Tatafu Polota Nau
Hooker
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Profile
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Height:
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181cm
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Weight:
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115kg
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Date Of Birth:
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26/07/1985
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Place of Birth:
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Sydney NSW
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Rugby Career
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Senior Club:
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Parramatta
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Stats
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Provincial Rugby Caps:
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103
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Provincial Rugby Points:
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60 (12t)
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Provincial Rugby Debut:
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2005 v Auckland
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Super Rugby Caps:
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102
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Super Rugby Points:
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60 (12t)
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Super Rugby Debut:
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2006 v Reds
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Test Rugby Caps:
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44
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Test Rugby Points:
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10 (2t)
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Test Rugby Debut:
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2005 v England
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One of the most damaging front-rower in the game, Tatafu Polota Nau is one of Australia’s first choice hookers who will undoubtedly put up a challenge to be picked to take on the 2013 British & Irish Lions front row.
Ironically, Polota Nau spent his childhood dreaming of a career in rugby league, before a rugby-mad high school teacher persuaded him to take up rugby union. His passion for the sport developed quickly and he spent countless hours on the training field – unbeknownst to his mother, who was told he was studying hard in the library. Within two years of taking up rugby, he was captaining the Australian Schools side.
His meteoric rise continued when he was given the rare honour of playing in both the Under-19 and Under-21 world championships in 2004. In 2005, he again played for the Under-21 side and his impressive performances for the national side saw him recognised as the IRB U21 Player of the Year. The same year, he received a shock call-up to the national side, without first debuting in Super Rugby. The electric young hooker made his debut against England at Twickenham on the end of season tour.
Since making his debut in 2006 against the Reds, Polota Nau has gone on to register 99 Super Rugby appearances and over 40 Test appearances. He became the youngest player in NSW Rugby history to register 50 caps for his state, missing just seven games in his first six seasons with the club. In 2010, his hard work saw him awarded the Matthew Burke Cup for Player of the Year. He is also one of the most popular members of the HSBC Waratahs squad, having won the 2012 Members’ Choice Player of the Year, which was voted on by the general public.
Given his heritage, it was almost inevitable that Polota Nau would pursue a professional rugby career. Older sister Moala is a keen rugby player and the co-coach of the Parramatta women’s team. Younger brother Mika plays in the front row for Parramatta’s first grade side, tipping the scales at 134kg. Their first cousin Salesi Ma’afu is an established member of the ACT Brumbies and is capped 14 times for the Wallabies. Tatafu is also a distant relation of American “King Hakau,” a professional wrestler in the WWE wrestling competition.
The 'face' of the game in Sydney's west, Polota Nau was schooled at Granville South High School and although he now lives in Waterloo, he retains strong connections with the Parramatta community, working extensively to revive the fortunes of the struggling Parramatta Rugby Club from his position as Board Director. His hard work and passion for the club paid off in 2012, with the Two Blues registering their first Shute Shield finals appearance in 21 years.
He is also fluent in the Tongan language and learnt Japanese from an uncle who played rugby professionally in Japan. In October last year, he surprised the Argentinian media by starting the press conference prior to the Pumas Test in Rosario in Spanish!
Updated May 21, 2013