Tatafu Polota-Nau Article

[h's dad]

Apologies if it is already posted elsewhere as it is a bit old but I've just come across this about TPN at Western Force, settling in at Tigers and his line out coaching, and thought it was worth sharing:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union ... ion-widget

[JP14]

What a top class bloke, even in defeat he will still walk around the pitch and clap the fans. And what a perfect mentor to Kerr and Mahoney!

[trendylfj]

A great insight into his thinking - I hope that the powers that be have also read it and have begun seriously looking at his contract and working out how to allow him to play in the world cup and getting him to sign a contract extension. We really need to get him here for the next 3 or 4 years - he is that good.

[RagingBull]

A great insight into his thinking - I hope that the powers that be have also read it and have begun seriously looking at his contract and working out how to allow him to play in the world cup and getting him to sign a contract extension. We really need to get him here for the next 3 or 4 years - he is that good.

He signed a 2 1/2 year contract when he joined will be 35 when that contract runs out so might want to be looking at other options by then, and he will play in the RWC if Australia select him we can't stop that by World Rugby rules I believe unless we have agreed with TPN that he will miss it.

[fleabane]

We could do with more players of his calibre and character.

[chris111]

Thanks for posting - the most interesting interview with a professional in any sport (let alone rugby) I’ve read in a while.

Who’d have thought it - actually talking without everything meaningful being filtered out in favour of the banal scripting of ‘media advisors’ who treat athletes like puppets?! Keep telling it how it is, TP-N!

[Rugbyflanker]

Great man! His cousin is Haku,that's crazy remember him well!

[jgriffin]

Another playing well into his 30s because he didn't start till 16, like Brad Thorn and Nick Easter. Excellent article.

[JP14]

Another playing well into his 30s because he didn't start till 16, like Brad Thorn and Nick Easter. Excellent article.

Dusatoir was 16 when he started rugby too, retired at 37!

[chris111]

Another playing well into his 30s because he didn't start till 16, like Brad Thorn and Nick Easter. Excellent article.

Dusatoir was 16 when he started rugby too, retired at 37!

Interesting - would love to see some research into this to see if it really does show up a correlation. Also curious as to whether the career longevity is a result of less early bodily wear and tear, or if it because the late starters retain their motivation better. There are lots of examples from other sports (eg tennis) where junior prodigies suffer mental burn out because of years of hot-housing.

[strawclearer]

Another playing well into his 30s because he didn't start till 16, like Brad Thorn and Nick Easter. Excellent article.

Dusatoir was 16 when he started rugby too, retired at 37!

Interesting - would love to see some research into this to see if it really does show up a correlation. Also curious as to whether the career longevity is a result of less early bodily wear and tear, or if it because the late starters retain their motivation better. There are lots of examples from other sports (eg tennis) where junior prodigies suffer mental burn out because of years of hot-housing.

As an ECB Cricket Coach, we always used to restrict younger players both in terms of intensity and duration of play/practice. 'Doing too much too early' can cause serious damage to young bodies.

[JP14]

I started playing in the U11s so a bit later than most of my teammates.

[jgriffin]

Another factor is the enticement of the gym. With the demise of 'natural strength' jobs (hence the number of farmers in packs back in the day) and the body-fascist culture promoted in the media, late teens hit the gym but fail to have good advice in the main. This leads to overwork, especially if aided by 'supplements', and often the failure to understand basic principles and to moderate loadings; this can be coupled with the fat-stripping that too often occurs.
All these practices result in support structures being weaker than muscles etc. and lack of cushioning in a sport where Law and practice has created many more collisions than before. Time for ruinous injury!
If someone gains proportionate strength through other sports and activities, and structures close on their adult strength, then the likelihood of the frame being able to cope in the later rugby career is greater