Northern | US

Tatafu Polota-Nau to make Wallabies swansong against Samoa


Tatafu Polota-Nau. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Comments
Comment

Veteran hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau is set to bring the curtain down on his Wallabies career in Saturday’s World Cup warm-up Test against Samoa in Sydney.

ADVERTISEMENT

Polota-Nau missed selection for the World Cup, starting later this month in Japan, but will play a farewell Test at BankWest Stadium with Wallabies coach Michael Cheika set to name a mix of players from within and outside the squad.

Barring an injury which results in a World Cup call-up, his 90th Test will be his last for Australia.

Polota-Nau made his Test debut in 2005 as a 20-year-old against England before even playing a Super Rugby match.

His international career looked over at the end of 2018 but he answered Cheika’s call at his UK club Leicester to try to push for a third World Cup.

“It’s a privilege to wear the gold jersey again, most likely for the last time,” Polota-Nau said.

“It’s been a hell of a journey from my end and I feel very fortunate.”

The 34-year-old has been training with the World Cup players at their camp in New Caledonia and Polota-Nau felt the No.2 jersey was in good hands.

The Wallabies coach has opted for a World Cup rookie brigade in Folau Faingaa, Tolu Latu and Jordan Uelese.

ADVERTISEMENT

“They are great – it’s possibly the best combination you will get for preparation for a World Cup,” the former Waratahs rake said.

“There’re various skills that each hooker possesses and I’m fortunate I’ve been able to witness that.

“I have every confidence they will be able to the job over in Japan.”

Polota-Nau was part of the Wallabies’ last Test match against Samoa in 2011 when the world No.16 team pulled off a huge 32-23 upset victory.

ADVERTISEMENT

“It’s a very important game,” he said.

“Not just to get different combinations in the right place but also for guys who don’t get much exposure in Test rugby to test their wares.

“Samoa are a really experienced side with many of them playing in the premiership where I’m at (UK) so they will have a lot to offer as they prepare for Japan as well.”

– AAP

Video Spacer

Get the RugbyPass App 📱

Follow the biggest matches with live scores, line-ups, news and analysis, all in the RugbyPass App.

Download Here
On Apple IOS, Android, and Tablet.
ADVERTISEMENT
Play Video
LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Long Reads

Comments on RugbyPass

P
Phantom 1 hour ago
Nations Championship: 'The data shows the north has finally caught up with the south'

Fact: the gap between the North and the South has narrowed considerably - that I get. However, determining that only selecting only Home grown players or playing in the home country is is the optimal strategy is a bit of a toss up and highly reliant on the economies of the home union. I do understand that England and to a lesser degree Ireland selects home based only. The top 14 is a massive threat to their domestic product. France would probably not be affected (the money is at home). Fiji, Argentina, Samoa, Italy and you could even argue Scotland have only benefitted from this. Their players either go overseas to learn at higher levels (Fiji, Samoa, Argentina) or players coming into their leagues to strengthen the home product and their National teams (Scotland, Italy, Japan).

South Africa used to limit its selection to the home based players, but the reality of a weak currency vs what players could earn oversees meant that you lost access to your best players at some stage of their careers, with very few exceptions. Kolbe left SA as he was considered too small for International Rugby (yes coaches/selectors view), but ironically in France he forced selectors to notice his endeavors and select him. He is only reaching 50 caps now despite being north of 30 - granted rotation and the odd injury also played a role, but for the most part it is having debuted or becoming a regular so late.



...

18 Go to comments
Close Panel
Close Panel

Edition & Time Zone

{{current.name}}
Set time zone automatically
{{selectedTimezoneTitle}} (auto)
Choose a different time zone
Close Panel

Editions

Close Panel

Change Time Zone

Close
ADVERTISEMENT
Copied to clipboard

Share Article close