Technique, rather than terror, will be Wallabies hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau’s focus when he attempts to fill the huge void left by injured skipper Stephen Moore.

Well, that’s the game plan.

But Polota-Nau admits he can’t rule out a return to his kamikaze-style of play in the Wallabies’ second Test against France in Melbourne on Saturday night.

The NSW Waratahs’ wrecking ball wants to rein in his old ways after conceding poor tackling technique had been behind a spate of injuries that marred his 2013 campaign.

And the Wallabies need him to stay on the field after Moore’s season-ending knee injury just minutes into his captaincy debut in Australia’s 50-23 first Test win in Brisbane last weekend.

But human projectile Polota-Nau said wearing the green and gold might yet again lead to him seeing red in his first start as hooker since the 2012 spring tour.

“I need to go technique first and then add intent when, usually, I would go the other way around,” he said.

“That was the main reason behind my injuries last year.”

However, asked if he would rein in his blatant disregard for his own safety, a smiling Polota-Nau said: “There are times where you have to make a decision.

“But for me wearing the gold thread, intent gets up there and technique comes down particularly in the latter parts of the game.”

It is not just his on-field approach that has received finetuning.

Last November, the quietly spoken IT expert was surprisingly one of six Wallabies sensationally stood down for a Test against Scotland for staying out late and drinking in Dublin.

“We went through that process and we now know what is expected – there is now more clarity,” Polota-Nau said of the incident.

“Our behaviour as a Wallaby is paramount.

“It was like any mistake on the field. After you do it, you do anything it takes to make it right.

“But in saying that, the lesson was learned. Now we move on and hopefully there will never again be other circumstances like that.”

Polota-Nau was one of three injury-enforced changes to the second Test starting side with ex-skipper James Horwill also in for lock Sam Carter (ankle) and Western Force workhorse Ben McCalman replacing No.8 Wycliff Palu (ankle).

Polota-Nau came off the bench to replace the injured Moore in an explosive 75-minute first Test display – and hinted there would be more of the same in the game two.

“It was unfortunate for Steve. His leadership is paramount regarding where we want to go as a squad,” he said.

“But I am ready to go.”