VIDEO: Can Pollard play the Tony Brown game?
The Handre Pollard debate refuses to die down and the Boks Office crew – host Hanyani Shimange, with Springbok legends Jean de Villiers and Schalk Burger – is less worried about his erratic goalkicking than his general play.
The two-time World Cup winner, who slotted match-winners with ease under pressure in Paris last October, appeared a bit ring rusty in the first Test against Ireland last Saturday.
Despite a 27-20 win at Loftus Versfeld, the focus was very much on a Pollard performance that was not up to his usual standards.
He kicked just four from seven – a 57 percent strike rate for a kicker that almost always kicks above 80 percent.
However, Burger – in the latest episode of the Boks Office podcast – wondered if Pollard can master the Tony Brown attacking formula.
Burger said a flyhalf – based on the Tony Brown game plan – has to be ‘dominant’ on the gainline.
(WATCH as the Boks Office crew – host Hanyani Shimange, with Springbok legends Jean de Villiers and Schalk Burger – analyse the 2024 version of Handre Pollard….)
“Forget about Handre Pollard’s boot,” he said about the two-time World Cup-winning No.10’s uncharacteristically poor goalkicking – slotting just two of his five penalty attempts at goal, which kept Ireland in the game even when the Boks were dominating proceedings.
“That happens to everyone,” the 86-times capped Bok legend added.
“His [Pollard’s] biggest question from Tony Brown will be: ‘How effective can he be on the gainline?’
“That is something he did when he was younger – Under-20, Under-19 or the Boks in 2014-14..
“He was dominant on the gainline as a flyhalf.
“He needs to be an attacking threat.
“That is where Tony Brown would like to take Handre back to.
“For a player who is a little bit further on in his career [30-years-old and 70 Tests] that is a great challenge to have.
“He has the skill set to play on the gainline.”
Burger added that Pollard should always be a threat and not play lateral.
“In the past, we have seen – with Handre Pollard – it is long passes and lateral passes,” added that Pollard must “play straight” and be a “direct option”.
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