Polota-Nau, Palu give Hickey a headache
Greg Growden Chief Rugby Correspondent | March 10, 2009
WHILE the Brumbies are about to radically transform their back line, the Waratahs are relying on positive results from two medical tests to ensure they have a functional pack when they meet in Canberra on Friday night.
Waratahs and Test No.8 Wycliff Palu is in serious doubt with a fractured hand and a visit to a specialist today will determine whether he is allowed to play. And hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau will undergo a neurological test tomorrow after NSW coach Chris Hickey yesterday confirmed the Wallabies rake suffered concussion when he ran into the hip of Queensland Reds second-rower Van Humphries early in the second half of Friday night's interstate victory.
Following the collision, Polota-Nau was spread-eagled on the ground for some time and was extremely groggy until he was replaced. However, Hickey believes Polota-Nau will play in Canberra. When asked if Polota-Nau suffered concussion, Hickey replied: "Yeah. He took a head knock in that game. He seems to be fine now. He was pretty fine even after the game. We're confident he'll be fine in regards to his clearance, and we will start him."
Under SANZAR rules, a concussed player must undergo a neurological test to enable him to compete the following week. The International Rugby Board stipulates that if a player either refuses the test or fails the test, he has a mandatory three-week break.
If the Waratahs would be severely weakened with Palu and Polota-Nau missing. Their options at No.8 are Ben Mowen or Luke Doherty, while Adam Freier would take over as hooker, with Damien Fitzpatrick as his back-up.
However, the timing of the Waratahs team announcement is open to conjecture. It is clear they want to be involved in some "cat and mouse" tactics this week, waiting to see what the Brumbies do before they respond.
Hickey said he was considering starting Timana Tahu at No.12 and putting Tom Carter on the bench, but that would depend on what the Brumbies did in midfield.
"We'll probably have a look at what they do select, but starting with either of the two [Tahu or Carter] is certainly an option for us," Hickey said.
There were enough clues coming out of the Brumbies camp yesterday to indicate that the Waratahs will be confronting a much-changed back line. Tyrone Smith is set to get his first start of the season, at inside-centre, with Stirling Mortlock moving out to his customary No.13 position.
Adam Ashley-Cooper is likely to go from outside-centre to fullback, with Mark Gerrard moving to the wing and either Clyde Rathbone or Francis Fainifo being demoted to the bench.
Brumbies coach Andy Friend yesterday conceded that after an early-season form slump it was probably time to move the Test skipper back to his usual spot.
"Stirling's shown on the Wallaby spring tour that he can play No.12, but what I've seen of him this year he's probably more comfortable at 13," Friend said.
Mortlock also appeared relaxed about a move. When asked how he thought he had played at inside-centre this year, Mortlock replied yesterday: "Personally I've felt a little bit off.
"I probably haven't been that comfortable in our style, which is probably a reflection of where the team has been at as well. We haven't gelled as a back line, and haven't been a cohesive attacking movement."
However, Friend will persevere with unpredictable five-eighth Christian Lealiifano.
"He's copped some unfair criticism," Friend said. "There's part of his game he hasn't been happy with and we haven't been happy with. But there's a whole chunk of his game which has been good, and I'm quite happy with how he is going."
�? Former Wallabies kicking coach Ben Perkins has been called in to help the Western Force in the lead-up to Saturday's match against the Crusaders in Christchurch. Perkins, who lives in New Zealand, may soon replace Daryl Halligan as the Force's kicking coach.
