Henry Pollock delivered a hat-trick of tries for England in their recent match against Fiji, contributing to a 73-8 victory. This performance has intensified discussions about whether the back-row forward should secure a starting position for Steve Borthwick’s side.
Pollock’s hat-trick came in the second half at Hill Dickinson Stadium, with his final try occurring after he received a short pass from Tom Curry, navigating through the Fiji defence. Former England wing Chris Ashton, commentating during the match, had anticipated a hat-trick from Pollock, noting the player’s consistent ability to find defensive gaps.
Pollock’s impact and playing style
Pollock’s distinctive playing style includes a knack for identifying and exploiting defensive weaknesses. His first try against Fiji involved a quick kick-chase, beating Jiuta Wainiqolo to a grubber kick. His second try showcased his speed, allowing him to bypass Salesi Rayasi.
Beyond his try-scoring ability, Pollock is recognised for his significant work rate, including ball-carrying and tackling for Northampton during their Prem title run. He is also noted for his accuracy and astuteness at the breakdown, choosing opportune moments for turnovers. His capacity to be in the right place at the right time, and to create opportunities when none are apparent, distinguishes him on the field.
Pollock, who is 21, has a high try-scoring rate in Test rugby. Despite this, his only start in 12 England caps was against Ireland in this year’s Six Nations. In that match, England faced a strong opposition, and their back row, which included Pollock at number eight alongside Ben Earl and Tom Curry, was reportedly outmatched.
The match against Fiji, where the opposition was already significantly behind and a player down due to Simione Kuruvoli’s red card, provided ample space for Pollock to demonstrate his abilities. This scenario, however, made it challenging to draw definitive conclusions about England’s collective performance.
Borthwick remained non-committal when questioned about Pollock potentially starting in future matches, stating that many players contributed to creating scoring opportunities. He acknowledged Pollock as an outstanding player but also highlighted the depth of talent among England’s back-row forwards.
The England coach has expressed interest in how coaches manage high expectations, having consulted with various Premier League managers on the subject. He emphasised the importance of consistent preparation and review, praising good performance while also identifying areas for improvement.
Other players also made an impact in the match against Fiji. Noah Caluori, a young try-scoring talent from Saracens, and Benhard Janse van Rensburg, who recently qualified for England, both scored debut tries after coming off the bench.
Looking ahead for England
The victory against Fiji, despite the opposition’s performance, offered a glimpse of the potential England supporters have been hoping for. Borthwick is expected to consider the balance of pace and potential in his squad, particularly with the 2027 World Cup approaching and limited opportunities for experimentation.
He may consider starting players like Benhard van Rensburg and Henry Slade in the midfield, with Manny Feyi-Waboso and Tommy Freeman on the wings, and Noah Caluori on the bench. There is also a suggestion that Marcus Smith could be considered at scrum-half, a position he played in his youth, especially following Alex Mitchell’s hamstring injury.
Fiji Rugby Chair John Sanday acknowledged the disappointment surrounding the Flying Fijians’ on-field performance against England. He noted that the board and management shared the fans’ disappointment. Sanday highlighted the significant off-field success, including the successful and profitable execution of three home games, with the match against England witnessing a large attendance of over 50,000 paying spectators. The profits from these games are intended to be reinvested into facilities, member unions, and to clear inherited debt, providing a clean financial base for Fiji Rugby.
England’s next match is against Argentina in Santiago del Estero on Saturday.
Source: theguardian.com
