Timana Tahu aims high in NRL comeback with Parramatta Eels

Parramatta are set to parade Timana Tahu before the Eels faithful on Sunday, just days after the dual international was finally granted a release from his rugby union contract.Tahu has been freed from the final two years of his contract with the ARU, with a three-year NRL deal with Parramatta likely to be tied up by close of business on Thursday.While the dual international is no chance of turning out for the Eels in 2009 - as much for his broken hand which requires surgery as an NRL ruling prohibiting his availability - Tahu is set to be unveiled at Parramatta Stadium on Sunday as an entree to the NRL clash with Newcastle.“I haven't spoken to him since the release,'' Parramatta chief executive Paul Osborne said.“We'll get him involved and get him training and being part of it all, but he won't play this year.''Asked when he would be unveiled as an Eel for the second time in his career, having played for the club from 2005-2007, Osborne said: “Possibly on Sunday against the Knights.''Despite speculation throughout 2009 linking him with a return to rugby league, Tahu had constantly denied he was ready to walk out on the 15-man game.But the 28-year-old became increasingly frustrated by limited opportunities with both the Waratahs and the Wallabies, and when close friend Osborne took over as Eels chief executive, he eventually decided to return to the NRL.Tahu exercised a release clause from his ARU contract, which was triggered by his non-selection for the Wallabies.It is believed the devastating open-field runner would have been picked in a Test match if not for a hamstring injury earlier in the season.The NRL said there was no way they would have allowed the Eels to sign Tahu for this season, with June 30 the cut-off date for contracts to be registered.“Importantly the release allows him to join Parramatta, which we would not have allowed had he been breaking a contract,'' an NRL spokesman said.ARU high performance boss David Nucifora said Tahu, who played four Tests for the Wallabies and 20 Super 14 matches for the Waratahs, should look back at his two years in union with pride.“Timana approached us with a request to be released from his contract,'' said Nucifora.“Through amicable discussions we have reached a resolution which has satisfied all the parties involved.“We certainly wish Timana all the best for his future.''AAP

"Burton and Galvin just don't really work. They'd have to let Burton go tbh which is not beyond the realm of possibility, I just don't see him fitting into the dogs"

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Timana Tahu aims high in NRL comeback with Parramatta Eels

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