Wallabies and NSW Waratahs hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau has been given another three weeks to recover from his latest bout of concussion.

Polota-Nau, who has a lengthy history of concussions, has already missed the Waratahs’ two most recent matches after suffering a head knock against the Brumbies.

The decision means he will miss Saturday’s grand final rematch with the Crusaders in Sydney and also the team’s two tour matches in South Africa against the Lions and Cheetahs.

“There is no point in taking him to South Afria and having doubts over him,” said coach Michael Cheika on Tuesday.

“We’ll let him have a few week off and get sorted out and he can start again when we come back from South Africa.”

Polota-Nau also missed some game time after a head knock earlier in the season.

The latest schedule would have him returning in the last round home match against the Queensland Reds.

Cheika said he would give flanker Jacques Potgieter until Thursday to overcome a sternum injury that kept him out of last weekend’s win over the Sharks.