League: Tahu confirmed in NZ Maori squad

Timana Tahu. Photo / Getty Images

Controversial double international Timana Tahu, who is currently embroiled in a second rugby league race row, closes a tumultuous week with the fulfilment of a sporting goal.

The former Kangaroos and Wallabies representative has been named in the New Zealand Maori rugby league team to play England in a pre-Four Nations tournament double header at Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium on October 16.

Tahu previously expressed a desire to play the warm-up match as a tribute to his late New Zealand-born father Tom, who died in 2003.

His selection has been a boost for the 29-year-old part Aboriginal who has vehemently denied racially abusing a teenage opponent during an indigenous rugby league tournament last weekend.

Tahu was accused of calling 16-year-old Caleb Binge a "black c...," an allegation he today described as "sour grapes" after his team knocked the complainant's side out of the competition.

"It's a shock to me and makes me sick in the guts because it's my own people making these accusations," Tahu told the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper.

"To have a young kid come out like this - I do applaud him for what he's doing because he's standing up against racial abuse - but he's got the wrong person. We played the game, I shook hands with the young kid, everyone was happy."

It is the second time Tahu has been involved in a racial abuse scandal in 2010 - in June he quit the NSW State of Origin camp after assistant coach Andrew Johns called Kangaroos and Queensland centre Greg Inglis a "black c...".

Tahu recently said he would be delighted to represent New Zealand Maori before the end of his decorated career.

"It's something I want to do before I retire, honour my father by playing in some New Zealand jumper," he said.

"It would be a massive honour, plus I would get to acknowledge my Maori heritage."

Tahu has been named alongside former 22-cap Kiwis international Clinton Toopi, who revived his NRL career at the Gold Coast Titans this year.

Props Sam McKendry and Russell Packer, who were close to Kiwis selection, are also included.

The Samoan side to play the Kiwis in the main "friendly" features seven former New Zealand internationals and will be coached by Steve Price, Wayne Bennett's assistant at NRL premiership winners St George Illawarra.

Heading the list of former Kiwis are England-based professionals Tony Puletua, Ali Lauitiiti, Francis Meli, David Solomona, David Faiumu and Harrison Hansen.

Ben Roberts from the Canterbury Bulldogs is the Australian-based former Kiwis representative returning home.

New Zealand Maori: Kevin Locke (NZ Warriors), Sandor Earl (Penrith), Timana Tahu (Parramatta), Clinton Toopi (Gold Coast), Arana Taumata (North Queensland), Rangi Chase (Castleford), Jeremy Smith (Wakefield), Willie Heta (Otahuhu), Aaron Heremaia (NZ Warriors), Weller Hauraki (Crusaders), Justin Horo (Parramatta), Bodene Thompson (Gold Coast), Kevin Proctor (Melbourne), James Tamou (North Queensland), Sam McKendry (Penrith), Russell Packer (NZ Warriors) plus one player to be added from Kiwis squad.

Coach: Richie Blackmore.

Samoa: Tony Puletua (St Helens), Francis Meli (St Helens), Ali Lauitiiti (Leeds), David Faiumu (Huddersfield), David Solomona (Warrington), George Carmont (Wigan), Harrison Hansen (Wigan), Ben Roberts (Canterbury Bulldogs), Constantine Mika (Newcastle), Mark Taufua (Newcastle), Joseph Paulo (Penrith), Masada Iosefa (Penrith), Terence Seuseu (Manly), Willie Isa (Melbourne), Daniel Vidot (Canberra), Josh McGuire (Brisbane), Taulima Tautai (Cronulla), Quentin Togaga'e (Souths Logan), Frank Winterstein (Crusaders). One to be added from Samoa-based domestic players: Tupu Ulufale, Tanielu Pasene, Vailoa Kereti, David Masoe, Teofilo Lepou.

Coach: Steve Price.