Australia coach Robbie Deans has indicated he could hand rugby league convert Timana Tahu a first Wallabies start in its match against South Africa in Johannesburg on Saturday.
Deans will need to fill the inside centre position following confirmation Berrick Barnes will join Daniel Vickerman on a plane back to Australia after they both suffered shoulder injuries in the 27-15 win in Durban.
Barnes left the field after just 19 minutes with Deans using Ryan Cross, another rugby league convert, and Tahu at inside centre in his absence.
And Deans revealed he was impressed with Tahu's 20-minute cameo appearance, just his second since switching codes at the start of the year.
"There is no doubt he can start a Test, he is perfectly capable of that. As are all of them," Deans told The Daily Telegraph.
"I'll have a good look at the footage. It was great for Timana to get the time that he got. We delayed his entry obviously, and referred to the guys with a background at Test rugby first with the initial replacement option."
"But when Timana got in the game he did well. That was my first instinct, that he did well, having watched it live."
"We will have a look at the footage and pore over it, and contemplate our combinations and what we believe will work for us."
Australia's win in Durban has rendered this weekend's match in Johannesburg a dead-rubber.
Regardless of this Saturday's result, the Tri Nations will be decided when the Wallabies host New Zealand on September 13, which has afforded coach Robbie Deans the luxury of resting his key players.
Barnes and Vickerman are expected to immediately begin their rehabilitation when they return home, with Western Force skipper Nathan Sharpe called to South Africa.
"The loss of the two players has been partially compensated by the arrival from Australia of Western Force skipper Nathan Sharpe, who is scheduled to join the team in Durban this [Monday] evening ahead of the Qantas Wallabies' penultimate Tri Nations fixture," a team statement read.
The statement also revealed Hugh McMenamin, who was a late withdrawal from the team in Durban due to illness, is expected to take his place in Johannesburg.
Deans will have to wait on the availability of flanker Rocky Elsom after his appearance before the Sanzar judicial committee was delayed until Tuesday.
Elsom, who only had only just returned from a foot injury, was cited for hauling down Springboks captain Victor Matfield in a line-out.
Australia is set to name its team for the match in Johannesburg on Thursday.
Deans will need to fill the inside centre position following confirmation Berrick Barnes will join Daniel Vickerman on a plane back to Australia after they both suffered shoulder injuries in the 27-15 win in Durban.
Barnes left the field after just 19 minutes with Deans using Ryan Cross, another rugby league convert, and Tahu at inside centre in his absence.
And Deans revealed he was impressed with Tahu's 20-minute cameo appearance, just his second since switching codes at the start of the year.
"There is no doubt he can start a Test, he is perfectly capable of that. As are all of them," Deans told The Daily Telegraph.
"I'll have a good look at the footage. It was great for Timana to get the time that he got. We delayed his entry obviously, and referred to the guys with a background at Test rugby first with the initial replacement option."
"But when Timana got in the game he did well. That was my first instinct, that he did well, having watched it live."
"We will have a look at the footage and pore over it, and contemplate our combinations and what we believe will work for us."
Australia's win in Durban has rendered this weekend's match in Johannesburg a dead-rubber.
Regardless of this Saturday's result, the Tri Nations will be decided when the Wallabies host New Zealand on September 13, which has afforded coach Robbie Deans the luxury of resting his key players.
Barnes and Vickerman are expected to immediately begin their rehabilitation when they return home, with Western Force skipper Nathan Sharpe called to South Africa.
"The loss of the two players has been partially compensated by the arrival from Australia of Western Force skipper Nathan Sharpe, who is scheduled to join the team in Durban this [Monday] evening ahead of the Qantas Wallabies' penultimate Tri Nations fixture," a team statement read.
The statement also revealed Hugh McMenamin, who was a late withdrawal from the team in Durban due to illness, is expected to take his place in Johannesburg.
Deans will have to wait on the availability of flanker Rocky Elsom after his appearance before the Sanzar judicial committee was delayed until Tuesday.
Elsom, who only had only just returned from a foot injury, was cited for hauling down Springboks captain Victor Matfield in a line-out.
Australia is set to name its team for the match in Johannesburg on Thursday.
