Tongan born Waratahs lock Sitaleki Timani named to Wallabies 2011 Tri Nations squad – Rugby news
Tongan born lock, Sitaleki Timani, has been named in the Wallabies 40-man squad for their upcoming test against their pacific neighbors, Samoa, and for the 2011 Tri-Nations tournament. Wallabies head coach, Robbie Deans, listed the Wallabies line-up on Sunday, July 10, after the conclusion of the 2011 Super Rugby Championship. Deans has named seven uncapped players in the squad.
Sitaleki Timani was talking to reporters on Monday, July 11 and expressed his delight at his inclusion in the team. He further commented, “It means a lot, I came down here (to Australia) five years ago and dreamt of being a Wallaby and five years later, here I am.”
The 24-year-old Timani was born in Navutoka, Tonga. He started his Australian professional rugby union career in 2007. In 2008, he made his Super Rugby debut for Western Force against the Sharks. He only played three games for the Force before he switched to ACT Brumbies.
During the 2009 season, Timani played eight games for the Brumbies and remained game-less in the 2010 Super Rugby Season. In the 2011 Super Rugby season, he joined Waratahs and played 15 games for them. Commenting on his recent performance for the NSW Waratahs, Timani said, “Towards the end of the year they gave me more opportunities and more games and I got more confident to play my game.”
Timani has termed his selection in the squad as a dream come true. He added, “Watching George Smith, Mark Gerrard; I followed the Wallabies when I grew up because a few Tongan players, like Toutai Kefu, played for the Wallabies.”
Timani further added, “I got a phone call on Thursday night, from (Wallabies' coach) Robbie Deans, so it wasn't too hard, I came over straight away.”
Timani confirmed that Tongan national rugby union officials offered him a chance to play in the Tongan team in the 2011 Rugby World Cup, which he rejected. It is expected that he will make his international debut at his home ground ANZ Stadium, Sydney on Sunday, July 17 against the visiting Samoan side.
11 Waratahs players have been named in the 40-man Wallabies squad announced by Deans. In addition to Timani other Waratahs players named in the squad includes Rebel bound Kurtley Beale, Luke Burgess, Dave Dennis, Sekope Kepu, Dean Mumm, Wycliff Palu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson, Sitaleki Timani, Lachie Turner, and Dan Vickerman.
Blues defeated the injury struck Waratahs side in the quarter-final of the 2011 Super Rugby Championship to book their semi-final outing against the Reds.
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