRedAfro

Rod Shoesmith
NSW Blues face player revolt surrounding Timana Tahu's selection

By Dean Ritchie
 June 19, 2010
NSW Blues players do not want Timana Tahu back for Origin III but NSW rugby league officials fear they will be labelled racists if they choose to overlook him.
A source close to the Blues camp indicated Tahu was set to reclaim his position for the final match on July 7 at ANZ Stadium at the expense of Joel Monaghan.

However the move to bring Tahu back into the Blues fold could result in a player revolt, with some former teammates still angry about his decision to quit camp without telling them.

NSWRL chief executive Geoff Carr said his organisation would welcome Tahu back for the final match, but stressed it was a decision for coach Craig Bellamy and the four NSW selectors -- Bob Fulton, Laurie Daley, Geoff Gerard and Bob McCarthy.

"If NSW don't pick him, they could be accused of being racist," a source close to the camp said yesterday.

"It's a messy situation. It could get further complicated because some of his teammates weren't happy Timana walked out without talking to them or Joey. A lot of players felt let down." They are dirty but I reckon (the selectors) are going to have to pick him."

Carr confirmed Tahu's name would be in the mix when selecting the Blues side for the final match.

"Timana elected to take a course of action before the second game because of his personal beliefs," Carr said last night. "As far as the NSWRL is concerned, we respect him for that decision. As a result, Timana will be considered for a place in Origin III by the selectors."

Tahu left camp after taking offence at a racist comment from then Blues assistant coach Andrew Johns.

Before departing, he collected his $800 per diem for being in camp.

All NSW players publicly back Tahu's stance but, privately, some remain extremely upset he walked out of camp and caused such an upheaval in the lead-up to the deciding Origin game.

Tahu has yet to declare himself available for Origin III. He has been named in the Parramatta side to play Newcastle on Monday night at EnergyAustralia Stadium but has missed most of the week at training. Tahu plans to take his issue with Johns -- who has been stood down for the series -- to the Australian Human Rights Commission.

The former Wallaby met with NRL chief executive David Gallop and Eels CEO Paul Osborne this week.

Tahu has agreed to conciliation talks with Johns and to also meet with the NRL's Indigenous Council.

NSW selectors are looking at changes for Origin III. Manly pair Jamie Lyon and Anthony Watmough are likely to return after missing Origin II, as is Penrith's Luke Lewis.
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Lol'd - Albeit not surprised. Who would want him back?

Bolded some interesting comments. And o wow would you look at that, Tahu is planning to take Joey to the Australian Human Rights Commission? LOL? I just lost the remaining respect I had for Tahu as a civilised person. Any other upstanding fellow would've acknowledge the heartfelt apology and accepted it, and heck, even fighting against racism is ok. But now it's just not funny any more.

Wouldn't be surprised if he became a spokesperson for PETA.
 
I'm very pleased to hear this. I don't want to see him there, I'm in agreement with the players.

What's to say if he's picked for the third and someone else says something that hurts his little feminine feelings and he walks out again leaving them in disarray??

He's form hasn't warranted being picked anyway so why should he be picked?!? Pick Jennings over him he more deserves it and besides, it will shut the fools up who want to cry 'racism' by not picking him haha.
 
I don't condone what happened but at the same time I don't think he can/should be picked again. When you walk out just days ahead of one of, if not the most important game in NSW Origin history when the issue has apparantly been brewing for years is just wrong. If it had been going on for so many years why wait until this particular moment to make an issue over it?
 
I don't think he should get his spot back in the team. I say we should put Jennings in his place instead so he can't cry racism. Besides Jennings is in better form anyway.
 
Meh dont really blame them for not wanting him there, but if he does get chosen it is going to be a way different style in camp for the Blues & it will just seem we are only picking him because the being labelled racists thing.
 
On form he shouldn't be there but then again, on form half the team shouldn't be there.
 
The problem is if he isn't picked you can already hear the stories coming out saying his non selection simply 'confirms NSW's racism'
 
im all for consistency, but the more changes made the less it is about tahu not being there and more about a 'new look' NSW team. pride means **** all for this game so tho the likes of mullen and heighington, gibbs, snowden etc etc in there and see what happens...however in saying that...it means very little so expecting them to step up to the plate may be wrong..tho id like to see a side picked on form rather than past experiences
 
HE SHOULD NOT BE INVOLVED IN ORGIN THREE. HE DOES NOT DESERVE THE PRIVLEDGE OF PUTTING ON THE BLUES JUMPER AFTER HE ACTED LIKE A LITTLE WHINGING BABY AND WALKED OUT ON HIS TEAM MATES AND NSW SUPPORTORS!!!!! I DON'T GIVE A FLYING **** IF PEOPLE SAY IT JUST DOES CONFIRM RACISIM IN LEAGUE, AGAIN HE DOES NOT DESERVE TO BE THERE!!!

You don't just walk out on your team mates for anything, what lesson does he think he is teaching his kids and other Aboriginal and coloured kids, that it is okay to just walk out on your responsibilties, he is teaching kids it is okay do that and that is not okay!!!
 
jamesgould said:
Don't put up with racism?

Fairly obvious.
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If u read all my post, u would have noticed I answered my own question by saying he is teaching them it is okay to walk away from your responsibilities, and also I'll further say and to handle a situation like that, u should try to get your own way by being a little sookie whinging tantrum throwing baby who can't get his own way all the time, yeah that teaching all the kids out there one great big lesson isn't it, if u whinge enough, u get your own way
 
Yeah, he has himself to blame for his behaviour last night, he can't blame someone else or make excuses. It was his choice to go into the game with that attitude. He is now also teaching his and other kids it is okay to solve your problems with violence, yeah, I would want him to be a role model for my kids (NOT)!!!!!
 
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