Super Rugby
Michael Cheika wants to see more of Lopeti Timani
February 21, 2015
Rebels 28-38 Waratahs (Australia only)

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika likes what he sees from in-form Melbourne Rebels forward Lopeti Timani, but he wants to see even more before he considers talk of representative selection.

Timani, 24, the younger brother of former Wallabies lock Sitaleki, has been a powerhouse for the Rebels to be one of the stand-out forwards of the Super Rugby competition after overcoming a series of injuries which stalled his career. Fashioned into a lock from his usual back-row position, Timani has scored two tries in two games - including a first-half effort in the Rebels' 38-28 loss to Cheika's Waratahs at AAMI Stadium on Friday night. And his defence has been brutal, ironing out Tatafu Polota-Nau to leave the Waratahs and Wallabies hooker unable to return .

Cheika said he was well aware of Timani, who joined the Rebels after playing two seasons with the Waratahs.

"I had the opportunity to coach Lopeti and it's very obvious that he has a massive amount of physicality in his game," Cheika said. "The mastery for him will be about delivering it consistently so every week you know that he's going to be physical. He's done it two weeks in a row now and he needs to put it together for five and six and seven and then he'll become a really good player."

Cheika was delighted with his Waratahs' effort as they posted their first Super competition points after a first-round loss, but he was also impressed by the Rebels. The home side threw everything at the defending champions before a try from Kurtley Beale in the 73rd minute broke a 28-28 deadlock.

"They look dangerous, every time they get the ball they've got something happening," Cheika said. "They've got halfbacks who run at the line, both [Nic] Stirzaker and [Luke] Burgess, which is almost a bit of art-form lost. If they can keep the consistency around the physicality of their game for the season they're going to win a lot of games."

Lopeti Timani has scored two tries in as many games this season © Getty Images
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