Polota-Nau had long been identified as a future Wallabies prospect, and as such made his international debut in 2005 before he had played in a Super Rugby match. The former IRB U21 Player of the Year went on to forge a strong career with the NSW Waratahs after signing for them in 2006, while maintaining his regular presence in Australia squads. The hooker, of Tongan heritage, has a fearsome game built on his strong physical attributes, and knows how to find the tryline on occasion. Since his Test bow he was employed mainly as a replacement due to the strong bond formed between the front-row of Benn Robinson, Ben Alexander and hooker Stephen Moore, his main rival for honours.

Polota Nau was regurly used as a substitute for the Wallabies throughout the 2009-10 season with Moore preferred as first-choice. And Polota-Nau travelled with the international side on their tour of the northern hemisphere in November 2010 - coming off the bench twice in the process. However, Polota-Nau's rise in the Wallabies' ranks was halted with a knee injury sustained in mid-June.

Despite a six-eight week prognosis for his recovery, Polota-Nau was given the benefit of the doubt and featured in Australia's World Cup campaign, which ended in the semi-finals.