Force duo in the air

TATAFU Polota-Nau and Dane Haylett-Petty have made passionate last-ditch pleas for the ARU not to cut the Western Force, with the hooker even hinting he’d head overseas if the side was axed.

Polota-Nau has become Australia’s No.1 hooker and with Stephen Moore retiring from internationals at the end of the season, the Wallabies can ill-afford to lose him in the lead-up to the 2019 World Cup.

A decision on the arbitration between the ARU and WA Rugby could be announced as early as today.

“It’s a tough one because of where I am head-wise,” Polota-Nau said. “I see it in terms of equity – if I do well in Western Australia, I do well for Australia – in terms of growing the game, and hopefully the playing will follow that.”

Despite the lure of the World Cup, his decision will be based on the Force’s future.