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'Rugby is kind of at a junction here': Henry Pollock on rugby values
By Jon Newcombe
Showman or show-off? While Henry Pollock’s rugby ability is without question, his antics on the pitch have divided opinion.
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Despite his tender years, the 20-year-old relishes being the centre of attention and expressing himself in whichever way takes his mood.
In Northampton’s 51-16 Investec Champions Cup quarter-final win against Castres, this took the form of baiting the opposition in the act of scoring each of his two tries by delaying touching the ball down in the in-goal area.
For the second, the dynamic England U20 back-rower went one step further by pretending to shoot the ball, basketball-style, over the head of an opponent.
Pollock is unapologetic for his actions despite the outrage from some rugby fans that he’s being disrespectful
“It’s not pre-determined, it’ll all just be off the top of my head,” he said.
“I am just being myself, I guess. If you like it, you like it. If not, then I guess don’t watch it.”
In a recent interview with The Daily Telegraph, Bath attack coach Lee Blackett talked widely about how rugby had to “bring out the players’ personalities.’
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And Pollock, a nominee for the Champions Cup Player of the Year, subscribes to the view that rugby needs to be more entertaining to appeal to a wider spectrum of fans and bring more money into the game.
“I think if you look at football, there is lots of that, and there are lots of kinds of characters and big role models that people kind of want to buy tickets and go and watch and buy shirts from,” he said.
“Rugby is kind of at a junction here, where they need to do something new and they need more characters in the game, that fans can kind of warm to.”
Pollock recognises that by acting the way he does has put a target on his back. And while he says he never pre-plans what he does, you’d bet the celebration won’t be just a simple handshake if he scores a seventh Champions Cup try of the season in the semi-final against Leinster this weekend.
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“It does kind of come with a target on your head, but I am just trying to enjoy my rugby, and I kind of relish those moments anyway.
“I am looking forward to it. It’s a cool place to play against some world-class players, so I’m just excited.”
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I’ve been a football (“soccer”) fan my whole life but the first time I watched rugby, it immediately caught me exactly with its so called values. I don’t want to see it become just another sport played by arrogant douchebags. The fact that over-the-top celebrations, diving and simulating (e.g. Nic White’s moustache injury) are called out is enough proof that it will not happen in the next month or two.
Pollock talking about “more characters in the game” - well, rugby has its Kolisis, Saveas, Duponts. It also had Marler, if we’re talking about banter and shenanigans. Pollock’s type of antics is not in demand. His game is close to world class though.
Not to be encouraged. Have a look at Cipriani’s celebration v Western Force.
So many miserable people out there just wanting to criticise or judge.
He’s a young sportsman having a bit of fun , full of enthusiasm for the game he loves.
Heaven forbid!!
Cheer up you depressing grumps !
Antagonizing and humiliating opponents are not basic rugby values no matter how much fun he is having doing it. He is now saying that its all ok because its not premeditated. And that people who don’t like it shouldn’t watch rugby. Do you want us just to be silent for his egotism or do you also want silence for his public stupidity also?
Post-irony!
Try celebrations are fun, within certain limits. But there is the potential for players to get carried away and do things that are inappropriate or unacceptable.
The NFL had a problem with this and eventually laid out some rules on touchdown celebrations, banning things like sexual references, taunting, and anything dangerous. Refs apply a know-it-when-you-see-it standard.
Rules like that should not be necessary, but if players can’t limit their behaviors then I guess that’s what Rugby will be doing too.
Big bans is enough.
“I am just being myself, I guess. If you like it, you like it. If not, then I guess don’t watch it.”
Don’t watch what? Is he saying people shouldn’t watch rugby if they don’t like Pollocks celebrations? or shouldn’t watch Northhampton play? or perhaps they should look away when he scores? Stupid, egotistical or both. Hard to tell.
Its a game of teamwork and respect. Just because it has turned professional doesn’t mean that the baby gets thrown out with the bath water for a few extra quid.
I agree with most of this… especially when he says if you don’t like it don’t watch it. However, I don’t really see anything wrong with a young lad celebrating once he doesn’t do it in the face of the opposition. Some of his antics will catch him out eventually. I often wondered if Chris Ashton had ever dropped the ball mid-swan for a game winning try, would he have though twice the next time? Remember Willie LeRoux for Wasps v Leinster in 2017 or Freddy Burns for Bath v Toulouse in 2019?
You’re right about this.
I actually disagree that Pollock is especially disrespectful. He’s more cheeky than anything. But his appeal should be his ability, not his personality.