Retirement call from Wallaby veteran Tatafu Polota-Nau

Adam Kyriacou

Australia hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau will represent his country for the final time on Saturday after announcing his retirement from Test rugby.  

The 34-year-old, who was not named in the Wallabies squad for the World Cup, is set to bow out against Samoa at Bankwest Stadium in Parramatta.

He joins fellow front-row Sekope Kepu in hanging up his international boots, but Polota-Nau remains on standby should any injuries occur.

What makes Saturday’s game extra special is that he began his rugby career with the Parramatta Two Blues, so his goodbye will be on home soil.

“It is (special) because the west has given me the opportunity to take rugby with both hands and go for it,” Polota-Nau said.

“If it wasn’t for Parramatta Two Blues picking up the skill set I possessed back in schoolboys days, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to don the green and gold.

“It’s a privilege really to wear the Wallabies jersey.

“It’s another opportunity to wear the gold jersey, most likely for the last time, and it’s been a hell of a journey and I have been incredibly fortunate to wear the jersey every time.”

Jordan Uelese, Folau Fainga’a and Tolu Latu are Australia’s hookers flying to Japan and despite missing out Polota-Nau wished them well.

“They are great. It’s possibly the best combination you’ll ever get to go to a World Cup,” said the Leicester Tigers player.

“There are various skills each hooker possesses and to be honest I have been fortunate to witness that. Unfortunately, my skill set isn’t as good as the rest of them but to honest I couldn’t be at a happier place and I have every confidence they will do the job in Japan.”