Polota-Nau won’t be in awe of All Blacks
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Tatafu Polota-Nau admits he’s been guilty in the past of affording his All Blacks opposites too much respect.
The Wallabies hooker has nothing but admiration for all-star New Zealand No.2s Andrew Hore and Keven Mealamu, but Polota-Nau says he must forget all that when he takes the field in Saturday night’s Bledisloe Cup opener in Sydney.
For Polota-Nau, it’s set to be just his second run-on game against the All Blacks and he’s determined to set the agenda and not be intimidated by reputation.
“Both Andrew and Keven, they’re world-class athletes. You have to respect them but, during the game, you’ve got to make sure you throw that out the window,” said Polota-Nau.
“I think there have been times when you give them too much respect and let them get the better of you.
“But it’s always a case of putting our best foot forward so they have to try and stop us.”
After running-on in all three Tests against Wales in June, Polota-Nau is heavily favoured to earn a start ahead of Brumbies veteran Stephen Moore.
The Waratahs rake said that show of faith from coach Robbie Deans was a major confidence booster as he strives to inspire the Wallabies to their first Bledisloe series win in a decade.
“I’ve said to my teammates I would probably even take a bullet for the guys and that’s the attitude everyone takes in as well which is great,” he said.
“Like any other person, (being in the starting side) is massive but it’s also a privilege because it’s saying you’re the best man for the job.
“So you have nothing to fear other than to put your best foot forward.
“But it’s a different campaign and a lot has happened between June and now so whoever gets selected will be the best for the job.”
In other squad news, five-eighth Quade Cooper came through his club rugby hit-out well on the weekend and Queensland winger Dom Shipperley will join the extended squad this week
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The Crowd Says (11) | Page 1 of Comments
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August 13th 2012 @ 10:10am
Riccardo said | August 13th 2012 @ 10:10am | Report comment
Is TPN just suddenly bereft of respect or grudging admiration?
Or are the repeated concussions finally bereaving him of the ability of recollection/rationale?
I would have selected Moore ahead of him with TPN for impact from the pine.
August 13th 2012 @ 10:18am
kingplaymaker said | August 13th 2012 @ 10:18am | Report comment
Riccardo I think that’s a little tough on him: all he said was it’s best not to respect players too much when you’re playing them. He didn’t say that he didn’t respect them.
TPN was also, aside from his throwing (at which Moore is bad too), absolutely excellent in the Welsh series and the jersey is now his.
August 13th 2012 @ 10:28am
Riccardo said | August 13th 2012 @ 10:28am | Report comment
Fair enough KPM.
I was really only have a bit of a laugh anyway, mate.
You’ve got to admit that his tackle with his head technique has been comical in the past.
Personally, I think Moore has a better workrate for longer and that TPN’s contribution may be more impactful for 20-25 minutes when the opposition may be tiring.
August 13th 2012 @ 10:32am
Justin2 said | August 13th 2012 @ 10:32am | Report comment
Agree with that summation Ricc…
August 13th 2012 @ 10:58am
kingplaymaker said | August 13th 2012 @ 10:58am | Report comment
Riccardo TPN’s workrate against Wales was good, much better than in the past, though Moore’s is certainly higher. However TPn has far more impact on the match.
I think in fact that the Wallabies have made a terrible mistake in putting their power players on towards the end. By that time the opposition pack has smashed the lighterweight, high workrate forwards and won the match. Besides in some cases such as Palu it is a myth that because he is powerful he has a low workrate: against Wales he had the highest workrate on the pitch.
It’s better for the Wallabies to put on their power players first, contain the opposition packs with this power, and then bring the high workrate lighter players on later to run the tired opposition packs off their feet. Which is roughly what happened against Wales with Hooper and Moore coming on for Palu and TPN. It worked then well, but with Palu out things are now trickier.
August 13th 2012 @ 1:13pm
post said | August 13th 2012 @ 1:13pm | Report comment
Definitely agree with that kpm. While the general consensus tends to be that you put impact players in later, the wallabies situation with a smaller overall pack makes TPN stronger early and Moore more valuable as a sub.
August 14th 2012 @ 5:18am
mania said | August 14th 2012 @ 5:18am | Report comment
i agree with riccardo here KPM – i prefer moore as he’s a harder and more consistent worker. palu and TPN tend to disapear during the game where as moore is constantly in the oppn’s faces. TPN also does those cocunut tackles and i hope he doesnt concuss himself until the AB’s are done with the wallabies.
August 13th 2012 @ 2:01pm
formeropenside said | August 13th 2012 @ 2:01pm | Report comment
Most useful thing about that article was news that Shipperley has been added back to the squad.
August 13th 2012 @ 4:59pm
Spencer said | August 13th 2012 @ 4:59pm | Report comment
Good on ya FOS. I knew your comment wasnt far away.
August 13th 2012 @ 2:32pm
ted said | August 13th 2012 @ 2:32pm | Report comment
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz less talk, maybe win one?
August 13th 2012 @ 5:47pm
Kuruki said | August 13th 2012 @ 5:47pm | Report comment
What would we all have to talk about here if they never spoke to media.