Tuesday’s Rugby News sees TPN back at the Tahs, Liz Patu banned, Jordan Petaia out for the season, and Mafi back in camp
[one_half last=”no”]
TPN ON LOAN
It has been three years since Tatafu Polota-Nau last played for the Waratah’s but now he is back on a short term injury cover loan from Leicester.
The 33-year-old test hooker was brought in as cover for fellow hooker Tolu Latu who has been suspended for 6-weeks, and prop Shambeckler Vui, who has a lisfranc ligament injury (same as Jordan Petaia see below).
The length of his time with the Waratah’s is still up in the air as the club attempts to fast track his paperwork to have him eligible for Saturday night.
After arriving on Monday it is expected that he will come off the bench for the Waratah during their clash with the Queensland Reds on Saturday night.
“We’re finalising the paperwork and we’re hopeful that he would be available for that game,” he aid.
“That’s the idea in terms of he’s just got a flight, he’s going to go through all his routines to get himself ready. I don’t foresee him starting the game against the Reds.
“We’re working through that in terms of the paper work, we’re pretty confident it’ll work out in terms of the release and so forth,” he said
TPN joined Leicester in 2017 after a season with the Western Force, but has been playing limited minutes this season but could return to the Tigers this season.
“It’s very rare to have a mid-term cover as such but it works well for Tatafu in the fact that he gets an opportunity to get in front of the rugby selectors in this country and show what he can do,” Gibson said.
“Part of his goal is to make the Rugby World Cup squad and the best way he can do that is by playing rugby in the Super Rugby competition.”
The Waratahs will face a strong Reds forward pack with Taniela Tupou and Brandon Paenga-Amosa, along with Izack Rodda and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto. TPN’s experience at scrum time could be extremely valuable for NSW.
“It’s (the scrum) an area we’re putting a lot of work into at the moment,” Gibson said.
“We know it’s something we need to improve and we know that’s a strength of the Reds, it’s what they’ve been training for so that’s our first challenge.
“That’s one area Taf excels in. Certainly he’s a big body, certainly add to that scrummaging strength on our behalf.”
You can read the NSWRU statement here.
[/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]
PATU BANNED
This weekends round of Super W has been marred with a despicable biting incident from the incumbent Wallaroos captain Liz Patu.
Patu, who took over the Wallaroos captaincy in 2018 was charged and found guilty of biting Rebecca Clough during Saturday’s match between Queensland and Western Australia.
During a break in play WA lock Clough approached referee Lara West pointing out bite marks on her arm. Due to the fact West had not seen the incident directly and Super W having different TMO laws, the referee was unable to do anything accept warn the Queenslanders about it.
Replays showed that Patu would be in big trouble though, and was cited by Rugby Australia to face the judiciary panel.
The incident requires a 12 week suspension from the game but Patu received a 50% reduction down to 6 weeks based on a guilty plea, her previous good record and good character.
The same punishment was given to Bulls prop Pierre Schoeman, who last season bit Rebels back rower Richard Hardwick.
Patu released this statement: “I’d like to express my remorse for my actions in Saturday’s match,” Patu said in a statement released by Rugby Australia.
“I apologise to Rebecca Clough, the Rugby WA women’s team, my own teammates and the wider rugby public.
“I’ve played club, state and international rugby and previously haven’t committed an act such as this and I accept my punishment.
“I want to reassure the rugby public, administration and my fellow players, that when I return to play I will ensure that the game is played in the right spirit and do what I can to promote the women’s game in a positive manner.
“My actions the other night were unacceptable and will not be repeated.
Queensland Super W assistant coach Tyrell Barker said that Patu was remorseful of her actions but biting has no place in Rugby.
“Liz has expressed her remorse, and extends an apology to the player in question, the Rugby WA Women’s team, her own teammates and the wider Rugby public.
“Behaviour like this is unacceptable in our game and we support the suspension handed down by the judiciary.
“As we continue to work to build the Women’s game, we need to ensure that players have a safe playing and training environment from the grassroots through to the elite level of the game.
You can read the full QRU statement here.
[/one_half]
[one_half last=”no”]
PETAIA OUT
Injury has been a cruel mistress to young gun Jordan Petaia after he suffered a foot injury on Saturday night in the Reds loss to the Crusaders.
The 18 year-old limped off the field after it appears he has twisted his foot 15 minutes into the match.
It is understood that he has suffered a Lisfranc ligament injury and is expected to miss the remainder of the Super Rugby season, with a chance to return a head of the Rugby Championship.
Though with a four month recovery expected, the chance for a Wallabies debut this year may have to wait.
This is not the first time that injury has soured things for Petaia, as he was forced to pull out of his Wallabies debut just days before the match.
Petaia’s performance against the Highlanders in round 2 showed the Rugby world what he is capable off, laying some big hits, some fast footwork and even managed to turn Ben Smith around.
Plenty in the Australian Rugby community have massive wraps on the young centre, including Tim Horan and Drew Mitchell.
“It wasn’t just with ball in hand, there was a time when he put on Shannon Frizell, who was one of the Highlanders’ best and a bullocking ball runner, but he absolutely deck chaired him, folded him half, and he’s ever present as well,” Former Wallaby Drew Mitchell said.
“He’s got good game awareness, pops up when he needs to and the thing I like about him is just his calmness, he’s not getting carried away.
“A lot of people, like us, are talking him up but he’s just going about his own business, you don’t hear him talking himself up too much, he doesn’t get too carried away with the hype, he’s just going about his work.”
Nick Phipps also spoke highly of him, highlighting his maturity in camp, but I think most people might look mature in comparison to Phipps.
[/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]
MAFI BACK IN CAMP
Former Melbourne Rebels No.8 Amanaki Mafi has been called into the Japanese training camp as part of their World Cup extended training squad despite the fact he is still facing assault charges in New Zealand.
Japanese Rugby Union has decided to include Mafi in the train squad after delays to his legal proceedings, where he has been charged with the assault of former teammate Lopeti Timani last July.
The former Australian Super Rugby Player of the Year plead not guilty back in September, with both players fined $15,000 by the Rebels for breaking team and club protocols.
Mafi left the Rebels to join Japan Top League club NTT Communications Shining Arcs, but after the incident he was banned from all team activities until November.
The club has since allowed him to play after “assessing his self-reflection and willingness to change his conduct” while he released a letter of apology through the team.
Mafi has 22 international caps and is considered one of Japans best players, including being apart of the team that upset South Africa in the 2015 World Cup.
Mafi is expected to join the next training camp.
[/one_half]
