Rugby: Season gets tougher for Waratahs as hooker likely sidelined

Waratah's Tatafu Polota-Nau. Photo / NZPA

The NSW Waratahs' flatlining Super 15 season is set for another major blow with inspirational hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau to be ruled out of tomorrow morning's must-win clash against the Stormers in Cape Town.

The Waratahs are expected to make Polota-Nau's withdrawal official on match eve.

Coach Michael Foley said the 26-year-old was nearly recovered from two knocks to the head but he couldn't afford to throw caution to the wind - even for such an important game.

The absence of Polota-Nau is a massive loss for a NSW team desperate for their first win on foreign soil in two years. The Waratahs have enjoyed only one victory in 13 matches overseas in the past three seasons and another loss will realistically end their play-off hopes.

John Ulugia is poised to wear the No 2 jersey. Newlands looms as the toughest of last-chance saloons for the Waratahs with the fourth-placed Stormers boasting a proud home record over the past three years and the best defence in the competition.

But Foley has looked closely at how both the Queensland Reds and Crusaders last year scored upset Cape Town wins and will also aim to play a disciplined and strategic field-position game.

The Waratahs are also wary of the dual threats of Springbok backs Bryan Habana and Jean de Villiers who are experts at intercepting wide passes. Habana will celebrate his 100th Super Rugby match and has bounced back towards career-best form following a poor 2011.

"Bryan is in exceptional form," Foley said.

"He's certainly a guy who sniffs a try out of nothing and one who has to be watched."

- AAP