Parramatta star Timanu Tahu the strongest player at the club
* By Josh Massoud
* From: The Daily Telegraph
* February 03, 2010 12:00AM
WHO has the most explosive power at Parramatta? Fans might say Fuifui Moimoi. Perhaps either of the Nathans - Cayless or Hindmarsh. Or maybe a dark horse such as Eric Grothe.
Wrong, wrong and wrong.
When it comes to powerlifting, the strongest man at Parramatta is the guy who hasn't worn blue and gold for more than two years.
In the most surefire indication yet that he's ready to explode back into league this season, prodigal Eel Timana Tahu has astonished his teammates by smashing the club's all-time powerlifting record.
Fitter and stronger than ever, the dual international recently powerlifted 140kg - a considerable 10kg more than the previous high watermark set by former five-eighth Michael Buettner almost a decade ago.
"The day I did it, I just felt really good," Tahu said.
"I lifted 125, then 130, then 135 ... I was just trying to better myself. I didn't even know about the club record at the time." The 29-year-old Tahu achieved the feat despite not being able to powerlift for the past three seasons - two of which were spent in rugby at the Waratahs - due to persistent hamstring problems.
But after hitting 140kg two weeks ago, he's remained there ever since. Not only have Tahu's record-breaking lifts blown away doubts about the durability of his hamstrings, they've also stopped gym sessions.
According to Eels coaching staff, it's not uncommon for the players to pause their routine while Tahu tackles a set of 140kg repetitions.
"I've only just started doing squats again this summer," he revealed. "Back when I played at Newcastle, I wasn't even able to get up to 120kg so it's good to see that even though I'm getting older, I'm also getting stronger.
"To be honest, I've never felt this good. I'm just really pumped about getting back on the field with Parra and giving it my all."
Away from training, Tahu has experienced his fair share of challenges this summer.
He spent Christmas night in hospital tending to his little daughter, who was suffering from a heavy virus, and also experienced the letdown of being prevented from representing the Indigenous All Stars next weekend due to an old two-match suspension that he thought he'd erased in rugby.
"I was picked and then they told me I was out," Tahu recalled.
"I went from really high to really low. But I'm over that disappointment now and just can't say enough about how good a concept it is.
"I'd love more than anything to be involved next year."
Tahu was hit with the two-match ban after his previous NRL appearance - back in September 2007 during the second preliminary final against Melbourne.
He missed his first two rugby trials the following year, but NRL officials refused to count those games towards the suspension and duly rubbed Tahu out of the All-Stars clash. Curiously, however, he will still be sidelined for Parramatta's opening two trials against St George Illawarra (Perth) and Penrith (CUA Stadium).
Eels CEO Paul Osborne has spent the past couple of days in Perth making preparations for the club's week-long visit to WA.
