Wallabies hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau is looking off-shore to continue his professional career after failing to spark any offers from the Australian Super Rugby clubs.
Ahead of his 79th Test, against Japan in Yokohama on Saturday, Polota-Nau said he’d missed the boat after counting on his club the Western Force getting a Super Rugby lifeline.
Even the Waratahs, with who he won 140 caps before shifting to Perth this season, have shut the door.
Polata-Nau has been linked to England club Leicester after Australia’s four-Test tour but said no deal had been done.
“I’ve actually got no idea what I’m doing because there’s been lots of chats about relocating to a Super Rugby franchise but I haven’t had any offers,” the 32-year-old said.
“There were some offers from overseas but I think I missed out on the window there because obviously I was hanging on to the Force announcement, which came late so I will just have to wait and see.”
Rugby Australia, formerly known as the ARU, are believed to be comfortable with Polotau-Nau playing overseas given he will still be eligible for the Wallabies as he’s played over 60 Tests.
They want to see youngsters get more game time to develop such as 20-year-old Melbourne Rebels rake Jordan Uelese, Andrew Ready at the Queensland Reds, Folau Fainga’a at the Brumbies and the Waratahs’ Tolu Latu.
Uelese and Latu have already won Test caps while Ready and Fainga’a have spent time training with the Wallabies as coach Michael Cheika looks to build depth at No.2.
Polota-Nau said he was committed to playing in the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, re-energised after winning the regular Test starting berth ahead of retiring veteran Stephen Moore.
“Getting the opportunity to get a consistent start has given me that hunger again,” he said.
Markos
Guest
Clearly not mate. Attendance figures show how much interest the Rebels create.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
A positive way to look at it is that he is still eligible for the Wallabies. He makes room for another front rower to be developed and get super rugby time. And maybe playing up north will do him good, as it did Beale. Aussie rugby needs a bit more glass half full perspective.
Train Without A Station
Guest
You clearly have no issue with the prospect of Wessels trying to push contracted players out. But if you have an existing dislike of the person, you'll criticise that type of behaviour.
Train Without A Station
Guest
Yes. And it's a shock that a year later (and a year closer to retirement) he's now looking to do the same? He had already decided he was happy to end his time in Super Rugby.
Train Without A Station
Guest
I can see where you are coming from, but given he already signed overseas for 2017, I just think this year was a good gain.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
If the reason to axe the Force is to reduce costs and concentrate talent in four clubs, I cant see them letting the clubs spend more on salary and expand rosters to dilute the talent they have tried to concentrate.
Train Without A Station
Guest
Most Victorians I know love rugby, or have been involved in it in the past. But I'm not foolish enough to think that my social circle represents the region as a whole...
Bakkies
Guest
An organisation with no creditibility push the players to join a team with no credibility is no shock
Bakkies
Guest
That's a year ago and turned going abroad this year when your mates were shafting the Force
andrewM
Guest
So where do you think Meakes would have gone to TWAS?
Markos
Guest
The Rebels are a basket case. The ARU has simply dropped the ball in Melbourne and continues to do so. Most Victorians I know go to test matches but have no interest in the Rebels. The list won’t matter. People won’t attend.
Train Without A Station
Guest
What about them? You love banging on about integrity and players breaking contracts. Wessels has come in and is trying to do the very same thing.
Train Without A Station
Guest
The guy who signed a contract overseas only one year earlier and only stayed because they fell through "wanted to stay in Australia"?
Bakkies
Guest
'How do you feel about the Rebels pursuing Philip on the basis Wessels has come in and is trying to push Toolis to ask for a release to secure Philip?' What about Coleman and Richie Arnold who may end up joining Philip and Parling at the Rebels?
Bakkies
Guest
Absolutely MZ. He wanted to stay in Australia. Now you have one squad hoarding leaving half their squad vacant for next year so they can start hoarding players without ARU (and financial) scrutiny. This is while the other three have no confirmation in regards to squad size and salary cap for next year. Throw in the ARU stalling over approving the IPRC while the other Force players and presumably the Rebels that have been moved on to cover the 'new arrivals' remain in limbo.
Train Without A Station
Guest
So who stuffed up when he signed an overseas contract in 2016?
mzilikazi
Guest
Second that, Bakkies...total stuff up...again !!
Train Without A Station
Guest
That's because the Rebels have had a number of players depart as well has having a few holes in their: Inman - big money Leafa Metcher Smith Lomax Moloney Day (lock) Retallick (lock) McMahon - big money Meehan Snowden Debreczeni - decent money Volavola Garden-Bachop It's hardly rocket science that the team with the most players off contract at the end of 2017 will sign the most new players for 2018. The Reds due to the past signing of Douglas had to decide between giving decent contracts to 2 of Tui, Rodda and Simmons with small contracts offered to Blyth and Hockings. At the Rebels it's likely Jeffries, Cummins and Toolis aren't on huge money. How do you feel about the Rebels pursuing Philip on the basis Wessels has come in and is trying to push Toolis to ask for a release to secure Philip?
Bakkies
Guest
Peter what annoys me is that the Brumbies and Reds let go Staniforth and Simmons respectively as they both didn't have room for extra locks in their squads yet the Rebels are continuing to hoard locks with their eyes on Coleman and Philip. The salary cap hasn't been questioned either tempted to raise that with RUPA.
Train Without A Station
Guest
Is it the ARU's fault for the arrogance of some of our teams that they are seemingly unwilling to look at players who are not local? The Reds are absolutely shocking for that, continually overrating our young players that come through our systems. Hardwick would be perfect there. The other consideration is that simply the players may not have come to terms yet, that's all. Also many have chosen to hold out until now, limiting their own options.