Wallabies confident it was lack of execution, not ability, that saw their lineout blitzed in Bledisloe
AFTER one of the worst lineout performances in recent memory, hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau says the Wallabies have nothing to worry about if they can throw to the space in the second Bledisloe Test.
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AFTER one of the worst lineout performances in recent memory, hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau says the Wallabies have nothing to worry about if they can throw to the space in the second Bledisloe Test.
Having conceded seven of their own throws to the All Blacks last weekend, the lineout was the key area of focus at training on Waiheke Island on Tuesday, ahead of Saturday’s second Test at Eden Park.
Polota-Nau and back-up hooker Tolu Latu will be targeted again by the All Blacks jumpers, but the starting No. 2 is confident they can fix the issues in time.
“They did well in terms of marking our options, there’s no drama there I think we just need to throw where the space is,” Polota-Nau said.
“There’s plenty of space to throw at so we’ll revisit that at training.
“In a review there were definitely lapses of drill focus. There’s nothing to worry about. New Zealand defended really well.
“We have ourselves to be accountable for in terms of executing. Again it comes down to training and getting that drill right.”
Polota-Nau said he and Latu’s confidence had not taken a hit after the wobbly performance.
“It’s a matter of getting, not necessarily the right calls, but our drill right in terms of our throwing,” Polota-Nau said.
“In saying that I think the lineout callers have done their homework to throw where the space is at.
“What New Zealand did well was mark areas where they were assuming we would throw.”
Going back through Wallabies' lineout issues. Think I spotted one. pic.twitter.com/bK8SxmsAZz
— Iain Payten (@iainpayten) August 19, 2018
Asked why they kept throwing to the middle of the lineout instead of going long or short, Polota-Nau replied: “We did, they worked. I think it’s just doing more of it, as opposed to just throwing in the middle. I guess we’ve taken up the review and now we can move on and have these options.”
Polota-Nau said Saturday’s Test will be a great test of the team’s mettle.
“It’s funny, a lot of guys haven’t experienced that — that’s the beauty of Test rugby, the pressure,” Polota-Nau said.
“You can either accept it or have excuses.
“It’s great how everyone’s responded to it. Parking it aside and ready to move on.
“A lot of people will individually try to rectify everything but it’s not what’s required. It’s a collective effort to do our basics right is what’s key.”