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Misfiring hooker given lifeline
By Bret Harris
August 19, 2008 AUSTRALIA'S forwards coach Jim Williams has not ruled out going back in time to sort out the lineout woes that afflicted the Wallabies in Auckland three weeks ago, but said there were no immediate plans to relieve reserve hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau of his throwing duties.
Wallabies lost eight lineouts on their throw in the 39-10 hammering by the All Blacks at Eden Park.
While the lineout was under stress from the outset, it deteriorated badly when Polota-Nau replaced starting hooker Stephen Moore in the 50th minute.
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 lineout throwing.
There is no law which says the hooker must throw the ball into the lineout, but it has been common practice since the 1970s.
But every now and then teams have experimented with players in other positions, such as half-back or prop, throwing the ball into the lineout.
Prop Matt Dunning and openside flanker Phil Waugh, who are believed to be accurate throwers, are in the squad.
"It's not something out of left field," Williams said.
"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 lineout has to be about as good as each other.
"Realistically, if one of the props can throw the ball in ... consistency is a big thing with lineout 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 lineout, 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.
"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 lineout 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.
"They just need to talk to each other and make sure they get through the work. Just keep throwing, throwing, throwing.
"Just get him through the work. Work under pressure. See how that goes."
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. The Springboks' lineout, led by lock Victor Matfield, is arguably the best in the world.
"We are just trying to improve our lineout as a whole really, to get our combinations right," Polota-Nau said.
"We have just focused on the simple things. Lifters get their lifts right. Throwers get throws right. And jumpers get to maximum height.
"We learnt a lot from the last game. Hopefully we can keep building on it and get our combinations right."
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...-23217,00.html
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