Rugby: Injured hooker returns for 50-test milestone

Tatafu Polota-Nau against the Hurricanes. Photo / NZPA

Hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau returns to play his 50th test for Australia in one of three changes to the Wallabies lineup to face Argentina in the Rugby Championship on Saturday.

Polota-Nau, who has been sidelined with a knee injury since the Waratahs' Super Rugby title win on August 2, replaces James Hanson in the team announced yesterday.

Peter Betham replaces the injured Adam Ashley-Cooper on the wing, and Ben McCalman was preferred to Scott Higginbotham as No8 in the absence of Wycliff Palu, who received a head knock in last weekend's narrow win over South Africa.

"It's always hard to replace the experience guys such as Wycliff and Adam bring to the game, but their injuries open the door for Ben and Peter," coach Ewen McKenzie said.

Bernard Foley retains the No10 jersey, and utility back Kurtley Beale stays on the bench.

McKenzie congratulated Polota-Nau on his impending milestone.

"He is a guy who puts his body on the line each and every week for the team," he said. "He gives it his all every time he takes the field and is also an outstanding teammate off it."

Polota-Nau, 29, made his Wallabies debut in 2005 off the bench against the English at Twickenham.

Team: Israel Folau, Peter Betham, Tevita Kuridrani, Matt Toomua, Rob Horne, Bernard Foley, Nick Phipps, Ben McCalman, Michael Hooper (c), Scott Fardy, Rob Simmons, Sam Carter, Sekope Kepu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, James Slipper.

Reserves: James Hanson, Pek Cowan, Ben Alexander, James Horwill, Scott Higginbotham, Matt Hodgson, Nic White, Kurtley Beale.