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Brumbies and Rugby Australia re-sign hooker on two-year deal
By Ben Smith
Rugby Australia and the Brumbies have announced that hooker Billy Pollard has signed on with Australian Rugby until the end of 2025 on a two-year deal.
The 21-year-old Pollard, who made his Super Rugby debut against the Highlanders in 2021, had a strong finish to the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season which culminated in a memorable match-sealing try against the Chiefs in Hamilton.
Pollard played a crucial role for the Australian Schools and U18s side that went undefeated in New Zealand alongside returning Australian Rugby recruit Joseph Suaalii.
His hard work and dedication paid off as he made his debut for the Wallabies as an emergency cover during Australia's tour of Argentina, becoming Wallaby No 938 as a substitute against the Pumas in San Juan.
Pollard expressed his excitement about staying with the Brumbies and in Australian Rugby as he looks for more international caps with the Wallabies.
"I've enjoyed my time learning at the Brumbies and I'm hungry to earn and compete for more minutes in Super Rugby," he said in a statement.
"Playing for the Wallabies has been and still is a massive goal of mine, and to have made my debut is special. But I'm definitely focused on putting my best foot forward to force my way in on merit."
Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones has been impressed by Pollard's talent and believes that he has plenty ahead of him in Australian Rugby.
"Billy is a good young player, and we're looking forward to watching more of him on the field for the Brumbies during the remainder of the Super Rugby season."
Former Wallaby and Brumbies head coach Stephen Larkham praised the unique talent of his hooker and expressed his gratitude at retaining him.
"As a club, we believe Billy has an amazing future ahead of him, and we're pleased he's chosen to continue with the Brumbies," he said.
"The club has invested a lot in his development, and I think we'll get to see that over the next two and a half years.
"Billy's got attributes most can only dream of having, and with more time at this level, we believe he'll become an important player for us moving forward."
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Latest Comments
500k registered players in SA are scoolgoers and 90% of them don't go on to senior club rugby. SA is fed by having hundreds upon hundreds of schools that play rugby - school rugby is an institution of note in SA - but as I say for the vast majority when they leave school that's it.
Go to commentsDon't think you've watched enough. I'll take him over anything I's seen so far. But let's see how the future pans out. I'm quietly confident we have a row of 10's lined uo who would each start in many really good teams.
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