Latest news with #HenryPollock
Daily Maverick
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Maverick
Jaden Hendrikse's cheeky wink reminds us that rugby needs characters, not robots
Rugby's struggle for global superstars is evident, as seen in the contrasting reactions to Jaden Hendrikse's sly wink and Northampton's Henry Pollock's flamboyant celebrations. Rugby needs larger-than-life personalities to grow the game. 'Winkgate' stole the headlines after Saturday's United Rugby Championship (URC) quarterfinal clash between the Sharks and Munster, which the South African side won 6-4 by place-kicking shootout after the sides were tied 24-24 after 100 minutes of rugby. It didn't take too much to divert the attention from a match that, outside of the first place-kicking shootout in URC history, offered very little in terms of extended quality entertainment while the referee's clock was running in regular time and the 20 minutes of extra time. But a cheeky wink by one of the kickers in the place-kicking shootout, Jaden Hendrikse, aimed at Munster flyhalf Jack Crowley spurred a few days of social media outbursts from rugby fans globally, calling the act 'unsportmanlike' and 'against the values of the game', along with plenty more unsavoury comments directed towards the Sharks scrumhalf. It even drew a reaction from Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus on X. The social media fallout was largely excessive for an event so frivolous, but it was not uncharacteristic for rugby as a sport, whose loudest voices can evidently be self-righteous of the behaviour of its athletes. Rugby has so few global superstars – unlike soccer, tennis or even basketball – and it does itself no favours by attempting to suppress the personalities of its players on the field. Superstars Northampton Saints backrow Henry Pollock also attracted headlines in recent weeks for his eccentric try celebrations throughout his side's sublime run to the final of the Champions Cup. His celebration – by holding two fingers to his neck, as if to check his pulse – in the Champions Cup semifinal against Leinster drew the most attention. Especially from opponents. Several players from the tournament winning team, the Bordeaux-Bègles, including French flyhalf Matthieu Jalibert and Bègles head coach Yannick Bru, posed for pictures in the same fashion after the final – mocking Pollock's celebration after defeating his side. Pollock doesn't fit into the traditional mould of English rugby players. He is full of flair and exudes confidence, which some may argue as arrogance, on and off the field. But he's a personality that rugby so desperately needs and shouldn't try to suppress, akin to the attempts to stifle Hendrikse. Although, as someone seemingly carrying the torch for rugby players who are a little bit different, being on the receiving end of banter from opponents is to be expected. However, to be slammed by critics for antics – completely within the laws of the game – does nothing to grow the game. Instead, it marginalises players who are a bit different, when it could be used to leverage new fans to the game. Rugby has very few superstars — which are needed to draw new eyes to the sport. French star Antoine Dupont is one of them. US women's Sevens star Ilona Maher is another, for different reasons. Dupont, one of the best players in the world and already a French icon, starred at the Olympic Games for the French Sevens team last year in their gold-medal run. He ensured the limelight was shone even brighter on a sport often considered a little brother to the 15s version. While Maher has more followers than 5 million followers on Instagram — more than any other rugby player in the world — she uses the platform to showcase her personality and the behind-the-scenes action of what being a professional rugby player is like. Maher had a short stint with the Bristol Bears in the United Kingdom at the start of the year and her debut match set a new attendance record for the Bears. Stars bring fans to stadiums and new eyes to the game that desperately needs it. Growing the game Rugby has a massive following in South Africa, with the national team currently enjoying its most successful period in history aiding that. But across the globe, the sport is largely niche with other sports such as soccer and cricket dwarfing rugby in every metric. World Rugby launched several attempts to grow the game and amends its laws almost annually in an attempt to make the game more entertaining to increase its supporter base. But evidently what generates fans, especially new ones, are heroes and interesting characters — such as Dupont, Maher and Pollock. Hendrikse has neither displayed the same larger-than-life personality as the latter two in his five-year professional rugby career to date nor is he quite the superstar that Dupont is, but on Saturday he was cheeky. Although his impudence generally does not extend any further than that of any other scrumhalf. Munster scrumhalf Conor Murray, for example, shook Bradley Davids's hand to 'wish him well' before he took the kick to win the match for the Sharks — not too dissimilar from the gamesmanship that takes place in soccer before a penalty is taken. It's the way sport works. Teams find the tiniest opportunity to find a mental edge, especially in a match where the margins between victory and defeat were evidently so small. These actions should be embraced, it adds an additional layer to the game and simultaneously deepens rivalries — both elements that are positive to growing the game. Although, as with shifting away from the customs of any activity in society, the forebearers often bear the brunt of criticism while paving the way for the next generation. DM
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
England set to learn inaugural Nations Cup opponents
England's Henry Pollock has been selected for this summer's British and Irish Lions tour of Australia [Getty Images] England look set to kick off their inaugural Nations Cup campaign with fixtures against Fiji, South Africa and Argentina next summer. Discussions are under way to play the Fiji "away" match at the Allianz Stadium in Twickenham before trips to South Africa and Argentina. Advertisement England will then host New Zealand, Australia and Japan the following autumn before a grand final. The Nations Cup will take place every two years, excluding years with a Rugby World Cup or a British and Irish Lions tour. While Nations Cup organisers have stressed plans are yet to be finalised, sources have told the BBC negotiations are ongoing to stage the England against Fiji match in Europe, with Twickenham a mooted destination. The Nations Cup top division will consist of the teams that make up the Six Nations, the four Rugby Championship teams, and most likely Japan and Fiji, although their participation is still to be rubber-stamped. Advertisement While the Six Nations and Rugby Championship will continue as normal, the summer and autumn windows will see each country play the six "other" teams, with three matches in July and three in November. The matches in those windows will be amalgamated into a table, with the winners crowned after a finals weekend at the end of November. However, discussions are ongoing about some sides playing one of their "home" matches on neutral territory to reduce travel. But instead of facing England in South Africa or Argentina, it's thought Fiji are open to playing in Europe given the number of their players operating in the northern hemisphere. Advertisement A match at Twickenham would also provide a significant financial boost and draw a big crowd. The Nations Cup was confirmed by World Rugby in October 2023, with the first iteration taking place in 2026 and relegation and promotion scheduled from 2030 onwards.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Making of Henry Pollock
By James Toney You'd be forgiven for thinking Henry Pollock was born in Bundaberg rather than Banbury, because in many ways he is a prodigious, swashbuckling talent straight from Aussie central casting. Swaggering confidence and an unstinting self-belief beyond his years combine with a natural flair for getting under the skin of his opponents. Advertisement He even has the makings of a very strong mullet and is every bit the viral baller – the sort you love to play for you but hate to play against. Think David Campese, but with muscles. Pollock's journey from schoolboy rugby to becoming the youngest forward to play for the British & Irish Lions since 1968 may seem meteoric – he's played barely 40 games at senior level – but it comes as no surprise to him or anyone who knows him. 'It's been mad, the last year's just come so fast,' he said. 'It's been crazy and I'm just trying to enjoy every moment of it, take it all in, and just enjoy rugby and enjoy the moment. 'I've got a great family unit around me and I always look to them and friends whenever I'm on my own or in a dark space. Advertisement 'I'm just working hard and giving everything to my rugby now, no distractions. I'm trying to put more muscle on, working on attack and defence, and across my whole game. I'm definitely not the finished article, so there's definitely more to come. 'I'm here to play Test rugby, that's what I'm pushing for, but I'm also trying to enjoy the journey and just take in all the moments that come with being a Lion.' Those who played a part in Pollock's journey universally speak of his single-mindedness to improve, pushing himself in every training session, beyond the limits of most team-mates. Andrew Porter, Pierre Schoeman and Henry Pollock (©INPHO/Ben Brady) His strength and conditioning coach at Northampton, Jason Sivil, has witnessed the 20-year-old's hard work with awe. Advertisement He has bulked up to over 100kg, can squat 230kg for three reps and bench press 140kg. His aerobic capacity means he can cover the lung-burning 'broncho' – a 1200-metre shuttle run dreaded at clubs up and down the country – in just four minutes and 25 seconds. 'He always wants more, always wants another challenge. All Henry wants to do is push himself further and harder,' said Sivil. Pollock's memories of the last Lions tour to Australia in 2013 are sketchy – though in fairness, he'd only just started playing for the minis at Buckingham Swans, where his first coach, Nick Glister, was quick to identify his raw promise. 'I just remember how strong he was, and super-fit too,' he recalls. 'He was confident, a bit cheeky and very local, but a great team-mate. You could see he was a natural leader.' Advertisement Former Northampton player Grant Seely helped take Pollock's game to the next level at rugby institution Stowe School, while he joined the academy at Saints in his early teens, crediting coach Will Parkin as his biggest influence. However, it wasn't until his sixth form that those guiding his career realised his potential to become a generational player for club, country and – though perhaps a little quicker than even they thought – the Lions. Pollock, like the Wallabies' brilliant rugby league convert Joseph Sua'ali'i, will arrive in Australia as one of the most talked-about players in the game, such has been his rapid ascent. Some might label him a 'bolter' – but in truth, when his name was revealed to fans by Andy Farrell at London's O2, there were universal nods of approval and not a single arched eyebrow of surprise. Advertisement His last 12 months have seen him win the Under-20 World Cup and score two tries on his England debut against Wales, quickly glossing over the fact that, with two Scottish parents, he grew up preferring a thistle to a rose. Henry Pollock is the youngeset player in the Lions squad. (©INPHO/Billy Stickland) He has forced his way into Farrell's selection thoughts not just on the strength of his personality, but the power of his play. Players may be tracked to the inch by their GPS data, but Pollock's game is about more than just those cold, hard metrics – which is perhaps why Maro Itoje, when asked to describe him in one word, couldn't decide between 'annoying' and 'pest', while being quick to add it was meant as a compliment. Advertisement 'I'm going to be the nuisance, I'm going to get up in your face because I'm at my best when I'm confrontational, that's just key to my game,' adds Pollock. 'I'm aggressive – it's been that way since my brother and I were in the back garden and we both liked to win. I'm not looking for trouble, but I'm not shying away from it either. I'm still grafting and still really learning my game.' This is more than just fighting talk, as anyone among the 6,000 at the Stoop for his England A debut last November will testify. Towering Aussie flanker Tom Hooper had given the then-teenager a couple of cheeky digs in an attempt to assert some authority, and Pollock wasn't having it. Advertisement Despite the height, weight, age and experience difference, he stood up to the Exeter-bound blindside flanker, hurling his scrum cap across the pitch as a scuffle ensued. Following a stern word from the referee, Pollock jogged back to his team-mates with a broad grin – mission accomplished. And then there are the celebrations: the basketball lob, or now-trademark 'pulse' – two fingers held to the neck as if to check for signs of life. Australian rugby has a proud history of showmen, including current star Nick Frost, arguably the Wallabies' most athletically gifted lock forward since the great John Eales. Pollock might be from half a world away, but he is cut from similar cloth. Advertisement Hard work has got Pollock to this point, but genetics have helped too – he credits his mum, Hester, with instilling his love of sport, with swimming and triathlon taking equal focus alongside rugby in his early teens. 'My brother, sister and I just all lived for sports – there was no pressure on us, we just played without fear or commitment,' he added. Of course, being the youngest tourist brings additional responsibilities. Pollock will have sole guardianship of the stuffed toy Lion, aptly named 'BIL', and there are serious consequences should it go missing – not easy when more experienced hands have been known to steal and hide him at every available opportunity. Pollock will be in charge of mascot BIL. (©INPHO/Billy Stickland) 'I'm thinking of sewing an AirTag in him,' joked Pollock – a very Gen Z solution to a tradition that started in 1950, with now-captain Itoje taking the role eight years ago in New Zealand, a challenge he jokingly described as more stressful than battling the All Blacks. Advertisement Pollock isn't sure he's going to get much support from Northampton team-mates Tommy Freeman, Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith in his quest to keep 'BIL' safe, but there is no doubt about the tight bond between the four Saints. 'It's so nice to have the boys with me – they're some of my best mates,' he added. 'It's so special to do this with them. They're amazing players and they deserve this. I'm just so happy for them and so happy to be there with their journey, and just looking forward to seeing them rip in.' Rip in? He just might be an Aussie after all. Tap into the Lions Clubhouse App. All you need to do is tap the Smart Tag on your new Lions jersey to access content and join a community of passionate fans for the 2025 Tour of Australia.
Wales Online
5 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
'Pretty angry' Henry Pollock breaks silence on Cardiff incident that led to ban
'Pretty angry' Henry Pollock breaks silence on Cardiff incident that led to ban The England international was at the centre of a clash at the end of the Champions Cup final Henry Pollock explained that there was an incident that instigated his altercation with Bordeaux players. (Image: TNT SPORTS ) Henry Pollock has broken his silence on the violence that kicked off after the Champions Cup final in Cardiff. Bordeaux faced Northampton Saints in European rugby's showpiece event in the Welsh capital last weekend, with the French side winning 28-20 and securing their first-ever European trophy. However, shortly after the full-time whistle, attention was drawn to the immediate aftermath, with Pollock getting stuck into it with Bordeaux prop Jefferson Poirot. The Frenchman was subsequently cited for grabbing Pollock's throat and will now miss his side's final two games of the Top 14 regular season. Pollock and team-mate Tommy Freeman appeared as guests on the latest episode of TNT Sports' The Rugby Breakdown Show and touched on the post-match melee. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. The British & Irish Lions bolter was asked about the incident and told the tale from his perspective. "The whistle goes, and obviously it's pretty heated. I think Dingers (Fraser Dingwall) and (Matthieu) Jalibert were pushing and shoving," Pollock told TNT Sports. "I went over to Jalibert, pushed him and got involved, and was like: 'I'm not letting Dingers be on his own here'. "And then as I'm doing this – I didn't know this in the moment, Fin (Smith) was looking around – apparently the loosehead (Poirot) was on the bench and beelined it straight to me. "So we're in this, and he basically grabs my neck and gets his hands on my throat and squeezes my neck," he added. "I wasn't happy with this, I was pretty angry. "I managed to rip his shirt, and then the bit that you see is as he turns away, I push him, and then his friend comes in. "We had to do statements after. It was mad, you've just won the Champions Cup and the first thing you want to do is run on and strangle a 20-year-old." On Bordeaux players mimicking Pollock's celebration after their victory, David Flatman asked Freeman whether he was a fan of it. "I wouldn't say I love it," began Freeman. "I would actually say, if they want to do that, and make you (Pollock) the front line of their celebrations, then fair play. "He's probably got a bit of a target on his back, through no fault of his own." You can watch the clip below. Content cannot be displayed without consent Article continues below Twenty-year-old Pollock has one game left of the regular season with Saints before taking on Australia with the Lions. He will be the youngest Lion on tour, and like Louis Rees-Zammit in 2021, has the responsibility of carrying BIL the stuffed lion for the entirety of the tour. The young English star will get his first opportunity to play for the Lions when they face Argentina in the opening match of the tour on June 20.
The Independent
5 days ago
- General
- The Independent
Henry Pollock breaks silence on Champions Cup final melee with Bordeaux-Begles prop
Henry Pollock has broken his silence after being involved in a scuffle with Bordeaux-Begles prop Jefferson Poirot after the Investec Champions Cup final. Poirot has been given a two-match ban for grabbing the throat of Northampton 's Pollock when tempers flared following the full-time whistle in Cardiff, where the French club secured a breakthrough European triumph in a captivating 28-20 battle. The veteran prop was cited for an act that Saints boss Phil Dowson described as "uncalled for and out of order", with Pollock getting into it with a number Bordeaux-Begles players. The Lions new boy has now spoken out on the incident, giving his point of view on how things devolved into chaos. 'The whistle goes, and obviously it's pretty heated. I think Dingers (Fraser Dingwall) and (Matthieu) Jalibert were pushing and shoving,' Pollock told TNT Sports. 'I went over to Jalibert, pushed him and got involved, and was like: 'I'm not letting Dingers be on his own here.' 'And then as I'm doing this – I didn't know this in the moment, Fin (Smith) was looking around – apparently the loosehead (Poirot) was on the bench and beelined it straight to me. 'So we're in this, and he basically grabs my neck and gets his hands on my throat and squeezes my neck. I wasn't happy with this, I was pretty angry. 'I managed to rip his shirt, and then the bit that you see is as he turns away, I push him, and then his friend comes in.' Subsequent images shared on social media appeared to show members of the squad at the Top 14 club mocking the expressive Pollock's celebrations. Poirot, capped 36 times by France, is in line to miss the Bordeaux-Begles games against Toulon and Vannes, though will be available for the play-offs with his club currently second in the table.
