Leicester Tigers sign Tatafu Polota-Nau

Leicester Tigers have completed the signing of Australia international hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau on a two-and-a-half year contract, beginning in December 2017.

Born in Western Sydney, Polota-Nau played for Greater Western Sydney Rams and Parramatta Two-Blues as well as in Super Rugby with the Waratahs and Western Force.

A former Australia Schools international, Polota-Nau earned the distinction of winning a first cap for Australia as a 20-year-old before he had played at Super Rugby level.

Known as a powerful ball-carrier and fierce tackler, Polota-Nau now has more than 140 appearances in Super Rugby and 78 Test caps, including World Cup campaigns in 2011 and 2015, playing in the Final against New Zealand. He is named in the starting line-up for the Wallabies Test against Wales in Cardiff this Saturday.

Tigers head coach Matt O’Connor said: “Taf is a fierce player with a huge amount of experience in Super Rugby and at Test level.

“He started Australia’s recent Bledisloe Cup win over the All Blacks and was a key member of the Waratahs team that won Super Rugby in 2014.

Polota-Nau, 32, said: “I'm really looking forward to experiencing what northern hemisphere rugby is about. To be privileged to do it with one of the most prestigious clubs of the English Premiership, Leicester Tigers, I believe that not only can I further my game individually, but they have the capacity to add plenty more trophies to their illustrious cabinet and history.