Rugby: Tahu rejects return to NRL

Timana Tahu has been linked with a move to the Sydney Roosters. Photo / Getty Images

SYDNEY - Wallabies and NSW Waratahs centre Timana Tahu has strongly denied sounding out a return from rugby union to the NRL.

"I'd like to say coming from the horse's mouth, it is not true," Tahu told 2KY radio on Thursday.

The Daily Telegraph reported today that a "third party" had spoken with the Sydney Roosters about the dual international's possible return to the NRL.

Tahu, though, insisted he had no plans to walk out on the NSW Waratahs, where he has mostly been used off the bench this season, and remained committed to pursuing a regular place in the Wallabies starting line-up.

"My manager, he did talk to the bloke who wrote the article in the paper today and, as he said in the paper today that I read this morning, everything was denied.

"I don't know who the `third party' was, but there's no thinking about switching back over to the NRL.

"I've still got another two years here at rugby ... there's no conspiracy or anything behind it. There's nothing really to talk about it.

"I said this week I wasn't even thinking returning back to NRL and I never will."

Shortly before signing his million-dollar contract with the ARU and the Waratahs last year, Tahu famously bluffed the media into believing he would "never play rugby".

When reminded of that ploy and asked if he was "fair dinkum" about seeing out his rugby contract, Tahu maintained "I'm happy to see out my contract".

"I've been happy in rugby union," he said. "Going to the Roosters and going back to the NRL, there's not an option there."

The 28-year-old former NSW State of Origin and Australian test star has earned the bulk of his Waratahs and Wallabies caps off the bench.

Rob Horne's hamstring strain has given Tahu a rare opportunity to start at outside centre for the Waratahs against the Western Force on Saturday night.

"Starting is a big thing for me and hopefully I can get a couple more weeks starting before Rob Horne comes back," he said.

"At the moment, it's not happening and I just want to get as many good games as I can for the Waratahs so I can be an option of making the Wallabies side.

"The ultimate goal is to be a starting Wallaby but first I've just got to get over this hurdle.

"But I've got two more years in rugby so I've got two more years to prove myself."

Tahu said he accepts his role at the Waratahs.

"I'm positive," he said.

"It's just the way the team's structured and how things are going at the moment," he said.

"Tom Carter's been starting for the side (at inside centre) and his ability of trucking the ball up and the way the Waratahs have got the game plan going, he's better for that position.

"For me, it's just getting out there in the last 20, 30 minutes and just trying to do my best and anything for the team that I can do."

Tahu said he had also been in regular contact with Wallabies coach Robbie Deans.

"I've spoken to him just after games and he's been happy with what I've been doing," he said.

"And it seems that everyone else has been happy with how I've been happy - from the press to my family, friends ... I can't figure out one thing that I'm doing bad.

"I've just got to keep on kicking on and hopefully something will open up and I'll get the opportunity of being a starter again."

- AAP