'Tahs hook in Polota-Nau for Final
May 29 2008
Tatafu Polota-Nau will return from injury to start for the Waratahs in the Super 14 Final against the Crusaders in Christchurch on Saturday.
The hooker's inclusion was the only change to the side that defeated the Sharks in the semi-final in Sydney last weekend, as Australia loose forward David Lyons failed a fitness test on his injured hamstring and was again ruled out.
Head Coach Ewen McKenzie praised Lyons' in the manner in which he handled the situation ahead of what would have been his final match for the Waratahs.
"The temptation for many players to play would have been huge, but David's always been about the team and although this is extremely disappointing for him he didn't want to play if he wasn't 100 per cent," said McKenzie.
"Even though David won't be on the park on Saturday, his input and tactical nous will be important for the squad in the final lead-up to the match."
McKenzie has called in a new 24th man to cover for Lyons' injury with Sydney University flanker Pat McCutcheon flying into Christchurch on Thursday.
Polota-Nau was named after missing the semi-final victory, forcing Adam Freier back to the bench and Al Manning out of the squad.
The Final will see Al Baxter become the sixth-highest capped Waratah of all time, with McKenzie highlighting the blend between youth and experience as a key factor in the team's success this season.
"The senior guys have been around this squad for anything between five and ten years," said McKenzie.
"Phil [Waugh], Matt [Dunning] and David Lyons all started with New South Wales in around 1999-2000. Adam Freier and Lote Tuqiri have been here since '03, Dan Vickerman since '04.
"On the flip side of that we fielded eight players this year who had never played Super Rugby for the Waratahs.
"We've got a brand new centre combination, our number thirteen is 18 years old and people forget Kurtley Beale and Lachie Turner are only 19 and 21.
"It's an exciting blend and we won't die wondering on Saturday."
Waratahs: 15 Sam Norton-Knight, 14 Lachie Turner, 13 Rob Horne, 12 Tom Carter, 11 Lote Tuqiri, 10 Kurtley Beale, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Phil Waugh (c), 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Dan Vickerman, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Al Baxter, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Adam Freier, 17 Matt Dunning, 18 Will Caldwell, 19 Beau Robinson, 20 Brett Sheehan, 21 Matt Carraro, 22 Timana Tahu.
Date: Saturday, May 24
Venue: AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-off: 19:35 (06:35 GMT)
Referee: Mark Lawrence (South Africa)
Touch judges: Craig Joubert (South Africa), Cobus Wessels (South Africa)
Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)
Assessor: Stuart Beissel (New Zealand)