Tahu's revenge mission

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans will not be the only one in the Australian camp out to prove a point at tomorrow's Tri-Nations Test, with Timana Tahu also determined to show up New Zealand rugby chiefs.

Tahu is well poised to make his debut for Australia from the bench against the All Blacks in Sydney less than 18 months after he was rejected by the New Zealand Rugby Union.

Former rugby league star Tahu wanted to join Deans at the Crusaders Super 14 team last year but hit a brick wall when he approached the New Zealand Rugby Union about the move.

The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) and the Waratahs proved more receptive, giving the former league star the chance to become a dual international.

"It was last year and I was going to go to the Crusaders and Robbie told me to go and check with New Zealand rugby but they didn't want me at the time. They weren't interested," recalled Tahu.

"The next thing was to try and find somewhere where I could play rugby and Australia, the ARU and Waratahs came up to the table and I'm happy because I'm here now playing for the Wallabies."

Tahu has displayed blistering form for Australia A in recent weeks but said his elevation to the Wallabies line-up was a surprise after injury limited his appearances for the Waratahs in the annual Super 14 competition.

"It's come a bit quicker than I thought," he said.

"I was expecting to go back to local rugby after the Super 14 campaign."

Tomorrow's Test will be the first time Deans will lead the Wallabies against his native New Zealand.