Waratahs hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau says Crusaders certain to target their scrum and lineout in Super Rugby final

WARATAHS hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau has conceded the Crusader will target their scrum and lineout on Saturday night.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 28: Tatafu Polota Nau of the Waratahs looks on during a Waratahs Super Rugby training session at Moore Park on July 28, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

WARATAHS hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau has conceded the Crusader will target their scrum and lineout, which have been shaky at various times throughout the season.

The Crusaders have boasted superb set-piece throughout their history, and have used it to outmuscle and frustrate several teams in crunch games.

With NSW’s lineout and scrum having been successfully targeted by other teams in recent weeks, Polota-Nau has no doubt about the Crusaders’ attitude in Saturday’s final.

“They’ll probably attack it because they think they can get some ascendancy on that,” Polota-Nau said.

“We just need to be better at our drill, and make sure we can surpass what they’re trying to do in the set-piece, particularly in the scrum.”

Polota-Nau and teammate Kane Douglas, who are both crucial to NSW’s set-piece, will play their final game together with Douglas leaving for Irish club Leinster.

“I’ve loved my time here, loved playing with the boys,” Douglas said.

Polota-Nau said: “Every single game for me is a real critical game, because I don’t know when my rugby career will end so I take it as if it’s my last game.

“It’s always the same mentality for me, because knowing my kamikaze approach - I had to [tone] that down - but it’s about consistency preparing so I can make my best effort for the team, so I am preparing like it’s my last game.”

NSW coach Michael Cheika, who named an unchanged side for the final from the team that beat the Brumbies last weekend, said Douglas should have been chosen for the Wallabies against France last month.

“I think it’s a shame he didn’t get a chance to play for Australia, I think he deserved it, he’s going to be sorely missed by the team when he leaves, that’s for sure,” Cheika said.

WARATAHS: 15. Israel Folau 14. Alofa Alofa 13. Adam Ashley-Cooper 12. Kurtley Beale 11. Rob Horne 10. Bernard Foley 9. Nick Phipps 8. Wycliff Palu 7. Michael Hooper 6. Stephen Hoiles 5. Kane Douglas 4. Jacques Potgieter 3. Sekope Kepu 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau 1. Benn Robinson.

Reserves: 16. Tolu Latu 17. Jeremy Tilse 18. Paddy Ryan 19. Will Skelton 20. Mitchell Chapman 21. Pat McCutcheon 22. Brendan McKibbin 23. Taqele Naiyaravoro 24. Matt Carraro 25. Peter Betham.

Originally published as Waratahs hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau says Crusaders certain to target their scrum and lineout in Super Rugby final