The match was played with determination and grit as has become expected in the toughest rugby league contest in the world, but the Blues had already lost the match before taking to the field.
Tahu's decision to walk unexpectedly, leaving the Blue's camp following racist remarks from the assistant coach Andrew Johns must have been an agonising decision for the elite sportsman to make.
After all, Tahu had so much to gain by remaining in the camp – the prestige of playing for NSW, match payments, sponsorship and not to mention, not disrupting the teams build up to the match.
Furthermore, Johns' comments were not even directed at Tahu, they were directed towards Queensland's indigenous players.
However Tahu, to his credit and great personal disadvantage, took a principled stand against racism in sport and withdrew from the both the Blues and his club team the Parramatta Eels.
When his decision to leave the team was first announced, some within the New South Wales media branded his as weak and claimed he had over-reacted to what were essentially comments made in jest.
True sporting heroes are forged when sportsman would rather exalt their opposition, than to know within themselves that they have not played in the spirit of the game. Another example of heroism was when John Landy stopped mid-race to help Ron Clark to his feet after he tripped on another competitor.
Of course, we all know John Landy ran one of the greatest footraces in history to win, despite the setback. Although we are yet to see the ending of this moment in sporting history, Tahu has shown he's a real sporting hero.
Round 15 tips
• Panthers will overcome an Origin weary Broncos
• Titans over the Bulldogs
• Storm over the Cowboys
• The Sea Eagles to beat the Rabbitohs in a tight match
• Dragons over the Sharks
• Tigers to outdo the Raiders in Sydney
• Eels over the Knights
A Well-Being Australia theologian noting a point to ponder recalls the Sunday School chorous: "Jesus loves the little children, All the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white, All are precious in His sight, Jesus loves the little children of the world."
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/j/e/jesloves.htm