Powerhouse NSW Waratahs hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau will make his long-awaited return from concussion-related problems against Queensland in the crucial Super Rugby clash at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.
Polota-Nau has been named to start against the Reds after being ruled out for five weeks in May when he suffered a concussion against the Brumbies.
It was the second head knock to rule him out of games this season and the most recent of a long list of concussions in his career.
His return is sure to spark plenty of debate with former Wallaby Peter FitzSimmons among those who believe Polota-Nau should retire due to the multiple concussions he's sustained.
The 29-year-old enjoyed a busy training session at Moore Park on Thursday and was at the forefront of scrummaging and lineout work ahead of Saturday's game.
Teammate Michael Hooper was impressed by Polota-Nau's work on the training paddock.
"He's looking sharp. He's scrumming well and moving well. He's had a lot of time to get his body and head right," Hooper said.
Polota-Nau comes in for Hugh Roach who moves to the bench after playing in the two-game South African tour following the four-week suspension of hooker Tolu Latu for a lifting tackle.
The Waratahs go into the clash equal on points (47) with the Brumbies in the race for the coveted Australian conference title.
The conference winner gets a week off and home semi-final.
Canberra-based side the Brumbies can heap pressure on the Waratahs with a bonus-point victory over the Crusaders at home on Saturday afternoon, with their game finishing a couple of hours before the match in Sydney.
"The boys have been saying all week, we control our destiny by the way we perform this weekend," said veteran Waratahs centre Adam Ashley-Cooper.
"Playing a home semi-final is key to making the final, but we can't look that far ahead."
Giant prop Will Skelton also returns to the starting line up after serving a two-game ban for his part in a lifting tackle with Latu on the Crusaders' Sam Whitelock.
Waratahs team: Israel Folau, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Kurtley Beale, Matt Carraro, Bernard Foley, Nick Phipps, Wycliff Palu, Michael Hooper, Jacques Potgieter, David Dennis (capt), Will Skelton, Sekope Kepu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson. Res: Hugh Roach, Jeremy Tilse, Paddy Ryan, Mitchell Chapman, Dean Mumm, Stephen Hoiles, Brendan McKibbin, Peter Betham.
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