Super Rugby
Polota-Nau's World Cup hopes alive
ESPNscrum Staff
June 23, 2011
Waratahs hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau is helped from the field, Waratahs v Rebels, Super Rugby, Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney, Australia, April 30, 2011
Polota-Nau's no-nonsense approach to the game has resulted in a series of injuries this season © Getty Images
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Wallabies hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau is facing a battle to prove his fitness ahead of this year's Rugby World Cup after being ruled out for 6-8 weeks with a knee injury.

The Waratahs star has endured an injury-plagued season and suffered his latest setback against the Brumbies last weekend where he was forced to limp off in the early stages of the second half. Initial fears suggested the influential 25-year-old could be out for three months and miss the World Cup but following full assessment of the injury Australian officials have revealed that he could be back in action in time for the latter part of this year's Tri-Nations and the sport's showpiece event.

Polota-Nau, who is sidelined for the Waratahs' Super Rugby semi-final qualifier against the Blues on Saturday, escaped serious injury against the Crusaders in March when he suffered posterior cruciate ligament damage. He has attempted to combat the injury ever since with strapping but broke down once again as his side booked their place in the Super Rugby post-season.

Capped 25 times since his 2005 debut, Polota-Nau is set to miss Australia's first outing of the year against Samoa on July 17 and their Tri-Nations dates with South Africa (July 23) and New Zealand (August 6) before pencilling in a potential return against South Africa in Durban on August 13.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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