Wallabies coach Michael Cheika likes what he sees from in-form Melbourne Rebels forward Lopeti Timani but wants to see more of it before any talk of representative selection.
The 24-year-old, who is the younger brother of former Test lock Sitaleki, has been one of the stand-out forwards of the Super Rugby competition.
After overcoming a series of injuries which stalled his career, Timani has been a powerhouse for the Rebels this season.
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.
His defence has been brutal, ironing out NSW and Test hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau, who didn’t return to play.
Timani played two seasons with NSW, where he earned 19 caps but failed to make the impact he’s having in 2015.
The Rebels have been quick to pounce, this week re-signing him until the end of the 2017 season.
Cheika said he was well aware of Timani’s talent.
“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.”
While Cheika was delighted with his team’s effort as they posted their first Super competition points after a first round loss, he was impressed by what the Rebels had to offer.
The home side threw everything at the defending champions with a try by Kurtley Beale in the 73rd minute breaking 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.”
