Leicester recall Tatafu Polota-Nau to England after brief cameo for the Waratahs
Tatafu Polota-Nau’s cameo return to the Waratahs is over after just two matches when he was recalled to his English club Leicester.
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Wallaby hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau’s brief cameo return to the Waratahs is already done and dusted after he was recalled to his English club Leicester.
The 33-year-old played a total of just 58 minutes after being used in two Super Rugby games off the bench, against the Reds and the Brumbies, before Leicester coach Geordan Murphy informed the Waratahs they wanted him back.
Leicester had agreed to loan Polota-Nau to New South Wales for an undetermined period while Tolu Latu was under suspension and other hookers were injured and while the Waratahs had hoped to keep him longer, head coach Daryl Gibson said he was indebted they got his services at all.
“Our team is very grateful to Tatafu and Leicester Tigers for helping us fill a short term injury cover,” Gibson said.
“We entered a loan arrangement always knowing Leicester would want him back in England in the near future.”
One of the Waratahs favourite sons, Polota-Nau had no hesitation jetting back to Sydney when he was asked if he’d be interested.
Born and bred in Sydney, he spent seven seasons with the Sky Blues, playing in the title winning side in 2014, but was getting little on field time with the Leicester Tigers so feared he was getting fired when Murphy called him to his office three weeks ago.
Polota-Nau also hoped that being back in Australia would put in the frame for the starting jersey for the World Cup in one of the most uncertain positions in the Wallaby side and while he got more frequent flyer points that minutes on the field, Gibson said he done everything asked of him.
“Tatafu slotted back into the squad with such ease and was a big contributor for the squad,” Gibson said.
“It also gave Tatafu the chance to show Aussie selectors how he’s progressing ahead of the World Cup.”
With Latu still banned from playing after copping six weeks for charging into a ruck against the Sunwolves in round two, Sham Vui and Andrew Tuala are likely to be added to the squad for the Waratahs next match against the Crusaders at the SCG this Saturday.
Originally published as Leicester recall Tatafu Polota-Nau to England after brief cameo for the Waratahs
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