Lopeti Timani out to make an impact for Wallabies at Twickenham

LOPETI Timani’s audition at No. 8 will be on the same field of dreams where the Wallabies’ first Tongan Torpedo cemented his legend.

LOPETI Timani’s audition at No. 8 will be on the same field of dreams where the Wallabies’ first Tongan Torpedo cemented his legend.

Timani has never met Willie Ofahengaue, who starred at Twickenham in Australia’s 1991 World Cup final win.

Should Timani make the most of Sunday morning’s (AEDT) Test chance against Argentina, he will learn more and more that “Willie O’’ banged down the door for Pacific island talents in Australia.

Timani is a less subtle Tongan sledgehammer than Willie O, Toutai Kefu or Wycliff Palu.

The finesse can be tuned later because coach Michael Cheika has simple demands for his 125kg weapon.

“I’d like him to do what’s he good at, run hard, tackle hard and the rest is a bonus,” Cheika said.

Lopeti Timani will run out for the Wallabies at Twickenham.

Kefu translated that into true Tongan: “He’ll bring a bit of fear and if he puts on five or 10 huge hits he’ll be as happy as winning.’’

Timani, 26, is delighted to be following in the footsteps of older brother Sitaleki, who played twice at Twickenham for the Wallabies in 2012 and 2013.

Giant Sita and another brother, Sione, are both playing in France where his family has been visiting.

Having mum Letiola and sisters Vika and Kailata in the Twickenham stands will be a rare treat because pursuing his Wallabies jersey in Australia has been a sometimes lonely rise.

His mother’s name is tattooed on his chest.

“They’ve not watched me live, just on TV back in Tonga, so being the first time will be very exciting for me,” Timani said.

His nerves are the positive variety.

“Every game I’m nervous but they are good nerves about playing well,” Timani said.

He is one of six rookies in the Wallabies starting side while Tom Robertson and Allan Alaalatoa are new-boy props on the bench.

Dropping James Slipper, his 82-Test prop, from the reserves is a massive gamble by Cheika and it could backfire late in a tight Test against a Pumas team renowned for scrummaging.

Lopeti Timani is one of six rookies in the Wallabies starting side.

Cheika had to be consistent after dropping Kane Douglas, Rob Simmons and Scott Fardy earlier in the season.

“I don’t know if it’s rolling the dice,” Cheika said.

“There are certain parts of James’s game that need improving and sometimes that’s going to come with a contest from a young fella (Robertson) coming up behind him.’’

Only nine of the Wallabies’ 23-man roster from last year’s World Cup final are returning to Twickenham less than 12 months later.

“It’s pretty clear we are going through a bit of generational change,” Cheika said. “We’re not crying about players going overseas or injuries.

“We are getting on and doing something about it by blooding a new group.

“I’m not looking to have any excuses for losing games. We go into everything to win and to build that habit.’’

The in-form axis of Quade Cooper and Will Genia will direct the show and the pack must produce a mighty display to win well.

“We went away from our attacking footy for a while this season but that’s what we want with the attention to the detail we’ve shown at training,” Cheika said.

Originally published as Lopeti Timani out to make an impact for Wallabies at Twickenham