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Handre Pollard's big promise to Montpellier fans ahead of his debut

Handre Pollard. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Handre Pollard is set to make his Montpellier debut this Saturday against Racing in Paris after recovering from the fractured cheekbone injury suffered in the World Cup final win over England.

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The South African talisman signed for the French club for three years and has told media ahead of his first outing that he wants to deliver Top 14 title success during his stay after tasting World Cup glory with the Springboks. 

“For an international player, it’s always a goal to win a title for his country, especially a World Cup,” he told Rugbyrama. 

“When I started with the Springboks, that was my goal. Now it is a thing of the past. It’s a memory that will stay with me for life and also gives me confidence because we have been successful at the highest level. Now the most important thing for me is the future and winning a title with Montpellier.

“The most important thing for me is not my personal case but the team. I repeat: I want to try to win trophies. I’m going to give my best and for that, I have to immerse myself in another culture. It’s up to me to adapt.

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“The most important thing is what the coach and the team want from me. I will try to integrate myself as quickly as possible and bring the maximum. It may take some time, but I hope it goes well this weekend.”

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Pollard’s need for treatment following the World Cup meant he missed the Springboks’ five-day trophy parade across South Africa.

He could have debuted last weekend against Toulouse in the Champions Cup, but Montpellier decided to keep him under wraps for a further week. 

Currently fourth in the league, the club are still chasing their first-ever title having lost the 2018 final to Castres in Paris.

WATCH: Scotland rugby legend Gavin Hastings surprises one of Glasgow Warriors’ longest-serving fans, Eric Graham, by giving him a lift to Scotstoun for a match in a Land Rover Discovery 

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M
MA 4 hours ago
How the four-team format will help the Wallabies defeat the Lions

In regards to Mack Hansen, Tuipoloto and others who talent wasnt 'seen'..

If we look at acting, soccer and cricket as examples, Hugh Jackman, the Heminsworths in acting; Keith Urban in Nashville, Mike Hussey and various cricketers who played in UK and made the Australian team; and many soccer players playing overseas.


My opinion is that perhaps the ' 'potential' or latent talent is there, but it's just below the surface.


ANd that decision, as made by Tane Edmed, Noah, Will Skelton to go overseas is the catalyst to activate the latent and bring it to the surface.


Based on my personal experience of leaving Oz and spending 14 months o/s, I was fully away from home and all usual support systems and past memories that reminded me of the past.


Ooverseas, they weren't there. I had t o survive, I could invent myself as who I wanted, and there was no one to blame but me.


It bought me alive, focused my efforts towards what I wanted and people largely accepted me for who I was and how I turned up.


So my suggestion is to make overseas scholarships for younger players and older too so they can benefit from the value offered by overseas coaching acumen, established systems, higher intensity competition which like the pressure that turns coal into diamonds, can produce more Skeltons, Arnold's, Kellaways and the like.


After the Lion's tour say, create 20 x $10,000 scholarships for players to travel and play overseas.


Set up a HECS style arrangement if necessary to recycle these funds ongoingly.


Ooverseas travel, like parenthood or difficult life situations brings out people's physical and emotional strengths in my own experiences, let's use it in rugby.

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