Blues prop Angus Ta'avao is heading for the Waratahs next season as he eyes a way into test rugby.
The 25-year-old tighthead has started only four times for the Blues this season as he has backed up international Charlie Faumuina and jousted with Ofa Tu'ungafasi, who also fancies that sideof the scrum.
Ta'avao has played 48 matches for the Blues but, without regular starting chances, has decided to try his luck with the Waratahs next season once he has finished the ITM Cup season with Taranaki.
"I'm very excited. When I signed, it felt like a weight had been lifted," he said.
Ta'avao has a father from Samoa and a mother from Melbourne but he was born in Auckland and always had ambitions of being an All Black.
"I wanted to exhaust all my options in trying to be an All Black tighthead but, with Owen Franks and Charlie [Faumuina] there and signed on again for a few more years, and Charlie also at the Blues, there's not much room," he said. "I'm lucky I have other eligibility to explore."
The trigger for the move came when Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson got in touch several months ago.
"The Waratahs senior tighthead Sekope Kepu is off to play in France so I'll be in competition with Paddy Ryan to try and get the starting role," Ta'avao said.
Apparently the Tahs' senior loosehead, Benn Robinson, spoke highly about Ta'avao's ability and Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has already been in touch.
"The way it's worked out it's been quite weird but, after thinking about it for a month and talking to people, it felt the right thing to do," Ta'avao said.
