mens
nations-championship
Former Wallabies winger Drew Mitchell believes Henry Pollock’s willingness to speak out is good for rugby union, but admitted with a smile that the young England a backrower would “annoy” you as an opposing player.
Pollock was not named in the starting side to face the Wallabies last weekend, but the 21-year-old still stole the show. Coach Steve Borthwick replaced Pollock in place of injured winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, who was receiving treatment for an injured ankle during the first half.
Jack Van Poortvliet scored first in the second half and England took complete control of the goal Nations Championship conflict. But then Pollock helped set up a strong result, scoring two tries in an impressive cameo on the wing.
Pollock made sure to celebrate both tries, appearing surprised after the first before performing the well-known ‘pulse check’ after completing the double in just three minutes. Celebrations like these made Pollock such a vibrant rugby personality in a fairly short period of time.
“I think it’s good for the game to have players who are willing to express themselves and show their personality and the true side of who they are,” Mitchell said on Kick Offs and Kick Ons.
“But at the same time, I think he’d be one of those guys that would annoy you if you played against him, but if you played with him, you’d love him and you’d go around him.
“So sometimes (it’s) maybe polarizing because some people don’t like it and whatever. But I think it’s good that we have that in the game, but at the same time, if I was playing against him, I’d be out of it.”
Pollock said on England Rugby social media reported after the game that he enjoyed his time on the wing and “did a bit of work in the week” to prepare for that position change. Fin Smith then chimed in, joking with his folks Northampton Saints teammate on how the tries were “tap-ins”.
More than 80,000 fans watched the Test at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium and England will face Japan and All black people in the coming weeks. But the English made sure to celebrate that result, singing Down Under by Men at work in their locker room.
“He puts so much pressure on himself. I think it’s good for the game. It doesn’t mean I like him because he does it against my team, so I get the s***,” former Wallaby Matt Giteau added.
“After the game, the England rugby team played (Down Under) … it drove me crazy. But if the Aussies were doing it Swing Lowi think it would be great.
“But it’s good that he’s getting it out of me.”
