TRI-NATIONS

News | History | Fixtures & Results

Williams puts faith in Polota-Nau

Tuesday 19th August 2008

Keeping the faith: Williams believes Polota-Nau will come good

Australia's Forwards Coach Jim Williams has revealed he will not rule out anything as he looks to rectify the line-out problems that cost his side so dear in Auckland three weeks ago.

In losing 39-10 to New Zealand the Wallabies lost eight line-outs on their own throw, with their problems intensifying when Tatafu Polota-Nau came on for first-choice hooker Stephen Moore.

And Williams has stressed he will not be in a hurry to relieve Polota-Nau of his throwing duties, despite the possibility of reverting back to the days when props and flankers were used to throwing the ball in.

One of the most athletic front-rowers in world rugby, Polota-Nau has the potential to be one of Australia's greatest hookers, but he is yet to master the art of line-out throwing.

"It's not something out of left field," Williams told The Australian.

"Basically, whoever can throw the ball best, I suppose, especially in the front row. With hookers and props especially, the ability to lift in the line-out has to be about as good as each other.

"Realistically, if one of the props can throw the ball in, then why not? Consistency is a big thing with line-out throwing, making sure you can hit that target or get close enough to it 99 per cent of the time or as close as you can to 100. From a generic point of view anyone in the line-out, especially the front row, can throw."

While Williams admitted Polota-Nau struggled with his throwing in Auckland, he was confident he would attain a satisfactory level of consistency eventually.

"Things were difficult for Taf," William said.

"He knows how he performed. We just have to make sure he works hard to get the problem fixed. It's a combination of factors as well. If one small thing is out in lifting, throwing, the movement of the line-out or the guy going up.

"There are several factors that we have to cover to make sure the throw hits the spot. He just needs to understand what sort of throw needs to go where and work well with the lifters and jumpers."

Polota-Nau is expected to fend off a challenge from Waratahs team-mate Adam Freier to keep his place on the bench for the Test against the Springboks in Durban on Saturday.