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'Cheika got my UK number - I never gave it to him, didn't want to'

By Online Editors
Tatafu Polota-Nau. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Tatafu Polota-Nau thought he had escaped the clutches of Michael Cheika.

But the Wallabies coach proved his investigative and negotiating skills were up to scratch, luring the English-based hooker home out of the blue for a potential third World Cup campaign.

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“I am quite shocked to be back here,” the 89-Test veteran hooker told reporters ahead of a possible return in Saturday’s Rugby Championship Teat against Argentina in Brisbane.

“I was in good stead with the (Premiership Rugby club) Leicester preseason and all of a sudden my phone rings,” said 33-year-old Polota-Nau.

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“Little did I know Michael Cheika got my UK number – I never gave it to him, didn’t want to, but somehow he got it.

“He asked if I’d come along and I said ‘sure why not, I’ll give it one last crack’.”

Noted scrummager Polota-Nau admits he wasn’t happy with what he thought was his farewell Wallabies form last year and it took some convincing from the coach to drag him back i nto the fold.

Knee surgery in the English off-season behind him, Polota-Nau rates himself a chance to feature at Suncorp Stadium and push younger hooking options like in-form Folau Fainga’a ahead of September’s World Cup in Japan.

“It ended with a sour note last season … I sort of thought it was my last with the Wallabies,” he said.

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“I didn’t have the stamina I used to have, but that’s because my preparation wasn’t the best.

“It’s from my end just to see if I’ve still got it … give these guys (younger hookers) a run for their money.”

The Wallabies are unbeaten in their last five Tests in Brisbane but have won just two of their last seven Rugby Championship clashes.

Argentina are well-stocked with Jaguares talent that played in the Super Rugby decider and, despite losing their last six Tests, present as a genuine threat after their plucky win on the Gold Coast last year.

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– AAP

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Trevor 2 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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B
Bull Shark 6 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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