ID :
128309
Wed, 06/16/2010 - 21:04
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/128309
The shortlink copeid
Wallabies woes mount with Polota-Nau out
The Wallabies' front row injury blight has struck again with more scrum woe looming
in Saturday's second Test against England after hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau was ruled
out.
The rugged Polota-Nau was expected to return from injury and shore up a green-horn
Australian front row that was dreadfully exposed when conceding two penalty tries
during the first Test win in Perth last Saturday.
But he suffered further ankle discomfort after returning to the field in the
unfamiliar tighthead prop position late in the Australian Barbarians' 15-9 loss to
the tourists in Gosford on Tuesday night.
While the injury is not long-term he is unavailable for the ANZ Stadium Test and the
selectors have few enticing options with first-choice props Ben Alexander and Benn
Robinson and hooker Stephen Moore also still out of action.
Props Salesi Ma'afu and Ben Daley and hooker Saia Faingaa formed the Wallabies' most
inexperienced front-row in 27 years in Perth and could start again although young
prop James Slipper may see more game time after a promising debut off the bench.
Nonetheless, forwards coach Jim Williams believed there had been progress made in
the problem scrum area this week.
The selectors are unlikely to tinker with the back five of the scrum, with flanker
David Pocock declaring himself a certain starter after missing training earlier in
the week with a sternum injuries.
Coach Robbie Deans has more pleasant selection posers in the backline.
Centre Matt Giteau and winger Adam Ashley-Cooper are available again after injury
forced them out of the first Test.
The selection panel must also decide whether to retain Luke Burgess at halfback
following his outstanding first Test performance or recall the accomplished Will
Genia, now fully fit.
The Wallabies are bracing themselves for a tougher contest against an England side
still hurting from last Saturday's loss.
"They are going to be a lot smarter in the way they play, they are probably going to
play to their strengths more," Pocock said.
"We are expecting a lot tougher England team this week. I think the first 20
minutes, as last week, will be pretty intense and probably set the tone for the rest
of the game."
Forwards coach Jim Williams said the Wallabies would need to lift their physicality
up front to counter the anticipated forward onslaught.
"It's just got to be ramped up again this week, the physicality of the England team,
especially in their tight play was enormous," Williams said.
"It's got to step up again. The physicality that these guys play in the English
Premiership and the Six Nations is just relentless and we need to make sure that we
meet that battle head on."
England coach Martin Johnson is expected to contemplate possible changes to his
backline which could include 2003 World Cup hero Jonny Wilkinson at five-eighth, or
possibly even inside centre.
Johnson was adamant veteran centre Mike Tindall would shrug off an injury worry and
be available for the Sydney encounter.
in Saturday's second Test against England after hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau was ruled
out.
The rugged Polota-Nau was expected to return from injury and shore up a green-horn
Australian front row that was dreadfully exposed when conceding two penalty tries
during the first Test win in Perth last Saturday.
But he suffered further ankle discomfort after returning to the field in the
unfamiliar tighthead prop position late in the Australian Barbarians' 15-9 loss to
the tourists in Gosford on Tuesday night.
While the injury is not long-term he is unavailable for the ANZ Stadium Test and the
selectors have few enticing options with first-choice props Ben Alexander and Benn
Robinson and hooker Stephen Moore also still out of action.
Props Salesi Ma'afu and Ben Daley and hooker Saia Faingaa formed the Wallabies' most
inexperienced front-row in 27 years in Perth and could start again although young
prop James Slipper may see more game time after a promising debut off the bench.
Nonetheless, forwards coach Jim Williams believed there had been progress made in
the problem scrum area this week.
The selectors are unlikely to tinker with the back five of the scrum, with flanker
David Pocock declaring himself a certain starter after missing training earlier in
the week with a sternum injuries.
Coach Robbie Deans has more pleasant selection posers in the backline.
Centre Matt Giteau and winger Adam Ashley-Cooper are available again after injury
forced them out of the first Test.
The selection panel must also decide whether to retain Luke Burgess at halfback
following his outstanding first Test performance or recall the accomplished Will
Genia, now fully fit.
The Wallabies are bracing themselves for a tougher contest against an England side
still hurting from last Saturday's loss.
"They are going to be a lot smarter in the way they play, they are probably going to
play to their strengths more," Pocock said.
"We are expecting a lot tougher England team this week. I think the first 20
minutes, as last week, will be pretty intense and probably set the tone for the rest
of the game."
Forwards coach Jim Williams said the Wallabies would need to lift their physicality
up front to counter the anticipated forward onslaught.
"It's just got to be ramped up again this week, the physicality of the England team,
especially in their tight play was enormous," Williams said.
"It's got to step up again. The physicality that these guys play in the English
Premiership and the Six Nations is just relentless and we need to make sure that we
meet that battle head on."
England coach Martin Johnson is expected to contemplate possible changes to his
backline which could include 2003 World Cup hero Jonny Wilkinson at five-eighth, or
possibly even inside centre.
Johnson was adamant veteran centre Mike Tindall would shrug off an injury worry and
be available for the Sydney encounter.
