Tatafu Polota-Nau ruled out of Australia's clash against South Africa due to hamstring injury
Michael Cheika will have to deal with a last-minute injury
©PA
Australia have been dealt a late blow ahead of their Rugby Championship encounter against South Africa in Port Elizabeth after Tatafu Polota-Nau has been ruled out of the Saturday's clash with a hamstring injury.
The 33-year-old suffered the injury during a training session and was eventually declared unfit for the game.
“Polota-Nau injured his hamstring at Thursday’s training session and was monitored overnight before being ruled out by medical staff,” Rugby Australia said in a statement.
Hooker Folau Faingaa has been named in the line-up in the place of Polota-Nau on what will be his first start for Australia in his fourth Test while Brandon Paenga-Amosa, who played all three Tests against Ireland in the June series has been drafted among the replacements.
Australia line-up: Dane Haylett-Petty, Israel Folau, Reece Hodge, Matt Toomua, Marika Koroibete, Kurtley Beale, Will Genia, David Pocock, Michael Hooper (captain), Ned Hanigan, Izack Rodda, Adam Coleman, Taniela Tupou, Folau Faingaa, Scott Sio
Replacements: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Sekope Kepu, Allan Alaalatoa, Rory Arnold, Rob Simmons, Nick Phipps, Bernard Foley, Jack Maddocks
