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'Leading 10 in the world' Handre Pollard flies home from Australia
By Online Editors
Flyhalf Handre Pollard, who played a key role in a rare away success for the Bulls in Australia last week, is returning home after injuring his calf and will miss the next three Super Rugby matches.
Team captain Pollard picked up the calf strain in training this week ahead of Friday’s clash against the ACT Brumbies, the Bulls said in a statement on Wednesday.
His return to South Africa means he also misses the last two of the Bulls’ four-match swing through Australia and New Zealand.
They beat the Melbourne Rebels last Friday, with the 25-year-old Pollard kicking 12 points in the 32-17 victory that took the Bulls top of the South African conference.
But he now also misses key matches against Auckland Blues on May 31 and Otago Highlanders on June 7 before the Bulls return home for the last regular season match at home to neighbours the Lions on June 15.
Duane Vermeulen will lead the Bulls in Canberra on Friday while Pollard’s place is taken by 21 -year-old Manie Libbok.
"Handre is probably in the leading 10 in the world at the moment, so to take over from him is not easy, but Manie has done well for us when he took to the field this year and I have the utmost confidence in him this weekend," said Bulls coach Pote Human.
"He is an exciting young talent and we are looking forward to watching him grow. He would not be around if he was not good enough, that is for sure."
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Latest Comments
The New Zealand performance in the return fixture in 2016 was filthy. A lot of Irish supporters were pretty shocked by it, viewed it as de facto cheating just to avoid another defeat.
Also shocked by the abuse to Ireland, captain, vice-captain and spectators after the full time whistle in Paris defeat, last match.
Sledging is sledging, but that happens during the game and targetting spectators should be completely out of bounds.
The Irish public used to enjoy these matches, even in defeat. Now they are necessary but unpleasant, because NZ apparently cannot accept or respect successful challengers.
Go to commentsThanks for the analysis Nick, thought provoking as usual. Couple of queries though, in the pic where you've circled Williams bind , I'm pretty sure it shows Stuart's knee on the ground, surely that's a NZ penalty? Also having had the chance to watch it again the All Black scrum seeems to improve after halftime, but before either England or the All Blacks replace their props. Not sure if that was the result of Tuipolutu coming on or some halftime tips. Either way this is only Williams second international season, so he'll be better for the experience.
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